Susan Barberstock is from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory.  

 

Susan is the Director of Community Wellbeing in her home community.  Her experience combined with her education, which is a Bachelor of Social Work from Ryerson University has assisted her in her career path working with the urban Indigenous population and the on reserve population.   

 

Susan has also been involved with youth sports in many capacities, participant, coach, manager, spectator and parent.

Shawn has been the Operations Manager for Trinity Fire and Security since 2015.

 

A graduate from the University of Ottawa in Anthropology, Shawn’s passion has always been towards Culture and Community Development. Driven to make a better community for his young family, Shawn is excited to be a member of Children’s Mental Health Services Board and their community initiative.

 

Recently completing three terms on the Board of Directors for the Quinte West Chamber of Commerce, Shawn brings a wide range of experiences and skills to CHMS; having worked with the local business community and on various committees like the Young Professionals and Government Affairs. Shawn hopes to bring fresh energy to the board and further the services and aid provided by the CHMS to the community and people in need.

David Lee, has been the Financial Director of the Trenton Military Family Resource Centre since 2004.

 

He has many years of experience working within his current Not-for-Profit organization.  David is a chartered accountant and a member is good standing with the Chartered Professional Accountants Association (CGA/CPA) since 1992.  David brings strong financial and business experience.

 

David has come to our Board with the wish to contribute to the organization that assists youth with their mental health needs.  He sees this as an important role within the community that he can contribute to.

The Honourable Mr. Justice Peter Jeffrey Wright was appointed to the Ontario Court of Justice in 2002. 

 

Peter has experience as an Official Guardian Representative, assisting children in conflict with the law.

Peter has demonstrated a commitment to public service both professionally and personally within our community. He is the recipient of 10 and 15 yr volunteer achievement awards from the Premier of Ontario for service to the community. 

 

He has joined our board to help make life better for the youth within our community who need understanding and care.

Grace is currently a student at Trent University enrolled in Social Work. 

 

Grace was a student trustee on the Hastings and Prince Edward District school board, and a part of the Mental Health Leadership team and Equity and Inclusivity committee, which has given her some valuable experience.

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Grace is extremely passionate about being involved in the community and providing youth perspective wherever possible!

Cristy is the Director of Athletics and Recreation at Loyalist College, where she combines her passion for education and sports to foster an inclusive and dynamic campus environment.

 

She holds a Bachelor of Education from McGill University and a Master of Education in Educational Psychology from the University of Alberta. 

 

An educator at heart, Cristy brings extensive experience in teaching, coaching, and leadership across all age groups. She is driven by a commitment to create healthy spaces by removing barriers, leading with empathy, and empowering others to make informed choices.

 

Recently relocated to the Quinte area, Cristy is eager to contribute her diverse skill set to the local community. She looks forward to supporting CMHS and its ongoing outreach efforts, as she works to give back and make a meaningful impact.

Emma-Leigh is an incoming student at Trent University pursuing a dual degree in Medical Sciences with an interest in Indigenous Studies. 

 

This program allows her to explore both the scientific foundations of healthcare and the cultural and systemic factors that impact health and wellness. She served as the 2024-2025 Indigenous Student Trustee for the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board, where she focused on advocating for equity, amplifying Indigenous student voice, and contributing to policy discussions at both the board and provincial levels.

 

Emma-Leigh has also been involved in community leadership and volunteering, through board-wide events, student leadership retreats and cultural workshops designed to foster connection, identity, and peer support. Her long-term goal is to become a pediatric gastrointestinal surgeon and return to serve her community.

 

She is excited to join the CMHS Board to share her passion and goals to improve youth mental health systems and ensure they are inclusive, effective, and culturally safe.

Sarah has both a Bachelor of Commerce, and a Juris Doctor (J.D.). 

 

Sarah has spent her legal career focussing on Criminal Law as both a Provincial and Federal Crown and regularly appears in Youth Court.  As a local prosecutor, Sarah is familiar with the systemic factors that often result in youth appearing in court and has experience connecting local stakeholders to youth and families in need.  Sarah hopes to assist CMHS in connecting with stakeholders and formulating policy that will integrate well with other partners. 

 

Sarah’s family has been in Hastings and Prince Edward Country for four generations.  Sarah is a past Vice President of the Hasting County Law Association, has taught part-time at Loyalist College, and coached the Bayside High School moot team.  Sarah enjoys travelling, competing her horse, skiing, and spending time with her family and friends.

Michele holds a Master of Education in Curriculum from the University of Toronto and is a founding committee member and organizer of Light the Night Belleville.

 

​Michele McGrath brings over 35 years of experience in education and leadership within the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board. Most recently, she served as Superintendent of Education (2020–2025) and has held a variety of roles including Principal, Vice Principal, Special Assignment Teacher, and classroom Teacher across grades K–7.

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Throughout her career, Michele has demonstrated strong skills in strategic thinking, governance, and collaboration, with a deep commitment to supporting student success and well-being. She is recognized as a thoughtful and proactive leader, with strengths in communication, decision-making, and financial literacy.

 

She is a lifelong learner dedicated to fostering supportive, inclusive environments for children, youth, and families in the community.​​

Susan has been the Chief Executive Officer at CMHS since 2015.

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Susan brings extensive experience in human services across Canada to CMHS. Originally trained as an Early Childhood Educator, she earned a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Regina and spent 15 years in Child Protection, holding progressive leadership roles and training professionals across Ontario in forensic interviewing.

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She has contributed at the national level as an Expert Member of the Senate of Canada’s Roundtable on Sexually Exploited Youth, influencing amendments to the Criminal Code. Susan holds a Master of Public Administration from Queen’s University and a Master of Laws from York University, and has held senior leadership roles in family services and national accreditation development. A lifelong learner, she remains committed to strengthening mental health services for children and youth — because “kids deserve better.”