Our Board
Board of Directors
David Lee, Board Chair
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.
David Lee
Peter Wright, Secretary
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.
Steve Goetz, Treasurer
Steve Goetz is a finance and accounting executive with extensive experience in Operational and Personal Finance, Strategy and Performance, with a demonstrated history of working in the private sector, as well as the hospital & health care industry.
Steve holds a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance and Information Systems, a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation from the Institute of Management Accountants, as well as a BSc in applied science and several certificates including: LEAN Six Sigma Black Belt and Advanced Health Leadership (U of T, Rotman School of Business).
Susan Barberstock, Director
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 Lauzer, Director
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.
Kiyden Zachariah, Director
Robert Waldon, Director
After almost 40 years’ working across Canada in major project management, negotiation, mediation, community engagement and non-profit boards, Bob recently “graduated to 100% volunteer status”. A husband, parent, runner and lifelong volunteer, Bob is collaborative, inquisitive and a relationship-builder who wants to draw on that experience to support progress in youth wellbeing, the environment and Reconciliation.
From personal experience as a mediator, parent and volunteer in youth restorative justice, Bob learned firsthand that the wellbeing of families is a pillar of healthy communities. He looks forward to being a part of Children’s Mental Health Services’ mission to help children, youth and their families cope with life’s challenges in the communities that they serve.
Kiydan is currently a student through Willis College taking their Veterinary Medical Assistant course online. Kiydan was a member of the Accessibility Advisory Committee in Prince Edward County, and a Student Trustee for the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board for 2 years where they were on the Equity and Inclusivity Committee.
Kiydan is a huge advocate for human rights and accessibility, and enjoys providing a youthful perspective anywhere they can. Ensuring that services for children and youth are designed and accessible for them is very important to them.
Grace Whyte, Director
Grace is currently a student at Queen's University enrolled in psychology and gender studies. 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!
Bryan Davies, Director
Bryan holds an Honours degree in Economics and Political Science from the University of Toronto and an MBA from York University. He has an MA in Counselling Psychology from the Chicago Based Adler Professional School. He completed a certificate program in Conflict Management and Mediation from the University of Waterloo.
Bryan's professional background includes more than 20 years in the Canadian financial services industry including time as a Vice President in Human Resources with the CIBC. He was an Associate Client Partner with Hay Group, now Korn Ferry, for more than 23 years. Now semi-retired, he continues to consult independently. He is a vice-president of the Trenton Lion’s Club and a member of the board of Highland Shores Children’s Aid Society.
Children’s Mental Health Services (CMHS) is seeking new Board Members with a passion for children and youth and who care about their mental health and wellness, within our communities.
We are looking for people with skills that can contribute to the organization and to the vision of building a better system of service for children and youth across Hastings and Prince Edward Counties (HPE).
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Our Board supports the vision of collaboration with other not for profit Boards to help improve the overall system for children and youth within HPE.
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If you are interested in joining our Board please complete the following Board Application Form and submit it to EA@cmhs-hpe.on.ca
Meet the CEO
Susan Sweetman
Susan Sweetman, CEO
Susan has been the Chief Executive Officer at CMHS since 2015.
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Susan came to CMHS with vast Human Service experience, spanning across the country and various field.
Susan’s initial background with children was as an Early Childhood Educator, studying at Loyalist College. She then shifted to the field of Child Protection, completing a Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Regina in 1997. Susan held various progressive positions in Regina, North Bay and Ottawa, throughout her fifteen year career within Child Protection. She was also a trainer with the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies, teaching forensic interviewing skills to police and social workers across the province.
Susan was also called upon to be an Expert Member of the Senate of Canada’s Roundtable on Sexually Exploited Youth in Conflict with the Law. As a result, amendments were made to Criminal Code sections related to the Age of Consent, Sexual Exploitation and a new section created related to Internet Luring of children.
Susan completed a Master of Public Administration at Queens University in 2004, pursuing her love of policy and leadership.
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Returning to the Quinte area in 2005, Susan initially assisted the courts as a Family Court Clinic Assessor, then accepted the position as Executive Director at the Trenton Military Family Resource Centre and was seconded to DND to develop National Accreditation standards for all MFRCs. In 2013, Susan completed a Masters of Laws at York University.
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In 2015, Susan joined the team at CMHS, wanting to return to her clinical roots in social work. Seeing the great need within the community and the challenge ahead for the Mental Health sector, Susan assumed the challenge of seeking Lead Agency status for CMHS within the first three months on the job. In 2017, Susan continued her education, completing the Public Sector Executive Leadership program at the Rotman School of Business.
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As a lifelong learner, Susan is committed to always improving the work she does with children and youth because “kids deserve better!”