Our Board of Directors

How We Are Governed

York Support Service Network is a not-for-profit charitable organization, incorporated since 1982. YSSN is governed by a voluntary Board of Directors. The Board follows a policy model of governance and includes, within its key tasks and commitments:

The Board constitutes itself in a way that ensures a broad representation of the community we serve, including members who are:

YSSN’S Board Members 2020-2021

Ursula Rehdner – Chair

Ursula has been a YSSN Board Member since 2015 and currently serves as the Board’s Chair. A resident of York Region, Ursula brings a significant developmental services (DS) focus to the Board. Having worked in the DS sector since 2011, Ursula has extensive experience in social services, including over 20 years in community-based health, 4.5 years at Community Living York South and currently as the President and CEO of Aptus Treatment Centre, a Toronto-based organization that supports people with developmental disabilities. 

Lois Alderson-Wigelius, Vice-Chair

Lois has been a YSSN Board Member since 2018 and currently serves as the Board’s Vice-Chair. A long-time York Region resident, Lois has a passion for supporting individuals with developmental disabilities. She recently retired from the York Region District School Board after more than 30 years in public education, including working in Special Education and holding the position of Coordinator of Autism Services. Lois’ commitment continues as she now works part-time to assist families with children with multiple special needs, in accessing supports and services, as a Service Planning Coordinator. Lois is also the parent of a son with special needs.

Brad Smith – Treasurer

Brad has been a YSSN Board Member since 2017 and currently serves as the Board’s Treasurer. A resident of York Region, Brad has always been passionate about helping businesses and not-for-profits alike grow and transform themselves to better serve their communities. Brad, a licensed public accountant, has been a partner at SSL Group in Newmarket since 2009 and has been involved in planning and providing audit services and preparing business and personal taxes for small businesses for more than 20 years. The financial expertise that Brad brings to his Treasurer role is very welcomed and appreciated by the Board.
 

Sarah Butterworth – Director

Sarah has been a YSSN Board Member since 2013. Sarah brings a unique perspective to the Board from her 20+ year career as a York Region police officer, having served as a Constable, Sergeant and currently as Staff Sergeant. Sarah was one of the original YRP members to work in partnership with YSSN’s Crisis Response Program as we launched our Mental Health Support Team. Sarah’s passion for giving back is evidenced not only through her membership on YSSN’s Board; Sarah has also supported the work of the Canadian Cancer Society as a volunteer driver, as well as the St. John’s Ambulance Therapy Dog Program.

 

Susan Dobson – Director:

Susan has been a YSSN Board Member since 2016. Susan has been working in the social services field in York Region for more than 15 years; most notably in the violence against women sector as well as the mental health and addictions sector. Susan has worked as a trained Peer Supporter since 2011 and currently fulfills the role of Executive Director for the Krasman Centre. Susan brings a unique perspective as both a person with lived mental health experience as well as someone who has supported a family member. Her dedication to supporting people with mental health challenges is reflective in her contributions to the Board.

 

Rosalyn Gambell – Director

Rosalyn has been a YSSN Board Member since 2018. A former long-term York Region resident, Rosalyn offers a significant health management and hospital perspective to the Board. Recently retired from Southlake Regional Health Centre as the Manager, Health Links and Chronic Diseases, Rosalyn’s career has been dedicated to helping others in a variety of GTA hospital settings. From nursing to management positions, including oversight of several medical care units and outpatient clinics programs, Rosalyn’s experience always helps inform Board discussions.


Penny Hubbert – Director

Penny has most recently been a YSSN Board Member since 2012, which has included a term as Board Chair. This is not Penny’s first involvement with YSSN though by any means. We are thrilled to have had Penny’s support in some way almost since our inception. Penny was an early staff member working at YSSN’s South Office, as well she has previously served on the YSSN Board, holding the Board Chair role for several years. In addition to supporting people through her work with YSSN, Penny is retired from a 35-year career in healthcare, which included roles as senior health planner, community developer and seniors community program manager.


Bryan Laviolette

 

Heather Meikle – Director
 
Heather has been a YSSN Board Member since 2017. A resident
of York Region, Heather brings a welcomed Human Resources perspective to her work on
the Board, with other 30 years’ experience working as a Human Resources professional,
within a number of different organizational settings.


Michelle Song


Lisa Weekes

 

Kimberly Thorn – Executive Director/Director (ex officio)

Kimberly was appointed YSSN’s Executive Director in June 2020. Having worked in Developmental Services since 1993, and starting her tenure with YSSN in 2004, Kimberly has brought her expertise in working with people with developmental disabilities to the many roles she has held at YSSN. Most recently, Kimberly was YSSN’s Developmental Services Director and Director of DSO Central East Region, where she worked to ensure YSSN’s priorities reflect the growing needs of the communities and people we support.

 

 

If you are interested in exploring membership on YSSN’s Board of Directors or have any questions about our Board, please feel free to contact us at contact@yssn.ca.