Board of Directors

Carolyn Warkentin has been the Executive Director at South Essex Community Council in Leamington, Ontario for the past ten years. Prior to that, she spent ten years in the employment sector as an Employment Consultant and a Program Manager. She has been the Southwest Rep for over ten years and brings a great deal of past board experience with her. Carolyn currently sits on two other boards, one of which she is the Chair. Carolyn also delivers board governance training to other non-profit boards on behalf of United Way Centraide Windsor-Essex. Carolyn has a Bachelor of Arts Degree, a Career Practitioner’s Certificate, and a Certified Association Executive certification from the Canadian Society of Association Executives.

Gillian Watters is currently the Director of Programs at Kingston Employment & Youth Services (KEYS) and has been part of the First Work/OAYEC network for over 25 years. A graduate of both Queen’s (BA/BEd) and St. Lawrence (BST), Gillian has spent most of her career in the field of workforce development and career counseling. Her years of front-line experience as a teacher, career counselor, and job developer bring a pragmatism to an otherwise creative approach to program development. In her current role, Gillian is particularly passionate about creating programs which support people through the transition to sustainable employment, and supporting community-led initiatives to grow local economies. Gillian has been a director and/or officer on numerous boards over the years and is currently a Director of Kingston Economic Development as well as the Eastern Region Representative and Director with First Work.

Laryssa has been with the John Howard Society of Niagara for 16 years in a variety of capacities. Her primary role has been in the employment services division, Job Gym, as part of the management team, with a staff of over 30 individuals in both Welland and Fort Erie, and 8 provincially funded programs.

Previously, Laryssa worked as a group facilitator and employment counsellor ‎ assisting and coaching clients with diverse backgrounds. Her expertise lies primarily in youth employment issues and pre-employment training using cognitive behavior techniques.

Laryssa acts in an advisory capacity for First Work, the Ontario Association of Youth Employment Centres. In addition, Laryssa is an active member in cross Regional committees and groups including Executive member of YES Niagara, Executive member Welland Neighbourhood Projects, former Employment Service management advisor with Literacy and Basic Skills; Literacy Service Providers and Common Frontline Group, Erie Service Providers, and Youth Engagement Community of Practice. Laryssa’s strengths includes a hands-on leadership approach, mentoring and coaching, and responding to labour market demands using creativity and ability to be a forward thinker. Laryssa’s focus at the moment is performing statistical analysis of all employment service reports and evaluating the effectiveness of current practices and behaviours.

Laryssa has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Management Certificate and Human Services. She has a passion for studying social behaviour, especially in the not-for-profit sector.

Adam Pinder is a dynamic leader passionate about empowering individuals and fostering community growth in small centers and Northern Ontario. With a diverse background in education, construction, and the not-for-profit sector, Adam brings valuable knowledge and understanding to his role.

Having earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Adam's educational background shapes his approach to leadership. He recognizes the transformative power of education and utilizes this insight to design innovative programs that support newcomers' settlement and integration and job seekers reaching their employment goals.

With experience in the construction industry, starting as a summer student and progressing to Project Manager, Adam developed a strong work ethic, attention to detail, and effective project management skills. This experience lends him a unique perspective on bridging different industries.

As the Executive Director of the Sault Community Career Centre, Adam leverages his skills in communication and leadership. He builds partnerships with government agencies, community leaders, and organizations to address newcomers' needs and aspirations effectively.

Adam is committed to diversity and inclusion, striving to create equitable opportunities for all. His comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by individuals in small centers and Northern Ontario enables him to develop tailored approaches that address their specific needs.

In addition to his professional pursuits, Adam remains dedicated to community impact. By engaging with community leaders and advocating for inclusive policies and initiatives, he works towards creating a more equitable society.

Adam’s diverse background enriches his leadership in empowering individuals and fostering community growth in small centers and Northern Ontario. Through innovative program design, effective communication, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, Adam continues to make a lasting impact on the regions he serves.

Kim Patel has been in the employment field for close to two decades, supporting job seekers in a variety of programs in many roles including Resource Counsellor, Job Developer and Coordinator. Kim strives to empower her team to provide exceptional support to the Employment & Training Centre’s participants. This support includes finding employment opportunities that fall within the decent work realm.

Sue Watts is the Executive Director of the Employment + Education Centre, a charitable, not-for-profit, multi-service organization. Sue has over 25 years’ experience in the not-for-profit sector and prides herself on building and growing community collaborations for the purpose of meeting the needs of and positively impacting her communities.

Sue is the recipient of National, Provincial and Local awards for her work in this sector. Sue is an Executive Member of the ONESTEP Board of Directors (provincial) and an Executive Member of Credit Counselling Canada Board of Directors (national). Locally, she is an active member of a number of boards and committees including; City of Brockville Economic Development Advisory Committee, Victim Services of Leeds, Grenville and Lanark, Leeds and Grenville Poverty Reduction Alliance, EKIOC Transportation Committee, RNJ Youth Services, Leeds and Grenville Immigration Partnership Council and Employment /Settlement Committee.

For over 15 years, Ray dedicated his life to the social service sector, assisting job seekers in meeting their employment goals. In 2017 Ray launched a digital media and brand ambassador company partnering with companies throughout Canada and the United States to build brand awareness. Some of the brands that Ray has partnered with are Amazon, Fanatics, Manscaped, Draft Kings, NewBreak App, SportsCastr, Halftime App, and ColorCast.

LeeAnne Maille is the Director of Operations at Yes Employment Services in North Bay. She brings to the First Work Board 20 years’ experience in the field where she has worked in both front-line and management roles. She brings a solid understanding of the complexities surrounding the issue of youth employment, as well as experience addressing these issues by taking on leadership, advocacy and collaborative roles when needed. LeeAnne’s experience includes both Ministry- and community-led committees and initiatives including the EOIS External Reference Group, the local Homelessness and Housing Partnership, the Crown Ward Education Championship Table, the OYAP steering community for the local French catholic school board and the local Newcomer Network. LeeAnne looks forward to continuing to contribute to improvements in the area of youth employment as a member of the First Work Board of Directors.

Ian’s involvement in the field of youth employment in Toronto commenced in 1987, and he has been with the YMCA of Greater Toronto for the past 20 years. His experience in employment counseling and job development has helped him develop an appreciation for the struggles that many job-seeking individuals go through, and he is amazed and impressed by the tenacity and diligence that so many of his clientele have demonstrated to find and maintain employment, and improve their lives. He owes his success as the General Manager of the York Region Employment Services to the many staff that he has had the privilege of working alongside, in the past and today.

Suzanne holds the position of Executive Director at CERF Niagara (Centre d’emploi et de ressources francophone), the only Francophone employment center in the Niagara Region. For the past 7 years she has supported youth with career counselling, including the French community, to achieve their employment goals. Suzanne enjoys facilitating a variety of youth workshops within the two French schoolboards as well as Brock University. Suzanne is also a Board member with the Club Richelieu Niagara Falls since 2009 where she was Secretary, Director, and President. She enjoyed leading the Club’s annual Wine and Cheese Auction Fundraisers, amongst other fundraisers, with all proceeds going back into the community to support families, children and youth. As a parent of young adults herself, Suzanne can relate to some of the challenges youth might face while on their journey to employment. She will draw from her knowledge and experiences in continuing to support the youth as a member of the board with First Work.