Board Members

The Child and Family Services Review Board is comprised of 20 part-time Board members, 2 full-time Vice-Chairs and 1 full-time Chair. Board members are listed below. Please click on the name of a Board member to read more.

If you are interested in becoming a Board member, please contact the Public Appointments Secretariat at (416) 327-2640 or visit www.pas.gov.on.ca.

Board Member Biographies

SUZANNE GILBERT Chair (October 2006 – October 2011)

Suzanne Gilbert was appointed full-time Chair of the Child and Family Services Review Board/Custody Review Board on October 18, 2006.

Ms. Gilbert is a lawyer and member of the Barreau du Quebec. She obtained a «Licence en droit» from the University of Montreal, and a Masters in Health Law from the University of Sherbrooke.

Ms. Gilbert has extensive experience in the practice of law especially as it relates to criminal law, youth protection, adoption matters and administrative law. She was appointed counsel for a large number of children in a Provincial Inquiry Commission that investigated allegations of sexual abuse involving staff in a group home. She has also acquired significant knowledge about public administration at both municipal and provincial levels.

Prior to joining the Board, Ms. Gilbert was Assistant Deputy Chair of the Toronto Office of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB), Refugee Protection Division. During her ten years with the IRB, Ms. Gilbert held positions as member and coordinating member of the Refugee Protection Division.

RUTH ANN SCHEDLICH - Vice Chair (August 2001 – October 2012)

Ruth Ann Schedlich served as a trustee on the Durham District School Board for eleven years and as Chair and Vice Chair of the School Board. She served in the past as acting part-time Chair of the Child and Family Services Review Board and the Custody Review Board and has been a full time Vice Chair of the CFSRB/CRB since February 2007.

Previously Ms. Schedlich was a director of the Ontario Public School Board Association, The Learning Partnership and the Community Development Council of Ajax/Pickering. For six years she worked with primary, junior and intermediate children in Grove School treatment classrooms in the Durham District School Board.

JENNIFER SCOTT - Vice Chair  (June 2008 - June 2010)

Jennifer Scott began her legal career in 1988 practising corporate commercial litigation with McMillan Binch.  In 1992, she became legal counsel to the Ontario Human Rights Commission and continued in that position until 1994.  In 1994, Ms. Scott became the Director of Litigation with the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund and remained with LEAF over the next four years.  In 1999, she opened her own law practice, specializing in administrative law.  In private practice, Ms. Scott acted for the Law Society of Upper Canada and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario in professional misconduct cases and represented the Ontario and Canadian Human Rights Commissions before their respective human rights tribunals.  She also represented public interest organizations in coroners’ inquests and acted on behalf of parents and students before education tribunals.  Ms. Scott was independent legal counsel to the Ontario Special Education (English) Tribunal from 2004 to 2006 and to the Child and Family Services Review Board from 2004 to May 2008.  She has been a part-time member of the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario since 2006 and a full-time vice-chair with the Child and Family Services Review Board since June 2008. 

DONALD BUTLER (December 2006 - December 2011)

Donald Butler has been an Incumbent at The Church of the Nativity since 1991. Prior to this, Mr. Butler was an Assistant Priest at The Church of the Epiphany, a Priest at St. James' Cathedral, Senior Priest at St. John's Cathedral in Antigua and Associate Priest at St. Mary's Church in Belize. His community involvement includes working with Deans of Trinity College's ad hoc Committee on Theological Education of Blacks, The Black Anglican Coordinating Committee, and as the Community Chaplain at Scarborough Centenary Hospital.

CELIA DENOV (February 2007 – February 2012)

Celia Denov has over thirty years of experience working in the fields of social services, health and women's issues. After working for the Ontario Public Service for 25 years, Ms. Denov retired at the level of Assistant Deputy Minister, Ministry of Community and Social Services in 2000. Ms. Denov was formerly a secondary school teacher in Tanzania with CUSO. Ms. Denov is currently working in public policy. She holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Toronto.

DENYSE DIAZ (October 2006 - October 2011)

Denyse Diaz practiced family law in the Durham Region and frequently appeared on behalf of the Office of the Children's Lawyer in custody/access disputes and child protection matters.

Ms. Diaz holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto, a Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from Osgoode Hall Law School. Ms. Diaz continues to be an active member of the Ontario Legal Aid Plan, Area Committee in Oshawa and the Durham Region Law Association.

PATRICK R. DORAN (May 2007 – May 2012)

Patrick Doran, of Kapuskasing, obtained a BA in Philosophy from Ottawa University and an MA in Counselling and Education from Niagara University. A former Catholic Priest, he has worked with and organized many volunteer community and church groups such as the Food Bank, Friendship Centre, Women's Shelter and Community Centre. Mr. Doran was previously an adjudicator with the Immigration and Refugee Board for nine years and seven years as an adjudicator with the Social Benefits Tribunal.

JOHN GATES (October 2005 – October 2009)

John Gates retired in 2004 following a 32-year career as a secondary school teacher. Throughout his career, Mr. Gates focused his community involvement in providing extra-curricular activities for youth in the fields of sports and recreation. He coached at both the school and community level and served on the Kincardine Recreation Board for 4 years and the Ontario Municipal Recreation Association Board of Directors for 10 years where he earned the Lieutenant Governor’s coveted Gold Corps d’Elit Award. Mr. Gates has instructed for the National Coaching Certification Program throughout southwestern Ontario, providing solid footing for new coaches in the basics of sportsmanship, fair play and equal opportunity for all participants. Since retirement Mr. Gates has assisted in a leadership role with the executive of the Kincardine Scottish Festival and with fund-raising efforts for the Women’s House Serving Bruce & Grey.

HEATHER GIBBS (July 2007 – July 2012)

Heather Gibbs, of Mississauga, is a lawyer specializing in the area of administrative law. In addition to her appointment as a part-time member with the Child and Family Services Review Board and Custody Review Board, Ms Gibbs has been a member of the Environmental Review Tribunal since September 2006. While a member of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada from 1998 to 2006, Ms. Gibbs participated on committees including developing policy with respect to vulnerable claimants, and member professional development. Prior to her tribunal work, Ms. Gibbs held various positions at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Canada and Africa, (1994-1998) and conducted training on gender-related persecution and child refugees. She practiced law (1993-1994), and conducted policy and legal research (1992-1993) for the Human Rights Research and Education Centre. Ms. Gibbs was an intern at the Inter-American Legal Services Institute in Bogota, Colombia, where she worked with Colombian lawyers in research and public legal education. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Western Ontario and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Ottawa.

GAIL GONDA (May 2007 – May 2012)

Gail Gonda, of Toronto, recently retired from the Ontario Public Service following 20 years of service. From 1995 until 2006 she was the Administrator at Thistletown Regional Centre, a children’s mental health centre directly operated by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services. She has also been active as a volunteer in a range of activities in support of sexual minorities. Ms. Gonda holds a PhD in psychology and has worked in the field of children’s mental health since 1980.

AIDA GRAFF (June 2007 – June 2012)

Aida Graff, of Toronto, was Dean of Women at Victoria College, the University of Toronto, where she also taught English Literature. As a community activist, Ms. Graff was involved with equity issues and presided over the Coalition for Visible Minority Women whose mandate was to fight racism and inequity. She was also the president of the Board of the Arab Community Centre of Toronto, a social service agency.

Ms. Graff was appointed to the Ontario Human Rights Commission in 1994, and served on that Board until 1998. In 1998 she was appointed member to the Immigration and Refugee Board, and served on it until 2006.

HEATHER HUNTER (MAY 2008 - May 2010)

For more than four decades Heather Hunter has been active as a successful consultant, CEO and Executive Director in the social service and health care environments. Her focus has been in the children's mental health, youth justice and developmental sectors. Ms. Hunter has extensive experience as well with the Province in the roles of Program Supervisor, Manager in Special Needs/Services and Policy Anaylst. Ms. Hunter is a graduate of McMaster University.

LORNA KING (April 2006 – April 2014)

Lorna King has held various sales and management positions in the hotel industry for twenty five years. Ms. King is an active member of the community, has volunteered extensively and is currently the President of P.A.C.E .(Canada).

ALINA LAZOR (May 2008 - May 2010)

Dr. Alina Lazor is a child psychiatrist with over thirty five years experience dealing with children/adolescents with complex mental health problems and their families.  For twenty-seven years she worked on the Adolescent Unit at the Whitby Mental Health Centre of which eighteen years were as the Director of Adolescent Services.  Dr. Lazor is a strong advocate for children with mental health problems and their families.  In her semi-retirement, she focuses on Psychoeducation relating to mental health issues and she provides consultation, coaching, training, and workshops for mental health providers and professionals dealing with problematic children and their families.

RICHARD LINLEY (December 2006 – December 2011)

Richard Linley was called to the Ontario Bar in 1975 and since then, has practised Real Estate, Wills and Trusts, Private Corporation, Criminal and Family Law. Mr. Linley has served as a Municipal Councillor and as a member of Board of Health, the Children's Aid Society and the Public Library. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Western Ontario and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of British Columbia.

GREGORY PRICE (May 2007 – May 2012)

Gregory Price, of Oshawa, was called to the Ontario Bar in 1978 and has engaged in a general law practice since then with considerable time devoted to Family Law and Alternative dispute resolution as a mediator and arbitrator.

He has experience working in the adoption and child protection fields and has represented varied litigants at trial and on appeal. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from York University and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from Osgood Hall.

NYCOLE ROY (May 2007 – May 2012)

Nycole Roy obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Social Services from the University of Quebec in Hull and a Master’s Degree in Gestalt from the Boston University. Before joining the Child and Family Services Review Board and the Custody Review Board in 2007, she worked as a Social Worker for the Youth Protection Sector in Hull, Quebec. In 1992, she accepted a position in Ottawa as a Program Development Adviser with Health Canada under the Family Violence Prevention Initiative. In 1994, she was appointed as a Member with the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) in Montréal. In 1996, she was promoted to Coordinator within the same organization. In 2000, she was transferred to the Ottawa District office of the IRB.

FRANCES SANDERSON (December 2006 – December 2011)

Frances Sanderson is currently the Executive Director at Nishnawbe Homes Inc. Prior to this, Ms. Sanderson was Vice President of Publicity and Advertising at Bowlerama Limited. Her community involvement includes serving on numerous boards and committees, including the Toronto Aboriginal Affairs Committee, the George Brown Aboriginal Education Council, the Toronto Police Service Aboriginal Consultative Committee, the Chief's Advisory Committee and C.O. Bick College.

SHEENA SCOTT (MAY 2008 - MAY 2010)

Sheena Scott was Counsel for the Ontario Human Rights Commission for approximately a year and a half, following her five years as the Director of Legal Services at the African Canadian Legal Clinic . Ms. Scott also  did policy and advocacy work for the Office of Child and Family Services Advocacy and was a Legal Consultant with UNICEF Canada. Ms. Scott spent 12 years as legal counsel for children and youth including four years as the Executive Director of Justice for Children and Youth.  She received her Bachelow or Laws (LL.B.) from Dalhousie Law Society and was called to the Ontario Bar in 1988.

WENDELL WHITE (March 1999 – September 2012)

Wendell White began his career as an elementary school teacher in Simcoe County followed by five years in the Northwest Territories. While teaching in the NWT Mr. White was recognized by the Canadian Teachers’ Federation for the creation of a Dene cultural program. The Government of the NWT recognized his educational work with a Dedicated Service Award. Mr. White has been the director of Camping and Outdoor Education with a residential camping organization since 1981. He is the past chair of Loyalist College and in 2004 received his Masters of Law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School specializing in Alternative Dispute Resolution.

MARY WONG (May 2007 – May 2012)

Mary Wong has retired from a 30 year teaching career and has held a position as Head of Co-operative Education. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Master of Education Degree from the University of Toronto. Mary has worked extensively in extra-curricular activities in the area of student leadership and race relations.