Ron Tite

Speaker. Author. CEO.
Church+State

A best-selling author, speaker, producer, and entrepreneur, Ron Tite has always blurred the lines between art and commerce. He has been an award-winning advertising writer and creative director for some of the world’s most respected brands including Air France, Evian, Fidelity, Hershey, Johnson & Johnson, Kraft, Intel, Microsoft, Volvo and many others.

He is founder of Church+State, host and executive producer of the hit podcast, “The Coup”, and publisher of This is That Travel Guide to Canada – a best-selling and award-winning satirical book. He has written for television. Penned a children’s book. Wrote, produced and performed a hit play. Created a branded art gallery. And was executive producer & host of the award-winning comedy show, Monkey Toast.

In demand as a speaker all over the world, Ron speaks to leading organizations about leadership, disruption, branding, and creativity.
Ron’s first book, Everyone’s An Artist – Or At Least They Should Be (Co-written by Scott Kavanagh and Christopher Novais), was published by HarperCollins in 2016. His most recent book, Think Do Say: How to Seize Attention and Build Trust in a Busy Busy World, hit store shelves in October or 2019.

Alison Cocking, BSc. PT, M.Ed.

Managing Director
Insight Health Solutions, Trillium Health Partners

Alison Cocking is a strategic healthcare leader who serves as Trillium Health Partner’s Managing Director, Insight Health Solutions, one of Canada’s largest hospital-based disability management third-party programs. As a senior leader in the healthcare sector, Alison has over three decades of experience leading high functioning teams and programs in their delivery of impactful value-based quality services. The ability to financially contribute Insight’s profits to the hospital’s programs and services to help create a new kind of healthcare for a healthier community, is what drives and inspires her. Alison is a UK-trained Physiotherapist with a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Toronto. An avid kayaker, hiker, traveler and general enthusiast of the great outdoors, Alison’s goal is to have visited 100 countries by 2045.

Karli Farrow

President and CEO
Trillium Health Partners

Karli Farrow is the President and CEO at Trillium Health Partners (THP). Previously she was the Executive Vice-President of Patient Care Services and Chief Operating Officer where she was accountable for clinical operations and the delivery of exceptional patient experiences. She also oversaw capital planning and redevelopment to ensure that all future planning at THP is closely linked to the delivery of patient care.

Karli joined THP in 2009 prior to the merger of Credit Valley Hospital and Trillium Health Centre. She provided leadership to support the merger of the two organizations in 2011. She has since led innovative processes to engage people within the organization and in the community to achieve the hospital’s strategic mission to deliver a new kind of health care for a healthier community.

Prior to joining THP, Karli worked in health care consulting where she led projects focused on reducing wait times and improving chronic disease management. She has also served in senior advisory roles for the Ontario Government, including Director of Policy for the Premier of O​ntario and Chief of Staff to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, where she helped develop and implement strategies to improve access to care and long-term sustainability of the health care system in Ontario.

Karli serves on the Board of Trustees of the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) and the Board of Directors of the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES).

Scott Maxwell

Chief Executive Officer
Wounded Warriors Canada

A dedicated public servant, mental health champion, and not-for-profit business leader, Scott Maxwell is the Chief Executive Officer of Wounded Warriors Canada. Scott’s unique experience intersects public policy, politics, and non-profit business strategy and development. His passion for those who so bravely serve Canada stems from his high school friend, Trooper Darryl Caswell, who was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan on June 11, 2007.

As CEO of Wounded Warriors Canada, the country’s largest non-profit mental health training and counselling provider for Veterans, First Responders and their families, Scott successfully transformed what was a regional, volunteer-based initiative into an organization providing support to over 30,000 trauma exposed professionals and their families each year.

Matthew Pegg

Chief Operating Officer
Warrior Health

In November 2024, Matthew Pegg joined the Warrior Health team as Chief Operating Officer, following a 32+ year career as a Firefighter and Fire Chief. From 2016 through 2024, he served as the Fire Chief in the City of Toronto, Canada. Toronto Fire Services is the largest fire service in Canada and one of the largest in North America, with more than 3,250 career staff who respond to more than 184,000 emergency incidents each year.

From March 2020 through April 2022, Chief Pegg served as the City of Toronto’s COVID-19 Incident Commander, leading the development and continued operation of one of the most complex incident management systems in North American history. This included leading the longest-ever continuous deployment of Toronto’s Emergency Operations Centre, as well as the development and operation of Toronto’s COVID-19 Immunization Task Force and development of the Provincial playbook for vaccine clinic operations.

Prior to being appointed as Fire Chief in Toronto, Chief Pegg served as a Deputy Fire Chief in Toronto, Brampton, Ajax, and Georgina, and he is also a licensed mechanic and a commercial pilot, having also worked in both industries. Chief Pegg is a graduate of Dalhousie University in both Leadership and Administration, Queen’s University in Labour Relations, and the Schulich School of Business’ in Public Management. He is a recipient of the Heroism and Community Service Medal, Ontario Medal of Firefighter’s Bravery, the Canadian Fire Service Exemplary Service Medal, and the Ontario Fire Services Long Service medal.

Matt is a strong advocate for mental health and has worked tirelessly to break down the stigma faced by those who seek professional help to both get and stay healthy and resilient. Leveraging his experience and passion as a public safety professional, Matt now leads the Warrior Health consortium in delivering proactive resilience and mental health resources, training and support for public safety personnel across Ontario.

Dr. Maude Bouchard, Ph.D

Director of Research and Development
Haleo

Dr. Maude Bouchard has accumulated 15 years of expertise in the field of sleep. She completed her undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of Montreal under the guidance of Dr. Julie Carrier, an internationally renowned sleep researcher. During her studies, she received several research and excellence scholarships, including a prestigious Vanier Banting scholarship, the highest distinction in research for Canadian doctoral students.

Dr. Maude Bouchard has published her work in esteemed scientific journals such as Sleep and eLife and has presented at numerous international and national conferences over the years.

Driven by a passion for teaching and knowledge transfer, Dr. Maude Bouchard has served as an adjunct professor at the City College of New York and as a lecturer at the University of Montreal and the University of Quebec at Chicoutimi. Actively engaging with the wider community, she frequently participates in conferences and media appearances, discussing the crucial role of sleep in our overall health with the general population.

After serving as the clinical lead for the U.S. and international markets, Dr. Maude Bouchard currently holds the position of Director of Research and Development at HALEO. Her extensive background and commitment to advancing sleep science make her a key figure in the pursuit of innovative solutions within the organization.

Thanh Tran

Sergeant
Ottawa Police Service

Thanh has been serving with the Ottawa Police Service since 2007 and has held a variety of roles, including frontline patrol services, covert intelligence, and general investigations. In 2020, Thanh was promoted to Sergeant and now leads the Wellness and Reintegration programs, a role born from a deeply personal experience—an officer-involved shooting in 2019—that sparked a passion for mental health and wellness.

As Sergeant of Wellness and Reintegration, Thanh oversees numerous initiatives aimed at supporting the well-being of Ottawa Police Service members. This includes managing wellness programs, fitness programs, facilitating reintegration for members, and developing policies and procedures that prioritize mental health. Understanding the importance of mind and body, Thanh ensures that fitness and mental health are integrated into the support systems for members.

Thanh has the distinction of being recognized as one of the few certified reintegration instructors in Ontario by the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP). Thanh delivers reintegration training to Public Safety Personnel members across the province, helping to promote resilience and recovery within the PSP community.

Thanh is committed to fostering a culture of wellness and ensuring that those who serve are equipped with the resources and support they need to thrive, both personally and professionally.

Danielle Thomas

Sergeant
London Police Service

Sergeant Danielle Thomas has been with the London Police Service for 15 years. After 9 years of front-line policing, Danielle transferred to the Use of Force Unit where she trained members as a firearms and taser instructor. As a member of the peer support team since the beginning of her career, Danielle recognized the opportunity to support members while in a training setting to work through triggers presented in scenario-based training. In 2019 Danielle participated in the first Reintegration course held in London facilitated by members of the Edmonton Police Service. This sparked her passion to become involved in the conception of the Reintegration program in London to help her fellow colleagues in a meaningful way.

After her promotion to the rank of Sergeant in November of 2021, Danielle was assigned to a small team to create the Member Care and Organizational Wellness Branch as the one of the first full-time Reintegration Co-Ordinator’s in the Province of Ontario. Danielle has assisted in countless reintegrations which has been the most rewarding time in her career.

Now Danielle holds the rank of Detective in the Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Section. Although she has left the role of Reintegration Coordinator she continues to be very passionate about the program and will forever be grateful for the relationships she foraged and the experiences Reintegration has brought to her life.

Sam Saliba

Sergeant
Peel Regional Police Service

Sergent Sam Saliba started his career in 2000 with the Peel Regional Police Service in Ontario, Canada. The Peel Regional Police is comprised of 3500 members and serves a population of 1.5 million people across two major cities. After working in Uniform Patrol for five years, he was assigned to the Emergency Support Services section as a Tactical Operator for seven years. While working in Tactical and Rescue, Sergeant Saliba became a member of the Peer Support Team in 2006 following a critical incident and identifying a need for Peer Support within the unit. He then moved on to several areas including but not limited to; Evidentiary Property, Uniform Patrol, variety of areas in Investigative Services, Training and Development, Wellness. Sergeant Saliba currently oversees a portfolio in the Incident Response Training Unit including but not limited to the Foundation program and Reintegration Program in collaboration with the staff in Wellness.

Michael Warnock

Constable
Niagara Regional Police Service

Constable Michael Warnock is a 22-year constable with the Niagara Regional Police Service. He has spent time as a patrol officer, use of force instructor, detective, and is currently assigned to the Member Support Unit as the full-time Reintegration officer. He is part of the Canadian Reintegration instructor cadre. Constable Warnock is the recipient of the Police Services Board Medal of Merit for bravery and leadership, the Chief of Police Award and the Beyond the Blue Agent of Change Award for his work in Reintegration.

Dr. Helena Hawryluk PhD. RSW and Jerris Popik, MSW, RSW

Warrior Kids Program Co-Creators & Directors
Wounded Warriors Canada

Dr Helena Hawryluk, PhD, RSW and Jerris Popik, MSW, RSW, are program developers and Directors of the Warrior Kids Programs with Wounded Warriors Canada. Helena and Jerris have been working with families of Veterans and First-Responders within Canada as clinicians, researchers and, more importantly disrupters for change around designing evidence-based high-quality programs for young people within the community of Trauma Exposed Professionals. Warrior Kids was designed to support youth who are living with a loved one impacted by the unique exposure to operational stress. The program has had a profound impact on the lives of these youth and their families, fostering resilience and promoting mental well-being. Building healthy families starts with kids, as opposed to ends with kids. Warrior Kids is a one-of-a-kind mental health program supporting resilience in the unique lives of public safety families.

Helena completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology at Concordia University, a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Calgary, and her Master of Clinical Social Work and PhD with the Faculty of Social Work. She has practiced as a social worker for over 15 years with families of the Canadian Armed Forces and Public Safety Personnel. Helena was awarded the Wounded Warriors Doctoral Scholarship for her research entitled “Through our Eyes,” showcasing the unique perspectives and needs of youth in military families impacted by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, post-Afghanistan war.

Jerris Popik, received an applied psychology degree from Concordia University and a master’s degree in clinical social work from the University of Calgary. She has practiced as a social worker for over 15 years with families of the Canadian Armed Forces and Public Safety Personnel.

Jerris and Helena are currently the directors of the Warrior Kids Program. They are honoured to lead the Warrior Kids Team of facilitators and counsellors across Canada to support the youth in families impacted by operational stress injuries.

Jerris Popik MSW, RSW

Warrior Kids Program Co-Creator & Director
Wounded Warriors Canada

Dr Helena Hawryluk, PhD, RSW and Jerris Popik, MSW, RSW, are program developers and Directors of the Warrior Kids Programs with Wounded Warriors Canada. Helena and Jerris have been working with families of Veterans and First-Responders within Canada as clinicians, researchers and, more importantly disrupters for change around designing evidence-based high-quality programs for young people within the community of Trauma Exposed Professionals. Warrior Kids was designed to support youth who are living with a loved one impacted by the unique exposure to operational stress. The program has had a profound impact on the lives of these youth and their families, fostering resilience and promoting mental well-being. Building healthy families starts with kids, as opposed to ends with kids. Warrior Kids is a one-of-a-kind mental health program supporting resilience in the unique lives of public safety families.

Jerris Popik, received an applied psychology degree from Concordia University and a master’s degree in clinical social work from the University of Calgary. She has practiced as a social worker for over 15 years with families of the Canadian Armed Forces and Public Safety Personnel.

Jerris and Helena are currently the directors of the Warrior Kids Program. They are honoured to lead the Warrior Kids Team of facilitators and counsellors across Canada to support the youth in families impacted by operational stress injuries.

Dr. Renée MacPhee

Associate Professor, Health Sciences
Wilfrid Laurier University

Dr. Renée MacPhee has been an integral member in the Canadian paramedic community for almost 30 years, devoting her time helping as a researcher and educator. She is a tireless advocate dedicated to improving their physical and mental health and well-being.

In 2017, she became a Founding Member and Paramedic Sector Lead at the Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research & Treatment (CIPRST).

In 2018 her commitment to the health of paramedics across Canada earned her the Paramedic Chiefs of Canada Presidential Award of Excellence, marking the first time that the award has been bestowed upon a civilian.

In 2022, she joined the Mental Health Collaborative for Public Safety Personnel Round Table with the Ontario Solicitor General’s Office. In 2022, she was presented with the Laurier University Award for Community Service and Engagement in recognition of her efforts supporting Canadian paramedics. Her determination to identify and implement solutions that address the needs of the paramedic community has earned her the respect and cooperation of paramedic leadership, frontline, and labor groups. It is her long-held belief that successful research in the field of paramedicine is the result of work that is done by paramedics, with paramedics, for paramedics.

Dr. R. Nicholas Carleton, Ph.D., R.D. Psych.

Professor of Clinical Psychology
University of Regina

R. Nicholas Carleton, Ph.D. is a Professor of Clinical Psychology and a registered clinical psychologist in Saskatchewan. His work is focused on supporting the mental health of first responders and other public safety personnel. He has published more than 270 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters exploring the fundamental bases of anxiety- and trauma-related disorders. He has completed more than 500 national and international conference presentations. He also serves as an active member of several national and international professional associations. As principal or co-principal investigator he has been awarded more than $100M in competitive external funding. He has received several prestigious awards and recognitions, including induction to the Royal Society of Canada’s College and as a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, and he was awarded the 2023 Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation Mid-Career Award and the 2020 Royal-Mach-Gaensslen Prize for Mental Health Research. He is principal investigator for the RCMP Longitudinal PTSD Study (www.rcmpstudy.ca) and the associated extension study for Saskatchewan public safety personnel (www.saskptsistudy.ca), and co-investigator on the Federal Internet Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program for public safety personnel (www.PSPNET.ca).

Alexa Nielsen, MA

Senior Director, Specialized Claims & Recovery Services
Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB)

Alexa Nielsen is the Senior Director of the Mental Stress Injuries Program at the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board.

She is passionate about health and safety and has a reputation for leading transformational change. Alexa has more than 15 years of experience in specialized claims, corporate strategy, business planning, change management, and policy. In addition to the WSIB, Alexa has built her career working provincially at the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, and internationally at the United Nations Human Rights Council, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Geneva, Switzerland.

Alexa is also Vice Chairman on the Board of Directors for Child Development Resource Centre Peel, and the International Committee for the Association of Industrial Accidents Boards and Commissions.

Jessie Farran, OT Reg. (Ont.)

Senior Director Health Services
Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB)

Jessie Farran is an Occupational Therapist with over 15 years of experience in both direct clinic care , health care program development and quality management. In her current role as Senior Director Health Services at the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), Jessie leads teams responsible for the development of health care programs, return to work contracts, quality of life services and the ongoing quality management of these.

Jessie led the re-development of WSIB’s first line, community-based Programs of Care, as part of the 5-year optimizing recovery management strategy, resulting in earlier access to care and improved return to work outcomes. Most recently, Jessie led the implementation of the new Specialized Care Programs through hospital partnerships across the province.

Jessie is passionate about creating a model of care that provides high quality, accessible and effective health care for injured and ill people in Ontario.

Stéphane Grenier

Lieutenant-Colonel (Retired)
Canadian Forces
Mental Health Innovator

With decades of first-hand experience, Stéphane Grenier is a pioneer in addressing mental health in the workplace. After a remarkable 30-year military career, with service in Lebanon, Haiti, Kuwait, Rwanda, Cambodia, and Kandahar, Afghanistan, he founded Mental Health Innovations (MHI), a consultancy dedicated to provoking game-changing action to address mental health at work. He has since worked with organizations across all sectors to transform their corporate culture to ensure a healthier and more productive workplace.

Grenier doesn’t just talk the talk; he walks the walk. As the CEO of MHI, he exclusively employs individuals who have grappled with mental health issues. This, combined with his own mental health struggles that brought him perilously close to the brink of suicide, has imbued him with a profound understanding of this prevalent issue in our society. His insights are deeply personal and profoundly transformative.

Throughout his extensive career, Grenier has worked closely with a variety of organizations across industries to equip them with innovative, "outside-the-box" solutions that challenge the status quo. He is also the architect of national guidelines for peer support, which have set new standards for compassionate care and support. As testaments to his extraordinary contributions to the mental health landscape, Grenier has been honoured with the Order of Canada and bestowed with two honorary Doctor of Laws degrees.

Grenier’s work transcends the clinical realm. He advocates for a culture of compassion and support, enriching the lives of individuals from all walks of life. His memoir, After the War: Surviving PTSD and Changing Mental Health Culture, narrates his riveting journey from the Rwandan genocide to reshaping workplace culture to prioritize mental health, with a special emphasis on rehumanizing the recovery process.

Dr. Heidi Cramm, PhD, OT Reg. (Ont.)

Research Lead, Families Matter Research Group & Garnet Families Network
Queen’s University

Heidi Cramm is Professor, School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen’s University and a registered occupational therapist. She is the lead for Garnet Families, the hub for first responder, public safety, and defence families, and those who study, serve, and support them. She is the research lead for the interdisciplinary Families Matter Research Group, working in tandem with its Garnet Families Network. As Project Director for the Garnet Families Partnership, funded through to 2031, she leads this collaboration that grows the community, creates knowledge, and advances research training. She has published more than 130 peer-reviewed articles and publications primarily dedicated to the mental health and wellbeing of defence and public safety families. She has completed more than 300 regional, national, and international presentations and received over $11M in competitive research funding as a Principal or Co-Principal Investigator. Dr. Cramm has been recognized with multiple distinguished research and leadership awards, including the 2018 Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists’ Leadership Award and the 2021 Mihran and Mary Basmajian Award for Excellence in Health Science Research. She is also the Co-Principal Investigator for PSPNET Families (pspnetfamilies.ca), an online wellbeing hub for public safety families. As a longtime PSP spouse, she understands what it is like for families to be “on the job”.

Lanie Schachter-Snipper, Masters in Counselling Psychology, Registered Psychotherapist (CRPO)

Mental Health and Wellbeing Lead, Wellness Unit
Toronto Police Service

As the inaugural Mental Health and Wellbeing Lead at the Toronto Police Service, Lanie is responsible for the development, delivery and evaluation of a mental health strategy for all members, uniformed and civilian. Lanie is also responsible for providing leadership to a high performing multidisciplinary team of Psychologists, chaplains, clinicians, coordinators and administrators specializing in first responder mental health. In 2023, Lanie was the recipient of the Beyond the Blue Champions of Change Award. In 2025, TPS was awarded the Gold for Mental Health at Work by Excellence Canada.

Prior to joining the TPS, Lanie worked in hospital settings providing clinical leadership and strategic oversight to multidisciplinary teams specializing in treatment for mood disorders, PTSD and addictions.

Lanie has a Masters in Counselling Psychology and is a Registered Psychotherapist.

Dr. Megan McElheran, R.Psych

Clinical Psychologist & CEO
Wayfound Mental Health Group

Dr. Megan McElheran is a Registered Clinical Psychologist and the CEO of Wayfound Mental Health Group. She completed her graduate training at the PAU-Stanford University Clinical Psychology Consortium, where she obtained specialized training in the treatment of PTSD through the National Center for PTSD in Menlo Park, CA. Dr. McElheran is passionate about arming frontline workers with the tools they need to help manage their workplace stress and has been in practice in Calgary, Alberta since 2008. She continues to focus on work with first responders, and her clinical practice involves work with active-duty members of the Canadian Forces, members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, members of the Calgary Fire Department, medical personnel, and others who are directly or vicariously impacted by traumatic events. Dr. McElheran founded the Before Operational Stress (BOS) program to address the gap in preventative mental health training and support for public safety personnel and frontline workers. She routinely engages in teaching and supervisory activity to ensure the sound dissemination of empirically grounded interventions for trauma. Dr. McElheran is regularly engaged in speaking events, both locally and internationally.

Steve Campbell

Acting Inspector
Toronto Police Service

Steve Campbell is in his 18th year as a member of the Toronto Police Service. Currently, he is assigned to the Office of the Chief where he holds the position of Acting Inspector. Throughout his career, Steve has enjoyed operational assignments at various ranks which have included working in some of the busiest divisions in the city, as well as specialized roles with the Toronto Police Service Fugitive Squad, Hold-Up Squad and Professional Standards Unit. Steve has always understood the importance of supporting the mental, emotional and physical health of all members of the Service, and has actively worked with individual members as well as internal and external stakeholders to ensure that member health and wellbeing is a priority. In his current role, he has the distinction of working closely with Chief Myron Demkiw and the Wellness Unit in the delivery of the Chief’s Wellbeing Program.

Dr. Rosemary Ricciardelli, PhD

Professor and Research Chair: Safety, Security, and Wellness
Memorial University of Newfoundland

Dr. Rosemary Ricciardelli is Professor (PhD) and Research Chair in Safety, Security, and Wellness, at Memorial University of Newfoundland’s Fisheries and Marine Institute. The winner of the 2023 International Corrections and Prison Association’s Research Excellence Award and the Canadian Sociological Association’s Angus Reid Applied Researcher Award, Ricciardelli was also elected to the Royal Society of Canada and is a fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. Her research centers on evolving understandings of gender, vulnerabilities, risk, and experiences and issues within different facets of the criminal justice system and among mariners. She has published 17 books, 285+ journal articles and 70+ chapters all in the areas of police, firefighting, correctional workers, public safety communicators, and criminalized persons, and wellness – broadly defined. As a sex and gender researcher, her interests lay in the social health, identity construction, and lived experiences of individuals. She leads a longitudinal study on the mental health and well-being experiences of correctional officers employed by Correctional Services Canada.

Michael Seth

Fire Chief
Six Nations

Born and raised in the Six Nations of the Grand River, Chief Seth is a second-generation firefighter beginning his career at the age of 14. Chief Seth has progressed through various roles such as Six Nations first Paramedic Chief, Emergency Manager and eventually to the position of Fire Chief. Chief Seth also served the communities of the City of Thorold, the County of Brant, and most recently Cape Breton Regional Municipality as their respective Fire Chiefs.

Chief Seth has returned to his roots at Six Nations and is currently the Acting Fire Chief.

Derrick Anderson

Staff Sergeant
Six Nations Police

Derrick has been a Police officer for Six Nations Police Services over the past 27 years. He started his career as a road officer, then transitioned to Community service officer. He spent several years as the A/Staff Sgt, and was recently promoted to full Staff Sgt. He is an active member of Ontario missing persons, Scenes of Crime officer and the Wounded Warriors liaison for Six Nations Police. Derrick has a passion and dedication for promoting the Mental health and wellness of Six Nations Police sworn and civilian staff.

Scott Wilkinson

Deputy Chief of Fire Rescue Operations & Training
Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service

Scott Wilkinson is a 34-year veteran of the fire and paramedic service and currently serves as the Deputy Chief of Fire Rescue Operations & Training for the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service. Scott previously served as the Assistant Chief, Community Risk Reduction and prior to that as the Project Manager for Training and Safety Equipment. Scott is a Primary Care Paramedic and formerly managed the WFPS officer and chief officer development programs.

He is the former Peer Support Coordinator for the WFPS and continues to work with the department’s behavioural health and wellness programs.

Scott serves on the NFPA Fire Officer Professional Qualifications Technical Committee and is the developer of numerous departmental programs including RPAS and PPE Maintenance and co-developed the WFPS Diversity Equity Fire Training Program (DEFT).

He serves on various committees for the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC) including Human Factors, Leadership and Mental Health and is the chairperson of the RPAS/Robotics Committee. Scott holds the CAFC Executive Chief Fire Officer (ECFO) credential and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Manitoba.

Sarah Routhier-Clark

Founder and President
Sylvain Routhier Memorial Foundation

Sarah is an author, a mental health advocate, and a busy mom.  She is the widow of OPP Sergeant Sylvain Routhier, who passed away by suicide in July 2018. She is the Founder and President of the Sylvain Routhier Memorial Foundation and has been involved in many mental health initiatives.  Sarah is honoured to be able to share her personal story, and her lessons learned so she can raise awareness about suicide and mental health illnesses in first responders.  Her goal is to prevent this tragedy from occurring to other families and to make change within first responder organizations.

Jason Whiteley

Fire Chief
North Bay Fire and Emergency Services

Jason Whiteley was appointed Fire Chief of North Bay Fire and Emergency Services in September of 2016, and has more than 35 years of fire service experience in the management of fire operations, including business administration, emergency management and response, fire prevention and education. Jason has many certifications and post-secondary education including Fire Protection Engineering, Ambulance and Emergency Care, Municipal Management diploma and Human Resource and Employment Law certificate, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Mental Health Leadership and political science.

Jason is Director and former vice-president of the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs. He is currently the chair of the National Advisory Council for the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs and a board member. Jason has also represented the fire service on several provincial, national, and international committees and organizations.

Prior to being appointed Fire Chief for North Bay, Jason was the Deputy Fire Chief for the City of Woodstock and before that he was the Deputy Fire Chief of Norfolk County. Jason began his career as volunteer firefighter with the City of Burlington Fire Department; then spent 16 years with Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services with various roles and responsibilities before moving into the management ranks.  

Jason has been a presenter at many conferences on firefighter safety in the areas of cancer prevention and mental health.

Adam Cygler

Correctional Bargaining Team Vice-Chair
Corrections MERC Member (Multi-Category)
BMERC Vice-Chair
Occupational Stress and Injury Subcommittee Co-Chair

Adam started with Ontario corrections in 2008 as a Social Worker at Central North Correctional Centre, in Penetanguishene. He was a Team Lead and later Clinical Consultant for the Critical Incident Stress Management program. Since 2013 Adam has been a Social Work Supervisor at the Ontario Correctional Institute, in Brampton, where he is responsible for the clinical programming of a treatment unit.

Adam has been involved as an OPSEU/SEFPO local Steward since 2014 and has held various local positions, including local President. Adam’s provincial involvement with the Corrections Division began in 2016 when he joined the Occupational Stress and Injury subcommittee where the development of resilience training, augmenting mental health supports for members, and advocating for systemic change on the approach to mental health injuries in correctional workplaces are discussed. Today he is the Co-Chair for the Union.

Adam was elected to the Ministry Employment Relations Committee, a provincial committee for labour relations issues, in July 2020 and has been re-elected to that position for an additional two terms. Adam was elected to the 2021 and 2024 Correctional Bargaining Teams and continues in the role as Vice-Chair of the team. In both positions he has advocated for mental health improvements for members.

Mark Baxter

President
Police Association of Ontario

Mark was elected President of the Police Association of Ontario (PAO) in 2021 and was re-elected in 2024. He is an accomplished leader recognized for advocating and advancing the rights, interests, and well-being of Ontario’s police personnel. He is passionate about member wellness and mental health and is proud to serve on the Canada Beyond the Blue Awards Committee, which recognizes police champions of mental health.

His policing career started in 2005 as a police officer with the Brantford Police Service, serving in various capacities, including frontline patrol, high school resource officer, and collision reconstructionist. Mark credits his local police association in Brantford, Ontario, for contributing to his work ethic, for his passion for labour relations and for instilling the importance of community connection.

He served as Vice President of the Brantford Police Association from 2012 to 2015 and President from 2015 to 2021, was elected to the PAO Board of Directors as a Uniform Director in 2014, sat on the Thunder Bay Expert Panel, currently sits on the Ontario Police Arbitration and Adjudication Commission, and is the Co-Chair of the Section 21 Advisory Committee.

Mark is a proud father of two boys. During his free time, he continues to connect with his local community through sport by coaching baseball and refereeing basketball.

Katherine Hambleton, RN, ENC(C), A-EMCA

Vice-President Operations
Ontario Paramedic Association

Katherine Hambleton is a healthcare professional with more than 20 years of experience in the fields of nursing and paramedicine. She has served as a steadfast advocate and liaison, championing the mental well-being of first responders, veterans, public safety personnel and their families over the past decade. Katherine has taken on a variety of supportive initiatives, such as coordination of the 2014 Heroes Are Human PTSD Awareness Tour, as a peer support specialist, running Wings of Change - Peer Support, a national peer-led, peer support organization for 3 and half years, and launching the Ontario Paramedic Association's Wellness Committee and Working Group to name a few. Her diverse background uniquely positions her to address the nuanced mental health needs of individuals in high-stress environments, bringing her compassionate approach and clinical acumen into her work as a therapist. Katherine is the Vice-President of Operations with the Ontario Paramedic Association.