Board of Directors

Our dedicated volunteer Board of Directors are representatives of our community who share their skills, knowledge and experience. The Board is committed to quality services and operates on a customized policy governance model. Governing the agency with strategic oversight, they monitor accountability on behalf of clients and the public while meeting our funder’s requirements.

They ensure our vision, values and mission are met.

2022-2023 Board of Directors

Dawne Boersen, President

Dawne brings to Family Services Perth-Huron a strong background in Education. Dawne currently works at the Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board as the Superintendent of Education and has held roles as an elementary teacher, Coordinator of Curriculum and elementary school principal in her over 28 years with the Catholic school board. Dawne was involved in improvement planning and strategic planning for several years and let the implementation of early literacy instruction. As a Superintendent of schools, she is very aware of the importance of well-being of the families in our community on the development of children, especially those with disabilities. Dawne feels a strong connection to her community and the families residing in it. Dawne and her husband operate a dairy farm in Perth-East with their children.

Don Campbell, Vice President

With an education background in rural communities, once Don retired in 2016, he and his wife moved to Stratford looking to settle in and be an active part of the community. He currently works as a Supervisor at the Stratford Festival in the area of Food and Drink. Don was an elementary school teacher for 22 years and an elementary school principal for 8.5 years. He also shares his wealth of knowledge and experiences with the Huron-Perth Children’s Aid Society Board of Directors and feels that as people and families are strong, they have more success and the community as a whole can benefit.

Randy Brown, Secretary

Randy received his Bachelor of Commerce with Honours from the University of Windsor and subsequently achieved his  CPA. He retired in 2013 from the Perth District Health Unit where he was the Business Administrator for 26 years, having had day to day responsibility for finance and accounting, labour relations, technology and computer networks and premises. He routinely reported on such matters to their Board and brings a great wealth of administrative and financial expertise to our Board of Directors.

Clive Slade, Board Member

Clive is a vibrant, experienced and trusted Banker with over 25 year’s international banking experience in both Canada and the United Kingdom. While working and living in the UK Clive meet a wonderful Canadian girl called Andy; she bought him back to her home country, Canada. Presently a Commercial Account Manager in Huron Perth, Clive has been a Branch Manager for the flagship branch, London Main. A Regional Sales Coach and previous to that a Branch Manager in Stratford Main and St Marys (his home). Clive and Andy have two wonderful boys Alex and Owen and a dog, Harry.  Clive believes in supporting and giving back to the community. Clive is active in charitable support through donation of time by volunteering and two board appointments; ‘Town of St Marys Committee of Adjustments’ and ‘Stratford & Perth County Family Services’. For fun Clive enjoys rugby, referring, playing and coaching.

Annette Biasin, Board Member

With a strong interest in finances, Annette has been employed in the Manufacturing field and for over 19 years and completed her CPA and CGA during that time to open the doors to her financial career within that same company at Dyna-Mig . Annette was born and raised in Stratford and has knowledge of many community resources and programs running in the city with the desire to give back to the community, contribute to the Agency and our clients.

Peter Roach, Board Member

Peter has been using his leadership, governance, and business experience to compliment the Board of Family Services Perth-Huron.

Charles Swartwood, Board Member

Charles joined our Board in 2018. He has been a senior pastor for over 40 years. His board experience includes internal governance, committee work while serving on The Council of Churches Executive, the Stratford Concert Band Executive as well as serving Teen Challenge Canada and the Huron Perth Centre for Youth Board of Directors. Charles and his wife raised 2 sons in Stratford, while serving his church community, supporting the community of Stratford and area. Charles is a passionate and strong advocate to ensure services are in place for vulnerable persons living within the community.

Marg Van Herk-Paradis, Board Member

Marg has over twenty-five years of professional experience in the not-for-profit and faith-based sector, of which seventeen years were in a leadership position. Currently, Marg is the Co-founder and President for Credence & Co. and works as a Senior Consultant in the areas of organizational health and conflict transformation. She has a BA in Applied Social Science from Concordia University in Montreal and a Master of Theological Studies from Conrad Grebel University College, affiliated with the University of Waterloo. Marg is a Qualified Mediator with the ADR Institute of Canada and a member of the ADR Institute of Ontario and an Adjunct Professor at Conrad Grebel. Marg is passionate and deeply committed to the health and well-being of all people, especially for children and those who are on the margins, and feels privileged to serve on the board of Family Services Perth-Huron.

Alice Mainland, Board Member

Alice joined our board in 2022. She is retired and her passion has been giving back and she has served on numerous community boards.

The majority of her career was spent at various automotive manufacturing facilities in Stratford and in the Cambridge area where she held management roles in Quality, Logistics, Production, Engineering and Plant Management. Alice grew up and raised her family in Perth County. As a parent of an adult with a developmental disability she brings a unique perspective to ensure services are in place that support families with children and adults with special needs.

Susan Melkert, Executive Director – Exofficio