Board of Directors

BOARD MEMBER BIOS

The Board of Directors is made up of 15 members – nine residents (of which four must be 55+) and 6 representatives of partner agencies providing services to all ages.

Madelaine Douglas – Resident Member

Maddie is an associate lawyer at Waterous Holden Amey Hitchon LLP, where she practices in corporation and not-for-profit law, as well as real estate and estate planning. While originally from Northern Ontario, Maddie completed her undergraduate and law degree at the University of Western Ontario. Since moving to Brantford, she has been interested in finding new ways to engage with the community and actively participate in all the city has to offer. Her interests involve community engagement, active living, and spending time with her family and friends.

Holly Gibbs – Community Agency Representative

At Wilfrid Laurier University,  Holly Gibbs is the Manager of Teaching Excellence and Innovation and teaches in the Sociology and Political Science Departments.  In over 15 years as post-secondary educator, Holly has prioritized the development of accessible and equitable learning environments as a way to support inclusive success and community building in academia and society more broadly.  Holly is an advocate for universal design principles to reduce barriers to participation and encourage thriving in learning and community environments.  Holly was born and raised in Brantford and through her family learned the value of intergenerational relationships in her life, work, and community.

Todd Gould – Community Agency Representative

Todd is the Director of Primary Care and Community Health at Grand River Community Health Centre in Brantford.  Originally from the Sarnia-Lambton area, Todd attended McMaster University where he obtained his Bachelor of Science in Nursing followed by a Master of Nursing from the University of Toronto.  Todd has worked in a variety of mental health and addiction settings before joining GRCHC in the summer of 2023.  Todd’s passion has always been focused on helping the most marginalized in the community through stigma-free, person-centred care.  Todd plans to bring this same passion to the GRCOA Board of Directors’ works and projects.

Colleen Goupil – Resident Member (55+)

After working several years in the Court system, Colleen opened her business NBT Legal Transcripts and Reporting Services in Brantford.  Not only does she run her business, but is also active with various volunteer positions in the city. As well, she has experience in Board governance as well as finances.  Colleen has a B.A. in business and earned degrees in Communication and Economics. Colleen has extensive volunteer experience with several organizations, all aimed at the betterment of the community.

Mohammad Hijazi – Resident Member 

Mohammad has over 25 years of experience in healthcare, project management, and social impact, including leadership roles in top global pharmaceutical companies. In 2017, he founded Freedom Housing Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to providing supportive housing and outreach programs for vulnerable individuals. Mohammad holds an MBA in Strategic Marketing, a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy, and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). With a strong background in healthcare business development and commercial excellence, he applies a strategic, results-driven approach to help more vulnerable individuals in our community.

Stephanie Hill – Resident Member (55+)

Stephanie Hill is from the Six Nations of the Grand River and is  the owner/founder of the Aboriginal Senior Wish program.  With a degree in Gerontology & Sociology, and a designation as an Elder Planner Counsellor, she has 40+ years of working with the aging population.  Her volunteer, education and work experience in the in the health and social services field has facilitated her work in both rural and urban settings.   Stephanie has been active with the Elder Abuse Awareness Committee since its inception and is currently the Seniors Life Long Care Worker with the Brantford Region Indigenous Support Centre.

Gary Jermy – Community Agency Representative

Since 2013, Gary has worked for the County of Brant Public Library where he has regularly overseen successful projects targeted at meeting the needs of older adults in the community.  He has also worked on several grant-funded initiatives aimed at combating social isolation, bridging the digital divide, and developing new skills. In his current role as Director, Community Innovation, his responsibilities include oversight of all adult programming and outreach for the Library as well as initiatives related to technology and local history. Promoting lifelong learning and community well-being are of high priority to Gary and he loves to see the positive impact that the Library’s efforts has on people of all ages.”

John Maynard – Retired – Resident Member (55+)
John retired with a 40 year career in sales, marketing and management positions in pump and water treatment companies, woodworking factories and even a machine shop.  In retirement he has been driving the wheelchair accessible bus for the Canadian Red Cross and become involved in a myriad of volunteer activities.  In addition to the GRCOA Board, John is a board member for his church, volunteers for the Habitat for Humanity Restore, is a member of the ad hoc Brantford-Brant Men’s Shed and the Probus Men’s Club of Brantford, and is a Freemason.   John is a follower of the unknown author of “if you cannot laugh at yourself, then you cannot laugh at others”.

Nina Okopien – Community Agency Representative

Nina is a Psychogeriatric Resource Consultant and Team Leader for the Alzheimer Society of Brant.  Nina’s nursing career has provided 24 years in long term care as a nurse, manager and associate director.  Nina is passionate in her philosophy, “walking a mile in someone else’s shoes, to be able to think like they think, feel what they feel, and understand why they are who and where they are….every step is about empathy!”

Claudio Pavan – Retired – Resident Member (55+)

Claudio is a retired professional with 37 years of experience in manufacturing, engineering, administration and management.   With 20 years of supervisory experience, his focus has been on departmental health and safety, workforce planning and development, setting business planning objectives and budgets.  An extensive part of this role was a focus on world class manufacturing whose main objectives are improving efficiency and reducing operating costs through continuous improvement activities.   Claudio was a lecturer with McMaster University – Continuing Education Program for mature students.  Since retirement, Claudio has been actively involved in volunteering with the Brantford Food Bank and Habitat for Humanity Restore and recently with the GRCOA.   He hopes to continue to share his skills, knowledge, and experiences for the benefit of our community.

David Prang – Community Agency Representative

David is the CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Brantford-Brant, and represents the Chamber and business on the GRCOA. David has lived in the County of Brant and City of Brantford. He enjoys being active with his two sons (go-go!), and receiving from and giving support to his parents, who are “slow-go”. He has been an active volunteer throughout his career, serving as Chair of the Downtown Brantford Business Improvement Area for six years, and serving on several City of Brantford committees, and regularly participating in community activities.

Abu Noman Tarek – Resident Member

Shaykh Abu Noman Tarek has been serving as an Imam, Teacher, Chaplain, Educator and Consultant in Canada for 15 years.  He currently holds three Bachelor Degrees and two Master’s degrees that he earned starting in Bangladesh, and has been continuing in Canada.  Currently, he is the Imam-Director of Religious Affairs of the Muslim Association of Brantford, serves as a psychotherapist at Help2Heal and Syeda Khadija Centre, teaches at Wilfrid Laurier University and serves as Chaplain at different correctional services and hospitals.  Under his leadership, 83 refugee families have come to Canada and settled in 15 cities.

Lucy Marco – Executive Director

Lucy has 57 years of experience in manufacturing, marketing, human resources, administration and management positions, combined with 50 years of volunteer service in over 40 community boards, advisory committees and service clubs.  A recipient of many awards, Lucy is most proud of her federal Citation for Citizenship, YMCA Peacemaker Medal, Rotary Sunrise Paul Harris Fellow Award, Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Business Achievement Award and the naming of Lucy Marco Place, first as a Wilfrid Laurier University student residence and now a City of Brantford apartment building.