Leadership

Drew Samuels is an accomplished professional with a multifaceted background in the legal and mediation fields. As a licensed paralegal and a qualified mediator, Drew brings a wealth of expertise to his roles. Currently serving as the Director of Litigation and Administration at DuCharme, McMillen & Associates Canada, Ltd., Drew specializes in offering strategic litigation guidance and legal counsel across a diverse range of legal matters.

Drew is a dedicated volunteer with a remarkable commitment to community service. He lends his expertise and leadership to an array of boards. He served as the President of the Board of Directors for the Durham Community Legal Clinic from 2021 to 2023. He currently serves as the President of the Board of Directors for the Durham College Alumni Association and as the Vice-President of the Board of Directors for the Institute of Municipal Assessors.

Drew’s dedication to social responsibility is a driving force in his life. He is passionate about making a positive impact on his community, believing that his legacy is rooted in the fulfillment and purpose he gains through strategic leadership, advocacy for youth, and the pursuit of meaningful policy changes.

I bring a unique set of skills and experience that are relevant to the work of the Durham CAS. Whether it’s my professional background as a public servant or my expertise in fundraising and community engagement, I am confident that I can make valuable contributions to the board’s initiatives and programs.

Being on the board allows me to contribute to the well-being and development of children in need. I am passionate about helping young people thrive and believe that serving on the board would provide a meaningful avenue to make a positive impact on their lives. On the board, I can actively advocate for the rights of children and ensure that their voices are heard. I believe that every child deserves a safe and nurturing environment, and being part of the board would enable me to work towards achieving this goal.

Devon Hunter is a dynamic, strategic, and results-driven leader passionate about knowledge, personal growth, and people development. A skilled communicator, he excels at building and deepening relationships that advance mission impact. With extensive experience across finance, consumer goods, and international markets, Devon brings strong analytical skills and a commitment to capacity building. He has served on several nonprofit and industry boards, leveraging his academic and corporate expertise to strengthen governance, improve processes, and deliver measurable outcomes.

Devon actively supports fundraising initiatives and sponsorship strategies, drawing on his background in brand partnerships and stakeholder engagement to enhance organizational sustainability. His dedication to fiduciary responsibility, policy development, and community advocacy reflects a deep commitment to mission-driven leadership. Devon is also a mentor, fostering the next generation of leaders while championing diversity, equity, and inclusion in every role he undertakes.

Certified human resource professional leader, and a Prosci certified change management practitioner with over twenty years in human resource leadership positions. In her various professional roles, Heather has partnered with organizations spanning from government healthcare to global high-tech industries, providing advice and support on strategic, cultural, talent, and change management programs.

Born and raised in Ajax, as well as a mother of two young adult boys still making Durham Region her home, Heather has spent her life enjoying the community, the people and the services provided. Heather is giving back to her community that has been home for her and her extended family for decades. Providing her experience in human resources, organizational development and mental health, Heather provides support to the welfare of the children in our community and the hard-working staff who deliver services to these vulnerable individuals.

I am honored to serve on the board, bringing over twenty years of professional experience in children, youth, and family services. I am a passionate advocate for children and families, and throughout my career, I have witnessed the profound impact that strong family support systems can have on children’s well-being. I am committed to our community’s welfare and have dedicated over ten years of my life to volunteering with organizations dedicated to child welfare. This has solidified my dedication to Durham CAS’s mission of providing essential services to our most vulnerable children and families.

My passion for promoting cultural competency and diversity underscores my belief in creating an inclusive environment that better serves our diverse communities and ensures equity in child welfare services. Being on the board means having the opportunity to play an integral role in shaping policies and strategies that impact the lives of children and families in our community. It’s a responsibility I wholeheartedly embrace, and I am deeply honored to collaborate with this dedicated team.

Tarak Ahmed is an experienced leader in mental health, social services, and crisis management, with over 15 years of experience. He holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Toronto and an MBA from the University of Fredericton.

Currently, he teaches at Centennial College and Durham College, where he shares his extensive expertise with his students. Previously, Tarak managed mental health and addiction outpatient programs at Lakeridge Health. He lives in Ajax with his family and is dedicated to trauma-informed care, equity advocacy, and fostering resilience through impactful leadership and education.

Prashanth Chandrapal is Counsel at the Law Society of Ontario, where he advises on legal and policy matters that support the Law Society’s public interest mandate. Previously, he served as Counsel in the Law Society’s Professional Regulation Division, responsible for investigating and prosecuting matters involving professional misconduct.

Prior to joining the Law Society, Prashanth practised in the areas of class actions, civil litigation, family law, and child protection. He also served as appointed counsel for the Office of the Children’s Lawyer (OCL), representing children and youth in child protection proceedings. In addition to his legal practice, Prashanth is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Toronto’s Centre for Criminology & Sociolegal Studies, where he teaches on the intersections of law, social inequality, crime, and the justice system.

Drawing on these experiences, Prashanth has developed a strong understanding of the challenges facing vulnerable children, youth, and families and of the critical role that institutions, services, and community partnerships play in promoting their safety, well-being, and long-term success.

Nadia Gouveia is a community leader with a deep commitment to service both locally and internationally. For the past twenty years, she has been committed to work that addresses the needs of various equity deserving communities. Her formal career began in South Africa where she supported community programs. She then shifted her focus to more local impact with a series of community development roles in Toronto, leading to her tenure at Toronto Community Housing (TCHC).

She joined TCHC in 2009 as the Social Investment Fund Manager, followed by a series of roles including Children and Youth Manager, Community Economic Development Manager and Director of Programs and Partnerships. Most recently, in April 2022, she was appointed Acting Chief Operating Officer for TCHC where she leads the full breadth of operational services provided to TCHC tenants. She is also currently a proud member of the Durham CAS board and looks forward to ongoing impact in the work she does.

Stacey Lepine-Fisher has served children, youth and families in varying capacities for over thirty years. Stacey holds a degree in Human Development and Family Studies, a diploma in Early Childhood Education and many leadership and business certificates from post-secondary institutions.

Stacey currently works at the Durham District School Board where she gives lead to the Early Years and Community and Partnership Development departments as well as the Ignite Durham Learning Foundation. Stacey understands the importance of human rights to protect and preserve humanity and works hard to ensure that The Convention on the Rights of the Child are also recognized and adhered to.

Stacey’s passion for children and youth, using her everyday privilege to drive change and her goal of seeking racial equity in all spaces she works and serves, is what brought her to the Durham Children’s Aid Society Board of Directors.

As an educator, parent, and concerned community member Jolleen strives to serve every student and ensure they know they are valued and belong. She has worked in education for over thirty years and has dedicated her most recent work to struggling students, families, and marginalized youth. She believe in serving vulnerable children, youth, and families in Durham to ensure they have every opportunity to thrive in education with their families and their community. She believes we do that through cultural humility, accountability, and respect. Every child matters.

Profile to come.

Heather Thompson joined the Board of Directors of Durham Children’s Aid Society in 2024. Through her work with the Region of Durham, she has built a career supporting children, families, and vulnerable residents through frontline service delivery, policy development, community partnerships, and systems leadership. Her experience includes Ontario Works case management, mental health and addictions services, and leading initiatives that strengthen community well-being and improve access to supports.

Heather is passionate about building strong, inclusive communities where every child and youth has the opportunity to thrive. She is a strong advocate for Durham Region’s nonprofit sector and the critical role community organizations play in supporting children, families, and communities.

As a parent and community volunteer, Heather values opportunities to give back and help create positive outcomes for local families.