The Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Aid Society is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors elected from the community at large. The Board of Directors reserves one (1) seat for a representative from Hiawatha First Nation and one (1) for Curve Lake First Nation.
The regular meetings of the Board of Directors are held on the second Wednesday of each month, except July and August, beginning at 5:00pm.
The following individuals comprise the KHCAS Board of Directors:
Sandra Robinson, Chair
Sandra is the Manager of Children’s Services at the City of Peterborough. As the designated service system manager for child care and early years for the City and County of Peterborough, Sandra’s portfolio includes the administration and management of the new $10 a day Child Care initiative, the Child Care Fee Subsidy program, Special Needs Resource funding, Operating grants for licensed child care and EarlyOn Child and Family Centers. As well, Sandra collaborates with community partners to develop local service plans that support an integrated approach for the delivery of services for children and their families.
Sandra is a Registered Early Childhood Educator with 30+ years’ experience in the child care and early years sector. Sandra has extensive leadership experience gained through both work related and volunteer opportunities and is deeply committed to the provision of high-quality services for children and families.
Lynne Buehler, Vice-Chair
Lynne was born in Peterborough and is a KHCAS adoptee. Growing up, she lived in Peterborough, Trenton and Montreal, returning to Peterborough to attend Trent University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology). She began her career as a child care worker in a residential care center for developmentally challenged youth, and later at a detention centre and group home. In 1985 Lynne was one of the first five women hired by the Peterborough Police Service. During her 34-year career she had many opportunities to support youth in the community. She worked in partnership with KHCAS to provide training for staff and foster parents and developed a CAS-police protocol. Lynne worked in schools – both elementary and secondary and later led the Community Services Section. In 2015 Lynne earned a Master’s degree in Public Administration (Management) from Dalhousie University. Lynne retired in 2019 as the Inspector of Support Services; only the second woman to achieve that rank.
Lynne has volunteered for a number of Boards and committees in support of not-for-profit agencies. These have included the Police Fitness Personnel of Ontario, where she served as President of the Board and led the Board through incorporation, a transition to web-based membership and partnership with the Province. Lynne served as President of the Board with the Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre where she led the board through the Centre’s first strategic plan, the transition to gender inclusive services and through the hiring of a new Executive Director. She recently served on the Board for the Youth Emergency Shelter.
Rachel Rochon – Secretary/Treasurer
Rachel works for the City of Peterborough as an Intake Case worker. Prior to that Rachel worked at Fleming College as the Indigenous Student Service Coordinator/Course Instructor and as a Case Manager with Native Child and Family Services of Toronto.
Rachel is currently a Member for the Nogo Friendship Centre, a Member for the Social Services Wellness Committee as well as a Member of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion group. Rachel received her Social Service Worker diploma, Gladue Principles – Indigenous Justice certificate, Indigenous Trauma Focusing Oriented Therapy certificate and is currently working on her Bachelors in Policing and Criminology.
Rachel has skills, experience and interests in government sector advocacy/public policy, equity seeking groups in our communities and Indigenous heritage.
Marnie Sicker – Chair Mentee
Marnie works for the City of Peterborough as a Financial Analyst. Prior to that Marnie worked for the Canadian Mental Health Association, Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge branch as the Manager of Financial Services.
Marnie has served as the Treasurer for Norwood Minor Sports as well as St. Paul’s Norwood School Council. Marnie has strong financial skills and experience in non-profit and government sector.
Marnie received her Business Administration diploma and Chartered Professional Accountant designation and has also attended various leadership development and management courses throughout her career.
Shannon Cattoni – Vice Chair Mentee
Shannon is a member of the Senior Leadership Team at Five Counties Children’s Treatment Centre. In her role as a Program Manager, Shannon’s portfolio includes Leadership Development, Community Capacity Building, Special Needs Resourcing, Early Years Workforce Strategy and Client and Family Experience.
Prior to her current role at Five Counties, Shannon was employed by the City of Peterborough as the Early Years Planning Manager and then subsequently the Social Services Planning Manager. In these roles she co-designed with the community professional learning opportunities related to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, collective impact, leadership development, quality assurance standards and a human centered professional framework of service delivery.
Prior to moving to Peterborough from Calgary in 2017, Shannon held the position of Executive Director (ED) of a Not-For-Profit charitable organization for twenty-three years.
As a volunteer, Shannon served on the Calgary Axemen Lacrosse Club’s Board of Directors for many years having served in various positions including that of Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary. Shannon was also a committed volunteer supporting the needs of Foothills Country Hospice in Okotoks, Alberta.
Shannon most recently added to her academic credentials by obtaining a certificate in Infant Mental Health from Sick Kids Toronto, a certificate in Indigenous Studies with the First Nation University of Canada and a certificate in Leadership Development with the Ontario Tech University.
Shannon has a great deal of experience working alongside community stakeholders and is a proud ally and advocate of the early years, educators, children, families and our greater community.
Arnold Taylor
Arnold has been a Councillor for Curve Lake First Nations for fifteen years. Arnold holds different portfolios and has been on the Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Aid Society Board of Directors for the last ten years on behalf of Curve Lake.
Arnold is a residential school and sixties scoop survivor.
Lesley Kirton
Lesley works for the City of Peterborough as a Client Service Manager; she also works casually at PRHC as a Registered Practical Nurse. Previous to this, Lesley was a Human Trafficking Client Care Coordinator and Program and Volunteer Coordinator at the Victim Services of Peterborough and Northumberland. She has been recognized as one of the most influential people in Peterborough for her work with Human Trafficking and has also been featured on CBC radio.
Lesley has a long list of education as well as certificates she has earned. Lesley has a Practical Nursing Certificate, Drug and Alcohol Counselor, Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Certificate, A.S.I.S.T. Certified, Crisis Training and Mental Health First Certificate, just to name a few.
Download Board Member Candidate Application
Download Board Member Information Sheet
