Board Of Directors

Steve Northey
Steve Northey
After completing 25 years as an advertising executive at the London Free Press, Steve Northey moved on to accomplish a number of new endeavors. He created a monthly newspaper ‘Sport Times’, directed a one-year marketing program for Pathways – Ontario Works, then returned to newspaper advertising at the Goderich Signal Star, and the Lakeshore Advance in Grand Bend before retiring in December of 2011.

Married to Melodie since 1990, Steve is a proud father to four daughters and a son and loving “Papa” to eight grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

Steve created a legacy, the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada, to honor his daughter Kelly, who died of a brain tumor in 1982. As co-founder and lifetime member, he has been instrumental in developing this successful international organization to raise money for research, education, and support of those facing the diagnosis of a brain tumor.

Steve also co-founded Bereaved Families of Ontario, London Chapter. Over the years, he has held Board and Committee positions for St. Justin’s Catholic Church Advisory and the creation of the F.W. Merrill Church Hall, St. Peter’s Catholic School, LAVA, London Fundraisers, and Ad & Sales Club, all of London as well as the Huron United Way, Council of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in St. Joseph, Ontario, Huron Shores United Church in Grand Bend, and since 2005 with Community Living South Huron.

Golf being one of his passions, Steve is quick to organize and participate in many golf tournaments including the ‘Bob Williams Memorial Golf Tournament’ for CLSH.

Steve continues to enjoy his association with Community Living South Huron’s staff, volunteers, and the people supported by this organization.

Jake Sweeney
Jake Sweeney
Jake and his wife Jan moved back to Huron county in 2017 after being in the GTA for 26 years. They currently reside in Exeter and have 3 grown children. Jake and Jan met in London and have been married for 40 years. Jan was an Educational Assistant for 25 years working with special needs children of all ages.

Jake‘s 26 years in the Greater Toronto area was spent in various senior management functions primarily in finance and operations. Prior to moving to the GTA Jake was Administration Director/Controller of Schaefer Pens Canada, Inc. in Goderich.

Jake has been involved in a number of boards and advisory committees at St Peter’s in Goderich, Precious Blood in Exeter, London Ovarian Cancer Run and the Direct Sellers Association of Canada.

Jake is semi-retired working Part-time from home in a consulting role. He is excited about joining the CLSH board as a way of giving back to his local community.

Bonnie Calder
Bonnie Calder
To introduce myself…. I was born and raised in Seaforth and the surrounding area. I lived in Kitchener for 25 years, commuting to my job in Huron County. When my husband Carl retired, we moved to Clinton. I so enjoy my 5-minute drive to work.

I have been blessed with one son Ron, 3 Grandchildren and 5 Great Grandbabies.
For the past 40 years, I have worked as a Building Custodian, first with Ontario Housing then downloaded to Huron County Housing. Retirement is looming in the near future!
I have been an active member of Al-Anon for the past 43 years. Al-Anon is an organization for the family and friends of alcoholics.

My hobbies include gardening and dancing, but I really enjoy motorcycling and traveling….by motorcycle. I do have my bike license but now I am quite content to be a passenger and have been known to fall asleep back there.
Due to being the sister/guardian to my brother Jack and aunt to Shelly, I have been introduced to Community Living South Huron. I am very grateful to this Organization, management, and staff, for all they do and have done for my family and many countless others.

Marg Nicholson
Marg Nicholson
Marg is a retired elementary teacher. She began her teaching career at ARC Industries in 1977. Marg was hired by the Huron County Board of Education teaching adults who were provided an education until the age of 21 years. These beginnings at ARC inspired her to play various roles in Special Education from a regular classroom teacher through to Special Education Consultant. In all of her roles, Marg continued towards the goal to ensure students/adults with special needs contribute to both the regular classroom and community. Marg lives in Dashwood and is honored to serve as a Board member of CLSH.
Marg Wright
Marg Wright
Marg is married with two grown children. Her first “real” job was at the Adult Resource Centre from 1973 to 1977, working in all areas of the new operation. She moved to New Zealand and worked in the social work department at a local hospital. When she moved back to Ontario, she began a 30-year career as a caseworker with FBA/ODSP. She retired in 2012. Marg brings an awareness of government programs, funding and transfer payment agencies to the Board of Directors of Community Living South Huron. She has a great relationship with many local agencies and groups who have similar goals and concerns as CLSH. She also volunteers as a driver with the Canadian Cancer Society. Marg enjoys interacting with the clients and is amazed at how far CLSH has come since its inception!
Greg Counsell
Greg Counsell
Greg has had a long career in high tech with stints at Corel Software, Infowave, and BlackBerry and is currently with Scotiabank as a Project Leader in IT. He relocated to Exeter with his partner, Sonya, and her two children Emily and Kenny from Kitchener in 2017. Emily has a congenital disorder called Kabuki Syndrome, and after moving to Exeter they found Community Living South Huron and it’s ARC Day Program for Emily and it is without a doubt the best resource Emily has had the privilege to attend. Greg is proud to sit on the Board of CLSH and hopes to continue there for a long time to come as a passionate advocate for Emily and all her new friends supported by CLSH.
Doug Kennedy
Doug Kennedy
Doug is married to Vanessa they have 3 grown children. He was in the insurance and investment industry for over 35 years. He enjoyed many aspects of the business from sales, sales management and various head office functions. He retired in 2011.

Doug has volunteered on many industry boards, the United Way, Kiwanis, and was Easter Seal Chairman while living in eastern Ontario. He also was involved with the board for Credit Counseling. He is honored to be on the Board of Community Living recognizing the value it adds to our community and the individuals it assists.

Dana Lewis
Dana Lewis
Dana & his wife Lee have been “cottaging” in South Huron since 2003. They have recently moved into their St Joseph home full time. They have one daughter currently working in the teaching profession.

Dana worked in the Kitchener area for over 40 years in various financial and operational management positions which were mainly in industrial type organizations. While in Kitchener, Dana & Lee did some volunteering at the Food Bank, Meals on Wheels and Christmas Hamper delivery.

In addition to volunteering with CLSH, Dana can be found either playing golf, organizing golf or just enjoying walks in the neighborhood. Dana also keeps busy doing his own building and renovating or helping friends with their projects.

He is very happy to be getting involved in the community by joining the CLSH board of directors.

Sarah Oud
Sarah Oud
Sarah Oud was raised in Grand Bend and now, along with her husband Andrew and two children, lives close to the lake which they all love. Sarah has been an elementary teacher with the Huron Perth CDSB since 2006. Sarah has over ten years of kindergarten teaching experience, has transitioned to teaching grade 6, and has her Special Education Qualifications. She feels strongly about advocating for all children and recognizing their diverse needs as learners and citizens. Sarah brings this same philosophy to the CLSH board.
JoAnne Pickering
JoAnne Pickering
61+ years of experience. I am retired from the school board for Huron Perth after 25year, I have been retired for 3 years, best job I have had yet!! Married 43+ years to Mike Pickering. We have 4 children, Chad 41, married 10 years to Cecile they have twin boys that are 2+ Austin and William. Angela 38, single mom with 4 children, Madelyn 9, Carter 8, Emily 8, they are twins, and Cole 6. Rebecca 35, lives in the Sanders group home in Exeter. Pamela 34, married to Joel 8 years, 2 children Tyler 6 and Ryan 4. We have lived south of Dashwood on the family farm for 40 years, moved from a home in Crediton. Both my husband’s parents have passed away, as well as my father, my mom is in the Nursing home in Hensall. I have been on the board for Community Living for many years off and on. I feel it is important to help make this organization the best that it can be for all that work and attend.
Virginia Scott
Virginia Scott
I have moved around many times with my parents when my Dad was in the Air Force. I am married, have lived in Grand Bend for over 20 years with my husband, John and my two children, Derek and Devin. Devin has Downs Syndrome and attends ARC Monday to Friday. I trained as a Legal Secretary, worked in a Real Estate Office and later became a Financial Advisor. I am now retired. I was a member of the Grand Bend Lioness, the Winter Carnival Board, Treasurer of Cubs in Lucan and a member of the Board of Stewards at the United Church in Lucan.
Melanie Hardie
Melanie Hardie
Melanie Hardie is a Certified Financial Planner & Investment Specialist with Scotia Global Asset Management. In that role, she works with a select group of clients in the Exeter, St Marys, Grand Bend & Mitchell markets.

Melanie has returned to CLSH after serving as a Director on the Board from 2015-2017. She is currently a Director on the St Marys Healthcare Foundation and has served in that capacity since 2017.

As part of her dedication to community development, Melanie has also been involved with the Brain Tumour Foundation, Jessica’s House Musical Event (2018/2019), the local Women’s Shelter & Second Stage Housing, Heart & Stroke and various community fundraising events.

Melanie has been married to Gord Hardie for 30 years and has raised three children in cities all over Canada. She and her family have been in Exeter since 2006. She grew up in London, Ontario and attended the University of Western Ontario.