Our Board Members

District of Nipissing

As the principal owner of Deacon Wealth Management, a corporation that works with clients to provide investment and financial advice. When Steven’s oldest son, William, was diagnosed with Autism- the family began to receive services at One Kids Place. With personal experience on what a difference the staff at One Kids Place make in the lives of the children and youth, Steven wanted to lend support to OKP in any way possible. Not only has Steven become a valuable member of the Board at OKP, the Deacon family sponsors the OKP Summer Autism Program- so kids like William can spend their summer vacation experiencing life lessons beyond the classroom, the value of playtime and building confidence through social skills under the guidance of OKP staff.

District of Nipissing

Governance – Executive Committee
Finance – Audit Committee
Development Advisory Panel
1^st Term of Office 2020 – 2023

Jake is a partner at Kennedy Insurance Brokers Inc. responsible for Group Benefits and Life Insurance division. Along with his wife Michelle, and his two children, Abbey and Jakob, Jake is a strong proponent of supporting our community in any way necessary. He is currently the Vice Chair/Past Chair of Tourism North Bay, Chair of the East Ferris Economic Development Committee, Honorary Colonel of 51 Aerospace Control and Warning Operational Training Squadron at 22 Wing North Bay, and Advisor with the North Bay and Area Community Foundation. Jake is the past President of the North Bay & District Chamber of Commerce, Past President of the Canadore College Alumni Association, and has volunteered hundreds of hours to his community.

“One of my children has benefited from the amazing services at OKP and I want to ensure that we continue to deliver throughout the communities that we serve.” It was this sentiment that brought Jake to his current role on the One Kids Place Board of Directors. In his spare time, Jake enjoys spending time with his extended family, hunting, foraging and being in the outdoors.

District of Nipissing

LeeAnne is the Certified Association Executive and CEO of Yes Employment Services in North Bay and has been with the organization for 27 years.

In her many years at Yes Employment Services LeeAnne has worked with youth who have had successful outcomes from early intervention services and therapy at One Kids Place. LeeAnne is an advocate for the children and youth in our community and has a strong belief in the mission of One Kids Place.

LeeAnne is a member of the National Settlement and Integration Service Delivery Committee for Immigration Refugees Citizenship Canada, the Vice-Chair the First Work Board of Directors (a provincial umbrella organization for Employment Service Providers), the chair of the Northern Employment Partners Collaborative, the Past Director of the North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce Board, and Past Chair of the North Bay Local Immigration Partnership just to list a few. Her dedication to our community is unwavering.

Married for over 25 years, LeeAnne has three children and one beautiful grandson. She enjoys tennis and is learning to enjoy golf.

District of Muskoka

Finance – Audit Committee
1^st Term of Office 2020 – 2023

Charles is a veteran of the Information and Communications Technology industry with over 25 years of experience nurturing startup organizations in policy based networks, encryption technology and cloud sourced applications. His proficiency spans many disciplines including corporate governance, product management, engineering, sales, marketing and business development. Outside the office, Charles is an active volunteer within the community participating on many advisory and governance boards for agencies such as the Peel Senior Link, Ontario Track 3, Dwight Food Bank, Communitech and Trafalgar Seniors Homes.

Charles was drawn to volunteer on the Board of One Kids Place out of a desire to help children and youth with special needs achieve success in their community. Together with his wife and three daughters, Charles lives full time in Huntsville and cottages in Lake of Bays where they can be found relaxing by the lake.

Scott Clark is a dedicated leader with a long history of community involvement and a deep passion for serving others. He is the Founder and President of Clark Communications, leading with a commitment to excellence and innovation.

Scott’s dedication to his community is evident through his extensive involvement in various organizations. He served as the 22 Wing Honorary Colonel and appointed to the Royal Canadian Air Force Commanders Council. He was a member of the Board of Governors at OCAD University and served as the Chair of the Audit, Finance and Risk Committee. His leadership also extends to local initiatives, having chaired the North Bay Santa Fund for over 20 years and co-chaired the North Bay Heritage Festival. Scott is incredibly proud to have co-chaired the OKP Capital Campaign with Dr Joseph Madden.

Scott has been married to his wife Cheryl for 25 years, and together, they have two children, Benjamin (25) and Makayla (22). In his free time, Scott enjoys spending time on Lake Nipissing, whether in the warmth of summer or the chill of winter. He is also passionate about golfing and running.

Scott’s connection to One Kids Place runs deep. He was instrumental in the early efforts to establish the organization, recognizing the heavy lifting required to get it built. His return to the board is fueled by his desire to honour the legacy of his dear friend, Linda Smits, with whom he shared a 30-year friendship. Linda’s final board service was with One Kids Place, and Scott is committed to finishing the important work she started.

Anne-Marie is an Operations Manager within the Social Assistance Central Services Branch of the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services with a career spanning over 34 years in various sectors with most of those years as a Public Servant in Social Assistance Delivery.

Her career started out in local broadcasting with Telemedia News (CFCH/CKAT) in the early 90’s and then migrated into the private sector taking her to Temiscaming, Quebec where her career turned to Customer Service/Marketing at Tembec Inc.

Anne-Marie along with her husband Denis (deceased) moved back to North Bay in 2002 to provide more opportunities for their children and family. This is also when Anne-Marie started her work as a Public Servant.

Upon moving back to North Bay, Anne-Marie decided it was time to get involved in the community and that is when she accepted the role of Run Director with the CIBC Run for the Cure with the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, a position she held from 2008 to 2014.

It was during this time that Anne-Marie rekindled her media/communication relationships in the community. This, along with a dedicated co-run director and amazing team, ensured the run reached its ambitious 2014 goal of $200,000 and for North Bay to reach the $1 million mark by its 10th anniversary. In 2014, Anne-Marie was recognized for her efforts by the foundation and awarded the National Erin McBride Run Leadership Award.

In the last ten years Anne-Marie has dedicated herself to her family and work life and is now in a position where she wants to return to a role in community service and feels OKP is the place to be. She is passionate about the mission and values of the organization. Her many years in social services have been dedicated to assisting those most vulnerable and providing the right services and supports to children with special needs is in line with her core beliefs.

Anne-Marie is a devoted mother of two grown sons. She considers herself a work in progress and is always willing to learn and grow. She looks forward to bringing her skills and experience to her role on the Board with OKP.

District of Muskoka

Finance-Audit Committee
1^st Term of Office 2021 – 2024

Roxana is a retired educator with the Near North District School Board and currently a tenured Assistant Professor at Nipissing University. With over 20 years of cross-sector experience, including health and social services, education, and research/academia sectors, she has specialized in cognitive and behavioural sciences, clinical-developmental psychology, and applied research & evaluation.

Roxana’s background in supporting and working with children and youth with neurodevelopmental needs, also brought her to the One Kids Place Board of Directors as she has a keen interest in developing and improving intervention and supports not only to children, but to families and caregivers.

Roxana feels that the mission of OKP aligns with her strengths, systems-level approach to services, and strengths-based focus to supporting children, youth and families in reaching their full potential.