Agency Members Biographies

SOCIAL BENEFITS TRIBUNAL

YEE, GARY
Gary Yee has extensive experience in administrative law dating back to his call to the Bar in 1985. In addition to his LL.B., he holds a LL.M. in Law and Regulation. From 1999 to 2009, Mr. Yee served with the Immigration and Refugee Board as Special Advisor to the Deputy Chair of the Immigration Appeal Division. Prior to that, he was Chair of the Board of Inquiry in Ontario that heard public complaints regarding police misconduct. At that time, he was also Vice-President of the Society of Ontario Adjudicators and Regulators (SOAR). In 1999, Mr. Yee received the SOAR Medal for his contribution to Ontario's administrative justice system. His past positions also include serving as an executive director of a legal clinic, and Manager of Legal Services at the Ombudsman of Ontario. Mr. Yee is a frequent contributor to training tribunal members, and organizing and presenting at administrative law conferences in Ontario and across Canada.

LEE, MARY THERESA
Mary Theresa Lee was a Senior Manager with the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Student Assistance Program, GTA Regional Vice-Chair at the Ontario Rental Housing Tribunal, and Registrar/ Chief Administrative Officer at the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board. She holds a Master of Laws degree from Osgoode Hall Law School and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto.

MURRAY, ROBERT
In addition to practising law, Robert Murray has co-authored a number of texts for the Canadian Financial Services sector. Before joining the Tribunal, Mr. Murray was a volunteer and a board member with a number of social services agencies including Mercury Youth Services, Hope Place and Homewood Health Centre. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and History from Lakehead University and his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Windsor.

MOORE, BEVERLY ANNE
Beverly Anne Moore is an experienced Adjudicator who has served as Vice-Chair of the Social Assistance Review Board, Vice-Chair and Interim Chair of the Ontario Rental Housing Tribunal, and a member of the Immigration and Refugee Board. Ms. Moore worked for over ten years in community legal clinics. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Law Clerk's Certificate from Fanshaw College.

HUMMELEN, AUDREY
Audrey Hummelen, of Windsor, worked for the Association for Community Living and acted as Executive Director of a children's centre, serving young children with exceptional needs. Ms. Hummelen served on the Western Ontario Drama League, the Chatham Development Commission and was Chair of the Committee of the Cultural Centre and its Performing Arts Committee. She holds diplomas in Early Childhood Education and Developmental Services Work and has taught in both faculties.

MACGUIGAN, R. JANICE
R. Janice MacGuigan was an adjudicator with the Ontario Rental Housing Tribunal (now Landlord and Tenant Board) from 2002 to 2006. Prior to this she was a Law Clerk with Woolley, Dale and Dingwall. Ms. MacGuigan volunteers with Heart to Hand, a community organization collecting and distributing food to families in need. She is a member of the Society of Adjudicators and Regulators and the Canadian Council of Administrative Tribunals.

MARGERRISON, SANDRA YVONNE
Sandra Margerrison joined the Social Benefits Tribunal as Manager of the Appeals Resolution Unit in 2007. Ms. Margerrison has an extensive background in the social assistance field, previously serving as a member of the Social Assistance Review Board/Social Benefits Tribunal from 1998 to 2004. She has also worked with various non-profit and community organizations, and has training in dispute resolution, working as a Mediator with the Ontario Human Rights Commission and serving as the Acting Coordinator for the Family Mediation and Information Services Program, Ministry of the Attorney General. Ms. Margerrison received the Canadian 125th Anniversary Award for Outstanding Community Service.

MURRAY, WILLIAM
William Murray works in the retail sector as a Manager and Marketing Consultant. Mr. Murray's lengthy career has seen him in a variety of capacities including Co-owner of AJ's family restaurant and Apparel World Retail and Wholesale Clothing Management. Mr. Murray is dedicated to his community and has served as: volunteer with Red Cross of Canada, Canvasser with Canadian Cancer Society and United Way, and Minor League Football Volunteer Manager for Youth Football Ontario Football Conference. Mr. Murray earned his Undergraduate degree in Economics from the University of Western Ontario's Huron College.

BUCKLEY-ROUTH, HELEN
Helen Buckley-Routh has twenty-six years of experience as a Teacher at both the elementary and secondary school levels. Prior to joining the Social Benefits Tribunal, Ms. Buckley-Routh was a Translator for five years. She has been an active community volunteer working with numerous organizations to raise money for a variety of charities.

MICLASH, FRANK
Frank Miclash has been a member of the Social Benefits Tribunal since 1999. From 1987 to 1999, he was a Member of Provincial Parliament representing the Kenora Riding. During this time he was Party Whip, Party Deputy Whip, Northern Caucus Chair and Chair of various committees. Mr. Miclash served as a member of the Lake of the Woods Skills Development Committee and member of the Lake of the Woods District Hospital Board.

RICCIO, ANTONIO
Antonio Riccio's professional career spans over twenty-five years in both the non-profit and profit sectors. He has served in a variety of capacities including Accountant, Financial Controller, and Long-Term Care Administrator. Mr. Riccio was a member of the Thunder Bay Police Services Board from 1996 until 2002, serving as Chair for four of those years. He was also actively involved in his community serving on various community service boards. Mr. Riccio received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Modern Languages and a Graduate Diploma in Business Administration from Lakehead University. He is also a Certified Professional Manager and a Long-Term Care Administrator.

MAINS, ROSLYNNE
Roslynne Mains was Director of Communications for the United Way for almost ten years. She has worked for both the provincial and federal governments in various administrative and financial positions. Ms. Mains served as an Adjudicator with the Unemployment Insurance Commission and Chair of the Board of Referees. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from McMaster University.

MCDERMOTT, CAROL ANNE
Carol McDermott has extensive experience in all aspects of administrative law, including appearing before Tribunals, teaching law as a sessional lecturer, mentoring and supervising law students, representing clients in hearings, and as Vice Chair of the Health Protection Appeal Board. Prior to her 16 years as a supervising lawyer in a legal aid teaching clinic, she acted as Associate Counsel to the Support and Custody Orders Enforcement Office, did legal research and writing, and practiced in the area of insurance law. She was a librarian before becoming a lawyer and holds a Master of Library Science from the University of Western Ontario, a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Waterloo and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Windsor.

LEBOURDAIS, LINDA
A Public Relations and Marketing Communications professional, Linda LeBourdais has a wide range of skills and experience from a career in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. In 1987, Ms. LeBourdais was elected to the Ontario Legislature serving as Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier and as Advocate for the Clothing and Apparel Industry for the Government of Ontario. Prior to her appointment to the Social Benefits Tribunal, she operated her own public relations and public affairs firm.

SHAW, SHERENE
Sherene Shaw has over eighteen years of experience in the public sector with both the Municipal and Provincial Governments. For fifteen years, Ms. Shaw served as an elected City Councillor with the City of Toronto and with the former City of Scarborough. Ms. Shaw has served as Vice-Chair of the Toronto Transit Commission, Police Commissioner of the Toronto Police Services Board, and Diversity Advocate for the City of Toronto. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto, a Business Administration Diploma, and a Teacher of Adults Certificate from Centennial College.

DUDLEY, DENISE
Denise Dudley is a Registered Social Service Worker and a Dean's list graduate from Loyalist College, who is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Professional Arts degree in Human Services. Prior to joining the Social Benefits Tribunal, Ms. Dudley worked in a number of different capacities within the social service field. She has been an active volunteer in her community, including acting as Vice-Chair of the Children's Aid Society of Northumberland and serving as Director of the Workforce Development Board.

PURDY, MONICA
Monica Purdy is a graduate of the University of Toronto and Ryerson Polytechnic University, obtaining both Masters and Bachelor of Science degrees in Nursing. She is currently a Project Manager at Mount Sinai Hospital. Ms. Purdy has spent over 20 years working in the healthcare field in various capacities including Clinical Analyst, Research Associate, Clinical Information Specialist and staff Nurse.

BROWN, BRIAN
Brian Brown graduated from the University of Western Ontario with an Honours English degree and a Master of Education degree. Prior to joining the Social Benefits Tribunal, Mr. Brown taught High School English for thirty-two years and volunteered as Co-Chair of the United Way in his area.

JURAK, ANNA
Anna Jurak was self-employed for over twenty years, working in the retail and service industry. Ms. Jurak served as a public school board Trustee and continues to serve on a local regional hospital board of directors. She is actively involved in the community and is Past President of her local Rotary club.

MUSHINSKI, MARILYN ELIZABETH
Marilyn Mushinski has over twenty years of public service experience at both municipal and provincial levels of government. Ms. Mushinski has served as a member of the Board of Governors of Scarborough General Hospital and as a founding member of the Scarborough Women's Centre. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics.

SIMPSON, RICHARD
Richard Simpson, of Toronto, was employed as an Operations and Production Manager for the Thomson Gale group, which included network database and content management systems. Previously, he was Project Manager with Gale Canada and Production Editor with Globe Information Services, Thomson Newspapers. Mr. Simpson holds an Honours B.A. (Anthropology) from McGill University and a Master of Library Science from the University of Toronto.

REYNOLDS, MARGARET
Margaret Reynolds is a former Adjudicator for the Board of Referees, Employment Insurance Commission. Ms. Reynolds holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Modern Languages from the University of Toronto. Her community involvement includes serving as Secretary to the Board of Directors of the Volunteer Centre, Blue Sky Region. She is also a member of the Counsel of Canadian Administrative Tribunals.

FERGUSON, NATHAN
Nathan Ferguson earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Guelph in 2000 and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Western Ontario in 2003. Mr. Ferguson completed his articles in Kitchener, Ontario. After his call to the bar, he returned to London as a litigation lawyer.

KERSHAW-HALLIGAN, DAWN J.
Dawn Kershaw-Halligan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Western Ontario, a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Toronto and a Master of Laws from Dalhousie University. Before joining the Social Benefits Tribunal, Ms. Kershaw-Halligan practiced law for fifteen years. She has served on several boards including L'Arche Stratford, Stratford Community Legal Clinic and the Huron Church News.

BROWNLEE, JOHN
John Brownlee was a high school principal for twenty-five years. Mr. Brownlee was Deputy Mayor of Gravenhurst and Deputy Chair of the District of Muskoka for eleven years. His community involvement has included serving as Chair of the Gravenhurst Wharf Committee. Mr. Brownlee holds a Master of School Administration and Special Education degree.

PATRICK, BONNIE G.
After being called to the Bar in 1997, Bonnie Patrick became a Managing Partner with Goulin & Patrick Law Firm. Ms. Patrick was Vice-Chair of the Health Services Appeal and Review Board, Director and Vice-President of the Inn of Windsor, and Counsel to the Odysseus Victim Services Project and the North American Black Historical Museum. Currently, she is a Director and Secretary of the Windsor Residence for Young Men and Counsel to the Jazzpurr Society for Animal Protection, the Windsor Historical Museum and A Book of My Own Literacy Campaign.

GLADSTONE, SYDNEY
Sydney Gladstone was a member of the Office of the Commissioner of Review Tribunals, where he heard appeals under Canada Pension Plan legislation. Mr. Gladstone has served in a variety of capacities including Partner and Manager of Operations in a retail environment and Enumerator for Statistics Canada. Mr. Gladstone has served his community as Director at Large and Vice-President of Ryerson University's L.I.F.E. Institute and as a volunteer for various charitable organizations.

SCHOEN, NEAL
Neal Schoen, of Gravenhearst, is the former Mayor and regional councillor for the city of Port Colborne. Previously, Mr. Schoen served as Vice-Chair of the Social Assistance Review Board and member of the Social Benefits Tribunal. Mr. Schoen is a licensed Paralegal and was recently employed as Tenant Duty Counsel for a community legal clinic. Mr. Schoen earned his Bachelor of Science degree from McMaster University.

WALDEN-STEPHAN, ROSEMARY
Rosemary Walden-Stephan practiced law in a general family practice, where she appeared before administrative tribunals and worked in the area of public guardianship. Previously, Ms. Walden-Stephan served as a member of the Social Benefits Tribunal and volunteered with the local Children's Aid Society, County Community Care and Arts Foundation. She was called to the Bar in 2000 and holds a Bachelor of Administrative Studies degree and Bachelor of Laws degree.

GAON, KELLY
Kelly Gaon is a published author with several articles to her credit. In addition to her communications and marketing background, Ms. Gaon has extensive experience in the private and not-for-profit sectors. Ms. Gaon has served her community as Executive Vice-President of a medium-sized enterprise for fifteen years, and served as Director of Sponsorship and Partnerships with the United Way of Canada and the Canadian Cancer Society.

NEIL, LYNN
Lynn Neil was employed with the Ontario government for twenty-eight years. Ms. Neil directed a number of large enforcement programmes in various Ministries. Since her retirement she has been engaged in consulting work, specializing in human resource management. Ms. Neil graduated from Andrews University and the University of Ottawa with degrees in Psychology and Criminology. She also has diplomas in Advanced Human Resource Management from the University of Toronto and Alternative Dispute Resolution from the University of Windsor Law School.

WRONECKI, KAROL
Karol Wronecki has degrees in Law and Public Administration from universities in Poland and Canada. After teaching Constitutional Law at the University of Wroclaw and York University in Ontario, Mr. Wronecki joined the Ontario government in 1982. For twenty-four years he worked in the administrative justice system as an Adjudicator and a Civil Servant. Mr. Wronecki adjudicated in and managed programs dealing with rent control and landlord and tenant legislation.

ROBINSON, JAMES L.
James Robinson is a litigator in private practice specialising in family and commercial litigation and was previously responsible for civil litigation with Rosenberg, Robinson Barristers and Solicitors. Mr. Robinson is also a part-time Deputy Judge of the Superior Court for Richmond Hill Small Claims Court. Mr. Robinson served as supporting member of the C.G. Jung Foundation of Ontario and member at large of the Rotary Club of Don Mills. He is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, member of the Deputy Judge's Association of Ontario, member of the Metropolitan Toronto Lawyers Association, and member of the American Society of Trial Consultants.

COREY, ROBERTA D.C.
Roberta Corey is a qualified elementary school teacher with more than forty years of experience in public relations and communications in all levels of government; most recently having served with the City of Toronto. Ms. Corey was Vice-Chair of the Ontario Film Review Board. She is an active community volunteer for several not-for-profit organizations, and has been commended for her work.

DEANS, DORTE
Dorte Deans has thirty years of experience as an Educator at both the elementary and secondary levels. Ms. Deans' teaching career began as a Visual Arts teacher, which included teaching adults and her colleagues. She spent ten years as a high-school Vice-Principal and has held many volunteer positions in community organizations in her area. Ms. Deans is the author of In the Mind's Eye. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Arts and a Master of Education degree.

MACCHIONE, SANDRA
Sandra Macchione has participated in the Trillium Health Center's Community Advisory Council and has held positions with the Canadian Bankers Association, Criminal Injuries Compensation Board and the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Branch with the Ministry of the Attorney General. Ms. Macchione graduated from York University with an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Psychology specializing in race and ethnic relations.

DORAN, PATRICK R.
Patrick Doran received a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy from the University of Ottawa, a Master's Degree in Counselling and Education from Niagara University, and spent four years studying Theology at St. Augustine's Seminary in Toronto. As a pastor, he ministered to families in three parishes for over ten years. Mr. Doran was a member of the Immigration and Refugee Board for nine years.

WOOD, W. ROY
Roy Wood is retired from his capacities as Teacher and Counsellor with the Peterborough County Board of Education. Mr. Wood has a long history of involvement in local politics, social services and community affairs. He has served as Chair of a number of community agencies including the former Civic Hospital, the Peterborough County City Health Unit, the Otonabee Region Conservation Authority, Fairhaven Home for Senior Citizens, and the Kawartha Haliburton Children's Aid Society.

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