Appointee Biographies

SUSAN CLARKE

has been an active member in the fire protection field for over 30 years. She worked as a Fire Protection Engineer at the Ontario Office of the Fire Marshal for 27 years. responsible for Fire Marshal Reviews of Inspection Orders, training, delivering presentations, and writing articles, as well as participating in the Fire Code writing team. She has worked in the consulting field as a Code Specialist and Senior Fire Protection Engineer, and in several other consulting positions over the years. Ms. Clarke has been a member of, and later in a leadership position with the Canadian Fire Safety Association and the Code Interpretations Advisory Committee. She has supported her local community by serving as Director on several boards. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Sciences degree (Civil Engineering) from the University of Waterloo. and a Master of Business Administration from York University.

ROBERT PATCHETT

Robert Patchett, of Ottawa, is a Vice-Chair (part-time) of the Landlord and Tenant Board and Lieutenant-Colonel Infantry Officer with the Canadian Armed Forces, and former Senior Strategic Policy Advisor and Senior Military Advisor, Department of National Defence/Canadian Forces Housing Agency. His community involvement includes serving as Branch Service Officer with the Royal Canada Legion.

LINDSAY LAKE

Lindsay Lake has been an Adjudicator with the Licence Appeal Tribunal, the Animal Care Review Board, and the Fire Safety Commission since 2018. Prior to these roles, Lindsay was a Municipal Prosecutor and Solicitor with the City of London conducting prosecutions under several statutes and routinely appearing before all levels of court. Lindsay has also served as a part-time member on the Landlord and Tenant Board. Lindsay completed her B.A. in Women's Studies at Western University, her LL.B. at the University of Windsor, and both the Certificate and Advanced Certificate in Adjudication for Administrative Agencies, Boards, and Tribunals at Osgood Hall Law School. Lindsay has served on several municipal advisory committees, teaches Tribunal Practice and Procedure at Fanshawe College, is a member of the Family Advisory Council at the London Health Sciences Centre, and serves on the Board of Directors for the Regional HIV/AIDS Connection and Victim Services of Middlesex-London.

STEPHANIE KEPMAN

Stephanie Kepman graduated from the University of Ottawa’s Civil (LL.L.) and Common Law (J.D.) programs. Stephanie is fully bilingual and supports access to justice in both official languages. She is a lawyer and member of the Law Society of Ontario. Prior to her work with Tribunals Ontario, she practiced criminal and family law.

AVRIL FARLAM

Avril Farlam is a Deputy Judge of the Small Claims Court of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Vice Chair of the Ontario Licence Appeal Tribunal, former Chair of the CPP/OAS Administrative Review Tribunal and City of Windsor Hearing Officer. Ms. Farlam holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Windsor Law School. Ms. Farlam serves on the Education Committee of the Ontario Deputy Judges Association, has served on the Council of the Ontario Bar Association and the board of director of the Society of Ontario Adjudicator and Regulators, has taught Advocacy at the Law Society of Ontario Bar Admission course, taught at St. Clair College and sponsored a student scholarship through the Womens Law Association of Ontario

ZIBA HEYDARIAN

Ziba Heydarian is a lawyer, mediator, and focuses on dispute resolution. Ms. Heydarian holds a Juris Doctor from Osgoode Hall Law School and has a Honours Bachelor of Law from the University of Toronto in Human Biology and Ethics, Society, and Law. Prior to her appointment she practices civil litigation, real estate law, wills & estates, trademarks, and corporate law. Ms. Heydarian also has experience working as a Judicial Law Clerk for the Federal Court of Canada and was a former member of the Iranian Canadian Legal Professionals Association.

POEME MANIGAT

Poeme Manigat was called to the Ontario Bar in 2009 and holds an LL.M from Osgoode Hall Law School. He has a B.A. in Public Policy and has been a dedicated public servant for eight years. Poeme worked for the Ministry of Labour; appeared before the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal; and has extensive experience in legal research and writing, particularly when with the Ministry of the Attorney General (SIU). With the LSUC, he has worked as a jurilinguise, and has taught law at Sheridan College and private institutions in Ontario. Poeme is passionate about mentoring and coaching student-athletes.

SANTINA MOCCIO

Santina Moccio is an experienced adjudicator. She has worked in this role as a past member of the Ontario Parole Board and the Landlord & Tenant Board and remains cross-appointed to other constituent tribunals. She is a member of the Society of Ontario Adjudicators & Regulators. Previously, she worked as a law clerk at firms in Toronto and Hamilton. Her community service includes serving in leadership roles on various boards and committees in Hamilton and Niagara.

MARTIN FORGET

Martin Forget is a proud and fully bilingual member of the Franco-Ontarian with over 30 years of experience working in the private and public sector. As a former executive of Telus Health Solutions Inc, Emergis Inc, Nortel, and a three-time successful tech entrepreneur, Martin has developed exceptional leadership skills. He also served as a public member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario from 2013-2015 and volunteers on an ongoing basis supporting the work of various community organizations and individuals involved in the public service who strive to prove the well-being of all members of the society.

PETER SIMMONS

Peter Simmons is an experienced public sector executive serving as Chief Administrative Officer, Commissioner and Vice President with municipal, regional and provincial governments at operational and corporate administrative levels. Preceded by 10 years of construction management experience he is also the former Director of Municipal and Community Engagement with the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO). A graduate of universities in Canada, the US and UK, he holds both Master of Public Administration (MPA) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees, and is active in the community currently serving as Vice-Chair of the Canadian Mental Health Association (Peel-Dufferin).

ASHLEY DEATHE

Ashley (Ash) Deathe is a lawyer and workplace investigator in Ottawa, having appeared at all levels of court as well as various boards and tribunals. Most recently, she was one of the counsels to the Independent Assessor under the Merlo Davidson class action settlement agreement, addressing claims related to gender- and sexual orientation-based harassment and discrimination towards women in the RCMP from 1974 to 2017. She is a graduate of the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Law, and was called to the bar in 2009. She holds a Master of Law from New York University. In addition to her legal practice, Ms. Deathe volunteers on the boards of several charitable organizations.

ANXHELA (ANGELA) PECO

Anxhela (Angela) Peco is a Toronto-based lawyer and policy professional, working primarily in the field of professional regulation. She earned her law degree from the University of Ottawa and holds a Master of Public Administration from Queen’s University. Ms. Peco currently volunteers on the New York State Bar Association’s Committee on Mass Disaster Response.

JACQUELINE CASTEL

Jacqueline R. Castel began her career in the Ontario government where she was involved in developing the regulatory framework for casinos. Subsequently, she served as General Counsel/Corporate Secretary of Casino Niagara and Vice President, Legal & Administration of Casino Rama. Ms. Castel also assisted the governments of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick in developing their regulatory framework for casinos. She is the author of a number of legal/scholarly articles as well as a textbook, which she updates annually, on gaming control law in Ontario. Ms. Castel served on the Board of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission (2008 to 2011), the Licence Appeal Tribunal (2011 to 2022) and the Ontario Civilian Police Commission (2012 to 2022). Jacqueline Castel holds an Honours B.A. in International Relations (1988) and a J.D. (1991), both from the University of Toronto, and has been a member of the Ontario Bar since 1993.

RON KATZ

Ron Katz is an experienced adjudicator, who first joined Tribunals Ontario in 2021 as a part member of the Criminal Injury Compensation Board. In January 2022 he was appointed as a part time member of the Social Benefits Tribunal, where he remains, cross-appointed with the Animal Care Review Board and Fire Safety Commission. In his spare time, he enjoys being with his family, playing and watching sports.

PAUL STOPCIATI

Paul Stopciati was born in Sudbury and owns and operates a local fire prevention business, PES Commercial Cleaning Ltd. Paul was instrumental in the success of two fundraising events for local causes while serving on the board of director of the Northern Cancer Research Foundation. He was a founder of the Strokes for Hope Golf Classic, a charity tournament that raised over $300,000 for cancer research for over five years under his chairmanship. He also served as Chair of the NHL Oldtimer’s Hockey Game for four years. He has also served with other community organizations, including the Sudbury-Manitoulin Alzheimer Society and the Sunrisers Rotary Club. In 2011, Paul was appointed to the Greater Sudbury Public Library Board. As a member of the board, he oversaw the successful construction of the new South End Branch, which opened in July 2012, and the feasibility study of a new main branch downtown. On April 8, 2020 Paul was appointed to The Council of The College of Psychologists of Ontario. Paul is fluent in both English and Italian. He is currently an active member of the Marchigiana Association of Sudbury as well as a 35-year member of the Knights of Columbus.

ANITA GOELA

Anita Goela is a full-time member with the Licence Appeal Tribunal and cross-appointed to the Ontario Parole Board, Fire Safety Commission and Animal Care Review Board. Before her appointment to Tribunals Ontario, Ms. Goela was a bilingual staff lawyer for Legal Aid Ontario in family and criminal courts. She has experience mentoring and assessing candidates at Toronto Metropolitan University's Law Practice Program. Ms. Goela is also a French and Spanish translator. She holds a Juris Doctor in Canadian Law from the University of Windsor, a Juris Doctor in American Law from the University of Detroit Mercy, is a member of the Law Society of Ontario, and a member of the Society of Ontario Adjudicators and Regulators.

MINDY CATERINA

Mindy Caterina is a Toronto and Hamilton based lawyer with a practice which focuses on appeals, professional discipline, and criminal/regulatory matters. Prior to starting her law practice, she was an appellate lawyer with two boutique firms and a federal prosecutor. She has argued cases before all levels of court in Ontario, including the Ontario Court of Appeal and the Tax Court of Canada, and has intervened in a case before the Supreme Court of Canada.

JAMES MINNS

James Minns is a lawyer who currently serves as an independent mediator, arbitrator, adjudicator, and appraisal umpire working with parties involved in a wide range of commercial disputes. James’ ADR practice includes commercial litigation, insurance law, construction law, real property law, and intellectual property law disputes. James is skilled at dealing with disputes ranging from simple one-party disputes to complex multi-party, multi-issue disputes. James’ education includes an LL.M. (Osgoode, 2002), an MBA (Toronto, 1995) and an LL.B. (UWO, 1980). James holds a Q. Med and Q. Arb. designation from ADRIC and is a Fellow with the CIArb (FCIArb.).

CLAUDINE WILSON

Claudine Wilson is a lawyer who practices child protection law and is currently the Director of Legal Services for the local child protection agency. Beyond her legal career, Ms. Wilson is dedicated to public service and has served on various Boards, Committees and Advisory Councils ranging from the Windsor Police Service Consultation Committee, to the Community Legal Aid Advisory Board, among others. She has also volunteered as Chair of the Child Youth and Family Services Act Sub-Committee for the Ontario Court of Justice (Windsor) and served in an adjudicative capacity as the Chair for the Discipline and Fitness to Practice Committee of the Council for the College of Dieticians of Ontario. Ms. Wilson also routinely volunteers her time assisting charitable initiatives which serve at-risk youth and senior populations. Ms. Wilson earned her law degree from the University of Windsor. She holds a Master of Laws degree from Georgetown University in Washington D.C., as well as a Certificate in Fundamentals of Indigenous Peoples and Canadian Law from Osgoode Hall.

MATTHEW LETOURNEAU

Matthew Létourneau is a part-time member with the Licence Appeal Tribunal as well as the Animal Care Review Board, the Fire Safety Commission and the Ontario Parole Board. He is the French Services Lead for Tribunals Ontario. Mr. Létourneau is a lawyer and member of the Law Society of Ontario. He practices employment, labour and administrative law in Ontario and Federally, in both French and English. He holds a Bilingual Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Alberta’s Faculty St. Jean and a Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Law’s French Common Law Program. Mr. Létourneau is active in the French Language Community of Ontario with over a decade of volunteer involvement.

ADEOLA OLULANA

Adeola Olulana is a dual licensed lawyer, licensed to practice law in the Province of Ontario and Nigeria. She loves to effect social changes through legal practice because of how it touches every structure of society and finds helping people fulfilling. She has a Master of Law degree in International Trade and Investment Law from the University of Western Cape, as a result of being awarded a World Bank Scholarship. She's also an active member of the Nigerian Bar Association and has my LL. B degree from the University of Abuja. Her experiences include litigation, adjudication, conflict resolution, family law, legislative advocacy, legal drafting, project management, in-house counsel experience, contract drafting, contract reviews and human rights advocacy. She also has experience working in government. She worked in the Office of the Attorney General in Lagos and most recently worked as Member, BC Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal, a position she held before moving provinces.

STEPHEN EATON

Stephen Eaton is a lawyer and principal of his firm practicing family law. In 2020 he was appointed as a Public Member of the College of Nurses of Ontario. He volunteers as a mentor for law students participating in the Walsh Cup Family Law Negotiation Competition, and as a Volunteer Lawyer with the Chinese Christian Mission of Canada. He received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Waterloo a Juris Doctor from Osgoode Hall Law School, as well as a Master of Business Administration from the Schulich School of Business.

GARY HOUGHTON

Gary Houghton is a former Director of Engineering for Norfolk County, and a former President and Principal for Gary O. Houghton Consulting Ltd. His community involvement has included serving as President of Ontario Water Works Association.

RYAN DELISLE

Ryan Delisle is a master electrician and senior project manager with over 10 years’ experience running large-scale projects in the automotive and industrial sectors. In addition to his trade, Ryan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Brock University and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of Fredericton. He is a committee member for section 32 of the Canadian Electrical Code and sits on the board of the Contractor Advisory Council for the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA).

SEAN WEIR

Sean Weir was CEO of Canada’s largest national law firm from 2000 to July 1, 2018. In his legal practice, Mr. Weir advised financial institutions, corporations and major pension funds. Active in his community, Mr. Weir served as an elected Councillor of the Town of Oakville, a director of the Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital and a Director and Chair of Oakville Hydro. Mr. Weir was named a “Diversity Champion” by Women of Influence Magazine, received the Lexpert Zenith Managing Partner Award for Corporate Social Responsibility and was listed in the Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada.