Appointee Biographies

Justices of the Peace Appointments Advisory Committee

NICHOLAS CHARITSIS

Nicholas Charitsis was appointed as a member of the JPAAC in March 2019. He was then appointed Lead for the Central East Region from March 2022, up until May 2024 when he was appointed Chair of the Committee. Mr. Charitsis was called to the Ontario Bar in 2004. Nicholas is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School and earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1999 from the Schulich School of Business at York University. Upon graduating with honours Nicholas worked at the Toronto law firm of Goodman and Carr LLP, where he was seconded to the Enforcement Branch of the Ontario Securities Commission. Nicholas has worked as a per diem Assistant Crown Attorney and has practiced criminal defence at his own firm Charitsis Law, since 2006. Mr. Charitsis is involved in several community initiatives, including Canadian Diabetes Association, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Run for Southlake Hospital, and is a member of the Oak Ridges Soccer Club Board of Directors.

NICHOLAS CHARITSIS

JOHN HENDERSON

John W. Henderson has provided communications services for businesses and non-profit agencies throughout Northwestern Ontario since 1979. Now semi-retired he is involved with numerous local organizations including The North Shore Steelhead Association, Port Arthur Hunt Club and is an avid outdoorsman. Mr. Henderson acts as a mentor through the Community Economic Development Corporation and has had significant work experience with Indigenous economic development in the region. ln addition to degrees from Lakehead University, he holds an Advanced Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution from Windsor University.

NESTOR PRISCO

Nestor Prisco was appointed Sheriff in 1974. For 31 years, he managed all court operations in Nipissing and Parry Sound Judicial Districts. His community involvement has included serving on North Bay City Council, 52 years with the Rotary Club of North Bay, President with the Bliss-Gillmor Non-Profit Housing Complex Inc., Treasurer, MacKay Homes for Seniors, Huron University College Board (London, Ontario) and the Nipissing Parry Sound District Housing Authority. Mr. Prisco holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Queen's University.

DEBORAH TURNER

Deborah Turner became a member of the Justices of the Peace Appointments Committee in April 2019. Debby has been on the Board of Directors of the local two site hospital since 2012 and is currently Chair of the Fundraising committee and sits also on the Executive committee. Debby has been active in the Community through years of volunteering with the Little Current Figure Skating Club, the Ski Club, Community Service Advisory Committee, Downtown BIA, Classic School of Dance, Holy Trinity Anglican Church Board, Downtown Beautification, Centennial Bridge Committee, Little Current Yacht Club.

BRANDON POSTUMA

Brandon Postuma is a unique hardworking individual who has been an integral contributing member to his community in many aspects. As a lifelong resident of Thunder Bay and the surrounding area, he has been involved with countless organizations including his recent start as a Councillor for the Municipality of Oliver Paipoonge. He currently resides in Conmee Ontario, along with his wife and three children. Brandon continues to run several businesses and has a unique set of skills that contributes to his volunteer portfolio. He holds several degrees from the University of Ottawa and Lakehead University which have further equipped him with the necessary competence for this appointment.

RICK WEBSTER

Richard W. Webster is a graduate of Loyalist College in Business Administration. Rick began his entrepreneurial career as a management trainee for a national building supply retailer which culminated in ownership of the Home Hardware Building Supply Centre in Elmvale Ontario that he owned and managed for 25 years. His community commitments over the years include Board positions on TimberMart stores, Simcoe Community Living, Barrie Trojans Swim Club, College of Pharmacy and Committees of Adjustment in two municipalities. He was elected Councillor in Springwater Township and served from 2010-2014. Rick is an active member of Lion’s Club and volunteers at the Barrie Hospital in Cancer care.

TERRI-LYNN COLLINGS

Terri-Lynn Collings became a member of the Justices of the Peace Appointments Advisory Committee in April 2019 and has been the Central West Region Lead since March 2020. Terri-Lynn is a retired police sergeant from the Hamilton Police Service. During her 30-year tenure, Terri-Lynn performed her duties in patrol, crime analysis, community services and crime prevention. As a sergeant she was the voice of the organization as the Media Relations Coordinator, and she investigated crimes against seniors as a detective in the Victims of Crime Unit. She is an active community volunteer raising funds for golf tournaments, participating in the annual Ancaster Food Drive, a committee member of the Ancaster Heritage Days event and a participant in the Hamilton Out of the Cold program.

JOAN MIDDLETON

Joan Middleton has been a resident and homeowner in Wingham for 50 years. Joan and her husband have owned a Furniture and Appliance and Radio Shack retail store for 35 years. She has been active in her community, being involved in various recreational, social, and business functions. Joan presently sits on the North Huron Police Board and has previously sat on the Wingham Police Board. She has also been Chair of the Huron County Housing department and treasurer of the Huron County Cancer Society. Joan and her husband have 2 grown married kids (Rob and Sarah Middleton) and one granddaughter. She has the time and interest and would be honored to become a member of this committee.

PAMELA MUNN

Pamela Munn became a member of the Justices of the Peace Appointments Advisory Committee in January 2019. Ms. Munn attended Wilfrid Laurier University (B.A. History and Philosophy); and the University of Manitoba (LL.B.). Called to the Ontario bar in 2006, Ms. Munn worked as an associate at a general practice in Shelburne, Ontario, then a criminal law practice in London, Ontario before starting her own practice in 2010. Ms. Munn has appeared before all levels of court in Ontario. Ms. Munn returned to school to study Health Sciences; Thanatology; and Grief Literacy. Ms. Munn has also completed a 200- hour Yoga Teacher Training. Ms. Munn is a member of the Middlesex Law Association; a past President of the London Criminal Lawyers’ Association. Ms. Munn is a tutor for the Criminal Law portion of the Bar Examination, an Advisor for the Coach and Advisor Network, and a Law Practice Program assessor.

MANU RAJ

Manu Raj has been employed in the financial services sector for the past two decades, working in progressively senior roles with Canada’s largest bank ranging from leading operational teams, account management, technical sales, and strategic program delivery. He currently works for IGM Financial as Director of Business Architecture and Analysis with responsibility for supporting the Investment Management and Fund Services functions in driving business strategy and enablement. His current focus is on defining and designing business capabilities, processes, and platforms to support their mandates. He has an MBA from the Australian Institute of Business and achieved a mark of “distinction” on his final paper that focused on how Canadian asset managers can use digital transformation to achieve competitive advantage.

HOPE BUSET

Originally from Thunder Bay, Ontario, Hope Buset received her Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Manitoba. She received her Ontario Call to the Bar and her Manitoba Call to the Bar in 2006. She practiced as a lawyer in Manitoba for approximately 10 years before returning to Thunder Bay and joining the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law as the Director of Student Services and Skills in the summer of 2017. She is passionate about working with and mentoring law students and helping them achieve their academic and career goals.

MICHELLE ZARE

Michelle Zare is a paralegal with a career specializing in Workplace Safety and Insurance Law for over 15 years. She established her firm, Zare Paralegal Services Professional Corporation, in 2009. Her practice is devoted to representing injured workers across the province. She also practices in the area of Canada Pension Plan Disability law, regularly appearing at hearings before the Social Security Tribunal of Canada. Her devotion to lifetime learning is seen through her ongoing active participation in co-chairing and speaking at conferences for the Law Society of Ontario and the Ontario Bar Associations’ Workers Compensation Section, as well as her experience teaching part-time in the Paralegal Studies Program at Mohawk College.

OMAR FAROUK

Omar Farouk is a Public Member on Council and of the College of Opticians of Ontario. Former public member of the College of Nurses of Ontario and current member of the Toronto Police Chief’s Muslim Consultative Community. In July 2019, Omar was appointed by The Heritage Minister of Canadian Heritage as a Board of Trustee of the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 Halifax. In March 2020, Omar was also appointed as a regional member of the Justice of Peace Appointments Advisory Committee of Ontario. Omar also has a Certificate in Conflict Resolution, from York University. In 2012, he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal Award by the Governor General of Canada. In 2018, he was also a recipient of the inaugural award of Canada's 150 Community Award.

DANIELLE BASTARACHE

Danielle Bastarache is current Senior Enforcement Counsel at the Investment Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC). Called to the bar in 2007, she received her L.L.B. from the Université de Moncton, New Brunswick, in 2006. She has been an Associate Crown Attorney, a Municipal Prosecutor and has been working in the Administrative Law regulatory sphere since 2013 formerly with the Alcohol Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), and the College of Immigration (CICC). Ms. Bastarache’s first language is French which makes her a bilingual litigation counsel. In addition to practising law, she volunteers for Big Brother, Big Sister, the CAN Network for the Law Society of Ontario, volunteers with the St. John Mission of Compassion and has spent numerous years volunteering at animal shelters both in Canada and abroad. She also teaches French part-time to her work colleagues, judges of provincial nomination and other members of the public sector.

LORRAINE HIRST

Lorraine is a lifelong volunteer. For over 30 years she has served her community by leading fundraisers and organizing large events for not-for-profits, including the coordination of catering, decorating and clean-up for these events. Lorraine volunteers her time at food banks, local meal providing centres, as a political campaign volunteer, and has provided many hours of help for various charity fundraisers. She has also assisted the librarian and been a classroom helper in her children’s school. She sits on the executive board for a community not-for-profit thrift store and donates her time there as well. Lorraine is a trained doula. She has worked in office administration and in the advertising department of a local city newspaper, The Hamilton Spectator.

MARION KOEPKE

Municipal Councillor for the City of Owen Sound (2014 to present); Retired as City Clerk (2006-2010) and formerly Deputy Clerk (1988 - 2006) for the City of Owen Sound (total 26 years of employment with the City of Owen Sound); Member (45 years) of the North Grey Women's Institute and Federated Women's Institute of Ontario holding various executive positions; Grey Roots Museum and Archives Heritage Interpreter for a 1983 log cabin (2010 to present); former member of the Owen Sound Police Services Board (2010 - 2016; 2018-2020) appointed by Council then later as a Council representative; former member of the Grey Bruce Health Services Board of Governors and Hospital Auxiliary; Member of the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario assisting with Professional Development and earning an AMCT accreditation; marked Municipal Administration Program assignments and exams for the past 12 years. Volunteering in his community is one of his proudest accomplishments.

KATHY NARRAWAY

Kathy Narraway, of Toronto, retired as a principal after 30 years with the Peel Board of Education. Ms. Narraway was a former Board Member at Our Place Peel (a youth shelter) and a long-time member of the Peel Sports Advisory Board. Currently an active volunteer on the local School Council, her long-standing community involvement included volunteering with the Triangle Prom for Queer Youth, coaching basketball, and organizing annual fundraising/community dances for the Youth Crisis Line. She holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Science from Queen's University in math and computer science.

KAREN MCCLEAVE

Karen McCleave is a lawyer who devoted her career to public service as an Assistant Crown Attorney in several judicial districts. She handled a varied caseload, including domestic and sexual assault, child abuse, complex fraud and homicide. Karen has been on stakeholder committees, such as regional child abuse protocols and community partnering. She has been a wiretap agent and provincial mentor for sexual violence cases. Karen taught Crown Attorneys, Provincial and Municipal Prosecutors, Police and others on various legal topics. She is the recipient of two Ontario Excelsior Awards for "outstanding achievement". She has served on Boards of Directors, both professional and community based, and currently sits on the Board of Trustees at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection where she chairs the Governance and Nominating Committee. Her volunteer work includes many community causes and fund-raising. Karen is involved in thoroughbred horse-racing.

GREG PILOT

Greg Pilot has been an investment advisor and branch manager in the investment industry for over 40 years and continues to do so. He has served on the board of directors of the United Way of Thunder Bay for over 20 years, including serving as a United Way Campaign Chairman as well as President of the United Way of Thunder Bay. He was instrumental in the founding of the Leader of the Way Society in Thunder Bay, the “211” Program in the City of Thunder Bay as well as being the founder of the United Way Endowment Fund. Greg has served as co-chair of the Endowment Fund for the Northern Ontario School of Medicine and has also taught as the accredited instructor for the Institute of Canadian Bankers Investment Licensing Program.

JANET HARNDEN

Janet Harnden is Owner of Pinnacle Music Studios, and a former Customer Service Representative for Scotiabank/National Trust. Her community involvement includes formerly serving as a board member for Belleville & District Chamber of Commerce.

BONNIE GRYCE

Bonnie Gryce retired after 45 years with the Ministry of the Attorney General where she was Sheriff and managed all court operations for the Counties of Hastings and Prince Edward together with sitting on a number of corporate committees. For 21 years Bonnie served her community sitting on the Board of Directors for Corbyville Children’s Home where she was Board chair for a number of years. Bonnie holds a certificate in Advanced Alternate Dispute Resolution and Negotiation.

PETER STORMS

Peter Storms, of Aurora, is former Project Management Director for various domestic and international organizations. He was also involved with various business projects including Strategic and Tactical planning, real estate, law-enforcement, corporate development, angel investing, development of business and financial management systems.

ANU BIDANI

Anu Bidani is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of STEM Minds, a social enterprise that empowers youth to develop a love of learning through STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) education. She is a passionate innovator, leader and entrepreneur with extensive experience as a corporate executive of 20 years where she witnessed the evolution and impact of accelerated technology changes on business. With vetted expertise in the areas of strategy, product development, solutions development, project delivery, information security and auditing, she has developed a wealth of experience that she is proud to bring to STEM Minds. She is also a proud Coralus activator who supports other women entrepreneurs in their career journey. Anu has a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and an MBA from Dalhousie University and has completed the High Potential Leadership program from Harvard Business School.