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Appointee Biographies

Ontario Parole Board (Tribunals Ontario)

SIMON CHAPELLE

Simon Chapelle is currently a municipal councilor in the city of Kingston (2018). Formerly a member of the Parole Board of Canada. He is experienced in making risk-based decisions where he demonstrated effective interpretation and implementation of complex legislation and policy directives. Complimenting his governance and board experience. Simon holds a Master of Public Administration and a certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution.

YUGITA LOOKNAUTH

Yugita Looknauth has worked in the social services sector for over 10 years. She has held several positions which have included roles in youth justice, inpatient mental health, supervising of treatment foster homes, and the position of Supervisor of Diversion and Direct Accountability for Youth and Adults. She is also a Professor at Centennial College and teaches in the School of Community and Health Studies. Ms. Looknauth holds a Master of Social Work degree and is currently a Ph.D. student at Wilfred Laurier University.

EMILY MORTON

Emily Morton graduated from the Faculty of Law at the University of Toronto in 2002 with a J.D. (Hon). She completed her articles of clerkship for the Justices of the Court of Appeal for Ontario in 2003. Ms. Morton was employed at Simpson Thacher and Bartlett LLP in New York City and at Ruby & Edwardh in Toronto as an associate lawyer for the first three years of her practice. Since 2006, she has run a solo practice focusing on criminal appeals. Ms. Morton is a member of the Pro Bono Inmate Appeal Program and has taught Evidence as adjunct faculty at Osgoode Hall Law School. She was legal editor of the Canadian Criminal Cases for several years.

CAROLINE FLETCHER-DAGENAIS

Caroline Fletcher-Dagenais holds a Master’s degree in Applied Criminology, University of Ottawa 1989. She has served on the front lines of criminal justice in Ontario as a Parole Probation Officer, and as a former member of both the Ontario Parole Board, and the Parole of Canada (Ontario & Nunavut region). Ms. Fletcher-Dagenais has adjudicated in the justice system for over fifteen years. She has worked with offenders in the community and in correctional institutions. Ms. Fletcher-Dagenais also brings a vast understanding of victims within the justice system. An experienced risk assessor, she has provided training on correctional release to other government agencies and groups and has been a mentor to many who work in the justice field.

ASHLEIGH NOTHER

Asleigh Nother has been a member (part-time) for the Ontario Parole Board since 2018, and member (part-time) for the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board. She is a former associate Hassan law.

MARNI SOUPCOFF

Marni Soupcoff is a full-time member of the Ontario Parole Board. Previously, she was a constitutional litigator, a writer and editor, and executive director of a legal charity. Her community involvement has included chairing the board of the R Street Institute and serving as vice president of Civitas Canada. Ms. Soupcoff earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in the Writing Seminars from the Johns Hopkins University, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa, then earned a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from Stanford Law School.

JAMES HART

James Hart is a Metis citizen that brings vast experience to Tribunals Ontario. Mr. Hart has served in the military, had a successful broadcasting career and worked in international development. He was an elected School Board Trustee (1988-1993) and served two terms as Member of Parliament (1993-2000). Mr. Hart was appointed as a full-time member of the Parole Board of Canada (2013-2018). He is an experienced adjudicator working with provincial and federal tribunals. Mr. Hart was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree (LLD h.c.) by Georgian Technical University in Tbilisi Georgia for his work in assisting in building the institutional capacity of the Parliament of Georgia after the peaceful Rose Revolution. James Hart joins Tribunals Ontario as a full-time member of the Ontario Parole Board, his home base is Ottawa, Ontario.

ANTHONY TAMBURRO

Anthony Tamburro served in the Canadian Armed Forces for 34 years in both the Royal Canadian Artillery and the Office of the Judge Advocate General. He retired in 2019 at the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. Highlights of his military career include flood-relief operations in Manitoba (1997), humanitarian work in Bosnia (1998), 11 years as a military prosecutor, three years as a legal advisor on human rights issues applicable to members of the Canadian Armed Forces, and two appearances in the Supreme Court of Canada. Anthony has a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Military and Strategic Studies from the Royal Military College of Canada as well as Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and Master of Laws (LLM) degrees from Osgoode Hall Law School.

GREGORY KUNG

Gregory Kung is currently serving as a part-time member of the Ontario Parole Board and the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board. Mr. Kung is a paramedic in Lanark County as well as running a health policy consulting firm. He has previous administrative law and public policy experience in positions within the federal government. He holds a combined double Bachelor of Arts (Honors) degree in economics and political science from the King’s University.

RUPINDER HANS

Rupinder Hans began her career assisting international and domestic clients in trial and appellate matters before the federal and state courts in New York. She has represented clients in agency, tribunal, and administrative proceedings. Ms. Hans is in private practice, and specializes in corporate, real estate and intellectual property matters. She is a part-time member of the License Appeal Tribunal and the Ontario Parole Board. Ms. Hans holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) degree from the University of Western Ontario, and a Juris Doctor (Cum Laude) degree from Michigan State University College of Law.

BARRY RAISON

Barry Raison is a graduate of Queen’s University (Political Studies) and Durham College (Journalism) who spent more than 25 years as a journalist, including 10 years as editor in chief of a daily newspaper, before spending 10 years in the Senate of Canada as Policy Advisor/Director of Parliamentary Affairs. Much of his policy work involved criminal law and public safety matters. He left Parliament Hill in January 2020. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the United Way of Leeds and Grenville.

JULIA BRYAN

Julia Bryan is a General Manager for DeNure Tours Ltd, and a former employee and Community Relations for Ross Memorial Hospital. Her community involvement includes serving as Treasurer for the Lindsay Nayoro Twinning Committee.

LOUISE CHARETTE

Louise Charette is a graduate of the University of Ottawa French Common Law Program. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Ms. Charette was employed with the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services for a number of years. During her employment with this Ministry, she held different positions within the provincial correctional system working within the institutional setting and with offenders in the community. As a lawyer, she started her career with the Ministry of the Attorney General working primarily as a per diem Assistant Crown Attorney. She later acquired experience as duty counsel representing the accused. Ms. Charette was previously a part time member of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board as well as the Social Benefits Tribunal.

DAVID MCFADDEN

Dave McFadden is a retired police constable with over 30 years of service with the Peterborough Lakefield Community Police Service (1987 - 2014) and OPP Bancroft (1984 -1987). His career included Uniform Patrol, Criminal Investigations and Traffic Services. He was the President of the Peterborough Police Association from 2003 until his retirement in August 2014. He also held the position of President of the Police Association of Ontario from 2011 to 2013. Mr. McFadden is a recipient of the Member of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces medal, the Police Officer Exemplary Service medal (1st Bar) and the Queen's Jubilee medal.

JOE WAMBACK

Joseph Wamback was President of Wamback Corporation since 1990, specializing in Construction Management and Forensic Engineering across Canada. In 2008 he was appointed to the Social Security Tribunal of Canada as an adjudicator where he successfully resolved over 2000 contentious appeals to the Federal Government. He currently holds the designation of qualified arbitrator for Ontario and has resolved numerous disputes specializing in areas of high conflict. He graduated from Ryerson in Civil Engineering and is the recipient of the Queens Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals for his contributions to his community and country.

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.

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.

GARY NIKOTA

Gary Joseph Nikota worked as a Crown Attorney for 30 years. His community involvement has included serving on the Committee on Child Abuse Prevention Council - Essex County, and on the Denise House Board of Directors. Mr. Nikota has served as a Guest Lecturer providing continuing education courses for Crown Attorneys dealing with risk assessment of high-risk offenders. Mr. Nikota holds a Bachelor in Economics from the University of Windsor and a Bachelors of Law from Osgoode Hall Law School.

LAURA HODGSON

Laura Hodgson was Legal Counsel with the Federal Department of Justice, Criminal Law Policy Section and prior to this was Crown Counsel (criminal appeals) with the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General. Ms. Hodgson clerked at the Ontario Court of Appeal before her call to the bar. Ms. Hodgson has also taught Criminal Law and Procedure at the University of Ottawa, Common law section. Her community involvement includes Ottawa Centre Refugee Action, and Tungasuvvingat Inuit.

AGI METE

Agi Mete has a B.A. Economics (Western University), MS. Ed (Niagara University). Agi has more than 30 years of experience as a high school teacher and has also been the Program Chair of Social Sciences for more than 20 years. Agi has co-authored several high school law textbooks & educational resources. His community involvement includes both coaching basketball and lacrosse, as well as providing youth student leadership & training opportunities. He is a part-time member of the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario and the Ontario Parole Board.

JOHN MUISE

John Muise served for 30 years on the Toronto Police Service, retiring with the rank of Detective Sergeant. His police career included six years seconded to the Ontario Office for Victims of Crime as Manager of Special Projects. John Is the recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal for his work on behalf of Canadian 9/11 crime victims and the Chief of Police Excellence Award for his work on behalf of child crime victims. After retiring from the police service, he served as Director of Public Safety at the Canadian Centre for Abuse Awareness (now Abuse Hurts), an organization dedicated to the eradication of child sexual abuse. In 2009, John received a five-year appointment to the Parole Board of Canada as a full time Board member.

GORDON STENCELL

Gordon Stencell is Senior Partner with Stature Leadership Innovations and is in his 15th year teaching part-time in the School of Business at St Lawrence College. He is currently a member of the Society of Ontario Adjudicators and Regulators and the Canadian College of Health Leaders. Gordon held leadership positions in the group benefits sector with Morneau Shepell - Lifeworks and Empire Life. He is a past board member of the St Lawrence Parks Commission and a past member of the Trent University Senate. Gordon is a graduate of Trent University and George Brown College.

WILLIAM (BILL) GREENBERG

William Greenberg was born and raised in Ottawa. He has a degree in political science from Carleton University, a degree in Economics from the University of Ottawa and a diploma in Finance from Algonquin College. He spent 15 years in the financial services industry in Toronto and Timmins. He, next, spent almost 6 years as a political organizer based out of Timmins and Ottawa. He spent 6 years on the board of the Porcupine and Cochrane-Timiskaming United Way, including 2 as president.

TRACY FOSTER

Tracy Foster has over her 30-year career in marketing communications, production management, project management and graphic design, Tracy Foster has worked for several large multi-national corporations across Canada and the United States. Her work and clients have included TransCanada, Bayer, RBC, Global TV, Albi Homes and Ferrero. Whether leading teams and projects or contributing, Tracy is always at the center of bringing all the disparate parts and players together towards the common goal.

BRETT TODD

Brett Todd is currently serving his third term as mayor of the Town of Prescott. He has an extensive background in municipal government and has served as the chair of the Eastern Ontario Mayors' Caucus (EOMC) and as a member of the Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN) board, amongst other boards and agencies. He has worked as a writer and editor for numerous publications and has degrees from Trent University.

KATHERINE LIVINGSTONE

Katherine Livingstone is a former Deputy Crown Attorney. She sits as a Deputy Judge in Small Claims Court. Her more recent community involvement includes charitable board work with Neighbour to Neighbour, Friends for Success and the Garden Club of Hamilton and sitting on the Ontario Court of Justice Drug Treatment Court Steering Committee in Hamilton. Ms. Livingstone holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Carleton University and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Ottawa.

LINDA LENNON

Linda Lennon resides in Kitchener, ON and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Guelph. Linda served as a Board Member on the Parole Board of Canada in both part time and full-time positions totaling 15 years. Prior to that, Linda was an elected Councilor in the City of Guelph, co-owned a construction company and worked for Family and Children's Services. Linda has done volunteer work for several organizations, most recently the oneRoof Youth Services.

MARY MACNEILL

Mary MacNeill serves as a member (part-time) for the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, and a Senior Legal Counsel for Synaptic Vision Inc. Mary’s community involvement includes serving as a Scouts Leader with Scouts Canada.

NATALIE JAMES

Natalie James is a small business owner and ethical leader who brings 25 years of experience in business, entrepreneurship, public service and not-for-profit to her role on both the Landlord and Tenant and Ontario Parole Boards. She is a proud mother of three who is active in her community. Natalie enjoys sharing her diversified background and personal experiences through public speaking and mentorship to support women and young girls and mental health initiatives.

CORNELIA MAZGAREAN

Cornelia Mazgarean is an immigrant from Romania. She obtained her JD and LLM from Osgoode Hall Law School and has been practicing law for more than 10 years. Her legal practice is varied and focuses on poverty-related issues. She is passionate about criminal law and immigration, having worked with hundreds of immigrants, refugees and their families. Cornelia is a volunteer and a Steering Committee member at Black Creek Community Farm and engages extensively in mentoring of law students and junior lawyers.

LAWRENCE FELDMAN

Lawrence Feldman is a former Judge for Ontario Court of Justice, a former Deputy Territorial Judge for Northwest Territories Government, and a former legal member and Alternate Chair for Ontario Criminal Code Review Board (now Ontario Review Board). Lawrence’s community involvement includes formerly serving as Advanced Mediation Training Coach for Osgoode Hall Law School.

ANNE HODGSON

Anne Hodgson is a Realtor and with her husband, Andrew, owned Century 21 Granite Realty Group Ltd. for eleven years. She also serves on the Rural Economic Development Advisory panel and enjoys volunteering in her community in several capacities including Minden Cat Angels. Anne graduated from the University of Western Ontario with the degree of Bachelor of Arts and has experience working in government on several legislative and policy initiatives.

SEAN WEIR

Sein Weir was CEO of Canada’s largest national law firm from 2000 to July 1, 2018. In is legal practice, Mr. Weir advised financial institutions, corporations and major pension funds. Active in his community, Mr. Weir served as an elected Councilor 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.

SARA MINTZ

Sara Mintz is the Alternate Executive Chair of Tribunals Ontario, and the Associate Chair of the Licence Appeal Tribunal, Child and Family Services Review Board, and Custody Review Board. Ms. Mintz joined Tribunals Ontario as a part-time member of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board and CFSRB/CRB in 2019. She was appointed the Associate Chair of the CICB and successfully led the Board’s wind-down. Prior to joining Tribunals Ontario on a full-time basis, Ms. Mintz was a sought after matrimonial lawyer, providing her strategic insights and skilled advocacy to clients for nearly two decades. A graduate of the concurrent business and law program at the Richard Ivey School of Business and the Faculty of Law at Western University, Ms. Mintz has written and presented on a variety of issues at professional seminars. She is an active volunteer with charitable organizations. In her spare time, Ms. Mintz enjoys playing and watching sports, and has a fondness for animals.