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Appointee Biographies

Ontario Special Education (English) Tribunal (Tribunals Ontario)

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.

STEPHANIE ZWICKER SLAVENS

Until her appointment to Associate Chair of the Animal Care Review Board and Fire Safety Commission in 2022, Stephanie Zwicker Slavens was a Vice Chair with the Social Benefits Tribunal of Ontario. Prior to Tribunals Ontario, Stephanie practiced as a lawyer for almost 20 years representing both seriously injured parties and institutional clients. She graduated from the University of Western Ontario in 2000 with an LLB, and previously earned her Honours BES at York University in 1997. Over the past 20 years, Stephanie has appeared before the Ontario Court of Appeal, Ontario Superior Court of Justice, License Appeal Tribunal, Financial Services Commission of Ontario, Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, Social Security Tribunal and the Ontario Small Claims Court.

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.

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 Board 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. She has experience in engaging and supporting those within vulnerable populations. Ms. Fletcher-Dagenais also brings a significant understanding of victims who have been harmed by crime. Caroline’s long career in the criminal justice system has resulted in regular intersection with the work of law enforcement agencies and their members. She has a clear grasp of the vital role professional and well-trained police officers play in society. 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.

IVANA VACCARO

Ivana Vaccaro serves as a member (part-time) for the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal and served as a member (part-time) for the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board. She is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner at RV Law LLP, and the founder of Mediated Family Results Inc. She is a family lawyer, an accredited mediator, arbitrator and parenting coordinator. Her community involvement includes serving as a member of the Board of Directors for The Redwood and serving as a coach and advisor with the Coach and Advisor Network for the Law Society of Ontario.

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.