Appointee Biographies

RITA KOKIS

Rita Kokis is retired. She formerly worked as a Nursery Worker for Sault North Greenhouses, after retiring as a former Program Operations Consultant for the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities and 29 years as a Project Officer and Employment Counsellor with Human Resources Development Canada. Her community involvement includes serving as a production worker for Days for Girls; and community gardening and related activities.

WINONA HUTCHINSON

Winona Hutchinson is the former General Manager with Marks as well as previously working as an Educational Assistant with Huron Superior Catholic District School Board. Ms. Hutchinson previously worked as an International Tax Practitioner at BDO Dunwoody LLP, KPMG LLP as well as Arthur Andersen & Co. Her community involvement includes serving as a Communications Director for the board of Sault Ste Marie Helping Hands.

JULIA HANNINEN

Julia Hanninen graduated from Lake Superior State University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminalistics in 2013. She been the President of EstateGuard Life Insurance Agency Inc. since 2019 but has been a financial advisor since 2014. Prior to her career as a financial advisor, she worked in the insect production laboratory with Natural Resources Canada. Julia is from and reside in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. She has sponsored, donated, and volunteered to/with numerous local organizations such as, Thrive, Special Olympics Ontario, Hockey Fights Ovarian Cancer with Ovarian Cancer Canada, The Animal Assistance Group (TAAG), and The Sault Ste. Marie Humane Society.

ERIC GROULX

Eric Groulx was born in Kenora, and he was raised throughout Northern Ontario. Eric's education includes a Bachelors degree from Algoma University, an Honours Degree in Public Policy Administration from York University, and a Masters degree in Defence Studies from Royal Military College. Eric was employed by the Ministry of Community and Social Services where he worked in Policy & Program Development at Queen's Park, and later moved to a field office in Sault Ste. Marie. Later, he joined the Alcohol and Gaming Commission as a Liquor Inspector. Eric concurrently enjoyed a career with the Canadian Army Reserve. He rose through the ranks to command the 49th Field Regiment, deployed on operations in Afghanistan and Kuwait. He retired from the position as Dean at the Canadian Army Command and Staff College as a Lieutenant-Colonel. Currently, he provides services to the military as a contractor and enjoys time with his wife Lynda, his children and grandchildren.