Leadership

Craig is currently the Chief of the Owen Sound Police Service. He grew up and lived in rural Waterloo region and worked through the ranks of the Waterloo Regional Police Service during his 29 years prior to moving to Owen Sound in 2019. Craig’s wife is originally from Owen Sound and recently retired. Together, they have raised three remarkable grown women which two have started careers of their own and their youngest is finishing University.

Ellen recently retired after working for more than 40 years with children and families. Ellen has a master’s degree in clinical psychology which has allowed her to work in the fields of education, mental health and child welfare. She relocated to the Grey Bruce area after living in Northern Ontario for 30 years. Ellen chose this area as her family has had ties to Grey Bruce going back more than a century! This is Ellen’s first experience sitting on a board of directors and she looks forward to supporting an organization that is vital to this community.

Alison lives in Southampton, Ontario with her husband and daughter. She currently works in the Nuclear Industry with a specific focus on Indigenous Relations, Procurement and Partnerships. Alison holds a degree in Social Work and Psychology and worked in Child Protection for many years prior to transitioning her career into the Nuclear Industry. Alison is honored to be a member of the Board of Directors of the Bruce Grey Child & Family Services as she has an innate passion for engagement, collaboration and empowerment with children and families within our community along with supporting the frontline workers of BGCFS.

Graduating from the University of Windsor with both a degree in Law (2000) and a Masters in Business Administration (2002), Selwyn was called to the Bar in 2003. Following graduation, Selwyn worked in the Legal department at the Children’s Aid Society in Windsor and at a boutique Toronto law firm specializing in international business law and intellectual property.

A partner at Hicks & Hicks – a small law practice in Hanover, Ontario, – Selwyn practices primarily in the areas of real estate and wills/estate planning. Selwyn has developed expertise defending clients who have been charged with Smoke Free Ontario Act violations. Helping to shape the law, Selwyn has a number of reported decisions, including at the Ontario Divisional Court and the Court of Appeal for Ontario.

A lover of politics, Selwyn was first elected to Hanover Council in 2006 where he served two terms as a Councilor and a further two terms as Deputy Mayor. In 2019, Selwyn was elected Warden of the County of Grey and served three terms in that position. He is the first visible minority person to hold that position.

In 2017, Selwyn was appointed by Minister Coteau to serve on a working group to implement the new Child, Youth & Family Services Act, 2017. Selwyn has served on numerous boards and committees over the years. He also played an instrumental role in establishing a gymnastics program in the town of Hanover. In 1992, Selwyn was announced Citizen of the Year for Metropolitan Toronto. He also received a Canada 125 medallion and a Lincoln Alexander distinguished service award. Recently, Selwyn received the Law Society of Ontario – 2023 Lincoln Alexander Award for long-standing public service.

George was born in Spain where he obtained his undergraduate education. He studied medicine at Loma Linda University in Southern California, completed his pediatrics residency at Ohio University, and established his practice in Owen Sound. George provided medical services to children and youth in the care of the Society and provided expert testimony in court on numerous occasions. After his retirement in 2001, he spent three years as a Missionary in East Central Africa as Director of the Health Department for the Seventh-day Adventist Church, where he supervised a couple dozen hospitals and numerous medical clinics covering 32 countries and provided education to the membership.

John has practiced law for 30 years in Grey-Bruce and has a solid and intimate understanding of the social support and other needs of the region. John has served on numerous boards and committees over the years, including serving as Owen Sound city councilor. John has spent years on employment and general litigation matters involving First Nations Communities and therefore has knowledge of their historic and present-day issues and how they impact child protection and family service needs locally. John has first-hand knowledge of child welfare as his parents had fostered many children in Middlesex County over the years.

Chris is a retired environmental consultant. He completed his Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences at the University of Guelph and spent over 35 years providing consulting services to industry and government with a focus on environmental pollution and fisheries science in Canada and internationally. Chris previously spent six years on the Board of Directors for a large engineering firm in Guelph, and was Chairman of the Board for three years. Chris and his wife, Lisa, have lived near Markdale for the past 18 years. They are former foster parents and now adoptive parents. Chris has three children and three granddaughters. Lisa was also a volunteer instructor with BGCFS to foster parents in the PRIDE training program. Chris was also a member of the Accommodation Review Committee (ARC) for Beaver Crest Community School in Markdale when they successfully challenged the Bluewater District School Board recommendation to close the school.