Board of Directors

DAVE WHEELER, Brooklin, Ontario – Chair

Dave is currently senior manager of sales and operations at one of Canada’s leading financial institutions, having previously worked for some of the world’s biggest and most recognizable brand companies who brought Dave in as an empathetic and effective fixer where he helped people move forward to achieve their goals and to help them become better at whatever it is they do. Dave holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Queen’s University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from York University. Dave enjoys travelling, golf, hockey, baseball, running and coaching sports

ROLAND MERBIS, Pickering, Ontario – Vice Chair

Roland is currently Director of Customer Insights at one of Canada’s leading financial institutions, having previously consulted for some of Canada’s most senior government, business, and association leaders when he was Vice President of Public Affairs for a major Canadian polling firm. He has extensive experience working with various provincial and federal government ministries and agencies (including the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care), providing his clients with strategic advice and insights on the implementation of corporate and public policy initiatives. Roland has most recently served on the Board of the Toronto Branch of the Canadian International Council (CIC), where he helped to promote a deeper public understanding of international issues that affect all Canadians.  Roland has a varied background living abroad, including in Italy, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. He holds a Master of Arts degree in International Studies and an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and History.

CINDY MALACHOWSKI, Oshawa, Ontario – Treasurer

Cindy is a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Waterloo. She is an occupational therapist and a Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner with over ten years of clinical experience working with individuals living with mental health issues. Her interests include workplace mental health and her current research aims to better understand the social organization of stigma towards mental illness in the workplace. Cindy is a long-term resident of Oshawa, and is proud to raise her three daughters in such a vibrant and diverse community.

GORDON GLIBBERY, Ajax, Ontario – Past Chair

Gordon’s career focused on psychiatric client wellness and paramedicine, progressing through frontline, supervisory and management roles in municipal and private health care sectors. He has previous not-for-profit Board experience and provided many years of volunteer service to various organizations. His desire to serve stems from his experiences supporting aging parents and other extended family members coping with addictive and depressive disorders. He was also motivated by seeing, first-hand, the ongoing mental health needs that exist within communities across Ontario. He gained invaluable insights from his wife, Elizabeth, who has travelled the globe on numerous humanitarian aid missions; providing a significant context to his Board work.

JIM HUNT, Nestleton, Ontario – Board Member

Jim retired from a challenging career in management in the metals manufacturing and distribution sector. At one point in his career, his title was ‘Manager of Customer Satisfaction’. He was also one of very few in North America to successfully manage the implementation of operation scheduling software. The software, written in FORTRAN, recognized that a very few operations limited what all the others would have available to process. He holds a degree in Mathematics from the University of Waterloo and coauthored a section of their handbook. Jim has served as a member of the boards of directors of professional organizations at all levels (including International Vice President). For a short while, he sat on an advisory committee at Sir Sanford Fleming College and he served as a Director on the Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario Board for nine years. He spent his working life in the Thornhill/Richmond Hill area and his time off at his cottage on Lake Scugog, which he now calls home. Jim has a personal interest in mental health, having close family members diagnosed with manic depression, schizophrenia, and developmental handicaps. He intends to help the community in any way he can.

PREYA SINGH-CUSHNIE, Ajax, Ontario – Board Member

Preya is currently Director and Officer of OMA Insurance, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Ontario Medical Association.  The Ontario Medical Association represents 40,000+ physicians, medical students and residents in Ontario, advocating on their behalf to advance health and patient care in the province.  In her current position she  leads a  large team of high performing professionals who support OMA members on their need for insurance and retirement solutions. Preya works closely with key internal and external partners, committees and the OMA Insurance board to advance the risk management program and advocacy work of the Ontario Medical Association. Previous to joining the Ontario Medical Association, Preya gained extensive experience in Financial Services working for a global insurance company, mutual fund distributor, global banks and national wealth management firms where she led the creation, launch and managed several large scale wealth management platforms and programs. Preya is passionate about people, mental health, diversity and inclusion and that passion deepened during her 4 year term on the Town of Ajax’s Diversity and Community engagement committee where she volunteered as a member and Vice Chair. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Psychology from York University, and is a licensed Life Insurance Agent in Ontario.  On a personal note, Preya lives in her hometown of Ajax with her husband and two sons.  She enjoys travelling, practicing yoga and mindfulness.

MELISSA BEAUCAIRE, Oshawa, Ontario – Board Member

Melissa has a diverse background working in the non-profit sector for over 25 years. She is currently a Manager for children’s services in the Durham Region.   Melissa holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Ottawa with a Major in English and Sociology as well as an Honours Diploma from Algonquin College in Early Childhood Education. She is a life long learner and enjoys keeping up to date on current research and participating in professional development in a variety of areas including mental health, diversity, special needs, addiction, management and leadership. She has previous experience on a non profit board where she held the positions of secretary and treasurer. Through both personal and work experience, Melissa understands the important role organizations like CMHA have in providing services for the community as well as for individuals with mental health challenges. Family is a central part of Melissa’s life. She has resided in the Durham region for many years with her partner Mark and her two children. She feels fortunate to have her parents living in the region as well.

CARRIE HARDY, Ajax, Ontario – Board Member

Carrie obtained an Honours B.A. in Sociology from Wilfrid Laurier University, an LL.B. from Dalhousie University and was called to the Ontario Bar in 2002. Her practice focused primarily on commercial real estate law. Carrie has been involved in volunteer work most of her life in a variety of capacities and for many different local organizations. Aside from her time away at law school, Carrie has resided in Ajax all of her life and feels fortunate to be able to raise her family in the same amazing community in which she grew up.

EARLENE WORRALL, Blackstock, Ontario – Board Member

KERRIE WRIKER, Colborne, Ontario  – Director Business Operations/Board Secretary 

Kerrie has over 20+ years experience working in community based mental health and addictions sector and has held various leaderships roles throughout her career. In her current role as CMHA Durham’s Director, Business Operations Kerrie’s responsibilities include; multiple reporting obligations to numerous levels of government, ensures all services are integrated, planned, delivered and evaluated in accordance with professional standards. Kerrie’s passion for quality improvement supported her role designation as Accreditation Co-lead from 2016- present. Kerrie’s post -secondary education includes Recreation and Leadership, University of Tech Professional Management, York University Harm Reduction, certification in LEAN Green Belt Six Sigma and is working towards becoming a certified Change Management Practitioner. Kerrie volunteers as a panel member with Ontario Caregiver Organization. Kerrie represents the lived experience aspects of this sector as a caregiver to a family member who lives with a serious mental health illness. Kerrie believes that connected and caring communities promote wellness and supports this belief by volunteering in her community as an active City Council Board Advisory member.

SHERYL WEDDERBURN, Courtice, Ontario – Chief Executive Officer/Officer of the Board

Sheryl joined CMHA Durham as the Interim Chief Executive Officer in April 2021. Within that time, she has led the organization through several key milestones. The transformation and modernization from Homes for Special Care to Community Homes for Opportunity, a supportive housing program for people with serious mental illness; the organizational realignment, enabling seamless succession of CMHA Durham leaders and staff; preparing for operational growth through strategic planning; and most recently, attaining accreditation with exemplary standing. In January 2019, through consultancy work, Sheryl supported the remodeling of the Community Wellness Services at CMHA Durham to a co-designed client-focused Recovery College Wellness Centre and spear-headed the commencement of a community of practice for individuals in Durham Region who identify as transgender. She has a proven track record in removing barriers between providers and building systems of quality care. At Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, she championed the expansion of the traditional catchment area for specialized mental health services resulting in enhanced access to care and a higher volume of patients being served. The former CEO and Principal Consultant for Bernard Consultancy, Sheryl worked dutifully with Chief Executive Officers and Chief Operating Officers with the responsibility of inspiring them to cultivate inventive strategic plans, conducting quality-driven operational reviews and advancing the development and growth of their leadership teams. Sheryl is the Founding President for the Jamaican Canadian Association of Nurses, a registered charitable organization and chairs the governance and nominations committee for the Alzheimer Society of Durham Region, Board of Directors. A life-long learner, Sheryl holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Health Sciences and Certified Health Executive designation from the Canadian College of Health Leaders. Past cross-appointments include Adjunct Faculty for the Nursing Degree Program at University of Toronto and Ontario Tech University.