David Dirks

David Dirks is the Director of Employment and Income Support, Social Services with the Region of Waterloo where his main responsibilities include directing programs and services which include the provision of financial and emergency assistance to eligible persons, referral to a range of employment services including directly operated and purchased programs and assistance in obtaining child support.

 

Sue Gadbois

Sue has worked with Canadian Mental Health Association, Grand River Branch for the past 8 years and currently serves as Manager of Community Employment Services (CES), Bridging Employment Supports and Links To Work.  With support from Employment Ontario and the Government of Canada, the CES team provides information, referral, career planning and job development supports to assist persons with disabilities in the Region of Waterloo and Wellington County to obtain competitive employment.

 

Nadine Lauren

Nadine has worked for the Ministry of Community and Social Services for the past 26 years.  Currently she is a Program Supervisor for Employment Services working with the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).  She had previously been the manager of ODSP -Employment Supports since its implementation in January 1999.  Under Nadine's leadership, ODSP Employment Supports has partnered with a variety of community partners including the Waterloo Wellington Training & Adjustment Board to promote employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.

 

Charlie Matjanec

Charlie is an Employment Advisor with Disability Services at Conestoga College with over 25 years of experience supporting job seekers and employers to build successful working relationships. Charlie has helped to organize the Employer of the Year Awards to recognize employers' innovative recruitment, hiring and training practices throughout Waterloo and Wellington counties.

 

Jillian Perkins

Jillian works as a Career Consultant at Wilfrid Laurier University . She assists students with career planning and employment preparation and is currently working on developing the RBC Career Transition Program for students with disabilities. 

 

Kelly Steiss

Kelly works as an Inclusion Coordinator with the City of Kitchener and the City of Waterloo . As an Inclusion Coordinator, she works with municipal staff as well as the Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee as they work through compliance with the Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.      

 

Sharon Ward-Zeller

Sharon has been a volunteer for over 10 years with a variety of groups. She is currently the Director on the Waterloo Wellington Training & Adjustment Board (WWTAB) representing Persons with Disabilities (PWD) in work force issues. Sharon currently Co-chairs the Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee advising local municipalities on accessibility for PWD. She is also the past Chair of the local CNIB board and an advocate for the visually impaired, including dog guide users.