Board of Directors
Chair - Patrick Parent
Patrick has been involved in Children Services most of his career; from working in group homes, managing children services, and recently owing and operating a Foster Care Agency.
He is also a Professional Facilitator with Crisis Trauma Resource Institute and Achieve Training Centre. His latest venture is as a Financial Professional licensed with FSRA.
He has a broad array of expertise and a caring disposition. He is father of 5 children and is deeply involved in his community.
Vice-Chair - Greg Hackborn
Greg is a Police Officer with Six Nations Police Services. Greg is also has volunteer experience with the Six Nations Fire Department, Six Nations Child and Family Services, and New Directions Group.
Treasurer - Emily Miller
Emily is a Mental Health Specialist with the Mobile Crisis Rapid Response Team at SOAR Community Services and has supported individuals and families in crisis for more than a decade. She also teaches at a Hamilton-based college and works as a Crisis Worker with St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. Her career is rooted in crisis intervention, mental-health education, and system navigation. Outside of work Emily continues these efforts as a dedicated Rotarian, believing in the importance of building healthy, resilient and well supported families.
Secretary - Jennifer Tonnies
Jennifer has worked with the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board since 2007 in a variety of roles. She currently serves as a System Special Education Consultant, supporting several schools across the system. Jennifer understands the challenges families face when navigating school and community supports for children with significant needs. Through her work, she has seen the positive impact that strong collaboration and support can have on the growth and success of both students and their families.
Director - Jill Esposto
Jill retired from the position of Director of Service at Brant Family and Children’s Services (currently Grand Erie Children and Family Services). As an experienced person in child welfare, Jill is aware of the significant needs of families in the Brantford and Brant communities. In Jill’s professional role, she was aware of the important role Contact Brant plays in helping to connect families needing help to coordinated services and has seen the positive effects coordination has on families. As a community member, Jill wants to continue to support this important work.
Director - Melanie Graham
Melanie has over 40 years as a Registered Early Childhood Educator. Melanie recently retired from Mohawk College as a Field Placement Specialist in the Early Childhood Education Program, which provides connections within Hamilton, Brantford and Brant County, including Haldimand and Norfolk. She worked with Early Learning and Child Care, School Boards, Private Schools, Before and After School Programs, EarlyON Programs, Community Services and Special Education. She currently works in a casual part-time role as a Program Support at Affiliated Services for Children and Youth – Haldimand and Norfolk.
Director - Greg Grummett
Greg is a Licensed Automotive Service Technician recently retired from his role as a Professor of Automotive apprenticeship with Mohawk College. Greg has been an active community volunteer with Sick Kids, Heart and Stroke, and Willowbridge, having served in various committee and board positions. He is a father of 2, and his family has received support through agencies which he has been an active supporter of. When not busy teaching or volunteering, Greg is often found on the curling rink.
Director - Maxine Lean
Maxine retired from Contact Brant in June 2020 after a long affiliation there. She was one of the original staff when it opened in the fall of 2000. While there, she held positions of Resource Coordinator, Lead Resource Coordinator, and Coordinated Service Planning Lead. She also completed a brief contract position in Project Management when the Urgent Response Service program became operational.
Maxine also has experience working at The Family Counselling Centre of Brant, now Willowbridge, and Developmental Services Ontario, supporting families and individuals to access and manage their personal supports and services.
Maxine recognizes the important and unique role which Contact Brant provides for all families in Brant and Brant County as well as in the Hamilton Niagara Region, through the Urgent Response Program.
Volunteer activities include Soroptimist International of Grand Erie, Brant Community Legal Clinic, and Brantford Youth Soccer.
Director - Jennifer Kroesbergen
Jennifer and her husband own and operate a grain and livestock farm located in the County of Brant. They have six children, including four brothers who were adopted. After they were all diagnosed with FASD in 2009, Jennifer was introduced to Contact Brant. “Contact Brant became the gateway to so many incredible community services that made a lasting difference in the lives of our sons and our family. I have experienced firsthand that good access to community services and service coordination is vital to the success of children with complex needs. Our journey has given me deep insights into the challenges families face and the types of support they need most.”
Jennifer’s sons have now aged out of children’s services, and each of them has shown incredible growth and success. Jennifer is excited to use her lived experience and knowledge to make a meaningful contribution to the community.
Director - Kimberly Vanderburg
Kimberly is a registered social worker with 25 years of experience in child protection. Additionally, she is an approved adoption practitioner in a private practice. Kimberly has extensive experience working with children facing various challenges, such as neonatal abstinence, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and attachment-related struggles. Kimberly has experience working with families, professionals, and agencies to navigate challenges and access supportive services.
We are looking for people who are interested in becoming board members.
Complete the application form or call Contact Brant for more information.
Eligibility for Board of Directors membership:
1. Resident of Brant/Brantford, or have been employed or carried on business in Brant/Brantford for a continuous period of at least one year immediately prior;
2. Eighteen (18) years of age or older.