• Our Leadership

Board of Directors

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Dr. Rayudu Koka, President

Dr. Koka is an accomplished Consultant Psychiatrist who has practiced in Sudbury since 1986. He is Medical Director for the Mental Health & Addictions Program, Health Sciences North (HSN) and Professor of Psychiatry with Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM). Dr. Koka has also served as Section Chair Psychiatry for NOSM. Currently, he is with Ontario Medical Association (OMA) as OMA Council Delegate for District 9 and OMA Section of Psychiatry Executive Member. Dr. Koka has many years of experience with Boards and Committees, including the HSN Board, the Multicultural Folk Arts Association of Sudbury, United Way, the Greater Sudbury Police Services, Laurentian University, and the India-Canada Association (ICA) of Sudbury. He has also sat on multiple mental health committees at the local, regional, and provincial level.

Doug Conroy, Vice President

Doug Conroy is the Manager, Human Resources, for Glencore’s Sudbury Integrated Nickel Operations. With more than 30 years of mining experience in Ontario and South America, including over 10 years of experience in senior management roles, Doug currently leads the Human Resource functions for Sudbury Operations including Indigenous Engagement, Labour Relations, Occupational Health, Organizational Development, Compensation and Benefit, Communications and Public Affairs. Doug holds a Master of Business Administration from Laurentian University, and a Bachelor of Science in Geology from Lake Superior State University, Sault Ste. Marie, MI. Doug is active in his community and is involved in several working groups with Wahnapitae First Nation, Sagamok Anishnawbek, Atikameksheng Anishnawbek, and the Métis Nations of Ontario.

Tina Vincent-Gagnon, Past President

Tina Vincent-Gagnon has worked at Vale for over 16 years as an operator and is a proud, active member of United Steelworkers Local 6500. She’s been involved with the USW Women's Committee, Health and Safety, and is a union representative for the Human Rights/Harassment department. Tina has also worked with the Young Worker Awareness Program in high schools across Northeast Ontario and is the representative for USW in their annual United Way workplace campaign.

Valerie Barbe, Labour Council Representative

Valerie Barbe joined United Way’s Board of Directors as a Labour Representative in May 2018. Bringing 30 years of experience in supporting individuals with developmental disabilities, Valerie is passionate about helping others by offering a “hand-up,” not a “handout.” Valerie is a proud CUPE member of Local 2599 and sits on their Executive as the Chief Steward and a Return to Work Advocate. Valerie is dedicated to building stronger communities and helping to create permanent, positive change for those struggling in poverty. Valerie is also a delegate for the Sudbury District Labour Council and the Vice President of the Sudbury Provincial NDP Riding Association.

Lisa Scott, Treasurer

Lisa Scott is a Partner at Baker Tilly SNT. She was born and raised in Sudbury and graduated from Laurentian University with an Honours Bachelor of Commerce in 2001. Lisa is a Chartered Professional Accountant and a Chartered Business Valuator with 18 years of professional experience. Along with her passion toward her career, Lisa enjoys giving back to the community which includes volunteering on Boards of organizations such as United Way North East Ontario.

DIRECTORS

Barb Nott, Director

Barb retired in 2002 after a wonderful career with the Rainbow District School Board. Since then, she has been a staple in the volunteer sector in our City. She has sat on various boards, trained with Girl Guides of Canada and was elected President of the Sudbury Teachers Lions Club. Recently, Barb was named chair of the Seniors Advisory Panel for the City of Greater Sudbury. This group is working to help our community become more age-friendly and to bring attention to seniors’ issues. Barb is arguably just as busy in retirement. Barb believes in giving back to the community and organizations that she belongs to, so we have a better place to live and be active. Her experience working on boards and with non-profits will provide valuable insights and prospective.

Karen Makela

Karen Makela, Director

Karen has a diverse background in Municipal Parks, Recreation, Community Development, and Employment and Immigrant Services. She has successfully developed and implemented programs fostering well-being, accessible and sustainable spaces, and enhanced community engagement. Karen's experience in Employment and Immigrant Services, further demonstrates her commitment to fostering inclusion, and creating opportunities for individuals to thrive. Bringing Board of Director experience at the local, Provincial and National level, Karen offers strategic vision, unique insights and decision-making skills, that help drive organizational growth and success. Karen’s multifaceted knowledge, coupled with her genuine passion for community development and volunteerism, has helped her lead and advocate for positive change. Karen has dedicated countless hours of volunteer work actively contributing to various church, charitable, community, and social causes. Striving to improve the lives of individuals and communities, Karen recognizes the power of giving back.

Nastassia

Nastassia McNair, Director

Nastassia holds an Honors Bachelors of Science in Biology and a Masters of Public Health. She's currently a Health Promoter at Public Health Sudbury & Districts and is passionate about building healthy communities. Nastassia has been involved with the UWCNEO in a volunteer capacity since 2013 through both the Young Leaders on Board and GenNext Programs. In her spare time, she enjoys taking dance classes, playing volleyball, and travelling to new places. Nastassia is looking forward to giving back to the community where she grew up and help drive community change across the North East.

Thomas Guscott, Director

Having been called to the Bar in 2019, Thomas is a licensed lawyer who holds a law degree from The Bora Laskin Faculty of Law at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay where he explored the foundations of the rights of Indigenous peoples in Canada and focused on improving access to justice in rural communities. The decision to venture into law was driven by his past experiences working as a summer student with the Ministry of Community and Social Services, where he became aware of the significant needs of our most vulnerable population. Thomas is eager to use what he has learned in both public and private practice to improve their quality of life through the United Way. Now with the accounting and tax firm SRWC LLP, Thomas continues to help assist the local businesses of Sudbury everyday to succeed and develop the community that he grew up in.

Krista G

Krista Galic, Director

Krista holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Queen's University, is a Registered Nurse with a Master's in Public Health, a consultant and trainer in continuous quality improvement, and certified as a Lean six sigma black belt, an instructor, and facilitator.

She is passionate about giving back to the community to support and help inform the most effective and impactful local programs.

She has worked in various roles at Public Health Sudbury & Districts since 2007, and both professionally and personally, is committed to championing health and wellbeing for all. She feels privileged to be a part of helping to build strong and healthy communities where all have opportunities to thrive.

Claude Sharma

Claude Sharma, Director

Claude Sharma is a Communications and Marketing Specialist at Greater Sudbury Utilities. He moved to Sudbury in 2015, previously living in North Bay and Timmins. He worked all over Northeastern Ontario as a news journalist, anchor, and producer with CTV and TVO. He then transitioned into communications specializing in the mining, and energy sectors.

Claude is a member of the Diversity Advisory Committee with the Greater Sudbury Police Service and is on the Canadian Mental Health Association Sudbury/Manitoulin Board of Directors. He is a proud graduate of the United Way Young Leaders on Board program. Claude is passionate about giving back to his community and is a big believer in continuous learning as he is enrolled in Organization Management at Cambrian College.

Nick Liard

Nick Liard, Director 

Nick Liard is a Host and News Director for Rogers Sports and Media, working for 92.7 Rock and KiSS 105.3.

He hosts a show daily from 9-12 on 92.7 Rock and on stations across the North.

Nick is born and raised in Sudbury, only leaving briefly for school and an internship in Belleville and Toronto.

He has been with Rogers for 8 years and has joined the United Way with the goal of making this city the best place to call home.

Sarah Pabst

Sarah Pabst, Director

Sarah Pabst is a Senior Manager at MNP LLP. She was born and raised in Sudbury and holds an Honours Bachelor of Commerce from Laurentian University. 

Sarah has been volunteering with the United Way in various capacities through the years and her involvement started with the Young Leaders on Board program. Through that program, she became involved with Northern Initiative for Social Action, where she is still the Treasurer of the Board. Sarah is excited to become further involved with the United Way in order to help make a difference in our community.

Rob Boulet

Rob Boulet, Director