The Crossroads Children’s Mental Health Centre Board of Directors functions under a policy model of governance, and governance is their primary role. This involves responsibility and review of policies, structure, bylaws and Board functioning. The Board oversees the financial health of the organization and actively participates in strategic planning.
The Board is comprised of volunteers whose role is to represent the community to ensure quality service delivery for children and their families. This Board is made up of highly regarded professionals, chosen for their unique skills, perspectives and experiences. With their combined talents and shared commitment to serving children and families, these Directors enhance the performance of Crossroads Children’s Mental Health Centre.
Ashley Deathe, President
Ash Deathe is a lawyer with experience in civil litigation, including insurance defence and human rights law. From 2018-2020, Ash was one of the counsel to the Independent Assessor under the Merlo Davidson class action settlement agreement. That agreement addressed claims related to gender- and sexual orientation- based harassment and discrimination towards women working in the RCMP from 1974-2017. She has also taught courses in Legal Writing and the advanced practicum on Dispute Resolution at the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Common Law.
She has experience serving on boards for the theatre arts and her local community association. For the past few years, she also volunteered as a refugee sponsor. Ash enjoys supporting the CCMHC community as a member of the Board.
Bill Strutt, Treasurer
Bill Strutt is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) with over 30 years of experience in various industries, including 20 years of experience in the non-profit sector. Bill currently works as the Finance Director, Corporate Accounting, at Nutrition International, a non-profit organization focused on delivering low-cost, high-impact, nutrition interventions to people in need in over 60 countries. He has also worked in a health care related non-profit organization and has volunteered as a community hockey coach.
Bill’s passion for mental health comes from a family member’s journey through the mental health system. He brings this experience, along with his professional knowledge of financial planning and reporting, risk evaluation, processes and systems to support Crossroads and the community.
Dr. Petra Duschner
Dr. Petra Duschner is a registered clinical and school psychologist who recently retired following a 30 year career at the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board. During her time with the school board as a school psychologist, Petra conducted learning and social-emotional assessments and provided clinical intervention to students. As the OCDSB’s Manager of Mental Health and Critical Services, she was responsible for coordinating mental health services, including mental health promotion, staff capacity building, early intervention and crisis intervention and management.
An important aspect of her work has been liaison with community partners to facilitate access to culturally responsive mental health supports for children, youth and their families. Petra continues to provide psychological services for children and youth in the community.
Aaron Pesa
Aaron works for BlackBerry QNX as a senior analyst focusing on business systems and product and release management. He has previously worked with Scouts Canada, United Nations, the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), Marie Stopes International, among many other not-for-profit organizations. Additionally, he brings on board acumen in the domains of information and technology, strategic planning, and change management. Aaron holds a Masters in Business Administration from the Australian Institute of Business.
Robert Cleroux
Robert Cleroux is a Sergeant with the Ottawa Police Service. He joined the Ottawa Police in 2003. He graduated from the University of Ottawa with a Bachelors in Social Sciences as well as from the Police Foundation program at La Cité Collégiale. He continues to be involved in this program as a professor/instructor. He is dedicated to serving the community. He is now the new sergeant for the Neighborhood Resource Team (NRT) in Vanier sector within the City of Ottawa.
Lindsey Ehman
Lindsey Ehman is a communications and stakeholder engagement professional currently working for the federal government. Prior to this, she spent over a decade in Ottawa’s not-for-profit sector at the national association level. Lindsey holds a Bachelor of Arts from Trent University as well as training in Organizational Leadership from Western University’s Ivey School of Business and Public Relations from Algonquin College.
As a parent, Lindsey has considerable experience navigating the children’s mental health landscape at all levels. A lifelong volunteer, she looks forward to putting her fundraising, communications, public affairs and, most importantly, lived parent experience to good use for the benefit of Crossroads’ clients, staff and the community as a whole.
Joanne Baldassi
Joanne Baldassi works for the Government of Canada as a senior analyst at the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), where she has worked since 2004. She has also worked as a management consultant and in audience measurement.
Joanne has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Carleton University and a Master’s degree in Telecommunications from Michigan State University. She is passionate about children’s mental health issues, including better inclusion and support for children on the autism spectrum. She has experience advocating for children on the spectrum in educational settings, including working with families to help advocate for their children’s educational needs and in fundraising for charities supporting children’s mental health.
Caroline Sauvé
Caroline Sauvé is a nurse practitioner with 7 years of experience in primary health care in Ottawa, specifically with new immigrants and marginalized communities. She has experience in treating and diagnosing mental health diseases in the pediatric population as well as connecting children and youth to care in Ottawa. Caroline’s passion for mental health leads her to pursue continuing education in this area. She recently obtained her certification to offer PTSD treatment reconsolidation therapy to persons of all ages. Caroline is dedicated to community involvement and relationship building, having previously volunteered and worked with Mothercraft Ottawa, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, Let’s Talk Science, and Planned Parenthood.
Krista Durie
Krista holds her Project Manager Professional designation from the Project Management Institute and is currently a Project Manager with Minto Properties in their Commercial Portfolio. She actively participates in the Minto Mentorship program, sharing her combined 30+ years of experience in the Real Estate field. Krista has also worked as a Facility Manager and Land Development Manager in Commercial Portfolios. In addition to her PMP, Krista has gained educational experience in Urban Design at Simon Fraser University. She brings to CCMHC experience in project management, planning, research and development.
Krista has volunteered for many years in various youth and mental health organizations, including the Kid’s Help Phone, Royal Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa Shoebox Project, and the Ottawa Distress Centre.
