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.
Nicholas Watters, President
Nicholas Watters is the Director of Access to Quality Mental Health Services at the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC). In this role, Nicholas is responsible for e-Mental Health, increasing access to equitable psychotherapies, structural stigma, and the development of tools and resources for healthcare providers. Prior to this role, Nicholas was the Director of the MHCC’s Knowledge Exchange Centre. Before joining the Commission, Nicholas served as the Senior Advisor Communications and Knowledge Transfer at the Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance of Canada. Nicholas has bachelors degrees in Political Science and Communications Studies from the University of Windsor, along with an MBA from the Australian Institute of Business.
Joseph Childs, Vice-President
Joe currently is a Project Manager with Minto Properties in their Commercial Portfolio. Joe has 25 years of experience in the Property Management field, having previously worked as Senior Property Manager and Senior Project Manager in Residential Portfolios. He holds a Bachelor Degree in Political Science from Carleton University, and a Certificate in Project Management from Algonquin College. He brings to CCMHC experience in property management, project management, and budgeting.
Joe has volunteered for several years in various children’s sporting organizations in the west end of Ottawa, including the West End Hockey League, Ottawa West Golden Knights, and the Bel Air Lions Football Club.
Karen Tataryn, Past-President
Karen is a Registered Social Worker, who graduated from McMaster University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and from Carleton University with a Masters of Social Work.
Advocacy for child and youth mental health is a passion for Karen. In addition to working as a clinical Social Worker in child and youth mental/physical health and marital and family therapy, Karen worked for over 30 years as a senior administrator in the health and social service sectors. She has served as the Regional Director of the Canadian Hearing Society, Director of Social Work at CHEO, and Director of Child and Youth Mental Health at CHEO. Karen retired from CHEO in February 2017. Karen’s other volunteer commitment is at Roger Neilson House, a Palliative Care Centre for children and youth.
Stefan Hollmann, Treasurer
Stefan Hollmann is a financial management and accounting professional with over 20 years experience, the last 14 in non-profit organizations. Stefan is currently Chief Financial Officer at World University Service of Canada (WUSC), a non-profit organization dedicated to improving education, employment and empowerment opportunities for youth around the world.
Prior to joining WUSC, Stefan was Finance Director, Corporate Accounting with Nutrition International, a non-profit organization focused on improving health and nutrition for women and children in developing countries. He has also held various roles in public accounting firms with clients in the not-for-profit, health, technology and construction sectors. Stefan is a Chartered Professional Accountant, Chartered Accountant and Certified Public Accountant. He received a Masters of Accountancy Studies and a BA in accounting from the University of Waterloo.
Andrew Mendes
Andrew began his career in Mental Health & Addictions in the United Kingdom, followed by Portugal and currently in Canada since 2009. With a focus in the areas of mental health, addictions, and the multiple issues within that field. Andrew has worked in systems development and implementation within an intentional collaborative approach that has always clients at its center.
In 2007 Andrew worked as the Senior Clinician responsible for developing and implementing new treatment programming at a residential treatment centre in Portugal (New Attitude). In 2009, Andrew joined Rideauwood’s Adult Addiction Treatment team and later contributed in the Director of Operations role. In 2019 he joined Carleton University as the Director of Student Care & Support, Mental Health and Conduct at Carleton University and left in 2022 to focus on his psychotherapy private practice focused in mental health and addictions.
Andrew is specialized in Addictions Counselling from The University of Bath and holds an MSc from the University of Liverpool. He is a member of the Motivational Interview Network of Trainers (MINT) and has provided numerous trainings to colleagues in health care and post secondary education institutions. In is personal time, Andrew dedicates himself to family and activities in the great Canadian outdoors.
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.
Ashley Deathe
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.
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.
Lindsey Ehman
Lindsey Ehman is a communications and stakeholder engagement professional specializing in Ottawa’s not-for-profit sector; most recently focused in the agriculture industry at a national association level. Lindsey holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and International Development Studies from Trent University as well as a certificate in Organizational Leadership from Western University’s Ivey School of Business.
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.
