Séanin Steele is the Digital Services Librarian for Elgin County Library. She coordinates the eResources for the library as well as connecting all 10 library branches with the wider community. She represents ECL on a number of community groups and is always looking for ways to help community members connect with the services they need. She is passionate about making sure everyone knows all of the great free things the library has to offer. She is committed to helping newcomers make connections within the community whether through STELIP, the library or other community-led organizations.

Petrusia Hontar

Elgin Oxford Middlesex Workforce Planning and Development Board

Jodi is the Executive Director of the Elgin St Thomas Youth Employment Counselling Centre. Jodi’s career has included helping all types of people find employment and training opportunities. Jodi is passionate about helping people achieve goals which includes newcomers arriving in Canada. She is a part of several forums that collaborate to build community capacity.

Serena is an Economic and Business Advisor for the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, working within the Southwestern region on community economic development projects and resources.  

She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Toronto and a Master of Science in Capacity Development and Extension from the University of Guelph, where she researched how rural communities can foster inclusion for vibrant, long-term immigration settlement in a manner that is sustainable for individuals and the economy.

Serena is passionate about knowledge mobilization, accessible foodways, community engagement, and sustainable economies. 

John is the Manager of Career and Employment Services at Fanshawe College St Thomas Elgin and has been working throughout his career to assist people of all kinds (newcomer or otherwise) to prosper.  He is dedicated to community building and his work includes active participation in a number of community forums.

John is committed to helping St Thomas Elgin grow as an open and welcoming community by building services that newcomers need to succeed in their new home.

Jennifer Grigg is the Community Engagement & Business Advisor for the Elgin Business Resource Centre. EBRC helps local businesses reach their full potential, whether they are a new or existing business. EBRC offers business counselling, business planning, business loans, and networking opportunities in St. Thomas and Elgin County. Prior to Jennifer’s advisor role, she was the Digital Main Street Service Squad lead for EBRC. Jennifer has a strong background in sales and marketing and is passionate about working with businesses at EBRC, whether a concept, start-up, or existing business.

Michael Tamasi

Thames Valley District School

Michael is the System Principal with responsibilities for ESL and ELD programming with the Thames Valley District School Board.  As an educational assistant, teacher, and school administrator, he has supported students at all levels of the education system. 

The Thames Valley School Board is committed to ensuring equitable learning environments in all of our schools. We strive to create spaces wherein all students, staff, families and community members feel welcome and accepted.  Together, our focus is on developing an inclusive system culture which is grounded in respect and reflected in our policies and codes of conduct, in addition to our curriculum.

Catalina Friesen

Central Community Health Centre

Catalina is a PSW working at the Central Community Health Centre on the East Elgin Outreach program. She mainly serves the Low German speaking Mennonites on a mobile unit she drives out to Aylmer every Thursday. There is a Nurse Practitioner that works on the mobile unit with her that rosters and extends free health care to any and all folks of the Mennonite culture. They are offered service free of charge with and without a health card. If they are requiring blood work or ultrasounds, CCHC pays for those services for them.

The Central Community Health Centre is a place for community members to access a team of healthcare professionals. The organization strives to empower clients and communities to achieve optimal health and wellbeing.

Paul Jenkins is the CEO of the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce.  He is the former Executive Director of the St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital Foundation, Treasurer of the Central Community Health Centre, and active in charitable and community building causes throughout our community.

He currently hosts a show on Rogers TV that highlights small local businesses, and previously hosted “We Are St. Thomas/Elgin,” a program that celebrated new Canadians.

Paul has a Graduate Certificate in Corporate Social Responsibility & Sustainability from the University of Toronto; a Graduate Certificate in Corporate Communications & Public Relations from Centennial College; and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Canadian Studies & American History from McGill University.

Paul lives with his wife, Sandra, and dog, Joanne, in Port Stanley.

Shelley is the Director of Education and Settlement at the YWCA St. Thomas-Elgin with the responsibility of overseeing Adult Education, Settlement Services, English Language Classes,  the St. Thomas-Elgin Local Immigration Partnership (STELIP), Skills Connect Employment Project. She was the 2013 provincial winner of the Council of the Federation Literacy Award and supports client-centred programming.

She began her career in Northern Ontario working with Aboriginal learners and has worked with individuals living in poverty, women’s groups, newcomers, and multiple barriered learners.

The YWCA has a long and solid history of leadership in community building and Shelley embeds this spirit throughout her programming.

Shelley is the mother of three beautiful daughters and a grandmother. She enjoys watching them discover their gifts, talents, and individual paths.

Samantha is the Corporate Communications Coordinator for the St. Thomas Police Service representing the verbal, visual and digital voice of the Executive Office. Samantha issues thousands of messages every year in print, on social media, TV and radio.  Daily communications consist of media releases and social engagement however, it’s not unusual to see Samantha maintaining close ties to the Community Engagement Unit attending events in the city or at the scene of a major incident to liaise with the media and ensure citizens receive accurate information in a timely manner. In addition to her job, Samantha sits on the Chief of Police – Community Inclusion Council, is the Crime Stoppers Coordinator for Elgin St. Thomas and is in the 1^st year of her 2^nd term as a Director of the Board for the Elgin Business Resource Centre.

Teresa Sulowski is the Supervisor of Children’s Services for the City of St. Thomas-Elgin with the responsibility of planning and managing licensed child care services and early years programming. She represents St. Thomas-Elgin Social Services on the STELIP Council. Teresa has worked in various areas of Early Learning Programs including 20 years at the YMCA of Southwestern Ontario, 9 years with the London District Catholic School Board, and most recently with the City of St. Thomas-Elgin. In addition to working full time, she works part-time teaching in the Early Childhood Education diploma program at Fanshawe and Conestoga Colleges. Teresa holds a B.A. in Adult Education from Brock University, and a M.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies from Athabasca University.

Carolyn Krahn is the Manager of Economic Development, Tourism & Strategic Initiatives for the County of Elgin. She leads a team focused on supporting local entrepreneurs and promoting community growth. Carolyn, a lifelong resident of Elgin County, strongly believes in taking a comprehensive approach to economic development and building sustainable communities. Outside of work, she enjoys sewing and designing clothing, constantly learning and creating with her hands.

Joel Van Bynen

Fanshawe College, St. Thomas/Elgin Regional Campus

Mike is the Manager of Business Development & Entrepreneurship for St. Thomas Economic Development. Through this role he oversees the Elgin/St. Thomas Small Business Enterprise Centre, and the Horton Farmers Market. In addition to his work as an economic developer, Mike has experience in the software, agriculture, and media production industries.

It is St. Thomas EDC’s mission “To enhance the quality of life for all citizens of St. Thomas by attracting, retaining and growing our industrial business and tourism sectors while fostering entrepreneurship in our community.” This mission absolutely includes newcomers to St. Thomas, and as our business community becomes increasingly reliant on newcomers to meet local workforce needs it is more important now than ever for our community to be a welcoming place for newcomers to settle.

Chiyemenma (Chichi) Kejeh

Newcomer Representative

Chiyemenma Kejeh (Chichi) is an enthusiastic communications professional. A serial entrepreneur with expertise spanning over a decade and a strong background in business development,  engineering, management consulting, and public speaking.

New to Canada as of September 2022, Chichi joined his lovely wife Amarachi and they have chosen St. Thomas as home. He is passionate about community building and loves to meet people from different backgrounds and cultures. Chichi is one of the co-initiators of the Young Entrepreneurs’ Initiative in our community. 

As the Senior Business Development Consultant at Fanshawe’s Strategic Initiatives and Business Development Department, Chichi works with industry partners in the community to develop and optimize products and processes leveraging a collaborative partnership with the College.

Lakhwinder Kathuria

Indo-Can Punjabi
Cultural Association – St. Thomas

Lakhwinder Kathuria relocated to St. Thomas in 2008 from London, Ontario, as a businessman and owner of New Elgin Motel. Since then, he has been actively involved in the community, assisting newcomers to the country. In 2014, he founded the Indo Can Punjabi Cultural Association of St. Thomas, a not for profit organization, and has served as its President. He has been organizing and participating in Annual Community Events ever since. Additionally, he has been an active member of the Hindu Spiritual Centre of St. Thomas, located at 100 Redan St. , St. Thomas since 2018.