Board of Directors & Staff

New Brunswick District Education Councils:

Joe Peterson, Chair

Joe Petersen is the chair of the District Education Council for New Brunswick’s Anglophone North School District. Joe also serves as President for the Council of DEC chairs for the Anglophone Sector.  He has served as dedicated council member since 2008 and previous to that was a volunteer with committees at the school level since 1996.  Joe has worked as an insurance advisor for 34 years, is married and has two grown daughters both graduates of Dalhousie university.

Conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP)

Michael Collette, Direction générale

Michel Collette has been Executive Director of the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial since 2021. He holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Education with a concentration in School Administration from the Université de Moncton. He also continued his education by completing a 2nd Masters in Education with a concentration in Information and Communication Technology at Memorial University in St. John’s, NL. As Executive Director of CSAP, he seeks to position the CSAP as a national leader in educational innovation.

Since 2019, as Director of Educational and Student Services at CSAP, Mr. Collette has successfully led the merger of educational and student services to further focus resources on developing a structure that meets the needs of all students. He is responsible for the development and implementation of French first language curricula and associated teaching resources. He has played an integral role in positioning the CSAP in the transition to a 21st century pedagogy, including technology integration, universal access to technology, and support sites for CSAP staff and communities.

During his career within CSAP, Michel Collette has held a number of leadership roles, including vice-principal and principal, and educational program coordinator, in addition to many years of experience as a teacher. He has also worked for the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood as a consultant in French Immersion and has been a lecturer at the undergraduate and graduate levels at Université Sainte-Anne and at the undergraduate level at Université de Moncton.

Quebec English School Boards Association (QESBA):

Dan Lamoureaux, President

Dan Lamoureux is the President of the Québec English School Boards Association (QESBA) and Chairman of the Riverside School Board on the South Shore of Montreal.

He began his career as a firefighter for the City of Westmount in Montreal since then he has been a community activist and involved in many different English Community organizations. Aside from his involvement in English public education since 1998, Dan has also served as President of the Québec Community Groups network.

Russell Copeman, Executive Director 

Russell Copeman holds a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Honours Political Science from McGill University.

He was named Executive Director of the Quebec English School Boards Association in September 2018. Mr. Copeman is also a member of the teaching staff of McGill University’s Max Bell School of Public Policy.

He was, from 1994 to 2008, the Member of the Québec National Assembly for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce and was the Mayor of the Borough of Côte-des-Neiges – Notre-Dame-de-Grâce and a member of the Executive Committee of the City of Montréal from 2013 to 2017.

Active in the community, Mr. Copeman has been involved in and sat on the boards of a number of community organizations.

Ontario Public School Boards Association (OPSBA):

Cathy Abraham, President

Elected in June 2018, OPSBA President Cathy Abraham is a four-term Trustee and four-time Chair of the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (KPRDSB). President Abraham has also served OPSBA and the wider community in the following capacities: Two terms as OPSBA Second Vice-President (2016-2018); OPSBA Education Program Work Team Chair; OPSBA Policy Development Work Team Member; OPSBA Central East Region Vice-President (2007-2010); OPSBA Trustee Labour Negotiation Representative; Variety of other leadership opportunities including with Rotary, Newcastle Community Hall, and as a founder of the Newcastle Family Connection resource centre.

Stephanie Donaldson, Executive Director

Stephanie Donaldson brings outstanding experience in the world of public education to OPSBA as a leader and innovator in Ontario’s public and non-profit sectors. As a former elected school board trustee with the Toronto District School Board (an OPSBA member board), a member of OPSBA’s Executive Council, and Vice-Chair of the Toronto Board of Health, Stephanie has worked at both the local and provincial levels to safeguard and enhance the education, health and well-being of young people, their families, and their communities.

Stephanie has spent her career in the public sector leading large scale change and developing innovative policy. Prior to becoming a trustee, Stephanie held executive roles in the Ontario Public Service, including at the Ministry of Education where she led the transformation of the collective bargaining system in Ontario’s education sector; as well as Cabinet Office, where she helped launch the Ontario Digital Service. Stephanie began her career with the Ontario Association of Youth Employment Centres and thus, brings a broad perspective on how local communities across Ontario are working hard to serve youth and create opportunities.

Improving the lives of children, youth, and families has been at the core of all of Stephanie’s work throughout her career and whether it is organizing for a stronger and more equitable education system, re-imagining public policy and delivery, or working towards more healthy, liveable and just communities – Stephanie leads with heart and a trusted voice. Stephanie is a graduate of the Rotman Public Service Leadership Institute and received a Master’s degree from the National University of Ireland and undergraduate degree from Huron University College.

Stephanie joined OPSBA in December 2022.

Association des conseils scolaires des écoles publiques de l’Ontario:

Anne-Marie Gellneault, Président

Isabelle Girard, Directrice Générale

Isabelle Girard has served as Executive Director of Association des conseils scolaires des écoles publiques de l’Ontario (ACÉPO) (Association of Public School Boards of Ontario) since late 2017. 

After years working in the health sector, where she honed her skills in human and financial resources management, strategic planning and governance, she chose French-language public education for the next phase of her career. Since coming to ACÉPO, Isabelle Girard has focused in particular on government relations development with the Association and on the orderly conduct of the second round of negotiations for the 2019-2020 central collective agreements.

Isabelle Girard has a Bachelor’s degree in Translation as well as an MBA. Her past positions include Executive Director of Centres d’Accueil Héritage, French Language Health Services Coordinator for Ontario’s Central West Local Health Integration Network, and various management positions in the private sector, including at Heathmount A.E. Entertainment and Mars Canada.

A strong believer in the importance of getting involved in the community, Isabelle Girard is active on the board of directors of several Francophone community organizations and is a member of the Toronto Francophone Affairs Advisory Committee.

Manitoba School Boards Association (MSBA):

Sandy Nemeth, President

Sandy Nemeth is the newest member of the CSBA executive, arriving having been elected President of the Manitoba School Boards Association in March of 2023.

First elected to the Louis Riel School Board (LRSD) in Winnipeg in 2010, she is the current board chair, the interim chair of the LRSD Endowment Fund Committee, and also serves on the volunteer Board of Directors of Dakota Community Centre.

Josh Watt, Executive Director

Named as Executive Director of MSBA in 2015, Josh Watt has held a variety of positions in the field of public education.  With the greatest portion of his career spent implementing policies and programs with the Council on Post-Secondary Education, Josh eventually became Senior Policy Advisor to the Deputy Minister at Manitoba’s Department of Education and Training. He has  also worked as an educational assistant in French Immersion, newcomer/refugee, and special needs programs, as a change management consultant for non-profits, and also served as project officer at the Canadian International Development Agency. 

Josh holds a BA (Hons.) in Law and Political Science (Carleton), a Master of Public Administration (Winnipeg), and a Masters of Education (Manitoba). He has also completed a Master level certification in Peace Support Operations through the UN Institute for Training and Research.

Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA):

Jaimie Smith-Windsor, President

Jaimie Smith-Windsor is the president of the Saskatchewan School Boards Association. She has been championing local voice in education for the past 13 years as a trustee on the Saskatchewan Rivers School Board.

Jaimie lives in the community of Elk Ridge with her partner and three teenagers. She is a business owner, holds a graduate degree in Political Science from the University of Victoria, has held teaching and research positions and is a published scholar.

She believes that education is the best opportunity we have to give every child what they need to have equal opportunities, love for learning and bright futures. 

Darren McKee, Executive Director

Originally from O-Chi-Chak-Ko-Sipi First Nation in Manitoba, Darren completed his B.Ed. and M.Ed. at the University of Saskatchewan. He has been a Teacher, Administrator, Superintendent and Director of Education, as well as Director and Assistant Deputy Minister with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education. In 2011, he became the Executive Director of the SSBA. He has presented at a number of conferences on leadership and Aboriginal Education.  He sits on the boards of C-21 Canada; Canadian Education Association, the National Selection Committee of INAC and United Way Regina. Darren is a coach and consultant in education, government, Indigenous peoples, change, leadership, relations and strategic directions.

He holds certificates in Leadership Training and Development; Crucial Conversations; Expedition Coaching; and Leadership Practices Inventory.  He and his wife Ivy have three daughters.

Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA):

Marilyn Dennis, President

Marilyn Dennis is serving her second term with the Calgary Board of Education (CBE), where she served as Vice Chair and then as Board Chair. Before becoming a trustee, she worked for an education-based non-profit for several years and enjoyed a rewarding career in the oil and gas sector. Building strong communities in support of children’s success is at the heart of President Dennis’ work; she is passionate about excellence in education. She spent over 13 years supporting young people in their pursuit of academic, athletic and artistic excellence by taking on various leadership roles including School Council Chair, Parents’ Association President, Treasurer and Fundraising Director.

Dr. Vivian Abboud, CEO

After completing her B.Ed and M.Ed with a focus on leadership and bilingualism, Dr. Vivian Abboud, who is multi-lingual, completed several senior and executive management and development programs.

She completed her doctorate in educational policy and governance at Simon Fraser University.  At the beginning of her career, Dr. Abboud taught for seven years at the Edmonton Public School Board. During this time, she facilitated workshops; contributed to the development of a math resource; and, received her principal-ship training.  Over the last 15 years, Vivian has held multiple leadership positions at Alberta Education.

British Columbia School Trustees Association (BCSTA):

Carolyn Broady – Vice-President

Carolyn has been a member of the CSBA Board of Directors since April 2017 and became vice president in October 2020.
She is a second term trustee and current chair of the SD45 (West Vancouver) Board of Education. She has represented her board as a BCPSEA representative and provincial councillor and has served on multiple BCSTA committees including the Professional Learning Committee (chair) and Legislative Committee. She is currently the vice-president of BCSTA and the vice-president of the CSBA.
A mother of two teenaged children, Carolyn is passionate about public education and believes that we need to continue to work to ensure that every student in our K-12 system gets the support and individualized attention they need to reach their full potential.

Suzanne Hoffman, Executive Director

Before joining BCSTA, Suzanne Hoffman held several positions in public education.

Her career started with Mission Public Schools before moving to the Langley School District, where she spent most of her career as a teacher, administrator, and superintendent. Suzanne was then seconded to the Ministry of Education as part of the curriculum outreach team. While working in the ministry, she also held the positions of chief educator and the superintendent of learning transformation. In January 2018, Suzanne became the first female superintendent at the Vancouver School Board. In 2021, Suzanne joined BCSTA, where she is excited and appreciative of the opportunity to take on the CEO role.

Suzanne is a wife, a mom to two grown children and a cairn terrier, and a passionate lifelong learner currently living on the unceded territory of the Katzie and Kwantlen Nations.

She is honoured and humbled to support BCSTA’s board of directors and boards of education across B.C.

Staff