Board of Directors

(he/him/il)
Board Chair: April 2022 – present

Steve Pengelly has extensive experience advising government decision-makers and both not-for-profit and private sector organizations on everything from policy-making to governance to operations.

Steve served as executive director and counsel at the Ontario Bar Association for more than a decade and more recently as Interim CEO of the Canadian Bar Association. He has also served as chief of staff to both the Premier of Ontario and the Ontario Minister of Finance and Deputy Premier.

Additionally, Steve has served as chair of the Kingston Police Services Board and as a board member of the Greater Napanee Police Services Board.

Steve has an Honours B.A. from York University and a Bachelor of Laws Degree from Queen’s University.

(she/her/elle)
July 2023 – July 2027

Erin Betts is a partner at Epstein Cole LLP, where she specializes in family law matters. She is a panel member of the Office of the Children’s Lawyer in Ontario, representing children in custody and access disputes as well as child protection matters.

Erin is a dispute resolution officer with the Superior Court of Justice in Toronto and a contributor to continuing legal education programs throughout Ontario. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Waterloo and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Windsor.

Erin is a public member of the Council of the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario, where she sits on various committees and is a former Chair of the discipline committee. She is a member of the Law Society of Ontario, the Family Law Section of the Ontario Bar Association, the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts–Ontario Chapter, and the Advocates’ Society.

(She/her/elle)

January 2023 – January 2028

Melanie Debassige, MBA, ICD.D is an Anishinabek Kwe from the M’Chigeeng First Nation. She currently serves as the executive director of the Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation. She also serves on the Ontario Provincial Sectoral Audit Committee, Community Services.

Melanie completed the Director’s Education Program at the Rotman School of Management and is a certified corporate director, which complements her Master’s in Business Administration. Melanie has held many senior positions within multiple boards across Canada. Of her most recent roles, in March 2018, she was appointed to the Board of Reconciliation Canada, where she holds the position of director/treasurer. In August 2019, she was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Canada Energy Regulator.

In 2019, Melanie was recognized in Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100.

(he/him/il)

August 2024 – August 2026

Brook Dyson is a Certified Financial Planner and partner with Edward Jones in Collingwood. He has been providing advice and guidance on financial planning and investment management to families and individuals since 2011.

Brook is a director of the Owen Sound Transportation Company, which operates provincial ferry services in Ontario. He has served as a public member of the College of Naturopaths of Ontario and on the college’s quality assurance, disciplinary and audit committees. He has also served as a member of the St. Andrew’s College Foundation legacy cabinet. Brook holds a Certified Executor Advisor (CEA) designation, and he earned an Honours BA from Western University.

(he/him/il)
November 2022 – January 2026

Bryn Gray is a partner at McCarthy Tétrault, where he specializes in corporate/commercial disputes and Aboriginal law. He has appeared before all levels of court in Ontario, the Supreme Court of Canada as well as administrative tribunals. He has particular expertise in Aboriginal law and regularly advises clients on relationship building, consultation and negotiating agreements with Indigenous groups. He is a member of McCarthy’s Tétrault’s Pro Bono Committee and the Ontario regional lead for its Pride Action Group.

(she/her/elle)
November 2022 – December 2025

Jennifer Gold is a partner of Wood Gold LLP and practices family law, mediation and wills.

She graduated from York University with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in English and Psychology and holds an LL.B. from Osgoode Hall Law School. She was called to the bar in 2002. Ms. Gold serves as President of the Board of Directors of the Women’s Law Association of Ontario and is a member of the Peel Law Association. She formerly served on the board of directors for North York Women’s Shelter.

Ms. Gold is a mentor to other lawyers in the family law bar, and an advocate for diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. In 2017, she was the recipient of the Lexpert Zenith Awards celebrating the advancement of women in the legal profession.

(she/her/elle)
September 2022 – September 2027

From a career spanning almost 50 years in both the private and public sectors, Louise brings expertise in policy implementation, strategic planning, human resources management, stakeholder management, decision-making and communications.

From 2010 to 2018, Louise served as a full-time board member on the Parole Board of Canada, where she independently made decisions regarding conditional release for federal offenders. For five years, she was the Director of Public Affairs at the Ontario Bar Association. Prior to that, she held several positions as Chief of Staff to multiple ministers and members of parliament throughout her decade at the Government of Ontario. Earlier she served as the Director of HR and Franchising at the TDL group.

(he/him/il)
November 2022 – January 2026

Peter Johnson is a former immigration lawyer who practised with Rekai LLP. He has also worked as a government lawyer as senior counsel with the Ontario Realty Corporation and as policy analyst for Management Board of Cabinet. He lectures on immigration law for the Canadian Bar Association and the Law Society of Ontario.

(she/her/elle)
November 2023 – January 2026

Deborah Moriah is a Licensed Paralegal, Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Professional and Technical Writer in Toronto. She owns Moriah Paralegal: Legal & Administrative Services which she has operated since 2018. Deborah has also worked as an EDI Consultant since 2020, providing systems reviews and developing EDI education workshops for a variety of agencies and organizations within the public and private sectors.

Licensed by the Law Society of Ontario since 2016, she has practiced in a wide variety of areas including personal injury, provincial offences, small claims, and consumer protection. In addition, she has a wealth of experience in social justice tribunals, including human rights and social benefits. She is Co-Founder of the Ontario Association of Black Paralegals, an organization committed to EDI education and awareness, and an elected Law Society of Ontario Bencher.

Deborah received her Paralegal Education Graduate Certificate from Centennial College in 2015 and a Bachelor of Arts in Professional Writing and Communications Studies from York University in 2009.

(She/her/elle)

August 2024 – August 2025

Christine is the director of corporate relations and team development at Rubicon Strategy, a leading public affairs and government relations firm. Her expertise is evident in her extensive research, data analysis and deep understanding of the political and legislative landscape. Christine is a dynamic leader renowned for her strategic approach and her ability to devise and execute effective strategies for clients. With a strong background in law and a commitment to fostering positive societal change, Christine excels at navigating the intersection of business and government. She serves as president of her condo board and has extensive volunteer experience, including 25 years as a political volunteer and 14 years at Girl Guides of Canada and the Royal Canadian Legion. Christine earned a law clerk diploma, corporate strategy from Cornell University, as well as certificates in diversity, equity and inclusion and women in leadership, also from Cornell.

(She/her/elle)

January 2024 – January 2026

Sara Wisking is an associate at the Frank A. Cameron Law Office in Clinton, Ontario, where she practises family law and child protection.

Sara is on the panel for the Office of the Children’s Lawyer in Ontario and works as a Legal Aid Ontario roster lawyer. She previously practised criminal law, both as defence counsel and as a per diem Crown Attorney.

Sara earned her Bachelor of Laws from the University of Windsor and was called to the bar in 2005. She has demonstrated a commitment to access to justice and volunteerism. Sara is past president and co-chair of the Huron County Law Association’s social committee. She serves on the Gender-Based Violence Leadership Committee for Huron County and on the board of directors for the Huron Women’s Shelter and for the Second Stage Housing and Counselling Services.

Sara volunteers in her community at a local animal rescue organization as well as managing grant co-ordination for a youth swim team.

(She/her/elle)
President and CEO

Ms. Page brings a wealth of legal and executive leadership experience to her role. After graduating from the University of Toronto, she earned her Juris Doctor from Georgia State University and is a member of the bar in Ontario and Georgia. She began her legal career in the United States in 1996, first as an Assistant District Attorney, trying felony cases in both rural and urban jurisdictions, and then as a civil litigator in state and federal courts. Ms. Page also served as a magistrate judge, presiding over criminal and civil matters, including bail and preliminary hearings. Upon returning to Ontario, she served as a Senior Policy Advisor to two Attorneys General.

Ms. Page joined LAO in 2012 as Senior Counsel in the General Counsel Office. She went on to become Director of Litigation and Regulatory Affairs, leading the creation of LAO’s first self-promulgated regulatory regime that supports the Legal Aid Services Act, 2020. Since 2022, Ms. Page has served as Vice President of Strategy and Public Affairs and Chief Risk Officer, leading stakeholder and government relations, policy, business intelligence, communications and corporate planning and reporting.