Meet Our Team, Board & Council
The Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care is led by a passionate team, a dedicated volunteer board of directors, and an engaged council of members from across the province. Together, we bring lived experience, deep sector knowledge, and a shared commitment to building a better child care system in Ontario.
Guided by committed educators, advocates, and community leaders—From frontline educators to policy experts and parent organizers, our leadership reflects the communities we serve and the values we advocate for.
OCBCC Staff
Carolyn Ferns
Policy Coordinator
Carolyn has been active in Canada’s child care movement for over 20 years, including as an Early Childhood Educator, policy researcher and advocate. Carolyn sits on the Boards of both Child Care Now (Canada’s national child care advocacy association) and the Childcare Resource and Research Unit. She is the author of many articles, reports and position papers on child care policy including the Roadmap to Universal Child Care in Ontario. Carolyn has a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Master of Arts degree in Early Childhood Studies from Toronto Metropolitan University.
Kim Mantulak
Operations Coordinator
Kim is a Registered Early Childhood Educator and Executive Administrator with a wide-ranging background in the early learning sector and labour movement. Her career spans licensed child care, family support programs, and the public school system, as well as a member representative and educational facilitator. For over two decades, Kim has championed the rights and well-being of young children, families, and the early learning workforce. She contributes her leadership and expertise as a Board Trustee for both the Multi-Sector Pension Plan and the Community Services Benefits Trust.
OCBCC Board & Council
OCBCC’s 2025 AGM was held September 25th, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. via video conference.
2025-26 Board of Directors
The OCBCC is governed by a Board of Directors made up of dedicated volunteers from the early learning and child care sector around Ontario, as well as representatives of provincial organizations and trade unions.
2025-26 Executive Officers
- President: Christa O’Connor, Creative Beginnings, Baden
- Vice-President: Christina Gilligan, CUPE, Toronto
- Secretary: Michel Laflamme, Service à l’enfance Aladin Childcare Services, Ottawa
- Treasurer: Carrie Lynn Poole-Cotnam, Ottawa
- Member-at-large: Rosemary Judd-Archer, Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation
2025-26 Board Members
- Erin Filby, Toronto
- Shailja Jain/Amber Straker, Association of Early Childhood Educators Ontario
- Chandra Li Paul, Ontario Federation of Labour
- Karen Hipson, YWCA
- Lisa Johnston, Early Years Professionals Rise UP T.O.
- Jody McRae, Superior Children’s Centre, Wawa
- Tracy Saarikoski, Discovery Early Learning & Care, Sudbury
- Sheila Olan-MacLean, Compass Early Learning and Care, Peterborough
- Sylvie Charron, L’association francophone à l’éducation des services à l’enfance de l’Ontario
- Jessica Tomas, CUPE Local 2484, Toronto
2025-26 Provincial Council
Our Board of Directors is drawn from our Provincial Advisory Council, a larger body of elected member representatives. Our Provincial Council meets twice annually and provides advice and direction to the OCBCC.
Organizational Representatives
Regional Centre and Local Advocacy Group Representatives
Individual Members
2024-25 Provincial Council
Our Board of Directors is drawn from our Provincial Advisory Council, a larger body of elected member representatives. Our Provincial Council meets twice annually and provides advice and direction to the OCBCC.
Organizational Representatives
- Association of Early Childhood Educators – Shailja Jain/Alana Powell
- Canadian Federation of University Women – Wendy Taylor
- Canadian Union of Public Employees – Christina Gilligan
- Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario – Federico Caravjal
- Ontario Campaign 2000
- Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association – Peter MacDonald
- Ontario Federation of Labour – Chandra Li Paul
- Ontario Public Service Employees Union – Jennifer King
- Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation – Rosemary Judd-Archer
- Unifor – Tracey Ramsey
- YWCA – Karen Hipson
Regional Centre and Local Advocacy Group Representatives
Greater Toronto Area
City of Toronto, Regional Municipality of Halton, Regional Municipality of Durham, Regional Municipality of Peel, Regional Municipality of York
- Donna Spreitzer/Amy O’Neil, Toronto Community for Better Child Care
- Lisa Johnston, Early Years Professionals Rise UP T.O., Toronto
Southwest
Chatham–Kent, Haldimand County, Norfolk County, City of Brantford, City of Hamilton, City of London, City of St. Thomas, City of Stratford, City of Windsor, Oxford County, Waterloo Region, Bruce County, Grey County, Huron County, Lambton County, Wellington County, Regional Municipality of Niagara
- Christa O’Connor, Creative Beginnings, Baden
- Lori Prospero, RisingOaks Early Learning Ontario, Waterloo
Eastern and Southeast
United Counties of Prescott and Russell, City of Cornwall, County of Lanark, County of Renfrew, United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, City of Kingston, County of Lennox and Addington, City Ottawa
- Michel Laflamme, Service à l’enfance Aladin Childcare Services, Ottawa
- Amanda Quance, Child Care Now – Ottawa
Northwest
Kenora District, Rainy River District, Thunder Bay District
- Jody McRae, Superior Children’s Centre, Wawa
- Willow Lem, Thunder Bay ECE Unite!, Thunder Bay
Northeast
Algoma District, City of Greater Sudbury, District of Cochrane, District of Timiskaming, District of Nipissing, District of Manitoulin, District of Sault Ste Marie
- Tracy Saarikoski, Discovery Early Learning & Care, Sudbury
- Vacancy
Central
Kawartha Lakes, City of Peterborough, Parry Sound District, District Municipality of Muskoka, Dufferin County, Hastings County, Northumberland County, Simcoe County
- Sheila Olan-MacLean, Compass Early Learning and Care, Peterborough
- Vacancy
Special Constituency – Francophone
Sylvie Charron, L’association francophone à l’éducation des services à l’enfance de l’Ontario, Ottawa
2484 Rep
Jessica Tomas, Toronto
Individual Members
- Erin Filby, Toronto
- Athina Basiliadis, Ottawa (CUPE Local 2204)
- Carrie Lynn Poole-Cotnam, Ottawa
- Tanice Donaldson, Windsor
- Thơ Nguyen, Toronto
Want to Get Involved?
If you’re passionate about early learning and child care, there are many ways to contribute your voice and expertise—whether by joining as a member, participating in a campaign, or putting your name forward for future leadership opportunities.
