Board of Directors
The Human Rights Code provides that the work of the Centre is governed
by a Board of Directors appointed by the Government of Ontario. The Board is comprised
of six members plus the Chair.
Patrick Case
Patrick Case is the Director of the Human Rights and Equity Office of the University
of Guelph. Mr. Case was a school trustee and a law practitioner whose chief focus
was serving women who were victims of violence. He has served as a staff lawyer
at Parkdale Community Legal Services and is the former Chair of the Canadian Race
Relations Foundation and Co-Chair of the Equality Rights Panel of the Court Challenges
Program. Mr. Case currently teaches courses in human rights at the University of
Guelph and is an Adjunct Professor at Osgoode Hall Law School. He holds a Bachelor
and Master of Laws from Osgoode Hall Law School. Appointment October 20, 2010 to
October 19, 2012.
Eugenia Papageorgiou
Eugenia Papageorgiou is Counsel to the Class Proceedings Committee of the Law Foundation
of Ontario. Prior to this, she was Litigation Partner at McCarthy Tetrault LLP,
Assistant General Counsel at York University and Assistant Crown Attorney at the
Ministry of the Attorney General. Ms. Papageorgiou is the current President and
a board member of the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic and a member of the Christian
Development committee at Humbercrest United Church. Appointment April 9, 2008 to
April 8, 2013.
Nancy Gignac
Nancy Gignac has served as an elementary school teacher, vice-principal, and principal
with the Greater Essex County District School Board. She also served as Supervising
Principal of Special Education, primarily responsible for special education programs
and services in both elementary and secondary schools. Ms. Gignac has been a Program
Developer and Sessional Instructor with the Faculty of Education at the University
of Windsor, and is currently working as a self-employed education consultant. She
has served on the Board of Directors for the Windsor-Essex Children's Aid Society
and the Maryvale Adolescent and Family services as both board member and President.
Appointment September 17, 2009 to November 25, 2014.
Mary Gusella
Mary Gusella has served as the Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Human Rights Commission,
Canadian Chair of the International Joint Commission of Canada and the United States,
a member of the Public Service Commission, President of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities
Agency, and Chair and President of Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation. In addition,
she was a board member and President of the Institute of Public Administration of
Canada and a member of the Canadian Human Rights Museum Advisory Committee. Ms.
Gusella holds a membership with the Law Society of Upper Canada and the International
Commission of Jurists - Canadian Section. She has a Certificate from the Canadian
Securities Institute and holds undergraduate degrees from the Universities of Toronto
and Ottawa. Appointment September 17, 2009 to November 25, 2014.
Patrick Nadjiwan
Patrick Nadjiwan is a member of the Chippewas of Nawash First Nation. Mr. Nadjiwan
has practiced Aboriginal Law for the past fifteen years, providing general legal
counsel to clientele of First Nations Governments, Tribal Councils, Aboriginal organizations,
and Aboriginal individuals. Mr. Nadjiwan operates his own legal firm, Nadjiwan Law
Office, and has diverse experience in areas such as litigation, First Nation governance,
corporate governance, administrative law, employment law, and constitutional law.
Appointment September 17, 2009 to November 25, 2014.
Jim Thomas
Jim Thomas is the President of the Centre for Creative Change, a change
management consulting firm. He has over fourteen years of experience assisting Boards
of Directors and large organizations in areas of Board effectiveness and governance.
He conducts negotiations on behalf of the Ontario government and has facilitated
many disputes and conflicts within the broader public sector. He is a former Ontario
Deputy Minister of Labour and Management Board and is a lawyer and engineer. Appointment
December 2, 2009 to December 2, 2014.