Governance & Accountability

Rick Jones has enjoyed a lifelong, 30 year career at General Motors of Canada. Always the charismatic leader and engaging personality figure, Mr. Jones also served as the Benefit Representative with the Unifor Local 199 union for 10 years during his employment with GM. Rick obtained a Labour Studies degree from McMaster University for Continuing Education. Aside from his dedication to his work, Rick has always been immensely committed to volunteerism. Mr. Jones spearheaded the United Way campaign at GM and was the lead for the initiative for his entire time at the plant. Rick’s passion lies in serving those with special needs and has spent much of his time coaching, mentoring and fundraising for the Niagara Jr. Ice Dogs, a program for individuals of all ages with a physical or intellectual disability that want to learn to play hockey in it’s proper form. Mr. Jones has served on the CLSC Board of Directors for almost 36 years, with most of that time serving as our Board Chair.

Deputy Chief Warren R. Burger retired from policing after 34 years of service. He is well known for his Community Volunteer activities, leadership and support across the Province for over fifty-five years for Charitable, Non-profit Organizations, Service Clubs and Government Agencies. Both his professional and personal service throughout the years has been recognized being a recipient of many awards and honours, namely Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals, Governor General of Canada 125th Commemorative Medal, Ontario Volunteer Award, Lions/Rotary International Melvin Jones/Paul Harris Fellowships, respectively.
He has been actively involved in the Intellectually Challenged/Special Needs Service Sector across this province as a volunteer fundraiser, Board Director, currently serving as First Vice-Chair for Community Living St. Catharines.

Tony Collini has spent a 35 year career with Package Print Technologies (PPT) in Buffalo NY, and currently holds the position of General Manager. He obtained a BA Business Admin, Accounting Major, from Brock University in 1981 and started his employment journey as an accountant with Doane Raymond, Chartered Accountants in Fort Erie. Tony is an active and passionate member of the community and has been involved with CYO Special Needs Hockey as a Coach & Volunteer Coordinator for the past 20 years, a CYO Minor Hockey Coach (1990 – 2006), and CYO Parish Leader Star Of The Sea Parish (Head of the Parish Hockey Organization). He has been a committed member of the CLSC Board of Directors for 20 years and had lent his extensive professional experience and training to act as our Treasurer in prior years.

Mr. Cooperman is the President of Cooperman Real Estate , Inc., a commercial brokerage firm (est. 1985) and executive and shareholder with a number of development companies. He attended college in Michigan and a member of the Niagara Association of Realtors, Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club of St. Catharines South, among others. David is presently sitting on the Board of Directors with the Downtown Association and was involved with the Niagara Region Development Corp as well as numerous advisory committees with the City of St. Catharines. David was also part of the St. Catharines Mayor’s Task Force to advise on attracting new businesses in addition to advising the city on business and economic matters. Mr. Cooperman has served as a trustee on a number of charitable foundations. as well as 15 years on the CLSC Board of Directors as Treasurer, and after a brief hiatus, he joins us again to resume the role providing us with his business acumen.

Emily has served as a board member at Community Living St. Catharines since 2015. She brings her academic and professional experiences to the board. Emily obtained a Master of Arts in Disability Studies from Brock University. Professionally, she worked in the developmental sector for many years and currently works in post-secondary education. Emily enjoys being involved in the community.

Ms. Abrams has been a self-advocate for 14 years and has received the James Montgomerie Honour Award in June 2011 to recognizing someone who has spoken on the behalf of people with disability. As an active member of the community, Melissa participated in the CLSC Self-Advocate Council for 8 years and attended Queen’s Park as a representative. She was a member of People First of Canada, which is a national organization that is controlled and directed by people who have been labelled with an intellectual disability and was part of the Accessibility Advisory Committee for City of St. Catharines. Ms. Abrams has been an invaluable member of the CLSC Board since 1999 and is an active member of the Quality Enhancement Committee.

Susan has a long career in Social Services, Children’s Programs as well as the Developmental Services Sector. She began her career as a health care aide (PSW) and then moved on to her post secondary education with a placement at Community Living St. Catharines Day Program – Community Skills Development Centre (CSDC) in 1988 and was hired as an instructor at that program in 1989. She then worked as a private Behavioural and Play Therapist. In 1997, after obtaining a Psychology Degree, she became the Executive Director of Lennox and Addington Resources for Children (LARC), Napanee Ontario and was a representative for Lennox and Addington County on the Southwestern District Health Council Children’s Services. She returned to CLSC in 2001 as a Residential Supervisor. She continued to take on leadership roles such as Manager; Director of both Residential and Community Services; and Director of Operations. In 2021 she became the Chief Operating Officer until 2023 when she was appointed Chief Executive Officer. Susan’s dedication to her career and specifically to Community Living St. Catharines speaks to the values and commitment she has for the individuals supported by this agency. Susan has a diploma from Niagara College in Educational Resources and Special Needs; a Certificate from Hannon Early Language Speech and Language Pathology adapted for Developmental Service Workers; Applied Behaviour Analysis Certification from Niagara College; as well as an Honours Degree in Psychology from Brock University.