Board of Directors | Children's Mental Health Services

Suzanne Copeland, Chair

Suzanne Copeland studied early childhood education at Humber College in the early 80’s. Passionate about children with special needs, Suzanne proceeded to further her education at University of Toronto where she earned her B.A. and B.Ed. While working as a teacher with the Hastings Prince Edward District School Board, Suzanne completed a Master of Arts through Norwich University (Vermont College). With encouragement from mentors, Suzanne moved from the classroom to the role of elementary school principal. After 29 years of service with HPEDSB, Suzanne recently retired from the position of principal and continues to support public education as a relief administrator. Grateful for the amazing experience of volunteering in the Central Hastings Support Network’s Food Bank, Suzanne is now a member of its Rural Transit Committee. In her free time, Suzanne loves to garden and attend Tai Chi classes with her husband.

Kathryn Brookfield, Vice Chair

Kate Brookfield received an Honours B.A. from Queen’s University and a Bachelor of Education from the University. She also has a Management certificate and majority completion of an MPA from Carleton University.

Kate taught high school for several years, however most of her career was in collective bargaining, workplace policy and pay equity.

Her experience in children’s mental health stems from her time as a teacher, as a loving support to her daughter, and as a mental health parent representative on the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario’s (CHEO) parental advisory council. Kate also developed materials for parents navigating mental health services for children in the Ottawa area.

Kate served on the Wellington on the Lake Residents Association Board for from 2011-15 including being President. She also was both a tutor for young mothers and a Board member of English Language Tutoring for Ottawa – Carleton where she participated in complete revision of their by laws and human resource policy manual revision.

Her CMHS Board experience began in 2012. From that time Kate has coordinated the Wellington Classic golf tournament which raises funds to allow children and youth struggling with their mental health attend activities and camps to increase their self esteem and confidence. Kate is now Co- Chair of the Fundraising Committee and Secretary- Treasurer of the Board.

She enjoys her life in Prince Edward County with her husband, and visits to and from her 2 daughters and two grandchildren

Bonnie Danes, Secretary

Bonnie Danes is a retired teacher after working in the education sector for over twenty years. Bonnie was moved to work to help children with mental health issues.

Bonnie is active in many community organizations.

Steve Goetz, Treasurer

Steve Goetz, Director of Performance Optimization at the South East LHIN, works closely with health service providers within the South East region. This can include managing, monitoring and evaluating the health service providers’ performance to ensure organizations are meeting standards set out within accountability agreements and reaching the goals defined by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and the LHIN. Steve provides expert advice to the LHIN Senior Management Team on sector and provider pressures, issues, reporting on progress and opportunities. In addition, Steve also provides advice, leadership, strategic guidance and support to the Performance Optimization team at the South East LHIN.

Prior to joining the South East LHIN Steve’s experience includes:

Working for Bell Canada in a senior management position in Finance, Activity Based Costing and Benchmarking;
Directing, developing and successfully implementing findings from several cross industry, multi-company, “best-practice” benchmarking studies in the areas of e-commerce, Customer Relationship Management and supply chain; and
Teaching a variety of courses within the Faculty of Business at Algonquin College in Ottawa as well at Loyalist College as an Adjunct Professor within the Human Services Management program.

Steve holds a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance and Information Systems, as well as a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation from the Institute of Management Accountants.

In addition, Steve completed the University of Toronto Rotman School of Management Advanced Health Leadership Program and received his LEAN Black Belt Certification distinguishing him in his ability as a Continuous Improvement Leader and LEAN expert

Bhavik Patel, Director

Bhavik Patel received his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Ryerson University and is currently a registered nurse and has been a professor at Loyalist College since 2003. For the past 15 years Bhavik has worked in three different hospitals in Toronto as a psychiatric nurse working with children and adolescents. He currently sits on the Loyalist College Board of Governors. Bhavik enjoys working out, playing sports, camping and spending time with his wife, Zhyra and their two children. He has two dogs and loves to travel.