Tahra Treverton
Board of Directors
*Chair*
Tahra Treverton has previously served on the board of CDC-Quinte and is happy to return to the organization. She has also served on the board of Community Learning Alternatives. She worked as a Child Protection Worker for 21 years at Highland Shores CAS in various departments.
She also obtained her B. in Education in 2012 from Queens University. In addition to her work at CAS, she is a tutor for the Foundations Tutoring Program, working with students educationally from a trauma-informed perspective.
Laura Mounsteven
*Vice-Chair*
Laura Mounsteven has worked for Loyalist College Community Employment Services for over 15 years, providing services and support to job seekers and employers throughout the Quinte area. Client-focused and community-minded, Laura is passionate about ensuring everyone has equal opportunity to access services and support in the community.
Laura has a Bachelor of Arts from Queen’s University,
Bachelor of Education from Western University, and recently completed the Facilitator of Adult Education certificate through Loyalist College.
Ryan Mallon
*Board Secretary*
Ryan Mallon combines his professional experiences in both the tech industry and social service sector in his job with HelpSeeker Technologies, where he helps to improve access to social services using technology and to foster social change using data to advocate for positive outcomes. Following a long career in tech, in 2020, Ryan added a Social Service Worker Certificate from Loyalist College to his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. In addition to his role at HelpSeeker, Ryan works part-time as a frontline worker at Grace Inn Shelter in Belleville. In his spare time, Ryan volunteers as a Scouter with Scouts Canada.
Ryan considers himself an advocate for using technology to connect community and social support with the people who need them more effectively. He is passionate about community development and ensuring that communities are strong, supportive, and inclusive.
Graham Copestake
*Director*
Paula is a retired College Professor. She spent her 40-year career working in the field of social services, both in community-based agencies and education. Since retirement, Paula has worked as a volunteer in the community.
Paula enjoys being with her family and travelling. She is always up for an adventure and walks away from all experiences having learned something new! Paula is passionate about lifelong learning, staying engaged with community development, and actively seeking ways to make a positive impact on the lives of others. She finds joy in connecting with diverse individuals and exploring different cultures through travel.
*Board Treasurer*
Graham brings 10 years of strategic communications experience to help solve clients' varying business problems. With a keen understanding of how to scale businesses and drive quantifiable results, Graham values leveraging research to inform decisions and validate business solutions. Through the lens of both national and international campaign management, Graham has been working with local small business owners to help them in understanding and implementing varying strategies to scale their business and build stronger community ties.
Outside of communications, Graham is passionate about mentorship and educating which has led to a fruitful teaching career through Loyalist College as a part-time Professor in the Sales and Marketing program. Further, Graham loves fostering business partnerships that drive progressive change for the Quinte/Hastings region to help build communities that flourish both in diversity and creativity.
Lastly, when the work of the day has been put to rest, Graham can be found exploring the natural sights of Hastings County where he resides with his wonderful son, wife, and dog.
Lynda Stewart
Paula Buskard
Alayna Ward
*Director*
Lynda has worked in the accounting field for more than 25 years. She has been employed in various industries, such as hospitality, transportation, utilities, construction and insurance.
She also has some experience with HR and payroll, having conducted orientations, training, and appraisals and participated in disciplinary matters. Lynda has also planned company and fundraising events. Lynda is currently employed as Controller for Crate Marina in Belleville.
*Director*
Alayna is a mission-driven leader with nearly 20 years of combined experience in communications, fundraising, policy development and non-profit management and is currently the Executive Director of a non-profit housing organization. Prior to moving to the area in 2019, Alayna lived in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, where she held leadership positions in the territorial government and then owned a consulting business offering services to non-profit organizations and Indigenous communities in the North and across Canada, with a focus on those bringing economic benefits and opportunities to local people. She passionately believes that everyone has the right to adequate food and safe shelter and that access to these elements is the foundation for healthy communities. Alayna has a BA from St. Thomas University, a Public Relations diploma from Grant MacEwan University.
