Our Team
Maggie obtained her B.Sc. in 1984, her MSW in 1986 and her LLM in 2008. She has been mediating all over Ontario since the mid 1980s and running court connected mediation and information services since 1999. When she isn’t travelling around the north, she enjoys spending time at her cottage with her husband of 35 years, her golden retriever and her 3 adult children.
Gerry Brouillette
Mediator and IRC
With a passion for fostering harmony and understanding, Kelly became an accredited family mediator dedicated to helping families navigate the complexities of divorce and separation. Drawing on her extensive training through York University as well as her two undergraduate degrees from the University of Alberta she creates a safe and supportive environment where all parties can express their concerns and work towards mutually beneficial solutions.
Kelly holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) in Sociology and Bachelor of Arts (Honors) in Indigenous Studies and has completed specialized training in family mediation through York University. She has successfully facilitated numerous mediations addressing issues ranging from divorce to child custody.
Believing that effective communication is key to resolution, Kelly employs active listening, empathy, and problem-solving skills to guide families through their challenges. She is committed to promoting collaboration and ensuring that the needs of all family members are heard and respected.
In addition to mediation Kelly is actively involved with her two young children. She loves watching them compete in their passions of hockey and gymnastics. She also loves making time to take her two Golden Retrievers Bruce and Birdie on adventures.
Kevin Cleghorn is a self-employed lawyer practicing in Thunder Bay. He graduated from the University of Manitoba with an LLB in 1982 and a BA in 1983. He obtained his LLM (family law) from Osgoode Hall in 2012. He has been called to the bars of Ontario (1984), Manitoba (1993) and Saskatchewan (1994). He is a certified specialist in family law, was accredited as a family law mediator by the Ontario Association for Family Mediation in 2022 and was inducted into the Canadian Academy of Distinguished Neutrals in 2022.
He has served as a deputy judge for Small Claims Court in the Northwest Region since 1999, is a past
president of the Thunder Bay Law Association, past chair of the board of Governors of Lakehead
University and a past president of the United Way of Thunder Bay. He is on the child representation
panel for the Office of the Children’s Lawyer. He has taught at Lakehead University since 1994 for the
Department of Political Science and/or the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law. He was appointed as an external adjunct professor in the Department of Political Science at Lakehead University in 2008 and was the recipient of the Contribution to Teaching Award at Lakehead University in 2007 (and was nominated for that award on three other occasions). He was honoured as a Fellow of Lakehead University in 2025 for his long standing contribution to the growth and development of Lakehead University. He received the James L. Murray Memorial Award from the Thunder Bay Law Association for displaying the highest standards of professionalism, ethics and civility in 2025.
Dawn Dubois
Mediator
Deb Dubois
Mediator
Jasmine has an HBA from the University of Waterloo in Sexuality, Marriage and Family Studies. This is where she pursued her passion for working with and learning about individuals, relationships, and families. It has been the cornerstone in understanding her clients and their needs today.
In 2014, Jasmine graduated Cum Laude from Western Michigan University’s Law School. She was sworn into the State Bar of Michigan in May of 2015, and called to the Bar with the Law Society of Ontario on January 27, 2017. She first practiced as an Attorney in Petoskey, Michigan in 2015, where her focus was in criminal defence, family law, and personal injury. In January of 2017, Jasmine commenced her practice in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario as an associate lawyer. By March of 2019, she opened the doors to her own law firm.
Jasmine has been a Family Mediator since 2023. She greatly enjoys helping people come to resolutions for their family matters, so they can move forward with comfort and peace.
Jim Fitch, M.A., LL.B., Acc. FM, Acc. EM, is a facilitative family and elder mediator, parenting coordinator and divorce coach. Jim is a past Chair of Discipline and Professional Conduct for both the Ontario Association for Family Mediation and the Family Dispute Resolution Institute of Ontario, as well as the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario. Jim has taught Evidence at the Ontario Police College in Aylmer and in the Police Foundations programs at Conestoga College in Kitchener and Fanshawe College in Woodstock. Jim is an acknowledged expert in Mediation Ethics, and contributed the chapter on Professional Ethics and Conduct in the most recent edition of The Family Dispute Resolution Handbook.
Jim lives in Burlington with his wife, sons, and their spoiled pets Phoebe and Hazelnut.
Krista Fortier
Mediator
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Kathryn Pirie
Mediator
Joe Houlton
Mediator
Joe earned his BA in 1986, HBSW in 1990, and MSW in 2005. He retired in 2018 after 32 years working in Children’s Mental Health specializing in separation/divorce and the impact on children, as well as working with high conflict families.
Joe became an accredited family and Child Protection Mediator in 2010. While having various hobbies, Joe can most often be found with family and friends on the lake with a fishing rod in his hand.
Noella Labine-Bustraen
Mediator and IRC
Noella Labine-Bustraen has been a Family Mediator since 2016. She completed her B.A. in Psychology 2006 and has Diploma in Business Administration. After working 20 years in accounting and administration she left to follow her passion of helping families. Currently she works with both adults and children in the fields social services and education. She along with her former spouse have coparented their almost adult children for the past 15 years and have proudly watched them grow into outstanding people.
Lise Landriault
Mediator
Lise Landriault obtained her B.A. in Psychology in 2001, her Third Party Neutral Certificate in 2016 and her Family Mediation Certificate in 2018. When not working, Lise enjoys cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, inline skating and swimming with her daughters.
Larry has been studying and teaching conflict management for more than twenty years. He has run workshops and seminars for fellow professionals and has trained peer mediators. He is a committed advocate of cooperative problem-solving and peaceful conflict resolution.
After graduating from McMaster University’s Family Mediation program, he interned with the Mediation Centre and was accredited as a Family Law Mediator in 2008. In 2010 he added accreditation as a Child Protection Mediator and is on the Ontario CP Med roster. He has provided on-site mediation services at several family courts and works extensively with a number of Children’s Aid Societies.
He is a volunteer presenter for the Mandatory Information Program at the Milton Superior Court of Justice.
Colleen McLeod
Mediator and IRC
Colleen completed her BA in Geography in 2004 and her MA in Geography in 2006.
Her keen interest in the intersection between the physical and human worlds led her to
focus specifically on community development, social dynamics, and stability in northern
and resource-dependent communities in her academics. She understands firsthand not
only through her own original research but also as resident of Northeastern Ontario
herself that life in the north is unique, and the effects and challenges it presents to
families can reflect that. In her desire to support and assist families in the north more
practically, Colleen sought and attained her accreditation to become a Family Mediator
(AccFM OAFM) in 2024. She has worked alongside the family mediation field since
2018 though when she took on the role of Information and Referral Coordinator for the
Timiskaming court district, a position which she also continues to this day. As a family
mediator, Colleen brings a careful approach, relying on her sensitivity, empathy, active
listening, and concern for safety and comfort for all her clients as she helps them work
through their conflicts.
When she isn’t working, she spends her time fishing, gardening, obsessing over her
sourdough starter, practicing watercolour, and playing her acoustic guitar. (She warns
that while she loves playing and singing along, those around her may want to keep
earplugs handy).
For over 25 years, Emma has dedicated her career to supporting families during pivotal
moments in their lives.
She has over 20 years experience as a Birth Doula, Childbirth Educator, and volunteering
locally and globally with various organizations. Emma has also worked as a Parenting Educator
and supported families working to obtain housing.
Emma holds an interdisciplinary BA in Social Justice and became an Accredited Family
Mediator in 2023. Drawing on her diverse background, she helps families navigate separation
with empathy, ensuring children’s needs remain at the heart of every resolution.
Many of life’s lessons have come from her 4 children and life with her partner. An avid outdoor
enthusiast, she can often be found swimming in northern lakes, hiking forest trails, or embarking
on spontaneous road trips – always with a sense of curiosity and a commitment to lifelong
learning.
Married to Sandra for 43 years. They have five children and nine grandchildren. Andrew graduated in 1973 with a BA (Honours History) from WLU, and in 1976 with an LLB from the University of Western Ontario. He has been a lawyer since 1978 doing primarily family law and other litigation. Accredited Family Mediator since 2015. He enjoys boating and helping at Mrs. T’s BnB. He enjoyed reading and British TV mysteries with his wife.
Julie Simard
Mediator and IRC
Julie is a proud Franco Ontarian who has been working with children and families for over 15 years. Julie is a Registered Social Worker (RSW) who obtained her Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from the University of Ottawa in 2008. Julie started her career as a Child Protection Worker working with children and families experiencing domestic violence and high conflict separations. It is through her work as a Child Protection Worker that Julie’s interest for family mediation began. Julie obtained her Accredited Family Mediator (AccFM) designation in 2014 and her Child Protection Mediator (CPMed) designation in 2015. As a Registered Social Worker and Accredited Family and Child Protection Mediator, Julie assists individuals and families through a solution-focussed and strength-based approach. Wherever children are involved, Julie is guided by a process which focusses on keeping them at the heart of every intervention. Helping parents and caregivers minimize the negative impacts of separation on children is Julie’s priority. In addition to providing Family Court Mediation and Information Services, Julie operates a private practice through which she provides consultation, counselling and mediation services to adults, children and families within her community. Julie is also a service provider for several Employee and Family Assistance Programs.
Julie was born and raised in Northern Ontario. After completing her studies and working in Ottawa for several years, Julie made the decision to return to Northern Ontario in 2013 as she missed its beauty and peacefulness. Ever since her return, Julie has made it a point to appreciate what Northern Ontario is all about. In her spare time, Julie enjoys gardening, spending time with family, spending time at the cottage, sea-doing, ski-doing, fishing & hunting with her partner Jason.
Paul is an Accredited Family Mediator (AccFM) having trained through York University. Paul works with parents to complete parenting plans with the best interest of the child(ren) in mind. As a former teacher, with over 10 years’ experience working with children, both domestically and internationally, primarily aged 11 to 18, he worked with children suffering with grief, loss, low self-esteem, bullying, relationship issues, anxiety and stress. Family Issues were typically involved. This also added to his ability to help parties navigate through conflict resolution. He provides assistance with the Family Law court process by providing legal information and guidance with filing court forms.
John holds a BA (Hons) in Economics from McMaster University and has spent most of his career in Logistics Consulting. In his professional journey, John discovered a passion for Family Law, which led him to his role as an IRC for the Parry Sound region. He actively participates in virtual court proceedings on a weekly basis, ensuring that clients receive the resources they need.
Outside of work, John enjoys an active lifestyle and can often be found on the tennis court, at the driving range, or kayaking.
Randy Jackson
IRC
Randy Jackson is a Certified Professional Business Coach and a two-time Honours graduate of Ryerson University with over 8 years of experience in Family Law Education.
In his spare time, he can be found sailing the amongst the 14,600 islands of Lake of the Woods in his wee sailboat TMB Fanny Dunker, cruising the Grenadines on a tall ship or hosting a Pirate Treasure Hunt with his five granddaughters at the family cottage.
Sherry Paquin holds a Bachelor of Education with a major in Indigenous Studies, minor in History and specialist in Family Studies. Recently retired, Sherry is now the IRC for the Dryden, Red Lake and Sioux Lookout areas.
In her free time Sherry enjoys camping, fishing, and exploring the bush. She enjoys travelling with her husband and spending time with her family. Her quiet time is spent quilting, beading and sewing.
As a registered social worker, Catherine has worked in many capacities, all with a common theme of
assisting people in identifying and articulating their needs, navigating systems, and seeking resources,
with an overall goal of helping individuals move toward empowerment. Prior to graduating with a
Bachelor of Social Work in 1997, Catherine was an active volunteer, facilitating workshops, offering peer support, and holding the position of resource consultant with a mothering group. She was also a
member of a grassroots community organization, who successfully advocated for social policy change at the provincial level. She continues her volunteerism in community-building projects.
In the role of Information and Referral Coordinator, Catherine strives to provide useable social work
service to the families and individuals we serve. Catherine appreciates the learning opportunities
afforded by Mediation North, her colleagues, and most of all, the individuals who contact her for
information and support.
Cait Tomlinson has a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Leicester and was called to the Bar with the Law Society of Ontario on June 26, 2019. Prior to being called to the Bar, Cait worked under a prominent Family Law Lawyer and Family Mediator, which fueled her interest in both fields. Cait opened her practice in August 2019, which focuses on parenting time, decision-making responsibilities, equalization of net family property, divorce, and other family law matters. Cait focuses her practice on providing skilled and impartial guidance in family law disputes, and has a deep understanding of family dynamics and legal complexities, all whilst working to facilitate fair resolutions.
Cait became a Family Mediator in 2023, and is a panel member with the Office of the Children’s Lawyer. Cait is also a Director for THRIVE Child Development Centre and the Algoma District Law Association.
After Brennah obtained her Diploma from George Brown College for Social Service Work in 2017, she volunteered with Families and Individuals struggling with Mental Health. In 2021, Brennah started working with The Mediation Centre and Mediation North as an Executive Assistant and quickly became invested in assisting families through the tough transitions of separation and divroce.
Brennah is the Information and Referral Coordinator at the Milton Courthouse. Through this role, she assists families going through a Family Law proceeding and connects them to community resources and legal information that may aid the process.
Beth Iannacci
Executive Assistant and IRC
Beth is passionate about supporting families through complex challenges. A graduate of Dalhousie University with a BA in Sociology, she furthered her education with a degree in Early Childhood Education and a Postgraduate Certificate in Inclusive Resource Practice. Throughout the course of her career, Beth has focused on working closely with families of children on the Autism spectrum.
In her role at The Mediation Centre, she helps individuals navigate Mediation, ensuring they have the resources needed to find effective, positive solutions. Beth is the Information and Referral Coordinator at the Milton Courthouse, where she assists families through the Family Law process.