Executive
Laurie French – President
Laurie was acclaimed as President of the CSBA in July 2018 at our Annual Congress. She was acclaimed as President of the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association in June 2016 and 2017 and now serves as OPSBA’s Past President. Prior to this, she served as OPSBA Vice-President from 2013 to 2016. Laurie has actively served five terms as a trustee with the Limestone District School Board since 2000, representing Greater Napanee, Ontario, with experience as Vice-Chair and Chair of her Board for 7 years. Laurie has spent her career in the field of healthcare where she is now a Director of Patient Services in the sector. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing Science from The University of Ottawa and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Queen’s University, with a System Leadership certificate from the Rotman School of Management. She also serves on the Community Foundation for Lennox & Addington, the Limestone Learning Foundation, and is a proud member of 100 Women Who Care in her community. She is the proud mother of 2 children who have since graduated from the public education system.
Floyd Martens – Past President
Floyd obtained his Diploma in Theology from Horizon College and has served as a pastor in Manitoba for more than 25 years. He has served in Church District Leadership, as well as on the Board of Directors for Horizon College.
He has been a locally elected school trustee for 25 years, where he served for many years as Chair or Vice Chair of the Board. He has served on the Manitoba School Boards Association as a Regional Director, Vice-President, President and currently serves as the Past President on the Executive.
Floyd has also published 3 children’s books and writes a weekly blog on faith. In his free time, he enjoys cooking, sports, playing golf and writing. He lives in Roblin, Manitoba with his wife Angela and has three adult daughters
Goronwy Price – Vice-President, CSBA
(President, Newfoundland and Labrador School Boards Association)
Goronwy has volunteered in the education system for 23 years, 12 as a trustee and 11 on school councils. Born in Nigeria, his father was a surgeon who brought his family to Labrador in the sixties. He obtained undergraduate degrees in Education and Physical Education. He later became the Regional Director for Tourism, Culture and Recreation for the province in Labrador, and worked extensively with all communities in the region. He now manages the Goose Bay Airport. His athletic accomplishments include competing at the national level in both the UK and Canada in the sport of fencing and has been Newfoundland and Labrador’s provincial Canada games coach for five sets of games. Goronwy has been on the Board of Directors at CSBA for 4 years, and became Vice President July 2016. He has three girls, a teacher, an engineer and a red sealed heavy equipment technician. Goronwy lives in Happy Valley-Goose Bay with his wife Corenia.
Board of Directors
Newfoundland and Labrador School Boards Association (NLSBA):
Brian Shortall, Executive Director
Brian was appointed Executive Director / CEO of the Newfoundland and Labrador School Boards Association in September 2004. Since 1969, he has served as a junior and senior high school teacher, high school principal, School District Superintendent and Director of Education for the Avalon East School Board.
He was President of the Newfoundland Teachers’ Association, President of the Canadian Teachers’ Federation and chaired the Canadian Teachers International Development Assistance Program for two years. He has also been a Director of the Canadian Education Association and was an active participant in the Canadian Association of School Administrators. Some of the awards that have recognized Brian’s accomplishments and contributions to education include; the Newfoundland & Labrador School Boards Association Education Award, the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, the Canadian Teachers’ Federation Special Recognition Award for Meritorious Service, and most recently, Life Honorary Membership in the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers Association.
Brian has an extensive background in school district leadership, educational change and organizational development. He is also a member with Education Research & Development Corp. (ERDI), an educational organization enabling forums between Corporate Partner companies delivering programs, services and products to the learners and staff in the schools of Canada. Brian is a graduate of Memorial University of Newfoundland and Ottawa University. He has been married to Claudia (who he insists is definitely his“Better Half” for 46 years, and they are the proud parents of 3 and grandparents of 7 grandchildren.
Fédération des commissions scolaires du Québec:
Alain Fortier, Président
Bio TBA
Christiane Barbe
Bio TBA
Quebec English School Boards Association (QESBA)
Dan Lamoureaux, President
Bio TBA
Russell Copeman, Executive Director
Bio TBA
Ontario Public School Boards Association (OPSBA):
Cathy Abraham, President
Elected in June 2018, OPSBA President Cathy Abraham is a four-term Trustee and three-time Chair of the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (KPRDSB). President Abraham has also served OPSBA and the wider community in the following capacities: Two terms as OPSBA Second Vice-President (2016-2018); OPSBA Education Program Work Team Chair; OPSBA Policy Development Work Team Member; OPSBA Central East Region Vice-President (2007-2010); OPSBA Trustee Labour Negotiation Representative; Variety of other leadership opportunities including with Rotary, Newcastle Community Hall, and as a founder of the Newcastle Family Connection resource centre.
Rusty Hick, Executive Director
Appointed in June of 2017, Rusty came into the role following 31 years serving students in public education; as a director of education, teacher, vice-principal, principal, and superintendent. He has been involved provincially in a number of associations, and was a lead director for the first ever provincial bargaining team in the K – 12 sector in Ontario.
He holds a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy and history from the University of Toronto, a bachelor of education degree from Queen’s University, as well as a master of science in education degree from Niagara University. He continues to advocate on behalf of public education as a cornerstone of democracy, as well as a key driver of social justice and equity, He takes pride in being part of an educational system that is a global leader in educational practice!
Manitoba School Boards Association (MSBA):
Ken Cameron, President
Ken was elected trustee in Rolling River School Division in 2006, serving as Board Chair and working extensively in Negotiation, Operations, Labour Policy, Human Resources, Facilities, School Review Committees and on the Division / Community Advisory Council. He has served on the MSBA Executive as Vice President and since 2015 as President. He also serves on several community boards, including; Minnedosa Recreation Commission, Minnedosa Regional Archives Board, and Manitoba Winter Special Olympics committee.
Raised on a farm south of Minnedosa, Ken himself continued farming after high school. Later, he managed an Agricultural Retail and Custom Application. Presently, he and his wife Debbie own and operate a recycling and waste collection business. He and Debbie have three daughters and five grandchildren.
Josh Watt, Executive Director
Named as Executive Director of MSBA in 2015, Josh Watt has held a variety of positions in the field of public education. With the greatest portion of his career spent implementing policies and programs with the Council on Post-Secondary Education, Josh eventually became Senior Policy Advisor to the Deputy Minister at Manitoba’s Department of Education and Training. He has also worked as an educational assistant in French Immersion, newcomer/refugee, and special needs programs, as a change management consultant for non-profits, and also served as project officer at the Canadian International Development Agency.
Josh holds a BA (Hons.) in Law and Political Science (Carleton), a Master of Public Administration (Winnipeg), and a Masters of Education (Manitoba). He has also completed a Master level certification in Peace Support Operations through the UN Institute for Training and Research.
Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA):
Shawn Davidson, President
Shawn was raised on a family farm near Aneroid, SK, and graduated from high school in Kincaid, SK. He then attended the University of Saskatchewan and graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 1998. After graduation he worked in large animal practice in Swift Current, SK before returning to the family farm in 2004. He has since operated a mixed farming and ranching operation, and practiced veterinary medicine in Assiniboia, SK and Scobey, MT. He was first elected to the Prairie South Board of Education in 2009, became the Board Chair in 2013, and was elected SSBA President in 2016.
Shawn and his wife Krista enjoy everything the remote rural area of southwest Saskatchewan has to offer, and recognize it as a great place to raise their 4 children!
Darren McKee, Executive Director
Originally from O-Chi-Chak-Ko-Sipi First Nation in Manitoba, Darren completed his B.Ed. and M.Ed. at the University of Saskatchewan. He has been a Teacher, Administrator, Superintendent and Director of Education, as well as Director and Assistant Deputy Minister with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education. In 2011, he became the Executive Director of the SSBA. He has presented at a number of conferences on leadership and Aboriginal Education. He sits on the boards of C-21 Canada; Canadian Education Association, the National Selection Committee of INAC and United Way Regina. Darren is a coach and consultant in education, government, Indigenous peoples, change, leadership, relations and strategic directions.
He holds certificates in Leadership Training and Development; Crucial Conversations; Expedition Coaching; and Leadership Practices Inventory. He and his wife Ivy have three daughters.
Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA):
Lorrie Jess, President
Lorrie lives on the farm that she was born and raised on in Ponoka, Alberta. After High School, she attended Olds Agricultural College and was registered in the Horticulture Program. Took some time travelling to Mexico, Russia, and Europe. Has owned and operated Ponoka Bookstore & Gifts for 37 years. Raised her three children at the store where she also home schooled them until grade 5 when they entered the public school system. Lorrie became a Trustee for Wolf Creek Public Schools in 2004. She represents the schools in Ponoka, Alberta and served as the Board Chair for the last 2 years.
Dr. Vivian Abboud, CEO
After completing her B.Ed and M.Ed with a focus on leadership and bilingualism, Dr. Vivian Abboud, who is multi-lingual, completed several senior and executive management and development programs.
She completed her doctorate in educational policy and governance at Simon Fraser University. At the beginning of her career, Dr. Abboud taught for seven years at the Edmonton Public School Board. During this time, she facilitated workshops; contributed to the development of a math resource; and, received her principal-ship training. Over the last 15 years, Vivian has held multiple leadership positions at Alberta Education.
British Columbia School Trustees Association (BCSTA):
Gordon Swan, President
Gordon Swan is the current President of the BCSTA and a school trustee with the SD58 (Nicola-Similkameen) Board of Education. Prior to joining the BCSTA Board of Directors, Gordon served as a BCSTA Provincial Councillor for over a decade and also provided many years of dedicated service to the BC Public School Employers’ Association board. During his term as BCPSEA’s Vice-Chair, the board achieved its first negotiated collective agreement with the BC Teachers’ Federation. The moment stands as a testament to Gordon’s results focused leadership style.
Mike Roberts, Executive Director
As Chief Executive Officer, Mike Roberts is responsible to the BCSTA Board for the overall staff operations of the organization and provides direct support to BCSTA’s Board of Directors. Mike began his tenure in public education in 1980 as a secondary school teacher, held a variety of district leadership positions there, including superintendent. In 2009, he was appointed to the position of Liaison Superintendent with the B.C. Public School Employers’ Association (BCPSEA) and in 2013, was appointed as Liaison Superintendent for the B.C. Ministry of Education as well as acting as the interim CEO of BCPSEA.
Mike brings extensive experience in educational policy, provincial bargaining, policy management, corporate function organization and field services.
