Meet the Board of Directors

  • Karen Sawyer, Interim Chair

    Karen began her journey with Safetynet Children & Youth Charities in 2022. With a strong background in strategy, marketing, and client experience, Karen is dedicated to helping Safetynet expand so that it can continue to meet the increasing demand from families in need.

    Passionate about volunteering and helping others, Karen thrives on the connections she makes with the dedicated group of volunteers at Safetynet. She also volunteers with The Compass Outreach Center and is a member of 100 Women Who Care – Oakville.

  • Bree-Anne Wilson, Director

    Bree-Anne started out with Safetynet volunteering in the clothing bank over three years ago.  She joined the board to provide guidance in the area of Human Resources where she has had over ten years’ experience, most of which was in the non-profit sector.

    Bree-Anne is a mother of two and enjoys contributing weekly at Safetynet’s clothing bank as well as for Scouts Canada as a leader.

  • Nadia Chandra, Board Secretary

    Nadia has been working as a lawyer for over 20 years. She is passionate about social justice and helping those in need.

    She recently joined the Safetynet Board to bring her legal knowledge and desire to give back to the community.

  • Janice Gill, Director

    Janice is a registered social worker, psychotherapist, and part-time college professor at Sheridan College. She owns and operates a private counselling and therapy practice in the community, which has been growing since 2016. She has over a decade of experience in mental health, including extensive experience in children’s mental health and the non-profit sector.

    Janice has a long-standing passion for and commitment to social justice and supporting marginalized communities, including the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, to which she proudly belongs. She began volunteering in 2008 and became a board member to further her involvement with the charity.

  • Avis Maher, Board Treasurer

    Avis is a finance professional with a CPA, CA designation and MBA. Previously, she worked as Managing Director, Finance at the Globe & Mail and is currently Financial Controller at the YMCA.

    She belongs to several boards and is the treasurer for Oakvillegreen Conservation Association.

    We're happy to have her join us as Treasurer on the Safetynet Board.

  • Nicky Tahil, Director

    Nicky is a Portfolio Manager and Wealth Advisor at RBC. He has a B.Comm in Business Admin and a Master's degree in Business & Finance.

    He is a father of two, an avid runner, and is a donor and volunteer at Safetynet.

    He leads the volunteer and fundraising committee at his RBC branch and is passionate about helping out in his community. 

  • Tracey Whittall, Director

    Tracey is the Chief Operating Officer for Northwest Healthcare Properties REIT. She has a B.A. in Law & Psychology, a Masters in Criminology and a Masters Certificate in Financial Services Leadership. 

    She is a mother of two active kids and is an avid supporter of Safetynet as she believes strongly in giving back to her community.

    Tracey was previously on the Oakville Parent-Child board and we are happy to now welcome her to the Safetynet board.

  • Cara Szalay, Apprentice Member

    Cara is a Western University graduate and is currently the Business Operations Lead for Gastronomous Technologies Inc., a rapidly growing Oakville start-up. She is an avid learner and is passionate about giving back to her community. 

    She joined Safetynet as a high school volunteer in 2015 and has been back every year since. 

    Cara has always valued her time at Safetynet and is thrilled to join as an apprentice board member!