Board of Directors

Michael Brown is currently the Director, Technology Development and Operations at Canadore College of Applied Arts and Technology. Previously, he was the Manager of IT Services, and prior to that the Database Administrator at Canadore College. Hobbies include photography, history, exploring abandoned locations and travel.

Mélanie Ciccone (Vice-Chair & Chair of Governance Committee)

Mélanie Ciccone is presently the Coordinator of Social Services for the Conseil Scolaire public du Nord East. Prior to this she was an Outreach Officer for the NE LHIN. She also worked as the Community Treatment Order Coordinator and as a Social Worker in the Out-Patient Mental Health Department at the Timmins and District Hospital. She has taught various courses in the social services program at College Boréal. Mélanie served as Board member and Director for South Cochrane Addiction Services. She holds her Master of Social Worker (MSW) from Université d’Ottawa and a Bachelor of Science (Honours) from McMaster University.

Jessica Charette (Director)

Jessica Charette is a dynamic leader, lifelong northerner and proud member of the regional community. Born and raised in North Bay, Ontario, Charette has held positions in the private and public sectors and thrives in high-paced, results-driven environments. This is evident from her tenures at Northern Honda, Canadore College and FNTI (First Nations Technical Institute).

Charette has more than 25 years of experience in marketing, communications, partnership development, government and public relations, as well as social innovation and student services in academia. Charette holds an Advanced Diploma in Automotive Marketing from Georgian College, and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Northwood University. She also carries a host of other professional training, including government relations, mental health support and triage, Indigenous relations and cultural competency, professional leadership and wholistic health.

She currently serves as Director, Recruitment, Marketing and Community Partnerships at FNTI, preceded by over 10 years of working at Canadore College in the Office of the President. Charette has served on numerous boards, committees and organizations, including the North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce and the Colleges and Institutes Canada National Planning Committee on Climate Action.

Charette is the proud mother of four great kids and as a lifelong local resident who believes in the power of community to fuel positive change.

Jamie Graham (Board Chair)

Jamie started his career working in public accounting and practiced audit assurance, taxation, general consulting and worked as an IT specialist. He was a senior administrator at Nipissing University for over 24 years. Jamie’s role as Registrar and Assistant Vice President, Institutional Planning and Quality Assurance commenced May 2013. Prior to this role, he was appointed Registrar and Institutional Analyst in October 2011. Jamie served as Director of Institutional Planning prior to this appointment. Jamie Graham brought to his position, an in depth understanding of the university budget and institutional revenues. He also played an important part in the selection, adoption and staff training related to Ellucian, the foundation of our academic information systems. Jamie has served as Nipissing’s representative on a number of provincial bodies associated with the Council of Ontario Universities (‘COU’) including, Council of Finance Officers – Ontario Universities, serving two years as chair, and Council of University Planning and Analysis.

In his spare time, Jamie enjoys spending time with family, is an avid curler and a recreational soccer player.

Paul Heinrich, NHF, LLM, MEd, C.Dir., CPA/CMA, CHE, BBA (Ex-Officio Director, President & CEO)

Paul Heinrich has been proudly serving the North Bay Regional Health Centre as President and Chief Executive Officer since 2012. Prior to this, he was President and CEO at Georgian Bay General Hospital in Midland and Penetanguishene. He spent 10 years as Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer at the University of Calgary, Faculty of Medicine while also serving as Advisor to the Chief Clinical Officer of the Calgary Health Region. He has also held management positions at the Inuvik Regional Health and Social Services Board, the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, Huntsville Hospital and, Muskoka-East Parry Sound Community Care Home Care Program. Among several previous board roles, he served as director on the Canadian College of Health Leaders Board. He currently serves on the ONE Health Information Technology Services (ONE HITS) board.  He has been a professor in the Healthcare Administration Program at Canadore College since 2017.

In 2023, Mr. Heinrich completed the National Health Fellowship (NHF) through McMaster University, as part of the first ever cohort of 18 fellows from across Canada.  He holds his Master of Education (MEd) from Nipissing University, as well as, a Certified Health Executive (CHE) designation though the Canadian College of Health Leaders, a Master of Laws degree (LLM) from OsGoode Hall Law School of York University, a Chartered Director designation (C.Dir.) from McMaster University, a Chartered Professional Accountant/Certified Management Accountant designation (CPA, CMA), and a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) (honours) from Nipissing University.

Robert (Bob) Keech (Vice-Chair, Chair, Resource, Finance & Audit Committee)

Robert Keech is presently the Senior Director, Technology Innovation and Cybersecurity at Canadore College of Applied Arts and Technology. Prior to this he was Chief Information Officer with Nipissing University and was previously responsible for IT Service Delivery for the Government of Ontario in Northeastern Ontario. Robert holds degrees in Mathematics and Philosophy from Laurentian University.

Dr. Scott Kerrigan (Ex-Officio Director & Chief of Staff)

Dr. Scott Kerrigan is the Chief of Staff. Born and raised in North Bay, Dr. Kerrigan studied Medicine at Western University and Pathology at the University of British Columbia. Building on rewarding experiences in North Bay as a medical student and later as a medical resident, he returned to North Bay as a full-time staff General Pathologist in 2005. Dr. Kerrigan has held multiple medical leadership positions, including Laboratory Director and Head of Service Laboratory Medicine, President of the Medical Staff, Pathology Regional Lead for Cancer Care Ontario, Medical Director Diagnostic Medicine and Trustee for the North Bay Regional Health Centre Foundation.

Angela Knight van Schaayk (Director)

Angela is the President of James C. Knight Creative Insurance Planners Inc. for over 30 years, third generation specializing in Group Life, Health and Pension Benefits for business owners throughout Northern Ontario.

She received an Hons. B.A. Geography from Laurentian University focusing on social and economic geography.

Angela served as past president and board director at the Rotary Club of North Bay.  She has recently served on the East Ferris Economic Development committee.  Currently, she serves on the Ontario Trillium grant committee, NECO (Community Futures Development Corporation) and CF Ontario.

In her spare time, Angela can be found on her boat on Lake Nosbonsing with her husband and her Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Moxie or travelling abroad.

Joanne Laplante (Ex-Officio Director & Vice-President, Clinical and CNE)

Joanne has been a dedicated Registered Nurse at the North Bay Regional Health Centre (originally at St. Joseph’s General Hospital) for 34 years. She has progressed through a variety of leadership roles, including Manager, Women and Children; Director, Surgery, Women and Children; Director of Emergency and Ambulatory Services and most recently, Vice President Clinical & Chief Nursing Executive. A passionate leader who is patient centred, Joanne has overseen a number of change initiatives both in organizational and system integration. Joanne holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Laurentian University and a Master of Nursing degree from Athabasca University. Born and raised in North Bay, Joanne is well-known and active in the community. She served on Nipissing University’s Board of Directors from 2017 to 2021.