The Board

Paul Faguy is an experienced business executive and consultant with over forty years of Healthcare and Human Resources experience. He currently is the executive leader for one of Ontario’s largest Diagnostic Imaging clinics serving the Hamilton, Burlington and Oakville areas.  Over his extensive career, Paul has worked with many organizations as their Chief Human Resources Officer. Paul was born and raised in the city of Hamilton. Since his first Human Resources role as the Personnel Manager for the Windsor Post Office Paul has been involved in the community, working with learning institutions and community agencies to develop programs and initiatives which act to improve the school to work transition and which improve the local labour market knowledge.

Paul has been a member of not-for-profit Boards for a number of organizations. As an independent consultant, he has assisted clients on a consulting basis and has had assignments in Dubai UAE, Doha Qatar, Moncton New Brunswick, Toronto, South-Western and Northern Ontario.  Paul continues to utilize his professional training and his significant experience in Labour Relations as a management nominee for interest and rights-based Boards of Arbitration.

Currently employed as the coordinator for The Hamilton Area Steelworkers Adjustment Committee where I assist unemployed Steelworkers and community members adjust to job loss. I work closely with the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development as well as several organizations and committees to enhance both our participants and the citizens of Hamilton’s employability.

This is my second term on the Workforce Planning Hamilton board representing the Hamilton and District Labour Council.

For over 20 years, Gabriela has been volunteering with settlement agencies, sitting on women’s group boards, and participating in events that support newcomers and women as panellists or speakers. In her roles as a Career Specialist, Training Specialist and Instructor with Mohawk College and Hamilton and Halton School Boards, she assisted with the career planning and assessments, oversaw program activity, facilitated workshops, and participated in various conferences and summits. For her commitment and leadership in helping the community to grow and for positive contributions she has won many accolades, including Halton’s Newcomer Strategy Award, Canada Top 25 Newcomers, and Sesquicentennial Citizenship Award- Government of Canada and Mohawk College Alumni of Distinctions Award to name a few. Gabriela is currently a Retention Specialist of Community Employment Services with Mohawk College.

Gabriela joined the board last year, in 2021, but I have been sitting around the table with WPH for over ten years.

MacKenzie began her educational journey in a small farming community in Southern Ontario. After graduating from McMaster University with a Social Anthropology degree, MacKenzie has taken her passion for people and is pursuing her Master’s in Adult Education & Community Development. In the past five years, MacKenzie has worked closely with People with Disabilities in the Hamilton region; she is a Certified Vocational Rehabilitation Professional and is passionate about helping people find meaning in their life. MacKenzie has experience creating, leading and implementing programs that assist individuals to build upon current skills and develop new ones.

As the Manager for Business Investment & Sector Development for the City of Hamilton’s economic development team, Jennifer is focused on managing all of the services and functions related to investment and sector development including the business retention and attraction program.  Jennifer has over twenty years of direct experience in the economic development profession, including twelve years as a Senior Business Development Consultant with the City of Hamilton where her focus has been on investment attraction, export & trade, as well as business retention and expansion. 

Luc Bonaventure Amoussou has been appointed director of Workforce Planning Hamilton since January 2023. He is currently the regional director of College Boréal in Hamilton and the region of Niagara. Educator and professor, he is fully engaged in serving the labour market in Hamilton as a manager of Employment Options at College Boreal in Hamilton.  

Chantal Gray is a Registered Social Worker and Co-founder of Winrose Oasis Counselling Services providing in-person and virtual therapy services for children, youth, adults, couples and families. She graduated with a Master of Social Work degree from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University). She brings diverse experiences regarding the impact of the labour market on individuals’ mental health and supports individuals by providing resources and opportunities to engage in the community. She continues to be an active community member volunteering and working on various committees within Hamilton and the Greater Toronto Area. These committees focus on issues such as gender-based violence, health and safety and equity and inclusion. Chantal believes in the importance of community care and aims to provide a space for each person she works alongside, to be seen, heard, and understood.

I have 20+ years of experience in the career and employment field. Throughout the course of my career at McMaster, I have developed skills in project management, strategic planning, workforce planning, resource utilization, and revenue growth. My ability to analyze needs and create unique innovative solutions has proven to be one of my greatest assets. Recognized by colleagues as a strategic visionary and for providing outstanding service. I excel at streamlining procedures to increase productivity and maximize program outcomes.

Brenda has had a career that spanned many business sectors including retail, manufacturing, wholesale, and direct selling. Within these channels her team leadership skills were utilized in financial governance, operations, brand management, marketing (both traditional and social media), sales, product development, and customer relationship management.

With an extensive background in providing people focused strategic direction she delivered award winning results in sales, marketing campaigns and product launches for brands such as Birks, Avon Canada, Laura Canada, Rubbermaid, and Zellers. Brenda’s love for and skill in data mining allowed her to craft innovative and effective solutions to business challenges.

In her various roles Brenda has partnered with Not-For-Profit organizations and funds were raised for Kids Help Phone, Canadian Cancer Society, Avon’s Breast Cancer Crusade and United Way.

Brenda loves to travel and has been to over 28 countries on five continents for work and pleasure. An avid reader (over 300 books last year!) she has taken that love of words and stories to the Hamilton Literacy Council as an adult tutor.

Maxine Carter is an accomplished Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) strategist, thought leader and educator and has worked in the field of social justice, anti-racism, anti-oppression and human rights for many years. Maxine current role is the Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer at Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology located in Hamilton, Ontario. Maxine provides organizational leadership, direction and oversight of the College’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) strategic commitments including oversite for Accessibility, the Student Rights and Responsibilities Office and the Center for Social Inclusion (Social Inc.). Maxine believes strongly in giving back to the community and has served on a number of non-profit boards in Hamilton