Cathy is the former Executive Director of the Child and Youth Permanency Council of Canada. She has more than 30 years of experience working in child welfare and social services. She is also the adoptive parent of two now young adults. Cathy is passionate about the best interests of children and youth and ensuring our permanency community across Canada receives the supports they need.

Cassaundra found permanency as an older adoptee in New Brunswick. Cassie is a 2023 graduate from the University of New Brunswick with a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a double major in English and Sociology and a French minor. She is also hoping to go back to school to become a Social worker. Cassie has worked with the New Brunswick Adoption Foundation and is a member of the New Brunswick Youth in Care Network. She is a strong advocate for children in the foster care system and for youth ageing out of the child welfare system. Cassie joined the CYPCC Board to help make a difference for youth in the child welfare system.

Jennifer comes to CYPCC with over 25 years of fostering and adoption experience and is passionate about adoption ethics, excellence in cross cultural adoption and fostering, and providing applicable knowledge to families before and during the fostering and adoption processes so enduring and skilled families for children are supported. Jen has decades of education and experience particularly around the subjects of racial development, attachment and family integration for transracial families and is a strong proponent of excellence in multi racial families. Jennifer has been privileged to be granted opportunities to teach, write, support and educate for many adoption and cultural organizations throughout North America while still actively living the complicated and often painful permanency journey with her own dozen children. Jen has a particular passion for family relationships and supporting the ongoing, and oft times complex, integration of extended family and cultural connections for all children. In one of the most important moments of her life, Jennifer was recently recognized by her children’s nation with a traditional naming and welcoming ceremony honouring her work with Tsilhqot’in children and families. Jennifer and her husband of 30 years live in the Interior of B.C. with their 12 children

Isabelle Larocque is a Cree-Métis lawyer, located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, specializing in Indigenous Trusts. Originally from Hay River, Northwest Territories, Isabelle focused her studies at the University of Saskatchewan on various Indigenous legal issues, such as Constitutional language rights, child welfare, and the impact of Canadian legislation on the survival of the Indigenous family. She has also received the Common Law French Certification from the University of Ottawa. During her legal practice, Isabelle has had the privilege of representing families through the adoption process. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, painting and sculpting

As an adoptee from China, Angela lives with her adoptive family with two sisters and understands the importance of permanency and a good support system. After previously working for CYPCC, she is now glad to serve on the CYPCC Board of Directors as Secretary. Angela is currently working towards earning a degree at Carleton University. When not studying, Angela enjoys reading, listening to music, and spending time with her pet rabbit.

Jiani currently works as a Finance Business Partner at a non-profit organization. She has over 10 years of progressive accounting experience as a CPA, CGA designation. Jiani is our Treasurer and enjoys working with non-profit organisations.

Shelley is an Ontario native who currently resides in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and an Honours Bachelor of Social Work from Lakehead University. Shelley has also studied Early Childhood Education. As a single mother, Shelley raised one son who is now a successful, happy young man and she is also a birthmother, involved in an open adoption, to a son who is now a young adult pursuing his post secondary education. For 20+ years Shelley has provided support and education for other birth parents, as well as for adoptees, prospective adoptive parents, adoptive parents and foster parents. She has formed many strong relationships within the adoption community. Shelley has several years experience as a front line child welfare social worker as well as years working in mental health supporting both youth and adults. Shelley currently works in a youth shelter, often with youth who have aged out of the child welfare system.