Our Board of Directors

  • Michael Smele

    Board Chair • Joined September 2019

    Michael is the Executive Vice President at Panattoni Development Company Canada where he is responsible for overseeing the Toronto development operations and executing on business strategy. Michael enjoys hiking and completing woodworking projects in his spare time. He has been the Board Chair since September 2022.

  • Tylar St. John

    Board Vice-Chair • Joined July 2017

    Tylar (CPA, CA, CBV, CFF) has specialized in the assessment of economic damages and the valuation of businesses and other assets for over 10 years. She has focused in the areas of complex commercial litigation including breach of contract, intellectual property, and forensic accounting. Tylar was an instructor in the Master of Forensic Accounting program at the University of Toronto and has spoken on the topic of business valuation at Canadian and international conferences. Tylar previously held the position of Board Treasurer and has been Vice-Chair since September 2022.

  • Dr. Alice Charach

    Board Secretary • Joined July 2018

    Dr. Charach assumes the roles of Staff Psychiatrist, Ambulatory Services at the Hospital for Sick Children; and Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, at the University of Toronto. She is a grandmother to four active children and enjoys arts and crafts, singing, dancing, and reading storybooks together. Dr. Charach has been the Board Secretary since September 2022.

  • Mary-Lynn Oke

    Board Treasurer • Joined September 2019

    Mary-Lynn is a Chartered Professional Accountant with over 25 years of business experience in finance, accounting, supply chain management, and strategic planning. As well as serving on the Board of Directors of Signal Gold and Jaguar Mining, Mary-Lynn provides financial and advisory services to organizations assisting them to improve the efficiency and productivity of their businesses. Mary-Lynn became Board Treasurer in September 2022 and is also Chair of the Audit and Finance Committee.

  • Nat A.

    Board Advisor • Joined November 2021

    Nat is currently a nursing student at George Brown College, and has been connected with Youthdale since 2012. Through their lived experience they offer the Board a unique client perspective, supporting and advocating for clients and families. Nat’s time with Youthdale has enabled them to move towards an improved and more fulfilling journey, including realizing their passion for helping people and entering a career in healthcare.

  • Laura Jamer

    Board Member • Joined July 2016

    Laura is the Director of Government Relations at George Brown College. Before that, she spent over 15 years in the Ontario Public Service in various leadership roles. Laura is a Francophone born and raised in Toronto. Laura is committed to service excellence, public service, and continuous education. Laura was formerly the Board Chair, serving in the role from 2018–2022.

  • Jennifer Poh

    Board Member • Joined July 2017

    Jennifer has 15 years of clinical pharmacy and management experience. Jennifer started her career working as a Clinical Pharmacist at the Hospital for Sick Children. She then moved on to drug procurement and purchasing, followed by a role as Senior Drugs and Therapeutics Advisor for the Ontario Ministry of Health. Jennifer currently works as a Senior Policy Advisor at Health Canada Strategic Policy Branch. Jennifer lives in Toronto and enjoys walking her dog and trying out the new restaurants opening around the city.

  • Gigi Dawe

    Board Member • Joined July 2017

    Gigi is a corporate governance and sustainability thought leader and educator for companies and individuals responsible for the oversight of organizations. She also sits on the advisory boards of the Embedding Project, the Canada Climate Law Initiative, and the International Corporate Governance Network’s Human Capital Committee, and is a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors, and the Institute of Corporate Directors. As of September 2023, she is the Chair of our Board Governance Committee.

  • Tom Moutsatsos

    Board Member • Joined July 2018

    Tom is a Partner at Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP with experience in a full range of employment, human rights, and labour issues, both profit and not-for-profit. He is also a Board Director with Strides Toronto. When Tom is not working, he enjoys spending time with his family, including two great yellow labs.

  • Dale Clement

    Board Member • Joined November 2019

    Dale is Vice President, Clinical Programs, Strategy and Transformation at Unity Health Toronto. Dale is a registered nurse with a Masters of Nursing as well as a Masters of Business Administration with over 20 years of extensive strategic and operational leadership experience in hospitals and the community. Partnering with patients and their families for better care experiences has always been her priority.

  • Damion Nurse

    Board Member • Joined November 2021

    Damion has over 15 years of experience in marketing, project management, and producing. He has worked as an executive producer for Global TV, and in advertising at St. Joseph Communications, where he oversaw high-profile campaigns on SJC’s properties (including Toronto Life, Maclean’s, and Chatelaine). In addition to Youthdale, he works with The Knowledge Institute for Child and Youth Mental Health and Addictions, and Myles Ahead: Advancing Child and Youth Mental Health, as part of a conscious effort to work in the mental health and addictions sector. Damion is also an established cake artist, sculpting over-the-top edible masterpieces as owner of Cinnabean Cakes.

  • Shannon Sproule

    Board Member • Joined November 2022

    Shannon is a lawyer at Turnpenney Milne LLP, where she practices in all areas of employment law, human rights, and conducts workplace investigations. After having grown up in Edmonton, Alberta, Shannon has enjoyed living in different parts of the world, including France, Ottawa, and now Toronto. In her spare time, Shannon can be found enjoying music, hiking, and having snowball fights with her nephews.