BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Sheena Lee McInnes (Director) is a born anglophone Quebecoise who grew up on Montreal’s South Shore. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design and 10 years of professional experience in the field. She has worked with many local and regional businesses in Quebec, providing both design and translation services. She is currently living in Otterburn Park with her husband and 2 cats.

Simeon Nachev is a European born Francophone and Anglophone. He has his master’s in applied physics from the University of Lyon-Claude Bernard, and his PHD in Materials Science at the University of Grenoble. Since 2016 he has worked in the R&D sector for advanced materials in Saskatchewan and currently in Quebec. Simeon also volunteered for the francophone organizations in Saskatchewan to help the newcomers. He believes that language is a key factor for knowledge, the transfer of information, and strengthening social contacts, thus it is a guarantor for a healthy and prosperous society. Simeon thinks that it is a pleasure to be a part of MEPEC and support the English community.

Melissa Hynes (Vice-President) was born and raised in Toronto, moving to the South Shore of Montreal in 2007. She completed her Bachelor of Arts with a major in Sociology at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario. She has worked in the philanthropic sector for over 10 years, currently at a Montreal-based foundation that supports those most vulnerable. Melissa is the proud mother of two elementary school-aged boys and is excited to be a part of MEPEC in furthering its mission of supporting the English-speaking community.

Norm Haslam (Director) worked for 35 years as a High School Audio-Visual Technician. He also volunteered for 14 years as a production manager, host, and producer for community television in a weekly program in the 1970s. Currently, Norm is the president of the South Shore Retired Educators, a licensed lay worship leader of the United Church of Canada, the chairperson of Richelieu Valley United Church Council, and a Quebec Regional Lay Representative United Church. He is also part of many committees such as McGill University Community Lifelong Learning, Jane Austen Society North America, and Charles Dickens Fellowship. A lifetime South Shore resident, Norm is very involved in and committed to the English-speaking community.

Paul Mitchell (President) holds a New Zealand Justice of the Peace warrant and has served in the New Zealand Armed Forces,  Military Police. He then went on to become a civil Police Officer. After going back as a civilian, owned and operated several successful businesses. He later became a support officer to the minister of Police before coming to Canada in 2001. After arriving in Canada, he owned and operated two businesses here. He is married with two adult children and retired in 2012.