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Meet Our Team

Meet our team who drives change in the lives of the children and youth in our care.

Meet The Key Assets Ontario Team!

    Cathy

    Cathy Morris

    CEO – Key Assets Canada
    Cathy Morris, B.Ed., BSW, MSW. RSW, CCPA – Cathy has worked with children, youth and families for more than 34 years in many capacities across the Province & Nationally and prior to assuming the role of Chief Executive Officer, Cathy was the Provincial Director and Founding Coordinator for the development of the Child & Youth Advocacy Centre for Newfoundland & Labrador. Prior to joining Key Assets NL in 2019, she was a Program and Policy Consultant for In-Care with the Provincial Department of Children Seniors and Social Development. It was in this position that Cathy had the pleasure of initially working collaboratively with KANL to develop, pilot, evaluate and regulate some of the program that continues to be an important KANL services available to children, youth and families in Newfoundland & Labrador.
    Cathy brings a multitude of expertise and experience as an administrator and leader, particularly in supporting families in child protection and in-care at the regional, provincial, and national level. Cathy is highly skilled and knowledgeable in trauma response, assessment, investigations, policy and program development, child protection programming, legislation and regulatory requirement in the provision of services to vulnerable children, youth and families. She was instrumental in developing the first Child, Youth and Family Regulations for family-based and residential care in Newfoundland and Labrador in 2019.

     

    Cathy cares deeply about the well-being of children, youth, and families. She is a provincial, national, and global trauma responder and a member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association in Canada. Cathy currently volunteers with several agencies and boards both at the provincial and national level and is a member of the national Sexual Assault Investigations Review Committee with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

    Cassi

    Cassandra Duignan

    Provincial Director

    Cassandra (Cassi) joined the Key Assets Ontario team in 2012, shortly after its establishment. Throughout her career at Key Assets, she has taken on various leadership roles, culminating in her appointment as Provincial Director in July 2021. Cassi holds a Child and Youth Care Diploma from Humber College. As a passionate, dynamic, and equitable leader, Cassi is committed to fulfilling the organization’s Purpose: “to achieve positive and lasting outcomes for children, families, and communities.”

    Cassi is dedicated to supporting families through their fostering journey. Whether it is a family’s first time pursuing fostering or they have been with Key Assets for years, she emphasizes the importance of collaboration to ensure a meaningful and rewarding experience. Recognizing that people are at the heart of Key Assets’ work, Cassi is committed to listening, learning, and working together with families to achieve positive outcomes for all.

    Jennifer

    Jennifer Nickel

    Recruitment and Placement Manager
    Jennifer has been dedicated to working with Children, Youth, and Families for the past 28 years, after graduating from Humber College as a Child in Youth Worker in 1995. Jennifer has previously worked in Residential Care and within the Education System, before settling on a career path that focused on supporting foster families and young people who were placed in out of home care. Jennifer’s expertise includes being trained as a Structured Analysis Family Evaluation (SAFE) Home Study Practitioner and SAFE Supervisor, as well as a Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Trainer. Jennifer has a strong commitment to ensuring safe, therapeutic and trauma informed care for children placed in out of home care and is committed to ongoing training to support children, youth and their families. Throughout her career she has been a life-long learner, enhancing her education with courses on trauma, diversity and anti-oppressive practices, empowering youth as well as being certified as a Triple P Practitioner. Jennifer is registered with the Ontario Association of Child and Youth Care, enjoys working as a part of a team and is committed to the belief that “It takes a village to raise a child”.
    Christy

    Christy Murtha

    Foster Care Manager
    Christy has a Bachelor degree in Sociology, a Bachelors and Masters of Social Work and is a Registered Social Worker. Christy started her career in 1995 in Child Protection where she worked for eleven and a half years with adolescents, their families and then extended society wards. Christy was both a counsellor and Clinical Practice Specialist at Kids Help Phone prior to coming to Key Assets. Christy supports the Service Team Child and Youth Workers and Foster Support Workers and Relief Staff as they support children, youth and Foster Carers. Christy supports individualized clinical approaches and adherence to Ministry standards. Christy has been providing supervision both in private practice and in agency settings for over 20 years. Christy’s expertise extends to facilitating various trainings for internal and external participants, including partnerships with organizations like the Government of Nunavut. She is an Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) Master Trainer, and Certified Person Brain Master Trainer. ASIST Training allows attendees to be able to respond to at risk human beings and create a suicide safer community. Christy is a lifelong learner always seeking new ways to connect through courses such as Sign Language. In her free time Christy enjoys swimming and watching sports. Additionally, Christy operates a portrait location photography business, combining her passion for people with the art of capturing memories.
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    Erin King

    Foster Care Manager
    Erin has over 25 years of experience working in the Foster Care sector, Group Care, Adult Services, and Residential Programs in a leadership capacity as well as personal experience as a Foster Carer.
    Dawn

    Dawn Brown

    Business Support Manager
    Dawn serves as the Business Support Manager, providing essential assistance in the day-to-day operations, financial management, and organization of the company. Her dedicated support enables our staff to remain focused on meeting the needs of our youth and carers. Always ready to lend a helping hand, Dawn is committed to supporting you in any way she can.
    Susan

    Susan Wagner

    Fostering Advisor
    Susan has dedicated most of her career to working in child welfare across various roles, showcasing her passion for helping vulnerable populations. Her experience includes serving as a foster support worker for a local Children’s Aid Society, an after-hours crisis worker, and an assessment worker. Susan’s academic background includes a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from the University of Toronto and an undergraduate degree in Psychology. Additionally, she has completed a Solution Focused Therapy Certification, enhancing her ability to provide effective support and guidance. As a fostering advisor, Susan utilizes her expertise to guide individuals interested in fostering through the process. Susan actively engages with individuals interested in fostering, addressing their inquiries, and assisting them in determining whether fostering aligns with their goals and capabilities. She believes that fostering is both challenging and rewarding and emphasizes the importance of gathering information before making such a significant decision. Susan’s goal is to help prospective foster caregivers understand if fostering is the right fit for them and their families, ensuring a positive and impactful fostering experience.
    Lauren

    Lauren Mondell

    Placement Worker
    Hi there, my name is Lauren Mondell. I attended Brock University where I graduated with a degree in Child and Youth Studies. I have been in this field of work for over 10 years now. I started my career in Northern Alberta, working in a Treatment Centre for high risk youth where I got to experience working front line with youth from diverse backgrounds, I was promoted to Team Lead while in this role and got to experience working with and supervising amazing children and youth workers while supporting our youth in care. I am very excited to have joined Key Assets and be apart of this amazing team of people so we can work together to support child and youth and our families.
    Lolly

    Lolly Chin

    Office Administrator / Receptionist
    My role is to maintain the switchboard and greet our carers and other guests as they enter the office. I also performs administrative functions for the office and service team. I can help you with any questions or concerns you may have or find the appropriate person that can.
    Jabeen

    Jabeen Choudhry

    Recruitment Administrator
    Jabeen is our Recruitment Administrator. She looks over on our pre-service Journey to Foster training session. She will send you the date, time and location of the training as well as an application package. If you continue with your journey to foster, she will work closely together during the assessment process to make sure all of the checks and references are complete and there are no delays in your approval.
    Youth Award

    Vivek Parasiya

    Marketing Specialist
    Vivek completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Accounting from KSKVK University, followed by a Post-Graduate Diploma in Digital Marketing & Analytics from Confederation College. As the Marketing Specialist, Vivek is tasked with developing and implementing a national marketing strategy for Key Assets in Canada. His responsibilities include offering marketing support to each of the Key Assets jurisdictions—Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Nova Scotia. Vivek’s efforts are dedicated to showcasing our services and highlighting the positive impact we have on the lives of children and carers in the community.
    Laura

    Laura Petrenko

    Clinical Therapist
    Laura has worked with children and their families in teaching, research, advocacy and supportive roles throughout her career, and holds degrees in Early Childhood Education and Social Work. She provides tailored therapeutic support and counselling to our foster families to help our carers and children learn, grow, and thrive. Laura is also a certified Therapeutic Crisis Intervention trainer. Outside of work, Laura is kept busy by her young family in her rural community where she enjoys gardening, cooking, and volunteering.
    Christine

    Christine Carr

    Reviewing Officer

    Christine is a qualified and registered social worker with 20 years experience working with children and families in various capacities. While living in the UK, she supported children with disabilities, worked in child protection and the foster care sector. Since 2011, Christine has been involved with Key Assets Ontario and worked in a number of different roles particularly in recruitment, training and assessment. As the Reviewing Officer, she will be facilitating objective and collaborative foster carer reviews which focus on performance, quality of service and support and ensure that all ministry standards are met and maintained.

    When she isn’t working, Christine is spending time with her four children and cockapoo Abbey. She loves decorating, party planning and travelling abroad!

Child & Youth Counsellors

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    Jedediah DeGray

    Child and Youth Counsellor
    Jed has been working in the social services field since 2013, following his graduation with a CYW Advanced diploma from Fanshawe College. His professional journey has been marked by diverse experiences and a commitment to supporting individuals in need. Beginning his career as a Primary Worker and Case Manager at a treatment center for teenage boys with sexual offending and intrusive behaviors, Jed gained invaluable experience in supportive interventions and behavioral management for youth. During his tenure, he became adept at running plans of care, liaising with CAS and other external agencies, and advocating for the youth residing at the center. In 2014, Jed relocated to England, where he worked as a Guidance Counselor and Educational Assistant at an Academy, focusing on youth aged 11-16. In this role, he directly supported students struggling with behavioral management within the school setting. He also collaborated with school administration to implement effective behavior management strategies in classrooms. Returning to Canada in 2016, Jed resumed his role at the treatment center before transitioning to a position working with adults with developmental delays. In this capacity, he assisted adults in daily living tasks, life skills development, and organizing their lives. Notably, he worked closely with one primary client for over four years, helping them steadily improve their ability to function independently. Since 2023, Jed has been working as a Child and Youth Worker at Key Assets, where he finds immense fulfillment in supporting youth and foster families, fostering a positive and supportive environment.

     

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    Jeena Mahboob

    Child and Youth Counsellor
    Jeena graduated from Toronto Metropolitan University in 2021 with a bachelor’s in child and Youth Care and a minor in Criminology. Jeena brings almost 6 years of experience in the CYC field. Her diverse professional background includes working in after-school programs, health service organizations, youth homeless shelters, schools, and now at a fostering agency. At Key Assets, Jeena provides personalized 1-1 weekly sessions with children and youth, focusing on developing life skills, crisis management, behavior management, education, and advocating for their rights. She also supports children and youth on how to manage and cope with trauma, concerns and promote placement stability at their foster homes. Jeena is always seeking innovative methods to overcome obstacles faced by young people, ensuring they have equal opportunities and thrive in healthy environments. Beyond her professional endeavors, Jeena is an avid reader who enjoys discussing new books with youth. She also has a deep appreciation for outdoor activities and sports, including snowboarding, skiing, soccer, hiking, and camping.
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    Tre Boothe

    Child and Youth Counsellor
    Tre brings over a decade of experience in the Child Welfare field. He holds an advanced Child and Youth Worker diploma from Sheridan, graduating in 2014. Tre is deeply passionate about serving youth and their families, understanding the significance of communication, flexibility, and compassion in his work. Throughout his career, Tre has maintained a client-centered approach that is culturally sensitive and non-judgmental. Tre’s experience extends to serving as a foster parent for 2 years in an assessment and receiving home in the Durham region, where he welcomed 32 foster children into his care in a span of those two years. Tre’s expertise encompasses a wide range of challenges faced by children, youth, and families involved with the Children’s Aid Society. He has assisted individuals dealing with various mental health issues such as Personality Disorders, Eating Disorders, PTSD, Self-harm, Drug-Induced Psychosis, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety, and Depression. Tre also has experience in addressing substance abuse issues with a harm reduction approach, managing parent-teen conflicts, and handling trauma associated with abuse. Furthermore, Tre is skilled in working with developmental disorders such as ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) and has a track record of supporting youth or parents involved in sensitive situations like the Sex Trade. Outside of work, Tre enjoys board games, hiking, and creating fun and competitive experiences for the youth he works with.
    Melissa Little

    Melissa Little

    Child and Youth Counsellor
    Melissa is an accomplished professional with a strong foundation in Early Childhood Education and Child and Youth Care. She graduated from Sheridan College in June 2024 with an advanced diploma in Child and Youth Care, following her successful completion of a diploma in Early Childhood Education. Melissa has extensive experience working with individuals with exceptionalities, ranging in age from 3 to 45, providing support for various recreation programs.

    Her passion lies in supporting special needs individuals and those in need of a compassionate listener. Outside of work, Melissa enjoys curling up with a good book, taking walks with her dogs, and listening to country music. An avid animal lover, she has two large dogs and three rescue cats.

Foster Support Workers

    Samantha

    Samantha Pinder

    Foster Support Worker
    Samantha graduated from Fleming College in 2017 with an Advanced Diploma in Child and Youth Work, which laid the foundation for her career. Since graduating, Samantha has gained valuable experience working in various settings such as group care, school environments, and indigenous friendship centres. In 2020, Samantha joined Key Assets as a Child and Youth Worker, demonstrating her passion for helping children and youth thrive. Her commitment and hard work were recognized, leading her to take on the role of Foster Support Worker in March 2023, where she continues to make a positive impact on the lives of children and families. Outside of her professional endeavors, Samantha enjoys indulging in outdoor recreation, attending live music events, exploring museums, playing video games, and savoring nachos on the patio.
    Florine

    Florine Ferreira

    Foster Support Worker
    Florine Ferreira graduated in 2015 with a degree in Child and Youth Care, followed by completing a Master’s degree in Social Work abroad. Over nine years of education, Florine gained a wide range of knowledge and skills in various capacities with different age groups. She has been a Registered Social Worker since 2017, accumulating diverse experiences from working in youth treatment centers, hospital mental health units, counselling agencies, and foster care settings. Florine’s passion lies in working with children, adolescents, and families, helping them navigate difficult situations and supporting them during periods of growth and change. She maintains a listening posture to create safe environments for others to share their concerns and employs strength-based approaches to encourage personal development. Florine is trained in crisis interventions, family mediation, and assisting to navigate systems and offering community resources.
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    Cassandra Pereira

    Foster Support Worker
    Cassandra holds an Advanced Diploma in Child and Youth Care from Humber College and a Bachelor of Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University.

    Cassandra’s journey with Key Assets began as an FSW placement student, and she has since grown into her role as a Child and Youth Counselor. As CYC, Cassandra get to collaborate with other staff at Key Assets to ensure the children and youth in our care receive the best care and helping them develop the skills necessary to thrive.

    Passionate about teen mental health, Cassandra brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to her work.