HRPAN Board of Directors

Paddi Riopelle, CHRP – Past President (priopelle@hrpan.ca)
Paddi is the founder of HR Off-Site Human Resources Solutions, a consultancy firm serving the Human Resources needs of small and medium businesses. Paddi apprenticed in Human Resources with National Defense in Ottawa and London, Ontario while pursuing post-secondary education in the field. Over the past 22 years, Paddi has acquired a wealth of experience in progressively senior HR positions in the public, non-profit and private sectors. Paddi is looking forward to her role as Past President after serving two terms as President. 

Grant Armstrong, CHRP – Vice President (garmstrong@hrpan.ca)
Grant Armstrong has 30 years of experience in the private and public sector.  Dr.  Armstrong has held senior Operations and HR positions in the Manufacturing and Financial industry, and is currently employed with the Regional Government of Niagara. He holds undergraduate degrees in business and educational disciplines and is a part-time instructor in the Faculty of Business and with the Management Development Centre at Brock University. His primary focus over the last 15 years has been in the field of Organizational and Leadership Development and he has done extensive research in this area.  In addition he has held a number of volunteer Board positions in the past including the United Way Leadership Champion 2010 & 2011 Niagara Region Campaign; Director, Niagara Peninsula Credit Union Chapter, Chair- Niagara College Customized Training & Consulting Customer Advisory Committee; and, Chair, Niagara Peninsula Industrial Accident Prevention Association.  Dr. Armstrong also specializes in consulting and leadership coaching in association with C. Burt and Associates.

Lisa Kuiper - Finance Director (lkuiper@hrpan.ca)
As the employer Development/Marketing Coordinator with Career Services at Brock University, Lisa is soley responsible for the financial management of her department's marketing and event budgets. Working within the Human Resources field for over 15 years Lisa has a wide variety of experience related to recruitment, event management, and employer development. She previously held positions with Human Resources Development Canada (now Service Canada) and continues to work for the Public Service Commission on their Post-Secondary Recruitment Campaign. She studies Sociology at Brock University with a specific interest in Labour Relations. Lisa has obtained her Certified Special Events Planning (CESP) certificate and is an active member of the (International Special Events Society) ISES and Career Association for Career Educators and Employers (CACEE). Lisa welcomes the opportunity to serve the needs of the HRPAN membership and enthusiastically represent HRPAN in the community.

Lucia Szeplaki, CHRP – Special Events Coordinator (lszeplaki@hrpan.ca)
With over 20 years experience in business, Lucia has worked for KPMG as a Human Resources Coordinator and for Niagara College as a Human Resources Consultant and a Co-op Consultant. Currently at Niagara College she holds the position of Development Officer in the Continuing Education Department. As a Development Officer, Lucia is responsible for the management of the Strategic Business Unit that oversees the delivery of courses in the area of Business, Mathematics and Horticulture. She holds a degree in business from Brock University, and she received her CHRP designation in 2000. Lucia is excited to be a part of the HRPAN Board of Executives and is looking forward to working with other Board members to make the year ahead a great success.

Vilma Torres-Zannis, CHRP Candidate – Director at Large (vtorres@hrpan.ca)
Vilma currently holds the position of Human Resource Administrator with Fleet Canada Inc. Vilma has worked in the Human Resources field for over five years and has a wide variety of experience as a generalist. On a part-time basis, Vilma has been working towards completing her Business Administration - Human Resources Diploma. Vilma is looking forward to her second year on the Board and building new relationships with a highly experienced group of HR professionals and to serve the needs of the HRPAN membership.

Erin Fortino, CHRP - Membership Director (efortino@hrpan.ca)  
Erin is currently the Human Resources Generalist with Vintage Hotels.  She has worked in the Human Resources field for four years and has had the opportunity to focus on areas including Recruitment and Health and Safety.  Erin holds a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree with a concentration in Human Resources Management from Brock University, and a diploma in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Niagara College.  She received her CHRP designation in 2009.  Erin is proud to be a part of the HRPAN and promote membership within our community.  Erin welcomes the opportunity to be a part of the HRPAN Board of Directors and to represent the HRPAN according to the vision and goals that it stands for.

André Moreau, CHRP – Government Relations / Student Liaison Director (amoreau@hrpan.ca)
André’s Human Resources experience goes back more than 25 years, first in the service industry and then later in large volume Retail Sales & Service management, and later as an Employee Benefits Specialist. André is currently acting as a volunteer for The Child Advocacy Centre Niagara, assisting with HR and other activities. André is a Niagara Scholar having completed the 3 year Human Resources Business Administration co-op program with Honours. He received the designation of CHRP in 2009. During the 5 years that he has been a member of the HRPAN, André has volunteered at every opportunity including 2 years on the Communications Committee.  Most members will recognize André as the Feedback Card Collector.

Sarah Lynch – Secretary (slynch@hrpan.ca)
Sarah has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Popular Culture, as well as a post-graduate diploma in Human Resources Management, along with several years of experience working in increasingly responsible sales and store management positions while attending school full time. In her role as Human Resources Coordinator with TRW Canada Limited, her responsibilities are centered on coordinating day to day human resources activities, while also concentrating on achieving several long term goals and objectives. Sarah's work experience has taught her how to manage and organize projects and remain consistent and concise in reports. Sarah has been an active HRPAN member since she started her schooling in HR. She enjoys seeing so many people from the region come out and support the Association. Sarah looks forward to contributing to the HRPAN Board and our members as they have supported her over the past few years while continuing to learn and enhance her knowledge of human resources.

Marcey Saunders, CHRP – Communications Director (msaunders@hrpan.ca)
Marcey has over 20 years of progressive Human Resources experience, and is currently Director, Human Resources at Henry Schein Canada, where she has responsibility for all aspects of HR and is a member of the Executive team. Henry Schein, a distributor of dental, medical and veterinary products and equipment, is a Fortune 500 company with an impressive reputation for community service through Henry Schein Cares. Prior she was Associate Vice President, Talent Acquisition & Development at Canadian Tire Financial Services (CTFS), where her accountabilities included leading the leadership and talent development, staffing, and HR generalist consulting teams. She also has experience leading employee relations, compensation & benefits, HR technology and corporate communications at CTFS. Marcey has a BA from the University of Western Ontario, a Certificate in Human Resources Management, and received her CHRP designation in 1993. Marcey has enjoyed her two years on the Board building new relationships and she looks forward to contributing to continuing to strengthen the value of the HRPAN over the coming year.

Debbie Bray, CHRP – Program Director (dbray@hrpan.ca)
Debbie has been working within the Human Resources field for more than 20 years and currently holds the position of Human Resources Coordinator with Community Living – Grimsby, Lincoln & West Lincoln. Her portfolio includes Health, Safety and Wellness, Disability Claims Management, Recruitment/Retention and Training and Development. Debbie graduated from Mohawk College in Human Resources, Brock University’s "Human Services Leadership" program and Queens University’s "Human Resources Management in Action" program. Debbie has enjoyed her first two years volunteering on the Board in the role of Program Director, and is looking forward to facilitating another year of programming that will bring value to our membership.