Our Dedicated Board Of Directors
Erin Amirault- President
Erin Amirault is Associate Director, Finance Operations and Systems for the Regional Municipality of Niagara. Prior to joining the Region, Erin held progressively more senior finance and accounting roles across several industries including manufacturing, retail, travel, and not-for-profit. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Saint Mary’s University and an MBA from Brock University.
For over 15 years, Erin and her family have called Lincoln home. She proudly serves as the president of the YWCA board of directors, having previously held the roles of secretary and vice-president. Prior to her work with the YWCA, Erin served as chair of the board for a non-profit organization operating 20 childcare centres across Niagara. She is passionate about the YWCA’s vision of “an equitable society where women and families thrive” and appreciates the opportunity to share her skills to contribute to an organization making a meaningful impact in Niagara communities.
Heather Salter- Vice President
Heather is a retired lawyer with a 30-year career as an in-house municipal solicitor and senior leader with the City of St. Catharines, Town of Fort Erie and City of Greater Sudbury. As a professional working in the public service, Heather advocated for communities and finding solutions to improve the lives of all residents, and used her status as a senior female leader to bring a gendered lens to her workplace and to promote women’s representation and success in
leadership roles. Heather is married and the mother of two adulting children, and an avid modern quilter. She believes that a full and balanced life includes creative expression and lifelong learning.
Emily Petro- Treasurer
Emily is a manager at Durward Jones Barkwell & Company where she provides accounting and assurance services to businesses in various industries in the Niagara Region and surrounding areas. Emily joined DJB in 2021 as a senior staff accountant after starting her career as a co-op student at a national firm in 2017. Emily received her CPA designation in February 2023 after graduating from Brock University in 2021 with a Bachelor of Accounting (Honours) degree with First Class Standing and a Master of Accountancy degree. As part of her Bachelor’s degree, she studied in England at Aston University for a semester.
Emily grew up in the Niagara Region, where she played competitive hockey. She continues to stay active by playing golf and various other sports. Emily places heavy importance on giving back to the community where she was raised. She finds herself in many traditionally male-dominated spaces and works to promote women’s representation in these areas.
Lori Littleton- Secretary
Lori Littleton is a St. Catharines mother of three, who is a Certified Financial Planner with IG Wealth Management. A former newspaper reporter (Niagara Falls Review, Brantford Expositor, St. Catharines Standard) and magazine editor, Lori is also a former City Councillor, having represented Merritton from 2018-22. She published her first novel, In Repair, in October 2024. She enjoys reading, long distance running and travelling with her husband, Kris Bremner, to warmer places. Lori is also a board member of the St. Catharines Public Library, St. Catharines Tennis Club, Equal Voice Niagara Chapter, and is a member of the Niagara Region Women's Advisory Committee.
Kate Chiera
Kate is a manager at Durward Jones Barkwell & Company where she provides accounting, assurance and tax services to not-for-profit organizations and privately held, owner-managed businesses in a variety of industries. Kate received her Chartered Professional Accountant designation in 2020 after graduating from Brock University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Accounting (Honours) degree with First Class Standing. She also completed an international exchange at the University of Torino in Italy.
Kate is a lifelong Niagara resident and an active member of the community, participating in various charity events and initiatives, including offering personal tax preparation services to vulnerable members of the community.
During her spare time, Kate is an avid traveler and has been to over 20 countries.
Yomade Olagunju
Yomade is a dedicated advocate for social justice, a Nigerian feminist, and a committed member of the Niagara community. With a background in Critical Criminology and Sociology at Brock University, she brings a unique perspective to the YWCA, informed by her lived experience as a Black woman, an immigrant, and a former refugee. Her decision to join the YWCA Board of Directors stems from her passion for empowering marginalized communities, particularly women of color and she is deeply committed to advancing gender equity, combating systemic barriers, and supporting initiatives that uplift low-income and marginalized individuals. On the Board, Yomade focuses on ensuring that the voices of Black and Indigenous women are heard and valued. Her impact is seen in her drive to push for culturally sensitive and community-driven programs that address the unique challenges faced by women of color in Niagara.
Beyond academia and community engagement, Yomade finds solace and joy in the realm of music. During her free time, you'll likely find her immersed in DJing. She embodies a harmonious balance between academic pursuits, social advocacy, and the soulful rhythms that define her cultural heritage.
Caitlin Szczepanowski
Caitlin is a Brock alumnus with a Bachelor of Arts in Women’s and Gender Studies and a Master of Arts in Social Justice and Equity Studies. She works with the Centre for Women’s and Gender Studies at Brock University, and with an organization that does workplace assessments and human rights investigations. Caitlin’s professional and academic work has been informed by feminist theories, anti-oppression frameworks, identity, access to resources, empowerment, and technology. She is inspired by the excellent work done at the YWCA and other organizations across the Niagara Region.
Stacey is the owner and Clinical Director at Grounding Balance Wellness & Psychotherapy. Stacey grew up in the Niagara Region and is strongly rooted in her passions. She knew from an early age that supporting individuals throughout their journeys was her calling. As a Registered Psychotherapist, a core value in Stacey’s practice is to holistically support a person by weaving mental and emotional support in with their physical wellness. Stacey’s passion for advocacy has aligned her with many community-based organizations such as the Women in Niagara Council and the Niagara Region Women’s Advisory Committee. Stacey connects strongly with the YWCA’s values and voices. In her personal world, Stacey enjoys being physically active, spending time with her animals and travelling.
Stacey Stemplowski
Sally has over 25 years of dedicated service with the YMCA, demonstrating a proven ability to adapt, grow, and excel across various roles, departments, and locations within the Niagara Region. Currently serving as the Centre Manager at the Port Colborne YMCA, Sally’s career is built on a foundation of fostering strong, meaningful relationships, and leading and collaborating effectively with diverse teams.
A passionate advocate for personal wellbeing, Sally is committed to helping others achieve their health and fitness goals. She actively contributes to this mission through her leadership of group fitness classes and as a YMCA Canada Educator. In her role as the YMCA of Niagara’s Fitness Lead, she is responsible for planning, leading, and evaluating YMCA Certification Courses and Trainer’s Courses, helping to develop the next generation of YMCA leaders.
Outside of her professional life, Sally enjoys spending quality time with her family, including her two daughters, and is excited to soon become a grandmother. She values outdoor activities, whether gardening or hiking, and has a deep appreciation for the arts, expressing her creativity in various forms.
Sally Jane Southern-Grice
Katie Clarkson
Katie is an active owner of a construction company within the Niagara region, specializing in general contracting of commercial and residential projects. Alongside her love of architecture, Katie also enjoys event coordination in the non-profit sector after receiving her Post-Graduate degree in Event Management.
Katie has been a resident of the Niagara region all her life and has contributed over 9000 volunteer hours back to our community. Katie is a long-time advocate of hard work and equality, and this reflects in all of the different kinds of projects that she takes on.
Jo-Ann Boyle-Jackson, a lifelong learner with a broad sociological perspective, is deeply committed to social responsibility, philanthropy, and community engagement. Jo-Ann is currently a Director on the Boards of Gillian’s Place and the Rosalind Blauer Centre for Child Care and was previously a member of Brock University’s Social Science Research Ethics Board. With extensive managerial experience in the financial sector and a solid educational foundation, including a Master of Arts in Critical Sociology, an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Canadian Politics, Jo-Ann is currently pursuing further growth through Brock University's Adult Education Certificate Program. Jo-Ann’s passion for education also shaped her experiences as a Teaching Assistant at Brock University and an Instructor at Niagara College. Through her experiences, Jo-Ann developed skills in governance, strategic planning, and human resources. Jo-Ann also has a history of volunteerism in the Niagara Region including being a crisis-line responder, rescue dog foster, member of Ridley College’s Family Guild, a co-op store volunteer, and a community homelessness outreach volunteer.
In her free time, Jo-Ann enjoys reading, going to the theatre, and visiting Niagara’s wineries and restaurants, while prioritizing her family above all else.
Jo-Ann Boyle-Jackson
Noella Iradukunda
Noella is child protection worker at FACS, where she advocates for the well-being and rights of children facing difficult situations. She completed her education at Laurentian University and began her career at the YWCA, taking on various roles in crisis management and supervision. Across her diverse positions, one consistent theme has emerged: Noella is dedicated to advocate for individuals in different areas and for social change.
In her role at FACS, Noella not only conducts comprehensive assessments and collaborates with families and community organizations but also vigorously defends children’s rights. She develops customized support plans to ensure the safety and stability of children, making it her mission to uphold their well-being. Her work closely aligns with the mission of the YWCA, as she aims to create safe and nurturing environments for individuals at-risk, empowering them to flourish. Outside of her professional life, Noella is a true foodie who loves discovering new restaurants and trying a variety of cuisines.