Shannon Bernard (she/her) was born and raised in Elliot Lake. Her advocacy has included organizing for change, giving presentations to the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Finance, and working on issues that she says have resulted in legislative change and funding being allocated to the cause. Drawing on her lived experience and academic journey, Shannon is interested in addressing systemic gaps, social determinants of health, and the conditions that allow people in her community to thrive.

Wanda Berton-Heyerichs has lived in Greater Sudbury for most of her life and currently lives in Ward 9. Her professional background spans community development, human resources, mental health, corrections, administration, and supervisory roles. She has worked with Canadian Blood Services, the Canadian Mental Health Association, and the Northeast Mental Health Centre. Wanda holds diplomas in Human Resources Management and Correctional Services from Cambrian College, as well as an International Montessori Teacher Diploma in Early Childhood from NAMC. A mother and grandmother, she has lived, worked, and raised her family in different parts of Sudbury.

Christel Brandle (she/her) has been a member of the Greater Sudbury community for 25 years. She has spent decades volunteering in the community and, for the past 15 years, has been the superintendent/assistant superintendent of Lively Apartments, a nine-storey, 132-unit apartment building. Her work has included dealing with aging infrastructure and ensuring upgrade projects were planned, overseen, and carried through within budget.

Jo-Ann Cardinal (she/her) has a professional background spanning personal banking, administration, political support, and quality assurance. She spent approximately ten years in personal banking and has also provided administrative support to an Assistant Vice-President, worked as a Political Attachée, and served as a Quality Assurance Manager. Through these roles, Jo-Ann has developed experience evaluating information, understanding financial matters, managing competing priorities, examining processes, and communicating about people’s concerns.

Cora DeMarco (she/her) is a lifelong Greater Sudbury resident, wife, mother, and human resources professional. She is the Manager of Human Resources and People Development at Technica Mining, previously chaired the Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce board, and has served on the Prevention Council of Ontario's Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development since 2020.

Maggie Horsfield (she/her) is the current Deputy Mayor of North Bay. First elected to Council in 2022, she represents the city on several boards, including FONOM, the North Bay Police Service Board, and DNSSAB. Maggie has worked at Nipissing University for more than 12 years and is currently the Government & Foundations Relations Officer. She is a recipient of the Nipissing University Distinguished Alumni Award and the North Bay & District Chamber of Commerce Young Professional of the Year Award.

Johanna Kristolaitis (she/her) has worked as an educator, entrepreneur, communications specialist, event coordinator, and community organizer, and has also experienced unemployment and receiving social assistance. Through these experiences, she has developed skills in critical thinking, research, planning, budgeting, supervision, rapport building, and resourcefulness. Johanna believes North Bay can become a more accessible and sustainable city where people are welcomed and valued, and that City Council should include a wider range of voices, including people with lived experience of low-income issues.

Jeanette Laurin (she/her) has called West Nipissing home since 1990. Born in Newfoundland and raised in Sudbury, she holds a degree in Sociology and has built her career working in education and supporting youth. She has also worked as a hairstylist and has volunteered with school parent committees, figure skating committees, school trips, and various community organizations. As a mother, educator, and longtime community member, Jeanette cares deeply about the future of West Nipissing and the opportunities available to its youth and families.