Our Staff
At Family Councils Ontario, our strength lies in the people who power our mission. Our team is made up of dedicated professionals who bring a wide range of experiences from healthcare, education, nonprofit leadership, communications, and direct family care. What unites us is a shared commitment to empowering families and caregivers, improving the long-term care experience, and strengthening Family Councils across the province.
Sam (she/they) is passionate about helping people and groups achieve their goals. In her 16 years with Family Councils Ontario (formerly Family Councils’ Program) she has supported thousands of family members and long-term care home staff to improve their work to achieve the best possible outcomes and meaningful impacts. In their role as Executive Director, she focuses on building and maintaining relationships with funders, stakeholders, and community partners to carry out activities that support FCO's mission & develop strategies that enable the organization to create positive change within the long-term care sector.
Sam holds an Honours B.A. from York University. A dedicated lifelong learner, she also holds Advanced Client-Directed Case Management and Volunteer Management post-graduate certificates from Humber College, a Project Management Certificate from the University of Toronto, a Masters Certificate in Adult Training and Development from the Schulich Executive Education Centre. She is working on a Voluntary Sector Management Certificate from Toronto Metropolitan University.
Liane Pelissier
Deputy Director
Liane is passionate about making a difference and helping others, but most particularly those living, working and family members in LTC. She has 20 years of experience of working in a LTC home as a Resident and Family Services Coordinator, helping support residents and families as they transitioned into LTC. Part of her role was being the Staff Liaison for the home’s Family Council. Her years of experience helped her to develop great skills in communicating with and supporting families, residents and staff in LTC. Liane holds a background in Social Work. She is also Pieces and Ufirst Trained. She is a certified Gentle Persuasive Approach Coach through Behavioural Specialist of Ontario. Through the years she has gained knowledge, experience and training in Palliative Care, Customer Service and Person Centred Care Approach. Throughout her career in LTC she has been involved in Strategic Planning, Goal Planning, Accreditation and Ministry Compliance. In her personal life, Liane loves to spend time with her family creating memories. She enjoys listening to music and watching home improvement shows, providing her husband of 31 years with a lengthy to do list.
Natacha Dupuis
Programs Director
Natacha is a Registered Social Service Worker and has been involved with older adults in Northern Ontario since 2001. She was heavily involved with falls prevention for 12 years and co-chaired for 6 of those years. She started her career in the retirement home atmosphere and transitioned to not-for-profit work in 2007 as the Northern Ontario Area Manager for Osteoporosis Canada. Natacha knows and understands the North and what each committee has to offer in both official languages. In 2015, Natacha joined the Alzheimer’s Society of Sudbury and Manitoulin Island where she was the First Link coordinator and Family Counsellor where she went through extensive training to understand and help people and families deal with Dementia.
In her spare time she is a hockey mom to her young son and enjoys spending time with her family and aging grandmother.
Tiffany Fearon
Policy & Research Director
Tiffany is passionate about enhancing Long-Term Care through policy dialogue and community engagement to ensure Ontarians have equitable access to quality care. Tiffany holds an Honours B.A. from the University of Toronto in Gender Studies, Sociology and Criminology and obtained a Post Graduate Certificate with Honours in Alternative Dispute Resolution from Humber College. Her most recent academic feat was the completion of a Public Policy & Administration certificate from the University of Guelph. Tiffany joined the FCO team in 2018 to head Client Services and transitioned into the Policy & Research Manager position in Fall 2021. Although her role has shifted, she will continue to lead the organization’s Diversity & Inclusion and Conflict Resolution portfolios.
Tiffany has one daughter and is an avid dance and soccer mom. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, watching Netflix series, and spending time with family and friends.
Ioan Williams
Senior Manager, Communications and Events
With twenty years of experience working in non-profits, Ioan Williams brings a wealth of knowledge and a demonstrated passion for community engagement and innovative marketing strategies to the FCO Team. Ioan’s career is marked by a commitment to storytelling and a love for digital media, which have been pivotal in driving impactful campaigns and engaging diverse audiences.As a storyteller, Ioan has a knack for crafting compelling narratives that resonate with communities and rally people to the cause.
In their role at FCO, Ioan will strive to elevate our digital media products and build new ways for the wider FCO community to connect and strengthen one another. Their passion for community development, organizational capacity building, and accessibility will be instrumental in advancing our mission and fostering a more inclusive environment.
Outside of work, Ioan’s love for art in all its forms shines through. They spend their downtime running Tabletop Storytelling games at their local games cafe, painting, playing the guitar, and writing short fantasy novels, which they hope to publish one day. Ioan’s creative pursuits and dedication to storytelling reflect their vibrant personality and unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in everything they do.
Cathleen Edwards
Education and Research Manager
Cathleen brings her passion to support families and advocate for inclusion, drawing inspiration from her work as a Recreation Professional in Long-Term Care.
Cathleen holds an Honours Bachelor of Human Kinetics from the University of Windsor and a Master of Arts in Health & Physical Education from Brock University. While at Brock University, she completed the Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW) and earned her Graduate Teaching Assistant Practicum Certificate from the Centre for Teaching, Learning and Educational Technology. She is an experienced instructor, facilitating courses in Physical Education, Recreation and Gerontology at Brock University, the University of Alberta, Seneca College and Durham College.
Prior to commencing her new role with Family Councils Ontario, Cathleen was the Work package 1 Coordinator for AGEWELL based out of the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute and a Professor in the Activation Coordination in Gerontology Program at Durham College.
In her spare time she enjoys swimming, singing, playing her Alto Saxophone.
Cathleen holds an Honours Bachelor of Human Kinetics from the University of Windsor and a Master of Arts in Health & Physical Education from Brock University. While at Brock University, she completed the Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW) and earned her Graduate Teaching Assistant Practicum Certificate from the Centre for Teaching, Learning and Educational Technology. She is an experienced instructor, facilitating courses in Physical Education, Recreation and Gerontology at Brock University, the University of Alberta, Seneca College and Durham College.
Prior to commencing her new role with Family Councils Ontario, Cathleen was the Work package 1 Coordinator for AGEWELL based out of the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute and a Professor in the Activation Coordination in Gerontology Program at Durham College.
In her spare time she enjoys swimming, singing, playing her Alto Saxophone.
Taeyeoung Jung
Event & Project Manager
Taeyeoung Jung (he/him) is originally from Montreal, QC and holds a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Montreal. He moved to Toronto as soon as he graduated and is elated to be working as the event and project manager at FCO. He brings lots of experience in project management, public policy and communications. He has worked for several community centers and non-profit organizations throughout his academic career and hopes to bring all the skills and knowledge he has acquired to this role.
Outside of work, Taeyeoung loves to stay connected to his artistic side and attend live performances as well as participate in different creative projects. Travelling is also one of his biggest passions, having travelled to 40 countries.
Heather Webster
Outreach Coordinator
Heather Webster brings over 20 years of experience in long-term care leadership, recreation management, and family engagement to her role as Outreach Coordinator at Family Councils Ontario.
With a background in therapeutic recreation and gerontology, she has spent her career building bridges between families, residents, and care teams to enhance quality of life in long-term care. Before joining Family Councils Ontario, she served as a Resident Services Coordinator and Staff Educator in the long-term care sector, where she led family council meetings, delivered workshops, and supported collaborative problem-solving among staff and families.
Passionate about empowering families and strengthening community connections, Heather is dedicated to ensuring that every family has the tools, knowledge, and confidence to advocate for their loved ones and contribute meaningfully to the care community.
Outside of work, Heather is a proud mom of two, and dog lover, who enjoys road trips with her husband and kids—visiting family, exploring new places, and making memories along the way. On weekends, you’ll often find her cheering from the stands at the ballpark or curling rink, supporting her kids’ teams.
Taryn Jacquard
Administrative Coordinator
Taryn is an experienced administrative professional with more than 11 years of experience supporting senior leaders at an executive assistant level. She has spent the majority of her career in the not-for-profit sector, where she developed a strong appreciation for mission-driven work, along with hands-on experience in administrative operations and finance. Known for her reliability, organization, and people-first approach, Taryn is passionate about making a difference and helping others succeed. She brings care, professionalism, and attention to detail to everything she does, supporting teams and leaders so they can focus on their impact.
Outside of work, Taryn enjoys spending time with her family, especially her six-year-old. Much of her free time is spent at the hockey rink cheering him on, and she is highly involved in his school, where she volunteers regularly and stays actively engaged in the school community.
Tiffany Chiang
Intake Coordinator
Tiff (she/they) is a Registered Social Worker and holds an Honours B.A in Psychology and a Masters of Social Work. They have worked in social services and the education sector for over a decade, supporting youth and adults in challenging situations. As a passionate advocate for a more equitable society, you'll most likely find them supporting causes for anti-oppression and building community in BIPOC, neurodivergent, and 2SLGBTQIA+ spaces.
Tiff's hobbies include reading, gardening, and contemplating the meaning of life.