About

Executive Director Bo Turpin has been with Upstream Ottawa Mental Health Community Support for over 20 years, 17 of which were at the helm of the organization. With a passion for client-centred, community-based mental health services, he continues to demonstrate leadership and innovation in this space.

Katie Taylor has worked in technology for nearly a decade, supporting organizations, including Crown corporations, start-ups, and consulting firms. She now works as a Manager of Platform Operations in the Federal Government, striving to reimagine project timelines to enable more efficient and effective delivery of services to Canadians. Katie is passionate about bringing positive change regarding mental health in our community.

Sheldon Mellis has worked with non-profit organizations over the past five years to design, develop and deliver mental health-based programs to respond to the needs of diverse groups. He is an advocate for equitable health care for all marginalized and racialized communities and ensuring that individuals who are impacted by policies and practice are involved in decision-making. During his free time, you will find Sheldon flipping through secondhand cookbooks and experimenting with new recipes.

Nik Karajovic is a Chartered Professional Accountant and Chartered Business Valuator who hopes to assist the mental health community in Ottawa by leveraging his financial and business knowledge. In his spare time, Nik enjoys going to the gym, listening to new music, learning new things, and watching anime.

Véronique Joncas’ professional career centres around increasing access to quality mental health care. She values spending time with her family and friends, has a passion for health equity and social justice issues, and enjoys learning about the different ways of living, being and knowing across the globe.

Courtney Smith has a wide variety of professional experience and education in human resources, health administration, applied health sciences, and communication. Her personal and professional goals are linked to promoting community health services and programs to all. She enjoys playing soccer, cottaging, reading, and any activities with family and friends.

Melonie Bidgood has been a member of the board for over 12 years representing the client experience of Upstream Ottawa. She brings her perspective as well as the input of other clients in the community to her role on the board. In her spare time, she likes to create crafts for family and friends, swim at the local pool and talk endlessly about her 3 daughters.

Kelsey Cloutier has worked in Stakeholder Relations, Development, and Communications for almost a decade. Driven by personal and family experiences, he’s on a mission to bridge the gap between what’s available, and what is needed for mental health services in Ottawa.

Patrick Dare worked in the newspaper business for 30 years, mostly with the Ottawa Citizen, then became a public servant at the City of Ottawa. Patrick and his wife enjoy spending time with their two daughters and granddaughters. He wishes to see enhanced mental health services for the people of Ottawa

Patrick Dare worked in the newspaper business for 30 years, mostly with the Ottawa Citizen, then became a public servant at the City of Ottawa. Patrick and his wife enjoy spending time with their two daughters and granddaughters. He wishes to see enhanced mental health services for the people of Ottawa

Eddie Gillis is a long-time labour relations executive who is also an adjunct professor at Queen’s University. He wants to make a contribution to better mental health outcomes in the community through his work with Upstream. His passion for travel and learning takes him to destinations far and wide.

Brett has worked for ten years in Ottawa as a lawyer, with a practice focused on commercial litigation and construction, and he hopes to use his legal and commercial knowledge to support Upstream Ottawa in its mission. In his spare time, Brett enjoys reading, theatre, camping, and spending time with his wonderful partner and two sons.

Jenna MacLeod is hotelier at heart with over 20 years’ experience in the Hospitality sector. Her passion for helping people was discovered when she spent time as a volunteer ski patroller and volunteer firefighter. In her spare time, Jenna enjoys golfing, playing volleyball and building cushion forts with her son Ryder.

Zak Blais is a Management Consultant with federal government expertise in Canada and the United States, in areas including international trade and development. Zak is experienced in policy development, government relations, and project management.

Serena Lynch, a client of Upstream for the past few years, attests to the outstanding services provided by the team. With a background in Psychology and Victim Services, Serena possesses a unique understanding of the complexities of navigating mental health care in Canada, having seen it from both the provider and client perspectives. Her passion for intersectionality and diversity in mental health underscores her commitment to fostering a more inclusive and compassionate approach to mental health. Beyond her involvement with Upstream, Serena is an avid video gamer, a connoisseur of film and music, and actively engages with the art scene in Ottawa.