Bruce Nugent

Bruce Nugent has been a Shelter House Board member since June 2017 and was elected to the position of Chair in March 2019. Bruce is passionate about Thunder Bay and social justice issues. He is a strong believer in a housing first philosophy and he also believes that affordable housing is a right and not a privilege. Bruce is a graduate of the Algonquin College Public Relations Program (1991) and of Leadership Thunder Bay (Class of 2012). Outside of Shelter House, Bruce is the Communications Officer for Lakehead Public Schools and has previously held similar positions at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit and at the Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital. He is also a proud Fort William Rotarian and spent many winters involved with Grandview Hockey as a coach and a convener.

Bruce has been married to his wife Sharlene for 24 years and together they are the proud parents of Liam, Aidan and Katie the family dog.

“Throughout my working career and through volunteering, I have had the opportunity to be involved in countless initiatives to help make our community a better place. I am proud to continue my commitment to our community as a member of the Shelter House Board.”

Wanda MacArthur

Shelly Hill

Shelley Hill is currently the Senior Accounting and Financial Analyst for Hydro One Remote Communities and has more than 20 years’ experience in the public sector accounting and financial management field. Shelley’s strong technical and analytical skills, as well as past experience serving on the Communities Together for Children Board of Directors, provide the board with a unique and fiscally-focused perspective.

Paul Capon

Currently political advisor at the Matawa First Nations Tribal Council in Thunder Bay, Paul Capon has had a number of years experience working with First Nations and Aboriginal groups. Since graduating with an Honours Degree in Political Science at Carleton University in Ottawa, Paul has worked exclusively within the Aboriginal Community. He has worked at the former Native Council of Canada, Nishnawbe-Aski Nation, Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres, Whitesand First Nation and the Ontario Native Women’s Associations in a variety of administrative and policy positions. This has given him a good cross-section of issues and experiences within the Aboriginal Community, especially in the areas of health, forestry, mining, education, and public administration. This experience has also brought extensive contact with Federal and Provincial governments. He has served on the Board of Governors of Lakehead University and other board of directors. He and his wife Margaret spend their summers at Silver Islet; they call Thunder Bay home and are involved in various community and church groups. He enjoys lighthouses, travel, opera, and swimming.

Tracy Buckler

Tracy Buckler is President and Chief Executive Officer of St. Joseph’s Care Group and has been with the organization for more than 30 years.

Tracy earned her Nursing Diploma from Sault College, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Lakehead University, and a Master of Health Studies in Leadership through Athabasca University. She is a Certified Health Care Executive with the Canadian College of Health Leaders.

Tracy is a past recipient of the Influential Women of Northern Ontario’s Executive of the Year Award and Lakehead University’s Alumni Honour Award. She is also a Board Member with the Thunder Bay Port Authority.

Tracy’s work involves development of partnerships and relationships throughout the community and the region. She cares deeply about the vulnerable population served by Shelter House and is pleased to be a member of the Board working to support the organization’s ongoing efforts to end homelessness.

Cindy Backen

My name is Cindy Backen. I am a new member of the Board at Shelter House. After being widowed at an early age and after raising my family, I am able to provide some service to my community. I am very humbled by having had such a long and great career as a social worker. I have enjoyed many friendships with colleagues and I have learned much from clients and their families. I look forward to serving the Shelter House community, listening to patrons and finding out what they need from us as an organization, as we move forward together.

Pia Hirvas-Kiiskla

Pia Hirvas-Kiiskila, CPA, CA joined the Shelter House Board Team in March 2019. She is passionate about giving back to the community, where housing is a first philosophy.  Pia is a graduate of the Honours Bachelor Commerce Program, Lakehead University (1996) and of Leadership Thunder Bay (Class of 2013). Currently, Pia is the Manager of Financial Services for the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board.   She is an enthusiastic lifelong resident of Thunder Bay and believes it is the best place to raise a family.  She is committed to giving back to the community in any way possible.

Thunder Bay provides an exceptional quality of life for her family and she would like to ensure that there are positive community support for all those living here.

Pia is married to Jeff and together they are the proud parents of Tia and Jordan.

Natalie Paavola

Ravi Gokani

Dr. Ravi Gokani is Assistant Professor of Social Work at Lakehead University’s School of Social Work, where he teaches social welfare, research, and religion and social work. His research areas include religion and social work, welfare, and policy; international social work; social justice; theory; and community development. His professional practice experience comes from about 10 years of micro- and macro-level community work, which includes but is not limited to front-line social work, research and evaluation, community outreach, and committee work.