The Board of Directors is made up of like-minded individuals who strive to provide grief counseling services, resources, and support for the Guelph community.
The goal of our Board is to create a support-focused community for families in Guelph who are experiencing grief related to death and to provide a safe environment for those in need.
Susan Lambden, B.Sc, B.Ed.
Retired Sales Professional
Susan suffered the personal tragic loss of her son, Nicholas Lambden, in 2007. She was successful in finding bereavement support for herself, but was made aware of the lack of programs available for her daughter throughout their bereavement journey. Since then, she has found fulfillment in providing peer support to those who have also lost their children. She is most passionate about giving back to the community through her son’s foundation, which serves to support less fortunate youth through sports, education, and the arts.
Susan looks forward to supporting The Nightingale Centre’s mission in ensuring that bereaved children and youth will have a safe space to access the support and counselling that they need.
Madison Lambden, B.A.
Marketing Strategy and Operations at Terra View Homes
Madison is a strategic, purpose-driven leader in her active roles across the home building industry and not-for-profit sector. With over ten years of direct business and marketing experience across a number of industries, engaging in both business-to-business and business-to-customer settings, Madison has an innate ability to consistently deliver measurable results while building meaningful connections.
In 2022, Madison embarked on her journey in the continuation of her family business at Terra View Homes, where she now plays a key role in the strategic operational planning and implementation of various sales and marketing strategies for sustainable new home communities in Guelph and across southwestern Ontario.
Madison is a strong advocate for the charitable sector and an active volunteer in her community. In 2019, she co-founded The Nightingale Centre for Grieving Children, Youth, and Families after suffering the tragic loss of her brother, Nicholas, when she was 13 years old. She currently holds the position of Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors at The Nightingale Centre, where she also operates in various capacities across programming, fundraising, marketing and community engagement to boost grief literacy.
Throughout her career, Madison has witnessed the benefit of collaboration and connection in building healthier, compassionate, vibrant and more resilient communities. Her unique perspective, bridging both for-profit and not-for-profit sectors, has uniquely positioned her to positively contribute to the growth and support of communities on various levels.
Maddison Watson, B.A. (Hons.), J.D.
Personal Injury Lawyer
Maddison Watson is a Personal Injury Lawyer whose passion lies in helping others in their time of need. She holds a Juris Doctor degree from The University of Windsor, and a Bachelor of Arts (Criminal Justice and Public Policy & Family and Child Studies Specialization) degree from the University of Guelph. Maddison was an active student leader, participating in peer mentoring, advocacy for disability rights, and Indigenous justice.
As an infant, Maddison suffered the personal loss of her mother. Throughout her own grief journey, she lacked peer and professional support as a young child. This has fueled her desire to give back to grieving and bereaved individuals through The Nightingale Centre. She is eager to ensure that bereaved children and youth in her community have supports available to them. Maddison is passionate about making a positive impact on people’s lives and is thrilled to be a part of The Nightingale Centre to advance their mission.
Madison Parson, B.A.
Associate Consultant at Parson & Associates
Madison Parson is an Associate Consultant with Parson & Associates Private Wealth Management in Guelph. She receives fulfillment assisting clients with complex financial planning and being a resource during life’s milestones. Madison’s long-term professional goal is to empower and educate Canadians to be financially proficient, especially those in vulnerable communities.
Madison is a mom to 2 wonderful little boys and their beloved family dog. She and her family are avid philanthropists who provide significant support to many organizations in the Guelph, Woolwich & KW area.
After completing her degree at Wilfrid Laurier University in 2017, Madison returned to Guelph to join the family business. She now has the pleasure of raising her sons in the beautiful township of Woolwich.
Madison takes great pride in being involved with The Nightingale Centre.
Menah Kerr
Marketing Professional
Menah is a communications and marketing professional with a diverse portfolio of experiences from agency to corporate environments, and publicly traded to privately-owned companies. She joined Crozier’s marketing team in 2020 and now manages the marketing and communications team, and the company’s media relations.
Prior to joining Crozier, Menah developed and managed communications and marketing strategies for various clients that included digital campaigns, new brand implementations, press releases, shareholder letters, promotional materials, advertising, and website development. Her experience in both corporate and agency brings an array of diverse experience.
Leaving Toronto’s Financial District, Menah’s family settled in Guelph, Ontario, where she was recently a board director of a local foundation, often volunteering at various events around the city.
John Shearer
Mental Health Professional
John has had a professional career that closely intersects with the work that The Nightingale Centre does in the local community. Working with one of Canada’s largest bereavement sector employers, John spent 8 years as a senior manager and Regional Director of more than 10 cemeteries and funeral homes in Ontario. Having spent years working closely with grief John understands the unique impact it has on children and youth.
More recently, John made the decision to give back to his own community of Guelph in a more meaningful way and began the process of becoming a Social Worker and Psychotherapist. John has experience working with youth mental health, addictions, and housing, and is thrilled to be able to combine his bereavement and grief leadership experience in conjunction with his mental health training to ensure that The Nightingale Centre achieves its mission of ensuring bereaved children and youth will have the help and support that they need.
Michelle Rozanski
Family Lawyer
Michelle is a dedicated family law lawyer based in Guelph, Ontario, where she also grew up.
She earned her Honours Bachelor of Arts from McGill University in 2018 and graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2021.
Throughout her studies and now in her professional career, Michelle has demonstrated a strong commitment to community service and volunteerism, with a particular focus on supporting families and children during challenging times. Passionate about helping children and families through grief, she is honoured to serve on The Nightingale Centre’s Board of Directors, contributing to its mission of building a community of courage, hope, and resilience.
Scott Deslippe
Sales Professional
Scott Deslippe is a sales professional in the commercial plumbing industry. He enjoys adapting to each client's needs, often needing to be creative to find solutions. Setting, and then reaching goals, is constantly on his mind. He always ensures he knows his processes well enough, so that he can adapt to anything that comes his way.
When Scott was a youth he lost both his older brother to a car accident and his father after a long battle with cancer. While these moments had an understandably great effect on his life, it was obvious to him the lack of resources available to him as a teenager to help him cope with these losses.
He recently moved back to Guelph with his wife and looks forward to assisting The Nightingale Centre in ensuring that kids and youth get the help that wasn't available to him as a youth.
Christie Nahrgang
Business Owner / Operator
Christie is a dedicated mother, business owner, and advocate for grief support. Having experienced the profound losses of her father at age 13, as well as her brother and mother in adulthood, Christie brings deep empathy and lived experience to her work at The Nightingale Centre. She is passionate about creating spaces where children, youth, and families can navigate grief with support, understanding, and community. Outside of her work, Christie runs a successful local business and enjoys camping, cooking, and spending time with her family. Her personal journey fuels her commitment to helping others find light and connection, even in the darkest moments.
Andy Veilleux
Guelph Chamber of Commerce
Andy Veilleux is the President and CEO of the Guelph Chamber of Commerce. Andy believes in the power of communities and that community economic development will bring prosperity and wellness to everyone.
Andy is actively engaged in the community, sitting on numerous boards and committees. He believes positive, empathetic leadership is the only way to lead well. He is a lifelong learner with multiple degrees from across Canada, and he reads multiple books a week and is always looking for book recommendations.
In his spare time, you will find Andy at a soccer field, library or bookstore, or at a local café or restaurant.
Calvin Hyde
Sales Professional