Board of Directors
CAVEWAS is governed by a board of directors, which is comprised of elected members from across Canada. As a separate society CAVEWAS has a dedicated seat on the National Board of VRA Canada.
Francois Paradis, Director
I am a certified vocational evaluator with over 14 years of experience in the field of vocational assessment. My experience includes providing vocational evaluation services for WSIB, HRSDC, Veteran’s Affairs, Ontario Works, legal firms and Auto/Health Insurers. I completed a Master's of Art in Guidance Counselling at Laval University in Quebec in 1995. I obtained a GATB administrator certification in 2002 and became a Certified Vocational Evaluator (CVE) in 2006. I have been a member in good standing of the Canadian Association for Vocational Evaluation and Work Adjustment Society (CAVEWAS) as well as VRA Canada since 2007 and have been on CAVEWAS’ board of Directors since 2012. I am also a Certified Valpar Operator since 2009 and have been working actively as a vocational evaluator in the Greater Toronto Area since 2002.
I have obtained a Vocational Professional Master’s certificate (MCVP) in 2013. I am also a certified expert in Vocational Assessments and Transferable Skills Analysis in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice as of 2015. I am also a Canadian Certified Vocational Evaluator (CCVE) as of January 2016.
Jennifer Chladny, Past President
Jennifer Chladny received her B.A. in psychology from York University. She began working in the field of rehabilitation in 2000 and has been a registered rehabilitation professional (RRP) since 2005 with the Vocational Rehabilitation Association of Canada (VRA). She is a member in good standing with the College of Vocational Rehabilitation Professionals and holds a CVP (Certified Vocational Professional) designation. She is also a member in good standing with the Vocational Rehabilitation Association (VRA). Jennifer is currently working as a Director with Metrics Vocational Services. In addition, she has over 20 years of case management experience, working with a diverse client base. She believes in a collaborative, client-centered approach to assist clients in attaining their various goals. Jennifer believes that engagement in valued and meaningful activities is essential to optimize well-being and improve quality of life. Jennifer is currently President of the Board of Directors with the Canadian Assessment, Vocational Evaluation and Work Adjustment Society. In addition, she sits on the National VRA Board and is the Education Committee Chairperson.
Jennifer Griffiths, Director
With over 20 years experience with a keen focus on career counselling, employability support, and vocational assessment, Jennifer has gained acute insight and expertise into assisting adults with disabilities in career transition. Jennifer has worked on projects concentrating on vocational assessment and employment potential in both Canada and International markets. With a focus is on current employment trends, employability requirements and technology skills for employment, Jennifer has successfully implemented comprehensive resource tools for key customers . Target areas include identifying alternate occupations and utilizing vocational characteristics to assist in determining disability status.
With a Master's degree in Counselling and several professional qualifications in the vocational assessment and rehabilitation field, Jennifer's focal point throughout her career has been assisting individuals with barriers successfully integrate into the workforce . This approach soundly highlights her core belief that work is healthy. Jennifer has demonstrated her skills as a coach, assessor, trainer and manager in her longstanding role in the vocational assessment field and is regularly sought out as a vocational expert by customers and peers. Jennifer has participated in professional development initiatives as well as been a volunteer member with various vocational rehabilitation professional associations.
Lisa Timmons, Secretary
Lisa Timmons began her career at March of Dimes Canada 17 years ago. Over the years she has engaged in various roles including Vocational Evaluator, Transferable Skills Analysis Assessor, Case Manager, Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist, Program Coordinator and Team Lead for the Rehabilitation and Training Program. She recently became Quality Lead for Vocational Rehabilitation Services, responsible for review of all NeuroPsychoVocational, Neuropsychological, PsychoEducational, PsychoVocational, Psychological, Vocational and Transferable Skills Analysis reports across Canada for quality assurance purposes. Lisa also continues to conduct Vocational Assessments, Psychological and PsychoVocational Assessments under the supervision of a psychologist. Lisa has numerous years of experience working with a diverse client base as well as collaborative interaction with referral sources, professionals including occupational therapists, psychologists, and assessors. She also has direct supervisory experience within a growing department.
Lisa has a General Bachelor of Arts degree as well as an Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology through Lakehead University. She is a CAVEWAS member in good standing, and holds the Registered Rehabilitation Professional (R.R.P.), Certified Vocational of Rehabilitation Professional (C.V.R.P.) and Canadian Certified Vocational Evaluator (C.C.V.E.) designations.
Maja Wojcik-Marano, Director
Maja Wojcik-Marano received her Master’s Degree in Pedagogy from Catholic University of Lublin, Poland in 1987, which was deemed comparable to a four-year Bachelor Degree in Education in Ontario.
She has been working as Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist for over 17 years and as Psychometrist and Vocational Evaluator for over 15 years.
She has extensive experience in rehabilitation, employment and career counselling, disability management, and conducts transferable skills analysis, vocational evaluations, psycho-vocational, psycho-educational and neuro-psycho-vocational assessments. She is Registered Rehabilitation Professional (RRP) with Vocational Rehabilitation Association of Canada and Canadian Certified Vocational Evaluator (CCVE) with College of Vocational Rehabilitation Professionals. She is a member in good standing with the College of Vocational Rehabilitation Professionals and Vocational Rehabilitation Association of Canada.
Marg Smith, President
Marg Smith received her B. A. in Psychology from Mount Allison University, in Sackville, New Brunswick. She began working in the field of rehabilitation in 1985 and has over 33 years of work experience at the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board of Ontario. She worked in many capacities both in vocational rehabilitation; disability and case management; and as a Manager in Service Delivery and Work Transition. She is currently working as a Vocational Rehabilitation Consultant, Psychometrist, Vocational Evaluator and Life Care Planner. Ms. Smith has extensive experience in rehabilitation and employment counselling, disability management, and has conducted vocational, psycho-vocational, psycho-educational assessments and life care planning assessments. Ms. Smith is a Registered Rehabilitation Professional with the Vocational Rehabilitation Association of Canada and holds the RRP (Registered Rehabilitation Professional), CVRP (Certified Vocational Rehabilitation Professional) and CCVE (Canadian Certified Vocational Evaluator) designations, and is a member in good standing with the College of Vocational Rehabilitation Professionals.
Mary Virio, Treasurer
Mary Virio has acquired over 20 years’ experience in vocational rehabilitation working with a variety of providers such as insurance firms, the WSIB, and Veteran’s Affairs. She has worked as a Vocational Evaluator, Vocational Rehabilitation Consultant, Work Transition Manager, Program Quality Manager, and Manager of Labour Market Information. She has interpreted and analyzed hundreds of psycho-vocational assessments. As a Program Quality Manager, she conducted audits on psycho-vocational assessments to ensure the reports were of high quality. Since 2018 she has been employed with Metrics Vocational Services as a Vocational Evaluator and has conducted over 200 vocational assessments. She has an Honours Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Certificates in Quality Management, Human Resources and Strategy & Risk Management. Ms. Virio has been a member of the Vocational Rehabilitation Association of Canada since 2007. She holds the RRP (Registered Rehabilitation Professional), CVRP (Certified Vocational Rehabilitation Professional) and RTWDM (Return to Work Disability Management) designations and is a member in good standing with the College of Vocational Rehabilitation Professional.
Melissa Bissonnette, Director
Melissa Bissonnette works full-time as a Vocational Rehabilitation Consultant as well as a Psychometrist/Vocational Assessor. Melissa Bissonnette has worked within Vocational Rehabilitation and Labour Market Re-Entry Services with the WSIB, Private Rehabilitation Companies, Veteran’s Affairs and major insurance companies since 2003. She has extensive experience in Vocational and Employment Counselling, Transferable Skills Analysis, Vocational Rehabilitation, Job Placement, and Employment Assistance Services.
Ms. Bissonnette holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, is certified with the Progressive Goal Attainment Program (PGAP) through the University Centre for Research on Pain and Disability and has received training in return to work coordination and Vocational Principals, Theories and Techniques through Canadian Assessment, Vocational Evaluation and Work Adjustment Society (CAVEWAS). She is a Registered Rehabilitation Professional (RRP), Canadian Certified Vocational Evaluator (CCVE), Certified Vocational Rehabilitation Professional (CVRP), is a member in good standing with the Vocational Rehabilitation Association (VRA) and the College of Vocational Rehabilitation Professionals (CVRP). She is also a professional member as well as sits on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Assessment Vocational Evaluation and Work Adjustment Society (CAVEWAS).
Renee Daudlin-Iacobelli, Past President
With over 25 years of experience working within Vocational Rehabilitation and Labour Market Re-Entry Services with the WSIB and Private Rehabilitation Companies, Renee is skilled in Vocational and Employment Counselling, Employee Assistance Counselling, Transferable Skills Analysis, Vocational Rehabilitation, Job Placement, and Disability Management Consulting. She has extensive experience working with people living with disabilities, mental health concerns, and chronic illness.
Renee holds a Master’s of Education in Adult Education, Undergraduate Degree in Sociology and a Post Degree Diploma in Art Therapy. She has completed training in Life Care Planning, Progressive Goal Attainment Program and is a Mental Health First Aid and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training Instructor. She is a Canadian Certified Rehabilitation Counsellor (CCRC), Registered Rehabilitation Professional (RRP), and is a Masters Certified Vocational Professional (MCVP) with the College of Vocational Rehabilitation Professionals (CVRP).
Renee owns and operates Insight Advantage Inc, a full service disability management and training company employing 18 staff and providing rehabilitation services throughout Southwestern Ontario.
Teri Pereira, Director
Teri has 26 years of experience as a Rehabilitation Consultant to auto insurers, disability insurers, and WSIB. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and Psychology. She is a Registered Rehabilitation Professional and a Registered Vocational Professional with The Vocational Rehabilitation Association (VRA), a Certified Vocational Rehabilitation Professional (CVRP) and Canadian Certified Vocational Evaluator with the College of Vocational Professionals (CVRP) a professional and Board member of the Canadian Assessment, Vocational Evaluation and Work Adjustment Society (CAVEWAS) and an associate member of the American Board of Vocational Evaluators (ABVE).