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.
Francis Fung
Mr. Francis Fung is currently a program manager in the Employment Services division of March of Dimes Canada, an agency with over 65 years of experience providing support to people with disabilities. His national portfolio focuses on Vocational Rehabilitation and Training services.
Francis began his career as a statistical research analyst, and worked as an assessment consultant in the private sector for a number of years, conducting vocational evaluations as well as coordinating Independent Medical Examinations (IME) involved with insurance claims. He has also performed various assessments under the supervision of a number of psychologists. Since 2007, Francis has operated in the non-profit sector and managed a wide range of rehabilitation and pre-employment services for low income residents, new immigrants, individuals who have experienced homelessness, and people with disabilities. He has over 15 years of practical experience in psychometric testing and extensive knowledge in program development.
Francis has a Bachelor of Science degree (B.Sc.) in Psychology and Community Development. He also holds a Pan Canadian Master of Education degree (M.Ed.) with a specialization in Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies. He is a former Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialist (CVE) and Career & Employment Information Specialist (CEIS). Francis held the designations of Registered Rehabilitation Professional (RRP) and Registered Vocational Professional (RVP) designation granted by the Vocational Rehabilitation Association of Canada (VRA) for ten years. He has also achieved the diplomate status (CVRP-D) with the College of Vocational Rehabilitation Professionals (CVRP) and obtained the Canadian Certified Vocational Evaluator Diplomate (CCVE-D) credential.
Francois Paradis
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.
Jeff Cohen
Jeff is currently the acting president of Vocational Alternatives Inc. – a full-service vocational consulting firm specializing in assessment and rehabilitation within the insurance, legal, employment and private sectors. Jeff has been employed in the field of vocational rehabilitation since 2003. He is experienced in assessing claimants injured in various capacities including motor vehicle accidents, slip and fall injuries and workplace injuries among others. He has worked extensively with those suffering from significant medical, emotional and physical disabilities of various onset including but not limited to those who have suffered severe orthopedic injuries, minor, moderate and severe head injuries as well as other neurological, psychological and cognitive injuries. Jeff has worked in both forensic and rehabilitation settings. He has provided assessment services to lawyers and others in the legal community as well as vocational rehabilitation counselling, planning and placement services to transitioning youth and adults. Jeff has been certified as an expert in Vocational Evaluation and Rehabilitation by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. He is a professional member of the Vocational Rehabilitation Association of Canada (VRAC) and is currently an active board member with the Canadian Assessment Vocational Evaluation and Work Adjustment Society (CAVEWAS).
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
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.
Jodi Webster
Jodi Webster has been working in the field of Vocational Rehabilitation since 2008. She has a Graduate Certificate in Forensic Vocational Rehabilitation from the University of Florida and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia. She holds Canadian Certified Vocational Evaluator (CCVE) and Certified Vocational Rehabilitation Professional (CVRP) designations through the College of Vocational Rehabilitation Professionals. She is also a Registered Rehabilitation Professional (RRP) through the Vocational Rehabilitation Association of Canada (VRA). In addition to her work with the CAVEWAS Board of Directors, she is also a member of the American Board of Vocational Experts (ABVE) and the International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals (IARP).
Her background also includes over 20 years of military experience, including work as a Military Career Counsellor, where she worked with applicants to all branches and occupations of the Canadian Forces.
Her current practice includes vocational evaluation, employability assessments, transferable skills analyses, psychometric testing, comprehensive labour market research, return to work coordination, job coaching and job skills assistance. She provides vocational rehabilitation to injured workers suffering from a wide range of physical and psychological conditions.
Marg Smith, Treasurer
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.
Melissa Bissonnette
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), 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).
Paul Holtby
Paul has served on the CAVEWAS board of directors since 2006 to the present time. He has worked in vocational rehabilitation since 1991 and primarily conducts vocational evaluations and labour market surveys. He manages a small consulting business in southern Ontario conducting assessments for various types of agencies and clients. He is a Certified Vocational Evaluator (CVE), and a Canadian Certified Vocational Evaluator (CCVE). He is continuously upgrading his skills and is currently taking courses in Human Resources Management and Occupational Health and Safety.
Renee Daudlin-Iacobelli, 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, Secretary
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).