Forward House recognizes the value and importance of our Direct Support Professionals, Managers and Directors who are the heart of our organization. With a team of 200 and growing, are the team leaders and team members working day and night to ensure the excellence of services and supports.
Our Teams
Meet our Direct Support Professionals
Meet our Managers
Tate has been a Manager of various residential programs since 2006 after working as a Direct Support Professional at Forward House from 1995-2005. Interestingly, he completed one of his placements at Forward House before graduating from the Developmental Services Diploma program. Tate spent years providing supports for individuals with acquired brain injuries. He has also completed a management certificate at Western. On his days off, Tate can be found fly fishing in the Thames River.
Samantha joined Forward House in late 2024 after working over 10 years in Children’s mental Health. Samantha worked in various roles including programs which focused on dual diagnosis, custody and crisis response.
Samantha is a Manager of several intensive support programs and a Child
and Youth worker graduate from Fanshawe College. In her spare time, Samantha enjoys the outdoors, traveling abroad and volunteering.
Samantha is a Manager of several intensive support programs and a Child
and Youth worker graduate from Fanshawe College. In her spare time, Samantha enjoys the outdoors, traveling abroad and volunteering.
Shannon joined the management team in 2020. She started with Forward House in 1998 and was in a team leadership role at various locations for 20 year so offers a wealth of knowledge about working as a Direct Support Professional. Shannon is a Manager of several residential locations and a Developmental Services program graduate from Fanshawe College. In her spare time, Shannon and her family have fundraised extensively for a charitable organization close to their hearts.
Kathleen Parker joined Forward House of London's management team in 2025! With more than 25 years of experience in Children's Mental Health and the Social Services field, she is passionate about advocating for vulnerable populations and driving meaningful, positive change. Kathleen brings extensive leadership, mediation, and collaboration experience within the non-profit sector to her role. She is committed to contributing to long term, systemic improvements in community services through a strength based leadership approach.
Kathleen is inspired by seeing people grow, heal, and realize their potential, and she values creating environments where both clients and teams can thrive.
Lisa began her career at Forward House in 1993 as a Direct Support Professional and has worked with other community organizations including CPRI. She has been a Manager of various residential programs since 2000. Lisa has been one of the Crisis Prevention instructors at Forward House for many years and has knowledge and skills supporting individuals with Attachment disorder and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. She has a Bachelor’s degree in psychology (McGill), her Developmental Service diploma (Fanshawe College) and has further developed her management skills in two different certificate programs at Western. Lisa volunteers with a local children’s camp. She loves to go camping throughout Canada with her family during
her vacations.
her vacations.
Shawn is passionate about leading financial operations and supporting teams to perform at their best. With 30 years of experience as a Controller, he has guided organizations through complex financial landscapes, improving cash flow, strengthening internal controls and maintaining compliance across multiple industries. Shawn is eager to transition into a not-for-profit and expand his knowledge to support the agency. In his personal life, Shawn enjoys all forms of exercise. Lately this has been pickleball, golf, biking and strength training.
Kimberly joined the management team in 2024 after working in the private sector for years. Her previous roles included payroll, human resources, accounting, accounts payable and various other administrative duties. Kimberly is excited to transition into a non-profit agency to expand her knowledge and support the independent living of our clients. In her personal life, Kimberly enjoys staying active and spending time with her daughter.
Eric began working with Forward House while he was obtaining his Developmental Services diploma in 2004. He worked as a Direct Support professional for many years and during this time he provided leadership within the CUPE Executive. As a team leader, he helped to open two new residences and is a first aid instructor. Eric has worked as a lifeguard and on a neuro-behavioural rehab unit. He has been working towards a Certificate in Not-For-Profit Management. He joined the management team permanently in 2022.
Kendra started with Forward House in 2003 and worked as a Direct Support Professional for several years before joining the management team in 2024. She is also one of the First Aid Instructors for our agency. Kendra is a graduate of the Developmental Services Worker program at Fanshawe College and is currently working towards a Not-For-Profit Management Certificate through Western. When she is not working, she spends most of her time driving her 2 daughters around to their several extra curricular activities. In those rare moments of downtime she enjoys reading, baking and spending time with friends and family.
Jelisa joined Forward House in early 2023 after working in Children’s Mental Health for over a decade. She has spent her time in various roles such as direct live in care, school settings, community programs and managing a few live in locations. Jelisa spent time developing and revamping the Children’s Mental Health Programs for children and adolescents at LHSC. In 2013 Jelisa received a prestigious award called The Krista Sepp Horizon Award which was presented to a CYC to recognize their ongoing contributions by their peers. In her personal life Jelisa is married and has 3 young children. She loves to read, dance, and has the most random trivia knowledge mainly on pop culture!
Meet our Directors
Lisa started working with Forward House in 1989 after successfully completing her Developmental Service Worker diploma from Fanshawe College. Lisa originally worked as a Support Worker at our Community Integration day program, before initiating a move to home-based supports. She has been a Manager since 1996. Lisa’s current role includes the management of various residential locations including several supported independent living residences. She manages the Forward House Passport Program for clients who do not receive residential supports and liaises with a group of other agencies in the Thames Valley who address community needs in our area. Many years ago, Lisa helped a family successfully pioneer a unique support circle and individualized supports for women who need intensive supports. When Lisa isn’t working, she enjoys the cottage life with her family.
Sue joined the management team at Forward House in 2000 after working as a Direct Support Professional here for ten years. Sue’s previous work experiences include a Counsellor at a camp for children of all abilities and work at other developmental services organizations. Sue has managed a variety of residential homes and, more recently, has been essential in introducing various technological advances which have allowed the agency to improve our pay roll processes, record keeping and staff training. She completed her Developmental Services diploma at Fanshawe College. Sue is a talented artist and an avid gardener in her spare time.
Lisa joined Forward House in 2022 after working for 24 years in a publicly-funded, community-based mental health organization in Michigan. Her role included payroll, human resources, procurement, grant administration and various other business matters. She enjoyed supporting the people and the programs to serve populations with dual diagnosis, substance abuse, migrant workers, teens, and families seeking counselling. Since moving to Ontario she has worked at a variety of organizations in a finance or business role. Lisa is also a mother who enjoys running, gardening and spending time with her dog.
Mark Gowing
Meet our Executive Director
Mark joined Forward House in 2019 as the Executive Director. He has a varied social services employment background (Developmental Services, Addictions, Mental Health, Child Protection Indigenous Services, Youth Justice, Federal & Provincial Corrections, Homelessness). Mark holds a degree in Psychology & Sociology from Guelph University and professional certificates in Not-For-Profit Management and Mediation & Alternative Dispute Resolution from Western. Mark is passionate about strength-based leadership, encouraging Forward House to reflect the diversity of our community, building strong agency & community partnerships and balancing community needs with strategic planning. Mark’s personal interests include sports, cooking and crime drama.
Our Leadership
Everyday we strive to make decisions which reflect our Vision and Mission. As a team, we have been able to both remember the history of our people and organization as well as working towards a better future together. We take pride in knowing the people and providing the individualized supports which allow them to thrive.
Our Board of Directors
President
Brian Shewfelt
Board Members
Graham Briscoe
Edom Mekuria
George Qubty
Shand Licorish
Liam Maharaj
Kelvin Proctor
Many thanks to both our current and past volunteer board members for their hard work!