Future Owen Sound – Vision 2050: We’re Pleased to Introduce our Strategic Planning Session Co-Facilitators!

Co-Facilitator: Jennifer Smith   

Session: Green and Resilient City 

Title: Registered Massage Therapist

Bio: Jennifer Smith is a Registered Massage Therapist, running a successful practice in the downtown for over 20 years. She is also the former owner of The Milk Maid Fine Cheese and Gourmet Food. In her spare time, you may find her hiking The Bruce Trail, shopping at the farmer's market or working out at the local YMCA.

Rationale For Co-Facilitating: “I want to bring a fresh, positive outlook to the process and align myself with other like-minded people committed to making Owen Sound a better place- I want to be where the ideas are flowing!”

Co-Facilitator: Trish Meekins

Session: Embracing and Respecting Culture 

Title: Registered Social Worker and Indigenous Cultural Awareness Consultant 

Bio: Trish Meekins is a Registered Social Worker and Cultural Awareness Consultant who strongly identifies with and integrates her Anishinabek culture into her professional practice. Her work supports both individuals and institutions to respectfully acknowledge Indigeneity, embrace healthy lifestyles and create culturally responsive spaces.  

Rationale For Co-Facilitating: “The Embracing and Respecting Culture Session is aligned with my professional practice and values. This is also a good opportunity for me to network, and I’m interested in learning more about the vision of my fellow Owen Sounders.” 

Co-Facilitator: Joel Pennington 

Sessions: Prosperous City and A City That Moves  

Title: Founder, Pennington Consultancy - Community Facilitator & Mediator

Bio: Joel Pennington has consulted local and international organizations and individuals to foster collaborative relationships and negotiate equitably. Having lived, travelled, or worked in over 70 countries, he's had the privilege of immersing himself in different cultures, gaining a global perspective that enriches his approach to mediation and negotiation. This international exposure has taught him the importance of cross-cultural sensitivity and adaptability in fostering collaboration.

Rationale For Co-Facilitating: “I've signed up to co-facilitate as these sessions align nicely with a series of sessions I've been facilitating with Rebound Owen Sound - sessions that explore what kind of city we, as citizens, want to build and live in. I also want to be a part of a mindful, intentional approach that focuses on where we want to be, then planning out the steps to get there.”

Co-Facilitator: Stuart Reid

Session: Prosperous City 

Title: Executive Director, Community Foundation Grey Bruce

Bio: Among Stuart Reid's numerous professional and community contributions, he is presently a member of The Institute of Southern Georgian Bay’s Social Finance and Housing Learning Circle, a board member of the Canadian Crafts Federation, and a certified yoga teacher at Harmony Centre Owen Sound, a vital social enterprise and community hub.

Rationale For Co-Facilitating: “I care deeply about the city of Owen Sound and have benefitted from its vibrant and supportive culture for more than twenty years. I want to see the city thrive and evolve in the decades ahead, retain its authenticity, acknowledge its unique histories, and celebrate artistic expression while welcoming diversity and change.”

Co-Facilitator: Clark MacFarlane 

Session: City Building 

Title: Operator, The Wayfinding Group

Bio: Clark MacFarlane was the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Mental Health Association Grey Bruce. He is now Founder and Principal Consultant of The Wayfinding Group, a consultancy focused on helping organizations, groups, and communities unlock their collective wisdom to find creative solutions to the problems they face. 

Rationale For Co-Facilitating: “I want to utilize my skills and experience to help build an engaging, robust and achievable vision for the city he loves and now calls home.”

Co-Facilitator: Pauline Dantas

Session: Fostering Mutually Beneficial and Respectful Relationships

Title: Career and Life Coach, Organizational Consultant

Bio: Pauline Dantas is currently a career and life coach and business consultant with over three decades of experience supporting organizations globally to navigate change processes while enhancing workplace culture. She is currently the REACH Centre Board Chair and an active participant in city-building conversations. 

Rationale For Co-Facilitating: “As a proud Owen Sound resident, I want to contribute constructive and collaborative support to our community as we improve today and shape tomorrow.”

Co-Facilitator: Carol Merton

Session: Safe City 

Title: City Councillor, Health Care Professional & Host and Co-Producer of Rogers TV Health Link, Health Care Professional

Bio: Carol Merton is a City Councillor, healthcare professional and media personality. She has also authored three children’s books. Among her many accolades, Carol has received the Medal of Distinction from the Canadian Physiotherapy Association and hosts and produces Rogers TV Health Link. Carol is also active on numerous community advisory committees and is the co-founder of electHER Now, an organization to promote gender parity in politics. 

Rationale For Co-Facilitating: “I see this initiative as an opportunity to connect and engage with the public directly.  I am excited to hear the community’s ideas for our shared future. This is an opportunity for us to work together for the benefit of all.”

Co-Facilitator: Craig Ambrose

Session: Safe City 

Title: Chief, Owen Sound Police Service

Bio: Craig Ambrose is the Chief of Owen Sound Police Service. Since joining the organization in 2019, Chief Ambrose has worked with his team to accomplish numerous milestones including a new dispatch centre, NG911, and reintroduction of core and introduction of the bail compliance team. 

Rationale For Co-Facilitating: “I want to participate in order to hear about concerns directly from the community so we can come up with solutions together.”