Board of Directors

Shalem Board Members

• Héctor Acero Ferrer (Board Chair)

  Héctor is the Associate Director of the Centre for Philosophy, Religion, and Social Ethics at the Institute for Christian Studies, where he is also a doctoral student in the philosophy of religion. In addition to his commitments at ICS, Héctor is an Adjunct Faculty at the Martin Luther University College, where he teaches the course “Engaging Youth Cultures.” Among many gifts, he brings to Shalem his passion for community work, commitment to social transformation, and his understanding of the Christian and ethical values that sustain Shalem’s work in mental and relational health. Héctor is involved in the parish life of Blessed Trinity Roman Catholic Church.

• David Witt (Board Treasurer)

  Dave works for International Teams Canada as a Missional Network Developer. Working in partnership with the TrueCity network of churches in Hamilton, he helps multiple congregations collaboratively live out their desire to be “churches together for the good of the city.” This includes finding ways for these congregations to respond to the mental health challenges in their midst and in their communities. Dave has a broad range of board experience from an established community health centre to a start-up building school social enterprise. He brings to Shalem his passion for congregations to be deeply engaged in seeking justice and restoring hope.

• Jeanette Romkema (Board Secretary)

  Having dealt first-hand with navigating mental health services on behalf of a loved one, Jeanette brings a consumer perspective to Shalem. Jeanette has worked internationally in development and currently serves as a partner with Global Learning Partners. She is presently Board Chair of the Lighthouse, a newcomer and refugee settlement service in Toronto.

• Wilma Scherloski

  Wilma is Coordinator of Spiritual Life at Regis College at the University of Toronto. She is a retired school principal and Superintendent at the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board, where she specialized in working with at-risk, marginalized youth. A Hamilton high school—“Wilma’s Place”—is named after her. Previously she served on the Board of Lynwood Charlton Centre, a children’s mental health centre in Hamilton. Wilma brings her passion for youth, a broad vision, and her administrative experience to bear on the Shalem Board.

• Sandra Williams

  Sandra is a Child and Youth Worker with the Dufferin-Peel Catholic School Board. She has been engaged in supporting and advocating for students experiencing social and emotional difficulties for many years. She brings to her work a holistic approach to supporting students and their families and strives to foster a caring and inclusive environment in her place of work. She is an active agent of change within her community. Sandra is a member of Meadowvale Christian Reformed Church.