Our Board of Directors

Yvon Lemire joined the Responsible Gambling Council Board in June 2011. In June 2019 to June 2022 he served as Vice Chair of the Board. He is now the Chair of the Board.

At the end of January 2013, Yvon became Executive Director of Maison Fraternité, a provincial Francophone residential treatment facility for Francophone clients with addiction and mental health issues, located in Ottawa.  Yvon was very involved in problem gambling treatment during his tenure as Director of the Addiction and Mental Health Services of the Sandy Hill Community Health Centre, from 2001 to 2011. During that time, he participated actively in the creation of the Comité interprovincial du jeu with the Casino du Lac Leamy in Gatineau. This joint committee was made up of representatives from the treatment sector and the provider sector. Two major accomplishments of this group were making the Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline available in Quebec and providing treatment providers with the possibility of doing self-exclusions with their problem gambling clients at their treatment centres.

Yvon was Board Chair of Action Logement/Action Housing in Ottawa for 4 years and was a Board member of the Réseau des services en santé en Français de l’est de l’Ontario for 5 years. He currently sits on the Board of the Fondation de santé des collines/Des Collines Health Foundation and is an active member of the Wakefield Cemetery Board.

Prior to completing his Masters’ degree in counselling from Université Saint-Paul in Ottawa, Yvon worked in the Federal Government for several years. He also brings private sector experience and served as country coordinator for Canada World Youth in Haiti for one year. He has been working in addictions for over 28 years, as a clinician and in various management positions.

Hamlin Grange has been on the Board of the Responsible Gambling Council since 2011. In June 2019 to June 2022 he served as the Board Chair. He is now the Past Chair of the Board.

Hamlin is Principal Consultant with DiversiPro, a consulting firm based in Toronto. He is a diversity and inclusion strategist and trainer, qualified to assess the level of intercultural competence of individuals and organizations. He helps companies improve their productivity by assisting them to better navigate cultural differences.

Before launching DiversiPro, Hamlin Grange had a stellar career as a journalist in Canada, was managing editor of a community newspaper and later was hired to be director of the national youth internship program for the YMCA of Greater Toronto. In addition to his work as a diversity and inclusion consultant, he has served on the boards of a number of important cultural organizations and public agencies, including the Royal Ontario Museum and the Toronto Police Services Board. He has a keen interest in policing, law enforcement and mental health issues.

Hamlin is the recipient of the Queen’s Jubilee Medal, the Harry Jerome Award (President’s Award) for community service and career achievement and the Community Builder Award presented by Tropicana Community Service in recognition of his “outstanding leadership and years of service which have contributed to the development of community and opportunities for the people of Ontario and those served by Tropicana Community Services.” Other awards include:

• The YMCA Peace Medallion
• The B’nai Brith Human Rights Award for Journalism
• The African Canadian Achievement Award
• Black Film and Video Achievement Award for Leadership
• And awards from the New York and Houston International Film Festivals

Bev Mehmel has been on the Board of the Responsible Gambling Council since 2019. In June 2022 she became the Vice Chair of the Board.

Bev Mehmel has a history of leadership and impact in the Canadian gaming and liquor social responsibility field. She led Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries’ Corporate Responsibility strategy and social responsibility direction, along with community sponsorships, volunteerism and environmental initiatives.

Bev is a past chair and co-founder of the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation’s Canadian Responsible Gambling Group and co-created the onsite casino information center concept and created the foundation for casino, VLT and lottery staff training across Canada.

Bev has attended the University of Winnipeg, University of Manitoba and the Schulich School of Business at York University. She runs a small consultancy focused on improving sustainability approaches for business growth. She is the President of Niakwa Country Club in Winnipeg and a Board member for the Rehabilitation Centre for Children and the Responsible Gambling Council of Canada. Golf provides the Zen in her life.

Shaila Mehta is a Partner at MNP. Throughout her 25-year career, she has provided audit and advisory services to clients. Shaila was also recently a partner at Deloitte LLP.

Shaila has served large and small, public and private audit clients, mainly in the cannabis, manufacturing and technology industries. She has significant experience in Accounting Standards for Private Enterprises, U.S. GAAP and IFRS. She has helped clients with IPOs in both the U.S. and Canadian markets, completed SOX work for U.S. public companies and assisted companies through mergers & acquisitions.  She has worked on clients with many divisions and has been able to develop good relationships with all levels within the organizations she audits. Most recently, Shaila has been the audit partner on a number of public and private cannabis companies, taking one cannabis company public on the TSX.

For almost 19 years Jim was the Vice President of Corporate Services and Gaming Operations at the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA). Most of Jim’s 30-year career has been with the Government of Saskatchewan. Jim joined SLGA in 2001 following previous positions at the Saskatchewan Water Corporation, Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, the Ministry of Health, and Farm Credit Corporation. Jim now has taken a role with the Public Policy Graduate School at the University of Regina.

Before moving into corporate services, most of Jim’s career focused on policy, research, privacy, corporate social responsibility, including responsible gambling, strategic planning, and performance measurement. Current responsibilities also include information technology, finance, human resources, employee health and safety, and conduct and management oversight of Saskatchewan’s six First Nation-operated casinos and the provincial video lottery terminal (VLT) program.

Born and raised in Regina, Jim attended the University of Regina obtaining bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Jim is a past president of the Saskatchewan regional group of the Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC), former chair of Saskatchewan’s assistant deputy minister (ADM) Forum, and is currently chair of the government’s United Way provincial campaign.

Away from work, Jim enjoys travel, personal fitness, hiking, fishing, and reading. Jim and his wife Karen have two daughters, Lily and Sophie, both attending the University of Regina.

Susan has served for many years on the Responsible Gambling Council board. She currently is Chair of the Governance and Nominations Committee.

Susan retired from Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries in late 2016 after 25 years with the corporation. She was the Vice President of Corporate Communications and Social Responsibility. In that role, she was responsible for CSR initiatives including responsible gambling, as well as strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, media relations and issues management. She was a member of the Executive Management Committee, co-chair of Manitoba’s Alcohol Strategy, a council member of the Manitoba Gambling Research Program and chair of Liquor and Lotteries’ executive CSR committee. In 2017 Susan received the Crowning Achievement Award from the Canadian Public Relations Society – Manitoba, for demonstrated excellence in communications and public relations.

In Winnipeg’s 2022 civic election, Susan was re-elected as a School Trustee in the second largest school division in Manitoba, where she now serves as Vice Chair.  She volunteered for CNIB Manitoba for several years and is a past board member of that organization.

As Vice-President of Corporate Affairs with the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA), Patricia Cook has created an evolving culture which displays growth and development for the men and women employed by her organization.

Pat joined SIGA in July of 2005 with a focus on corporate social responsibility and corporate governance. She oversees SIGA’s communications, public and community relations, responsible gaming and policy management. As member of SIGA’s Executive Management team, Pat also works with the SIGA Board.

A visionary and natural leader, Pat is currently serving as a Board of Director with Saskatchewan Government Insurance and is a volunteer Board Member with the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation. Pat has served as the Deputy Speaker (two terms) for the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Legislative Assembly. Prior to her time at SIGA, Pat spent 20 years working with the Prince Albert Grand Council (with four years as the Director of Operations), one of the largest Tribal Councils in Canada.

Pat is a graduate of the Directors College, Chartered Director Program through McMasters University and the University of Regina earning a Certificate of Social Work. She has also earned her Certificate of Aboriginal Leadership, Governance and Management Excellence from the Banff School of Management.  In early 2009, Ms. Cook was recognized as one of Saskatchewan’s Top 10 Woman of Influence by SaskBusiness Magazine and nominated as a Women of Distinction in 2010.

As one of Saskatchewan’s most visible First Nations leaders, Pat is committed to taking strides for the many First Nations people she represents in both corporate and volunteer roles. She and her husband have two children and four grandchildren. She is committed to healthy living and enjoys running to stay fit.

Salim Adatia is Vice President of Client Services for North America at Gaming Laboratories International (GLI). www.gaminglabs.com

As one of the world’s leading experts in testing and certification, Salim works with government regulators, gaming operators and suppliers. GLI clients benefit from his 20+ years of experience in multi-lingual projects crossing over both traditional land-based and iGaming around the world.

Globally recognized as a pioneer in iGaming testing, Salim is a sought-after thought leader who helps illuminate the path to gaming integrity. Preceding his current role, he served GLI’s Vice President of iGaming and Canadian Services, where he led the company’s clients as they navigated the exciting and rapidly growing world of iGaming, as well as overseeing Canadian services and clients. He continues to be an important force behind GLI’s global internet, mobile and wireless testing and consultancy with a focus on ensuring companies adhere to comprehensive technical regulatory requirements, supplier technical specifications, and global best-practice industry standards.

Salim was also instrumental in the original establishment of GLI’s highly successful and rapidly expanding Professional Services practice, whose experts lead the world in Quality Assurance assessments, Project Management, World Lottery Association (WLA) Audits, ISO training, Security Auditing and Consultation, and other Technical Services.

Prior to its acquisition by GLI, Salim was CEO of the Technical Systems Testing (TST) group of companies, responsible for driving the performance of the company’s global spread of testing facilities located in Vancouver, London, Macau, Manila, Sydney and Melbourne.

Salim has been honored as one of the gaming industry’s “Top 25 People to Watch” by Global Gaming Business magazine. He has spoken at a variety of industry conferences in Canada, the U.S., Asia, Europe, Latin America and Australia. He has been interviewed by, and written for, numerous publications serving the industry internationally.

Dan is the Principal of Shimski & Associates, a boutique consulting firm focused on technology solutions in the area of road safety.

Dan’s career path has led him to a number of roles in the private and public sector. In the public sector, these roles have included being a Senior Advisor to an Ontario Cabinet Minister, Chief of Staff to a Toronto Councillor and senior roles within the City of Toronto administration.

In the private sector, Dan held a series of Operational, Sales and Customer Support roles with Conduent Inc. (formerly Xerox Services), as well as working as a lobbyist supporting both causes and commerce for a variety of organizations and corporate interests.

Through personal experience, Dan knows the challenges created by problem gambling – not just for the gambler, but oftentimes for those who care about them.

Dan has the firmly held belief that through education and the elimination of the stigma associated with problem gambling, we can start having the important conversations about gambling risk factors and mitigation strategies to reduce problem gambling.

Dan is also the proud recipient of a transplanted kidney, and would never miss an opportunity to encourage all who are able to sign their organ donor cards to give the ultimate Gift of Life.

Stacy Shaw currently leads Product Marketing for the Oregon Lottery. In this role, she provides executive leadership and go to market strategic direction for Lottery’s games and services and mission critical brand programs such as responsible gaming and customer experience. Throughout her career she has been guided by the belief that people and profits can go together and that doing the right thing is just good business. For the last ten years she has focused on developing an industry leading RG program for Oregon Lottery, collaborating across diverse stakeholder groups including gambling operators, treatment, prevention and recovery professionals, researchers and legislators. Most recently, Stacy has worked with Oregon Council on Problem Gambling to stand up a Research Center designed to promote research and learning that will inform lasting solutions to gambling related issues facing the State of Oregon and the nation. Stacy is currently the Chair of the NCPG Advisory board and is active on the National Association of State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL) RG committee. Previous to joining Lottery, Stacy held senior marketing and business development roles with Hyatt Hotels, Preferred Hotels and Related Companies. She also founded and managed m-k-t-g, a marketing agency focused on real estate, entertainment and travel. She spent most of her life in Chicago, lived briefly in Toronto but feels her love for her new state qualifies her as a true Oregonian. She lives in Silverton, Oregon with her husband Kevin and their cat Babe. When not working she can likely be found walking on the Oregon Coast or wine tasting across the Pacific Northwest.

Consultant/Advisor, Great Canadian Gaming Corporation

Vic has nearly 40 years’ experience in the Canadian gaming industry having previously held senior executive positions in both the private and public sector with Great Canadian Gaming Corporation, the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) and the Western Canada Lottery Foundation.

As President and CEO of BCLC from 1999 to 2007, Vic lead the strategic transformation and growth of the gaming industry in British Columbia through the establishment of a business and legal model that allowed Government and private sector gaming operators to work cooperatively to transform the gaming industry into a high quality, responsible, customer focused gaming entertainment business.

Vic joined Great Canadian Gaming Corporation in 2010 as Senior/Executive Vice President, Eastern Operations, a position he held until early 2017. In this role, Vic was instrumental in assisting Great Canadian in competing in the OLG Land Based Modernization program with the result of Great Canadian being chosen as the successful Casino Service Provider by OLG in the East, GTA and West GTA bundles- making Great Canadian the largest private sector service provider in Ontario.

Vic currently is a senior advisor/consultant with Great Canadian Gaming, having chosen to spend less time on airplanes and more time with family, personal travel and recreation activities. Vic grew up in Winnipeg and is a graduate of the University of Manitoba Faculty of Commerce (Business) program.

Vic and his wife Bev are longtime residents of Kamloops, BC and enjoy spending time with their 4 children and 7 grandchildren.

Simo has over 25 years’ experience in business, technology and research and development. He was the founder of BetBuddy, a pioneer in the use of software and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to protect consumers from gambling related harm. Following the acquisition of BetBuddy by Playtech Plc, Simo was head of Playtech AI and also headed-up Playtech’s responsible gambling unit (Playtech Protect). Simo is currently a member of Great Britain Gambling Commission’s Digital Advisory Panel.

Simo previously supervised on the Phd programme at City, University of London’s Research Centre for Machine Learning. His research interests are focused on making AI more accountable, transparent, and ethical. His research has been published at NeurIPS, AAAI, IJCNN, ECAI and in The European Journal on Artificial Intelligence, as well as the leading gambling scientific journals.

Prior to founding BetBuddy Simo spent over a decade working in the financial services industry, including as Director of Major Programmes at Barclays Plc.

Anne Elizabeth Lapointe is the Executive Director of the Maison Jean Lapointe and of the Addiction Prevention Center. Ms. Lapointe has over 22 years of experience in the field of addictions including 18 years in prevention. She has contributed to the development and evaluation of the Maison Jean Lapointe and the CQLD’s prevention programs. These programs reach 100,000 young people yearly in Quebec. Ms. Lapointe is actively involved in the community and sits on several boards of directors, round tables and expert committees. She has given countless conferences pertaining to her field of expertise and continues to share her knowledge within the community. Her proficiencies include behavioral addictions, such as problem gambling as well as prevention and treatment of all addictions. Ms. Lapointe holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications, a Diploma in Management, a Certificate and a Graduate Diploma in Addiction and Ethics.

Vice President, Regulatory Affairs – Flutter International

George Sweny is the Vice President, Regulatory Affairs at Flutter International. Flutter includes a range of international brands and operations, including Paddy Power, Betfair, PokerStars, Sky Bet, Sportsbet, FOX Bet, FanDuel, TVG and Adjarabet. Flutter’s vision is to be a global leader in online sports betting and gaming with the purpose of bringing betting to life in a safe, responsible, and ultimately sustainable way.

Prior to his role with Flutter, George held executive level positions in the gaming industry, including at The Stars Group, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, the British Columbia Lottery Corporation and Len Stuart and Associates.

George is a current member of the board of directors of both the Responsible Gambling Council and the Canadian Gaming Association. He is an Advisory Board member of the National Council for Problem Gambling and has served as a board member of the North American State Provincial Lotteries Association and the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation.

Wan-Peng is an experienced IT/Digital executive and Governance Professional. He has led engineering teams in various countries across many continents delivering innovative solutions that solve complicated problems. He has deep experience in Digital Transformation, Digital Adoption, Digital Delivery and Artificial Intelligence. Wan-Peng is passionate about Governance and has brought his governance experience to Youth, Healthcare and Sports Non-Profit Organizations.

Wan-Peng has a bachelor’s degree from Western University in Computer Science, Biology and Accounting. Wan-Peng is a CPA, CMA.

Christine is a Canadian leader on sustainability and corporate responsibility issues, having worked in the field for nearly 15 years in both a consulting and corporate capacity. Christine currently holds the position of Associate Vice President, ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) Reporting and Measurement at TD Bank. Prior to that, she was an Associate Partner and Central Canada Leader of EY’s Climate Change and Sustainability Services practice, where she worked for over a decade.

Christine has significant experience designing, implementing and auditing social and environmental strategies across sectors including financial services, hospitality, transportation and logistics and various industrial industries. Her past non-profit board experience includes serving as an inaugural director for the Global Cannabis Partnership, where she helped to design a corporate responsibility framework for the newly legalized cannabis industry and oversaw the development of the member certification and assurance process.

Based in Toronto, Christine holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) from McGill University and the Canadian Enterprise Risk Management (CRMe) designation. She has lived and worked in Boston, Montreal and Vancouver and gets back to the mountains whenever she can.

Executive Director, Tribunals Ontario

Harry is a provincial civil servant with in-depth knowledge of government and 20+ years of legal, policy and program development experience. Before his role at Tribunals Ontario, he was the Director of Corporate Affairs and Governance at the at Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, where he was responsible for government relations, issues management, supporting Board governance and overseeing the day-to-day administration of an adjudicative tribunal, among other things.

Harry is a lawyer by training, and prior to joining the Ontario government, he practised corporate law with Torys LLP and within the legal aid department of the United Nations/International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.

President/Owner of JN Gaming Compliance Solutions Inc. 

Julie has over 20 years of experience in the gambling industry with 15 years as a senior executive with Casino Rama Resort.  In her past roles, Julie worked in various areas of operations including Casino Controller, Executive of Slots and Cashiering Operations and Vice President Compliance and Administration.  She has also acted as the Responsible Gambling Lead for the Province of Ontario for Gateway Casinos and has previously led Casino Rama Resort to successful RG Check Accreditations.  Julie is the Treasurer for Smart Serve Ontario, a registered charity, and has been a member of Smart Serve’s Board of Directors since 2015. She is a Chartered Professional Accountant and obtained her previous designations of Chartered Accountant and Certified Management Accountant while working at CA firms such as KPMG and BDO.

Shelley White is one of Canada’s foremost visionary leaders, and has dedicated her life and career to empowering organizations that create better futures for thousands of people in their communities. In 2017, she became the new CEO of the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC).

Over the last 30 years, Shelley has also held a variety of executive positions also in the non-profit sector for the country’s most recognized and trusted national institutions, including United Way, Kidney Foundation of Canada and the YMCA. Earning a reputation as a champion of social change, Shelley has received United Way Worldwide’s Common Good Award, the Queen’s Jubilee Award for outstanding achievement in voluntary service, Ontario’s Leading Women Building Communities Award, The Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC) Champion Award, Volunteer MBC’s 2017 Bonnie Yagar Award for Community Engagement Leadership, and has been named one of Mississauga’s Top 10 Most Influential Leaders.