Board of Directors
Public Library Boards are governing boards, legal corporations with the authority to make policy and to govern the Library’s affairs under the Public Libraries Act, RSO 1990, c. P.44.
A board’s duty is to provide comprehensive, effective and efficient public library service that reflects the community’s needs and builds community capacity. Learn more about TBPL's board of directors below.
Retired after a forty year career as a teacher and elementary school administrator, Carol was born and raised in Thunder Bay. A lifelong learner, Carol received both her Bachelor of Arts degree and her Masters of Education in Curriculum Studies from Lakehead University. She is a long time Library member and avid reader.
From her career and life experience, she knows that the ongoing task of contributing to improve the quality and accessibility of literacy, and serve community needs in Thunder Bay is of the utmost importance.
Carol feels privileged to work with the Board Members of the Thunder Bay Public Library to meet their long term vision and accomplish their ongoing strategic plan in order to serve the community members of Thunder Bay.
I am a lifelong resident of Thunder Bay with a passion for reading and for learning. I believe that education and reading both make a critical difference in one's life.
I am excited about the many programs at the Thunder Bay Public Library that are maintaining and increasing the relevance of the Public Library in the community. I am honoured to have been selected, once again, to serve as a Board member.
I am retired from a lengthy career at Ontario Power Generation which focused on environmental management as well as human resource and project management.
My retirement activities include continued public service as a member of the City’s Earthcare Advisory Committee. I am also focused on personal goals in fitness and a variety of hobbies, including cooking and travel.
I look forward, with enthusiasm, to continuing service on the Library Board.
Syed has an active and passionate history of community involvement in the City of Thunder Bay. In addition to his community involvement, with an intense interest in business management, Syed pursued a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) Degree from Lakehead University. While studying, Syed volunteered at the MBA Club as well as several events hosted by the Lakehead University Graduate Students’ Association (LUSU).
Syed joined the Chronicle-Journal right after completing his master’s program, and was promoted to Advertising Manager in 2017. In 2019, Syed started a full service media company – Creon Media (www.creonmedia.ca) and has been helping the local business to build their online presence, later in 2020, Syed took over as a General Manager at the Italian Cultural Centre.
Syed has been a part of SHIFT – Thunder Bay’s Young Professional Network since 2014, and he served SHIFT as a President of SHIFT in 2021. This allowed Syed to integrate himself into a variety of networking events, and insight into the work environment for young professionals. Syed has also served as a judge for the Business Excellence Awards for the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce in 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Syed and his wife live happily in Thunder Bay, while raising their two kids
Charmaine McCraw was born and raised in Northern Ontario. She is a proud member of Biigtigong Nishnaabeg and has built her career in Community Economic and Social Development with a focus on building capacity. McCraw demonstrates dedication in her work with First Nation communities, Indigenous job seekers, companies and organizations wanting to advance along the path of reconciliation. McCraw holds a bachelor’s degree from Lakehead University and has over 15 years’ experience developing relationships and managing projects.
Previously, McCraw was involved in grass-roots driven research on Indigenous participation in the workforce for the Northern Policy Institute. McCraw also managed Nishnawbe Aski Nation’s Economic and Resource Development Unit where her team developed and delivered a Community Development program for Economic Development officers in Ontario's remote North. It was during this time McCraw also provided input to the Senate Committee on Housing and Infrastructure.
McCraw currently leads the Indigenous Engagement and Training team with ORIGIN focused on engaging Indigenous people and connecting them to employment using innovative approaches and helping corporate Canada to understand what a meaningful approach to Indigenous engagement and reconciliation looks like. Charmaine has recently joined the Library because she wants to help re-envision what value the Library brings to the community and looks forward to modernizing, representing the Library within the community of Thunder Bay.
Kelly arrived in the North in 1988 to attend Lakehead University and has since called Thunder Bay home. After graduating Lakehead University, she continued her education at Confederation College, and Kelly’s early career included positions in the tourism and travel industry and in event management. For the past 12 years, Kelly has been employed at Lakehead University, where she utilizes her superior skills in staff, client, and stakeholder relationships, as well as provides her expertise in administrative procedures and protocols.
Over the past 20 years, Kelly has been an active community volunteer, serving on numerous volunteer boards, including the Little Lions Waldorf Daycare, the Community Auditorium Foundation Board, Leadership Thunder Bay, and most recently, the Thunder Bay Country Market. These commitments have included executive designations (President and Vice President) as well as Director at large. Kelly is looking forward to serving on the Thunder Bay Public Library Board.
Michael Zussino has been a lifelong resident of Thunder Bay, living in the Red River Ward his entire life.
He graduated from Lakehead University (B.Sc. & B.Ed.) and has been employed as an educator with the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board for the past 25 years.
He enjoys organizing quiz night fundraising events for local charities. He like to be physically active by participating in some of the many recreational activities that the city has to offer.
He is honoured to be representing the residents of the Red River Ward for this term of Council.
Trevor Giertuga, Councillor at Large, is a life-long resident of Thunder Bay and third generation resident of the McIntyre Ward. He is married to Chelsea and has a daughter Madison. His son Travis passed away tragically in 2022, his family will forever grieve their loss. He is currently employed at the Thunder Bay Correctional Centre, as the Deputy Superintendent of Programs, and has previously owned a small business in the McIntyre Ward. This is Councillor Giertuga's sixth consecutive term on City Council, having first been elected in 2000.
Councillor Giertuga firmly believes in being accessible and accountable to his constituents, and he accomplishes this through constituent site visits, by promptly returning calls, by following through with issues raised, and by making wise thoughtful decisions on behalf of the taxpayers of Thunder Bay. He encourages citizens to contact him regarding any concerns they may have on all city matters. Councillor Giertuga has a deep love for Thunder Bay and is committed to making our city a more vibrant, inviting, inclusive and safe one. He continually fights to strike an appropriate balance between keeping taxes low and maintaining the level of city services constituents rightfully expect.
cbagdon@tbpl.ca, opens a new window
Cory is deeply passionate about building community. Growing up in the north end of Thunder Bay, Cory left the city briefly to pursue an Honours degree in Astrophysics. After returning to his true north home, Cory began a life of public service by obtaining a teaching degree from Lakehead University.
Having also taken time to develop his trade skills, Cory has been operating a small business in Thunder Bay dedicated to adding value to our local natural resources and working with other local businesses in building a vibrant and sustainable circular economy here in Thunder Bay.
With a passion for learning, Cory has also been pursuing a Master's degree in economics, part time, also from Lakehead University while continuing to commit to community building, working directly with local nonprofits and local community based institutions.
Accessible, open, responsible and rational, Cory is excited and eager to be a member of the Thunder Bay Public Library community and honoured to have been trusted as a steward and leader. His commitment to maintaining the value of our public goods and his understanding of the critical role that our Library community has here in Thunder Bay will shine through and leave a lasting impression on all of us.
