Board of Directors

cmccraw@tbpl.ca, opens a new window

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.

Jordan currently works as a consultant with Crestview Strategy and has previously worked at Queen’s Park, the Law Society of Ontario, and has experience on multiple provincial and municipal campaigns, with expertise in Northern Ontario issues.

Dedicated to community service, he has served as a board member for the Ontario Liberal Party (OLP), the College of Audiologists and Speech Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO), the Thunder Bay Public Library, and St. Joseph's Care Group. Jordan holds a Business Administration degree from Fanshawe College and certificates in Project Management (University of Toronto), Public Affairs (Toronto Metropolitan University), and Public Participation (IAP2). He is currently studying Aboriginal Canadian Relations at Confederation College.

carolgrieve@shaw.ca, opens a new window

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.

dayna.debenedet@gmail.com, opens a new window

Dayna DeBenedet is a librarian with nearly 15 years of experience in both public and academic libraries. Born and raised in Northwestern Ontario, she grew up as an enthusiastic reader and regular patron of the Fort Frances Public Library—an early influence that sparked her career in libraries.

Dayna holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Ottawa and a Master of Library and Information Studies from McGill University. She spent more than a decade working in public libraries, including serving as CEO/Chief Librarian at the Dryden Public Library and the Leeds and the Thousand Islands Public Library, before transitioning to academic libraries and her current role as Manager, Learning Commons at Confederation College.

idew@tbpl.ca, opens a new window

kfettes@tbpl.ca

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.

rantony@tbpl.ca

trevor.giertuga@thunderbay.ca, opens a new window

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.

Michael.Zussino@thunderbay.ca, opens a new window

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.