Board
Thunder Bay Public Library Board 2022-2026
Carol Grieve, Chair
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.
Jane Todd, Vice-Chair
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.
Sarah Lewis
Sarah Lewis has worked in leadership roles in post-secondary education, community economic development, and international development throughout her career. She is an avid community-builder, valuing early literacy and digital literacy as the foundations of civic engagement and a vibrant city and region. Sarah is mom to two girls and lives in Northwood in Thunder Bay. Sarah currently serves as the Director of Student Success at Lakehead University, having also developed academic programming for the Bow Valley College School of Technology and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, created economic development strategies for municipalities and regions across Canada as a Senior Analyst with Deloitte (MDB Insight - acquired), as well as furthered development in the region of Northwestern Ontario as the Economic Development Officer of the Township of Nipigon.
Syed Kabir
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
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 Fettes
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.
Councillor Michael Zussino
(updates from the remainder of our newly elected Board will be posted soon, please check back)