Meet Our Team
The board of directors at The Haven is made up of a group of individuals who possess a wide range of specialties and life experiences. This diversity of backgrounds and perspectives enables our organization to tap into a broad spectrum of expertise and insights, which in turn enables us to better serve our community. Whether it's Public Safety, Financial Management, Law, Psychology, or any number of other fields, each board member brings a unique set of skills and knowledge to the table. This wealth of diversity is integral to our ability to operate effectively and efficiently and to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.
Michelle Vincent
Police Officer (Ret) Ph.D, M.A.C.P., C.C.P.A., I.S.S.T.
Founding Member/ Chief Executive Officer
Michelle is an 18 year (retired) Police Veteran having worked in a variety of units, from investigative, community service to front line. She received her PhD in Forensic Psychology with a specialization in Crisis Response from Walden University in July 2021 and her Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University in January, 2016. She is a post-doc Researcher for the University of Alberta at HiMARC (Heroes in Mind, Advocacy and Research Consortium) and has co-authored various academic journals in PSP reintegration programming. She supports the publication of up-and-coming academic literature as a Peer Reviewer. Dr. Vincent is a Knowledge User in active research with top researchers at the University of Toronto in the mental health First Responder communities and has presented leading-edge mental health programming both in person and in-vivo at conferences. She has experience as a Research and Program Evaluation Specialist and is a published writer for Blueline Magazine, monthly column Holding the Line addressing a combination of mental health and policing.
She delivers Peer Support Training for the Mood Disorders Society of Canada in both French and English and has extensive experience with Peer Support teams and the cultural dynamics that exist and differ within each Public Safety Personnel organization. She has volunteered as a Lead Call-Out Coordinator for York Region CISM team. Michelle is trained in Edmonton Police’s Reintegration After Critical Incident and Long-Term Leave programming, TA’s Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and has an extensive list of training in evidence-based mental health modalities specifically related to PTSD/mental wellness and First Responders/Uniform Personnel/Veterans, active, resigned and retired. She is a member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, the Society for Police and Criminal Psychology, the American Psychological Association, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, as well as the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. Michelle has created partnerships between The Haven and several leading-edge mental health organizations including our newest and most exciting partnership with Horse Sense North, Tranquil Acres, Guelph University, First Responders Mindfulness Network and Badge of Life Canada for which supported mental health facilitation in their Sole Sistas and Hero’s Call psycho-educational retreats. She received awards including the Wilson Kimbrough Award for Scholarly Work in Psychology and Criminal Justice with an Applied Focus for The Haven: The Opportunity for Effective Mental Health Inpatient Treatment that is Occupationally-Specific to First Responders and Uniformed Personnel and for Outstanding Therapist by BOLC. Michelle's philosophy is, in partnership we can!
Melissa Petriglia
H.B.A., H.B.S.W., M.S.W., RSW.
Co-Founder, Lead Director
Melissa is a Registered Social Worker through the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers and the Ontario Association of Social Workers. After receiving an Honours Bachelors Degree in Social Work from Lakehead University, Melissa completed a Masters in Social Work at the University of Toronto where she specialized in Mental Health.
Melissa has clinical experience in both hospital and community settings. She began her early social work career working alongside York Regional Police in their Mental Health Support team. In this role, Melissa worked with a police officer, attending mental health related calls in the community. From there, she began working in the Emergency Departments in the GTA as a crisis intervention worker, completing psychosocial assessments, addiction interventions and crisis intervention services for individuals who would present to the ER. In addition, Melissa has her own private psychotherapy practice where she provides treatment for a variety of issues such as anxiety and panic attacks, depression and mood issues, stress and burnout, life transitions, relationship and family related issues, self-esteem/self-image issues, disordered eating, and work/occupational stress/trauma related issues.
Melissa specializes in working with first responders, including emergency room staff, physicians, police officers, paramedics and firefighters. Lastly, Melissa is an active member of the York Region CISM team and assumed the role of as Clinical Director this past summer (2016).
Lissa Ruocco
Police Officer
Chair & Lead Director
Lissa has over 24 years of policing experience in one of the largest municipalities in the country. The last 17 years have been dedicated to Tactical work as an Operator and more recently, a Trainer. Her areas of expertise include Counter-Sniper/Sniper, Rappel Master, Hostage/Crisis Negotiator, and Fitness. Lissa is the longest serving Female Tactical member in North America and the first female sniper in the country. She is an Adjunct Instructor for the Crisis Negotiator Course at the Canadian Police College and was nominated by CPC to attend the FBI Hostage Negotiator course. Lissa was one only four people worldwide that were selected to attend this course in 2023. She is a Master Trainer for iPREP, an International Resiliency Program that is offered by the University of Toronto. She is the Coordinator for Crisis Negotiation and Mental Performance Resiliency within her unit. Lissa has been the 2022 recipient of the Aumiller People’s Choice Award from the Society of Police and Criminal Psychology. The last year and a half, Lissa has been involved with federally funded research that is developing a program for PTSI for First Responders. Throughout her career, she has mentored and coached many to reach their ultimate goal of becoming Police Officers as well as supported many in preparing to contend for selection to specialized units and as a result, was recognized by Ontario Women in Law Enforcement receiving a Mentoring and Coaching Award in 2021. She has great passion for sports and has competed and medalled in several disciplines over the years in the World Police and Fire Games, Canadian Law Enforcement Games, Can Am Police and Fire Games, Ohio Police and Fire and Ontario Masters.
Dr Paula Di Nota
PhD, Postdoc Researcher University of Toronto
Secretary
With a Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology and nearly a decade of applied research experience, Paula specializes in understanding the complex relationships between occupational stress, wellness, resilience and performance in Public Safety Personnel. Her current role as a Senior Perofrmance Measurement and Reporting Analyst within the Inspectorate of Policing is helping drive improvement and innovation across Ontario's Policing Sector.
Her expertise spans neuroimaging, training, and policy consulting on critical issues like mass casualty response and use of force. We're honored to have her leadership guiding our mission.
Matthew Simon
Paramedic Superintendent
Director
Matthew is currently working for one of Ontario’s largest paramedic services as an Operations and tactical superintendent. While also working part time with as a TEMS with the UCRT team. He has various experience and roles responding to emergencies throughout Ontario. Through the last 20 years, he has advocated and supported his peers by being apart of York’s CISM team and a peer supporter. In his current leadership roles, he works collaboratively with others to find new ways to better support our frontline staff.
In Matt’s off time, he is active in his community as a hockey coach for his kids teams. He uses running and time outside as a way of maintaining my own equilibrium.
Matt is also a huge fan of Simon Sinek and the leadership style he speaks to. He believes as leaders, our staff’s mental health is hugely impacted by what we do and therefore believes it’s his responsibility to always be seeking to learn and grow.
Paula McKechnie Ballak
Emergency Room Nurse
Director
Paula is a nurse, having worked in the ER for a number of years. She currently works in the community as a nurse and has a strong connection to mental wellness. Paula breads Barbet puppies (French Water dogs) which many have gone to Policing and other First Responder organizations as support dogs. She has supported mental wellness promotion for many years in CISM.
Dr. Jen Frendo
MD, MBA-C (2027), BSc, CCFP, FCFP
Family Physician, Surgical Assistant, VP - Medical Staff Association
Director
Jen is a family doctor and surgical assistant in the Niagara region since 2005. Jen went to the University of Ottawa for both medical school and residency. Being a family doc, Jen is your basic jack-of-all-trades in medicine.
Jen keeps busy by keeping a broad lens in family medicine - all ages, all fields, and what she doesn't know, knows to consult with colleagues for good care for her patients.
Jen's vocation is a doctor, but her passion is the outdoors, and has an undergraduate degree in Environmental Science which helped her find her vocation when curious about the environmental triggers of illness, etc.
This summer 2025, Jen will start a part-time executive MBA program at the Smith School of Business (Queen's) to further add to her skills matrix that she loves to contribute to various NGOs/boards/committees, and looks forward to continue to give back her time voluntarily to her community - both local and global.
Jen feels very honoured to join the Board at The Haven, and looks forward to our future endeavours together.
Milana Drobner
Hon. B.Sc, M.Sc in Legal and Forensic Psychology
Director
Milana has an Hon. B.Sc. in Psychology from the University of Toronto as well as an M.Sc. in Legal and Forensic Psychology from the University of Leicester. Along with her 16 years of experience in working with the national security community for the federal government, Milana brings significant personal, professional and educational experience in improving mental health awareness amongst the first responder, uniformed and national security community.