Ralph Luimes

With careers in agriculture, secondary Christian education, construction, public relations and human resources, Ralph and his family moved from Eastern Ontario to Caledonia where he served as CEO of Hald-Nor Credit Union for 20 years. Recently Hald-Nor was combined with Libro Credit Union and the family moved to London where Ralph serves Libro as VP Government Relations & Governance. When Ralph was 2 years old, his father began to suffer from depression and he never recovered as it became increasingly complicated by schizophrenia and Parkinson’s. The oldest of 8, Ralph has witnessed the profound impact of mental illness and how it undermines relationships. Ralph brings a broad set of experiences to the Board table and currently serves as the Foundation Chair.

Cindy Byker

Cindy brings an expertise in finances from her work in various financial capacities over the years. She has an interest in mental health, having a number of friends and family members who have struggled with mental health issues and having dealt with her own issues in this area as well. Cindy lives in Eastern Ontario, and it is her hope that she can help to broaden the exposure of Shalem Network and the Shalem Foundation in her area. Cindy is impressed by what she’s learned about the great programs and work the Shalem Network is doing and looks forward to serving on the Foundation Board.

George Van Dyk

George Van Dyk is a retired banker and his career in finance spans over 40 years. He retired in 1998 and is a member of Grace Christian Reformed Church in Scarborough, where he is Treasurer of the Church. He has served on a number of other Boards as Treasurer, including Holland Christian Homes and The Lighthouse. At the present time he is President of Immanuel Day Care Centre in Scarborough. He is married and lives in Peace Tower at Holland Christian Homes. George has supported Shalem for many years and is quite interested in the work of Shalem, especially its Counselling Services and Congregational Assistance Plan. George currently serves as Treasurer of the Foundation.

Michael Maher, cfc, M.A., M.A.

Michael is a member of the Congregation of Christian Brothers and is retired from a varied ministry. He has been a high school principal, a regional secretary for the Canadian religious, an executive director of a self-insured program for Catholic religious. He has been actively involved in a variety of social justice organizations and currently participates in Smart Justice Network Canada, the social justice advisory committee for Catholic Charities of Toronto and the FCJ Refugee Centre. Michael was introduced to Shalem through its progressive array of mental health outreach and is delighted to be asked to participate in the Foundation in an effort to assure the long term financial viability of Shalem’s ministry.

Peter Dale

Peter Dale has served on various boards of non-profit Christian organizations concerned with education, mental health, and political advocacy. He is also a member of circles of support for ex-offenders who have been released into the community. He is an active member of the Anglican Church of Canada.

Wilma Scherloski

Wilma Scherloski is Coordinator of Spiritual Life at Regis College at the University of Toronto. She is a retired school principal and Superintendent at the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board, where she specialized in working with at-risk, marginalized youth. A program for youth who are marginalized, connected with Cathedral High School in Hamilton – “Wilma’s Place”—is named after her. Previously she served on the Board of Lynwood Charlton Centre, a children’s mental health centre in Hamilton. Wilma brings her passion for youth, a broad vision, and her administrative experience to bear on the Shalem Foundation Board.

Dave Witt

Dave Witt works for International Teams Canada as Missional Network Developer. Working in partnership with the TrueCity network of churches in Hamilton, he helps multiple congregations collaboratively live out their desire to be “churches together for the good of the city.” This includes finding ways for these congregations to respond to the mental health challenges in their midst and in their communities. Dave has a broad range of board experience from an established community health centre to a start-up building school social enterprise. He brings to the Shalem Foundation his passion for a sustainable witness to the Gospel in mental health, in the context of congregations being deeply engaged in seeking justice and restoring hope.

Kenneth Van Wyk

Kenneth Van Wyk is a Registered Psychotherapist in Ontario with over 40 years of clinical experience. Since 1995 he has been the Executive Director of Christian Counselling Services in Toronto. Ken earned a Masters in Business Administration (Health Care Administration) in 1992 and is presently completing a Ph.D. at the Institute for Christian Studies. Ken is the originator of the Congregational Assistance Plan, is passionate about sustaining Gospel-driven mental health initiatives in communities, and is pleased to be able to contribute to this through his participation on the Shalem Mental Health Foundation Board.