Board of Directors
Board Overview
Creative Beginnings Early Learning and Care (CBELC) is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors made up of parents/guardians and other interested members of the community.
Board positions include a President, Vice President, Secretary, and general members. Each individual brings skills and experiences that we draw from to reach our goals as an organization while providing a vibrant, care-based program that fosters children’s individualism, creativity, socialization, and school readiness.
In cooperation with the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer is responsible for the successful leadership, management, and growth of CBELC and guides the organization’s initiatives in program quality, strategic planning, financial sustainability, sound administration, human resources, and compliance.
Key Responsibilities
Ensure the organization is governed in accordance with the intentions of its written plans, directives, meeting minutes, and corporate governance documents
Approve fees, operating budgets, and any significant exceptions
Preside over the annual meeting
Elect officers to the Board of Directors and fill Board vacancies
Complete the CEO’s performance evaluation
Carry out an ongoing review of organizational policies and procedures
Commitment
The Board meets monthly, nine times a year (non-meeting months are July, August, and December). Meetings are generally held on the last Friday of the month. Availability across the group usually governs our best time to meet. A minimum three-year commitment is required to serve on the Board.
Why Join the Board?
Current and past members report a range of benefits from lending their time and expertise through Board membership:
Gaining valuable experience working on a Board and with a non-profit organization
Making a difference in their community
Contributing in a meaningful way to an important cause while also developing marketable skills
Board members often are CBELC parents/guardians, but it’s not a requirement.
Message from the Board of Directors
We are privileged to have Creative Beginnings Early Learning and Care as a cornerstone of our Waterloo Region community, offering vibrant, play-based programs that foster individualism, creativity, and care for our children.
A volunteer Board of Directors supports Creative Beginnings by focusing on strategic initiatives that guide the organization’s long-term goals and priorities. Operational decisions and day-to-day management are expertly handled by the professional leadership team. The Board’s role is to provide strategic oversight and guidance in areas such as financial planning.
The Board meets once a month for nine months of the year and includes parents/guardians of children currently in the care of Creative Beginnings, parents/guardians whose children have graduated from the program, and community volunteers who are passionate about supporting this exceptional organization.
We are always looking for new Board members. Whether you have professional expertise to share or are looking to gain valuable experience in governance and strategic planning within a supportive environment, we encourage you to apply. Joining the Board is a meaningful way to contribute to the continued success of Creative Beginnings and make a positive impact in our community.
If you have any questions about the role, time commitment, or anything else, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us via email at info@creativebeginningselac.ca.
Board members do not need to be parents/guardians of Creative Beginnings children, so feel free to share this opportunity with others in your network who might be interested in joining our team. Thank you for considering this opportunity to make a positive impact.
CBELC Board of Directors
president@creativebeginningselac.ca
Christa O’Connor, RECE, CEO
christao@creativebeginningselac.ca
Meet the Board
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I have two young sons who attended full-time daycare at Creative Beginnings and later progressed into after-school care, PD Day Camps, and Summer Camp as they grew. When I first joined the Board five years ago, I wanted to give something back in appreciation for the high-quality care my boys received each day, which enabled me to return to work with confidence.
Volunteering on the Board allowed me to fulfill that desire. As a Senior Operations Executive, I have experience, perspective, and time that I can meaningfully contribute to support the organization. This feels like the least I can do for a team that does such an exceptional job caring for our children and supporting working families like ours.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of watching the organization blossom and grow, extending access to high-quality early years education to more children across our local community.
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I have been working in banking for ten years, with the last few years spent in head office roles, most recently working on the national customer experience programs and strategy. Prior to banking, I spent years teaching dance classes to children within the Baden community. I have one child enrolled in Creative Beginnings and I am overwhelmingly grateful for the work–life balance the organization has allowed me to enjoy. I am excited for the opportunity to contribute to CBELC in a meaningful way!
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Hello! I am Sarah Spethmann, a Registered Early Childhood Educator and Early Learning Pedagogy Specialist for the Métis Nation of Ontario. I am connected to CBELC through my two children—one is a proud graduate, and my youngest still attends. As an early learning professional with years of experience in various roles, joining the Board has allowed me to continue to advocate for the importance of quality care and educator well-being!
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As a lawyer and a busy mom of four kids who all attend different programs at CBELC, I greatly appreciate the service they provide within our community. It is for that reason that I joined the Board to support the organization and staff so that they can continue to provide exceptional care for our children.
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Joining the CBELC Board was an opportunity for me to contribute to this wonderful organization that has provided exceptional care to my three young kids. I have been so impressed with the quality of care and consistently high standards seen at the centres run by CBELC, and it has allowed me to pursue my career knowing my kids are in great hands. Professionally, I am a Director of Communications with a particular focus on corporate culture and the employee experience and I’m thrilled to be on the Board supporting and accelerating the CBELC vision.
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I joined the Board of Directors to put my passion for safe, high-quality, and affordable childcare into action. This incredible organization is more than just a service provider for my family—it’s an exceptional community that prioritizes the well-being of its staff, children, and families. As a parent who relies on these services, I understand the importance of a strong, supportive childcare environment.
With almost 15 years of experience as a graphic designer, I have worked across corporate, startup, and entrepreneurial spaces and I was honoured to redesign the organization’s brand and website. I’m committed to ensuring that the company’s vision and values are always reflected in its brand and look forward to further supporting this outstanding organization.
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I serve as the Director of Integrated Services at a local community health centre. As a CBELC parent and member of the Creative Beginnings Board of Directors, I contribute valuable insights into governance, integrated care models, and community engagement. I am committed to supporting the organization’s mission to provide safe, nurturing, and developmentally enriching environments for children and families.
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Jennisha Wilson (she/her) is a senior leader with 15+ years of experience across public sector and non-profit organizations. She currently serves as Director, Anti-Racism & Anti-Oppression at a post-secondary institution and is completing her three-year term on the University of Waterloo Board of Governors. Her background includes extensive work in governance, community leadership, and anti-human trafficking prevention and intervention, with a strong commitment to systems change, survivor support, and equitable access to services.
