June 4. 2026
We are proud to announce our proposed slate of Board of Directors for 2026/27.
Helen Button – Helen grew up in rural southwestern Ontario. She attended grad school and worked as a writer in the communications field for several years before becoming a lawyer. Helen practiced for a number of years in Simcoe, Ontario, before moving her practice to St. Thomas in early 2020. Helen is an active volunteer and has held positions on several not-for-profit boards, including the Norfolk Association for Community Living, Routes to Root Film Festival, and the St. Williams Conservation Reserve Community Council. She also enjoys singing choral, hiking, cooking, and reading. This is Helen’s sixth year on the Board and first as Past Chair.
Natalie Huston – Natalie is returning for her fifth year on the Board and first year as Chair. Natalie is a committed advocate for the empowerment of women locally, nationally, and globally. She has worked for many years in the social services field, providing the information, support and advocacy required for everyone in the community to maximize their growth on the path to economic, physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Natalie is committed to this work from a gender-based lens that values and upholds the contributions, skills, and unlimited possibilities of women and girls as a way forward to achieve equity for people of all identities. Natalie has deep roots in St. Thomas and has lived and worked most of her life in the downtown core, spending her free time in nature and hiking. She looks forward to working on the board for many years to come.
Surbhi Chaturvedi – Surbhi has been into banking since 2009 where she has educated many people with financial literacy. For the last 16 years, she has helped many families and individuals achieve dreams of their perfect weddings, favorite car, dream home, and higher education. She believes, ” Setting a goal is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible “. Surbhi immigrated to Canada in 2019 and made St. Thomas her home with her husband and two beautiful kids. Working with TD Bank she always feels thankful and blessed to be part of this community. She is passionate about her community and is always ready to be part of any event to help and give back to this lovely community. This will be Surbhi’s fourth year on the YWCA Board.
Rachel Honsinger – Rachel is entering her third year on the Board. She grew up in Elgin County where she now lives with her husband and two young children. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Sociology as well a Certificate in Human Resources Management and her CHRP designation. She is now a partner in CH Financial Group, working as a Licensed Life Insurance Broker and Investment Representative. Rachel has volunteered with several local organizations over the years, including the YWCA, and is enjoying being more involved in the community by serving on the Board.
Mackenzie Jackson – Mackenzie is originally from a town called Ajax, but has spent time in Toronto, Kingston, and Gatineau, Quebec before making St. Thomas her home. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Industrial Relations from Queen’s University and has spent the past five years working in Human Resources. She recently returned to school and is now entering her third year studying law at Western. In her free time, Mackenzie enjoys weightlifting, cooking, and exploring her new home of St. Thomas. This will be Mackenzie’s third year on the board, and she looks forward to making a positive contribution to her new community.
Tori Taylor (she/her) – Tori has over ten years of technical project management experience, leading large and small-scale projects relating to data management, content management and software development. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Women’s Studies from Western University, where she led the Early Outreach Conference, participated on the University Student Council, and volunteered with the Gender Studies Student Collective. Tori planted her roots in St. Thomas seven years ago with her partner, Kat. She appreciates the community’s joy, spirit and creativity (especially in the summer when the Horton Farmer’s Market comes to life!). She tirelessly advocates for women, gender-diverse people and families, and looks forward to positively contributing to the city she loves so much. In her spare time, Tori enjoys gardening, long walks, reading, and trying new recipes. Tori is looking forward to her third year on the YWCA Board of Directors!
Aurora Alcocer – As a passionate leader and entrepreneur, Aurora believes that food has the power to bring people together and celebrate our differences. In St. Thomas, she strives to showcase the rich flavours and vibrant culture of traditional Mexican cuisine making it accessible to everyone in the community. By representing the beauty of multiculturalism through her food and ideas she hopes to inspire others to appreciate and embrace our differences fostering a sense of unity among all of us. Through her involvement with the YWCA, Aurora has the opportunity to connect with individuals in the community who are navigating cultural transitions, offering them support and guidance. By serving on the board of directors, she aims to contribute positively to the development of innovative ideas and solutions that foster community growth, leveraging the resources available at the YWCA to enhance our collective progress. This will be Aurora’s second year on the Board.
Melinda Bole – Melinda, from our hometown St. Thomas, is an experienced public sector professional with a background in government operations, leadership, and community engagement. With experience in multiple ministries, she has managed programs and teams focused on service delivery, policy implementation, and systemic improvement. Committed to equity and inclusion, Melinda aims to bring strategic thinking, strong communication, and collaboration to the YWCA St. Thomas-Elgin Board. She is dedicated to supporting initiatives that empower women, youth, and underserved communities. This will be Melinda’s second year on the Board.
Sarah Pimlatt – Sarah is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) with over 15 years of financial experience in a variety of industries. She currently works as a financial controller at Doug Tarry Homes. Sarah grew up in Burlington, has lived in Cambridge for the past seven years, and moved to St Thomas two years ago. Sarah has previously served on not-for-profit boards including finance committees in Hamilton and Vancouver and is excited to bring her skills and experience to the YWCA. Sarah currently lives in St Thomas with her husband and two children. In her spare time, she enjoys yoga, dance, volleyball and spending time outdoors. This will be Sarah’s second year on the Board.
Incoming Board Members
Denise Philpott – Denise is a strategic digital leader with more than 15 years of experience advancing innovation, digital transformation and communications within health care organizations, including William Osler Health System and London Health Sciences Centre.
As Digital Media Manager, Denise leads digital communications strategy initiatives that enhance engagement, strengthen organizational reputation and improves user experiences through data-driven decision-making and human-centred design. Her expertise spans digital products, brand strategy, stakeholder engagement and digital governance, with a proven ability to lead complex initiatives from concept through implementation.
Holding specialized degrees in Fine Arts and Industrial Design, Denise brings a unique combination of creativity, systems thinking and strategic problem-solving to her work. She is passionate about leveraging brand, technology and digital communities to create meaningful connections, foster innovation and deliver measurable impact. This will be Denise’s first year on the Board.
Jade Antone – Jade is a proud member of the Oneida Nation of the Thames, a mother of two, entrepreneur and graduate of Canadore College, Mental Health and Addictions Worker program. Originally from London, Ontario, she has called St. Thomas and Port Stanley home for the past 14 years. Through her work in the beauty and wellness industry, Jade is dedicated to promoting self-care as an essential component of overall health and well-being. Her unique blend of experience in both wellness and mental health allows her to support others in building confidence, balance, and resilience in their everyday lives. This will be Jade’s first year on the Board.
Arshia – Arshia was raised in Punjab, India, where she completed her bachelor’s degrees in commerce and law before immigrating to Canada in 2018. Determined to continue her legal career, she completed the licensing requirements in Canada and was called to the Bar in Manitoba in 2024 and subsequently in Ontario later that year.
Throughout her career, Arshia has been committed to improving access to justice and supporting vulnerable members of the community. She has worked with community legal clinics and previously served with the Elgin Oxford Legal Clinic, where she provided legal support to survivors of gender-based violence. She continues in a similar role in Sarnia, assisting survivors and helping individuals navigate the legal system. In addition to her work with community legal clinics, Arshia volunteers as a lawyer with Luke’s Place, contributing to access to justice initiatives and supporting individuals involved in the family court system. She also operates her own practice, Arshia Law Firm, in St. Thomas, where she focuses on serving individuals and families in the community.
Outside of her professional work, Arshia is passionate about advocacy, equity, and community engagement. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, cooking, and spending time outdoors. A former competitive swimmer, she continues to value the discipline, perseverance, and resilience that athletics instilled in her.
Arshia is honoured to serve on the Board and is committed to supporting the organization’s mission and strengthening its impact within the community. This will be Arshia’s first year on the Board.