Our Staff & Board

Collaboration and community involvement are two passions of mine! In previous positions, I have coordinated the justice-related activities of the different faith communities, and I connected interested volunteers with organizations across the city. We all need to work together to make our communities more welcoming and inclusive, and safe and inviting. I am a father of four and an outdoor enthusiast, passionate about canoe-tripping, white-water thrills and running. (Yes, I’m a glutton for punishment). Over the years, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for local poetry and writings from within the aboriginal community. Storytelling is one of the most human endeavours, and I believe all voices are important. This is true at Welcome Inn, too!

Being a part of a diverse, resilient community is both exciting and meaningful to me. It is one of the reasons that I am so drawn towards Welcome Inn Community Centre. I love the mix of people, and the beauty that happens when people are welcomed unconditionally. As people live life together and look out for each other, there is a connection that is sparked that I think enriches all of our lives, I know it enriches mine. I live in the north end of Hamilton with my husband and two daughters. We love the creative, diverse vibe in our neighbourhood. I enjoy gardening, traveling, camping, photography, reading and spending time with friends at neighbourhood coffee shops.

Volunteering at Welcome Inn was my first introduction to Hamilton after moving to the city a few years ago. It didn’t take long for me to see that this quirky, vibrant, and welcoming community was where I wanted to be!
I worked as a baker for a number of years before returning to school to study Community and Health Service Navigation. Beautiful things can happen when we look out for each other! I am excited to continue working with volunteers and seniors in the Welcome Inn community. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time outside with my dog, Benny, and finding the time to be creative, whether that is learning to refurbish furniture, making pottery, or gardening.

I am a Hamiltonian born and raised! I feel so privileged to be able to raise my family in this amazing city, specifically in the North End. My creativity, love of community and my ability to see the potential in all, makes the North End an ideal landing spot for me.

My background is in Nursing, with a focus in Acute Mental Health. In addition to raising my two children, being creative is a major part of my life… Knitting, sewing, bookbinding and paper craft are just a few of my hobbies. I love to walk along with the skills and creativity that we have in our community to build an amazing space here at Welcome Inn.

The importance of family and the idea of community as family has always been a huge part of the way I live my life. From the moment I walked through the doors of Welcome Inn I felt like part of this community that feels like a big family. A family that is so accepting and unique.

I am a Latina immigrant, resettled in Canada, who feels Hamilton is her second home. As an immigrant, I know what it means to be in a country like this and to advocate for those who have just arrived, often with their hands and hearts full of loss, desolation and mourning after leaving behind their entire lives. From my culture, I bring a unique understanding of family, which shares how little or much you have, laughing even when we are hitting rock bottom, because what we never lose is HOPE. Welcome Inn, for me, is that family that willingly opens its doors to you, with the purpose of making you feel at home, and giving you back some hope.

As a recent immigrant, I settled in the north end of Hamilton and started working at Welcome Inn.  I lead peer-to-peer support groups and offer settlement supports to those who have recently arrived in Canada. I have a background as a medical technologist, but it is a beautiful addition to my life to be working with a variety of different cultures. At Welcome Inn, we are all working as a cooperative team to provide more support, comfort and safety to newcomers. It's our hope that they will feel welcome and that they be in a home with their family. As a mother of two lovely children, we are so grateful to be a part of this community. I enjoy writing, walking in nature, and spending time with my family.

As the song goes, I believe that children are our future! Having spent many years working with children in many different capacities, I am thrilled to call Welcome Inn my new home. Whether it was as a camp counselor, camp supervisor or working with children from around the world on cruise ships, I have been surrounded by kids my whole adult life! Trained in Social Work and Recreation and Leisure, I am very excited to have the opportunity to create programming that will address the unique needs of children and families from the north end. I moved to Hamilton more the 25 years ago, and despite seeing some spectacular places around the globe, am very happy to have settled back in the north end of this great city.

Tom Geiger, Chair of the Board
Tom is a Director of Automation with Celestica. He came to Hamilton in 1980, thinking it was a short stay and never left. He’s been helping the local and wider community ever since. He joined the board in 2018 and has been passionate helping the Welcome Inn build a strong and vibrant community.

Leah Schwenger, Vice Chair
Leah is a retired teacher and principal with the Hamilton Wentworth District School Board. Her family has called Hamilton home for four generation. Leah joined the board, so that she could continue working with children and families in Hamilton. She is also on the boards of Wesley and the Hamilton Foundation for Student Success.

David Dutchak, Treasurer
David retired as a managing director with Royal Bank of Canada. He is a lifelong Hamiltonian, and in addition to serving on the board he also serves as an elder & trustee at Central Presbyterian Church and has coached minor league hockey at Coronation Arena.

Joanne Roth, Secretary
Joanne retired as the Program Manager with CARE Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses, and throughout her career has been involved in championing programs designed to improve service delivery models and increase overall program efficiencies. She sits on a number of advisory committees associated with both the settlement and healthcare sectors in Hamilton.

Peggy Savage uses her writing skills gained as a freelance writer for the Hamilton Spectator and various other publications to support the work of Welcome Inn. Over the years, Peggy's volunteer commitments have included working with Big Brothers/Big Sisters, United Way, West Hamilton Wraparound, the Hamilton Council on Aging and McMaster’s Department of Family Medicine Tapestry Program.

Harvey Bremer retired as a Human Resource Business Partner with BMO Financial Group after 33 years. Prior to his HRBP role, he held numerous leadership roles in Retail and Business Banking in the Hamilton and Mississauga areas, including Personal Banking Area Manager for Hamilton Centre. He has also previously served on the Board of Directors of both Trinity Christian School in Burlington and Providence Christian School in Dundas. He currently resides in Waterdown.

Gladys Flores-Buesink is an occasional teacher with both the Hamilton Catholic and Public School Boards. She earned her degree at the University of Guelph and her Bachelor of Education at Trent University. Gladys worked at Welcome Inn as the Children’s Programs Coordinator from 2010 to 2021. She is also a member of 100 Women Who Care Hamilton-Wentworth and a regular supporter of various local charities. Gladys grew up in the North End and is grateful to be able to support Welcome Inn’s vision for community development.

Dale McDonald retired after having served in leadership roles with Ira McDonald Construction Ltd., including President and Director. He is a long-time resident of Hamilton and an alumnus of McMaster University. Dale has served industry and community throughout his career, and he respects the value of organizations that add to the quality of life in our community.