Anish Austin
With experience as an emergency medical responder and caseworker in social services, Anish is a fierce advocate for resiliency and the prevention of workplace injuries such as burnout, compassion fatigue, PTSD and vicarious trauma. Currently working towards a Masters of Education in Counselling Psychology, Anish previously worked at CMHA Ontario as a Trainer in Resilient Minds, before leaving to continue his education. He continues to facilitate Resilient Minds courses across Ontario.
Regan Bolduc
Coming soon.
Steve Fraser
Steve is a co-author of Resilient Minds, an approved instructor for the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, and a certified Field Traumatologist. Steve has over 28 years of experience in the fire service and recently retired from Vancouver Fire Rescue Services (VFRS). Steve was the coordinator of the VFRS CISM/Peer support team, managing a team of over 40 firefighters and held a full-time position as Captain of Mental Health and Wellness. During his time in the fire service, Steve partnered with the CMHA to create and deliver the Resilient Minds program. In addition to his work with CMHA developing and delivering mental wellness education, he is actively involved with nationwide research groups, collaborating with the University of Regina, University of PEI, Western, McMaster, Dalhousie, and FIREWELL (a health and wellness community for firefighters). Through his lived experience, he brings a unique, empathetic approach to the culture and issues first responders face.
Dave Gillespie
Dave works with Peterborough Fire Services (ON), growing from Firefighter, to Captain, to Division Chief spanning over 30 years. Over that time, he witnessed his colleagues and himself face many traumatic calls and the resulting impact on mental health. Where previously it was the norm to see firefighters use dark humour, have anger fits, use alcohol and cannabis to numb the pain, and watch their marriages and personal lives unravel, Dave now sees a turning point in the fire industry.
Dave joined CMHA at the inception of Resilient Minds, finding it one of the most progressive programs teaching proactive strategies for oneself, coworkers, and clients. In his view, “We are changing the way we do business, and it is our responsibility to give our current firefighters a bigger toolbox of healthier mental health tools. We must also role model it for the next generation.”
Besides working as Chief Training Officer for Peterborough Fire, he contributes on the Peer Support team, teaches Swiftwater, HazMat, is a College Adjunct Professor and an Ontario Fire College Instructor. He also speaks at FDIC and other conferences in Canada and the U.S.
Dave lives with his two sons and his wife who is a police officer. He manages his own health by canoeing, camping, skiing, skidooing, and volunteering.
Carmen Grillo
Carmen is the Program Manager and Lead Instructor for Resilient Minds at CMHA Ontario. He holds a PhD in Sociology from York University and has over 10 years of experience in curriculum development, education and facilitation – having designed and facilitated adult learning in diverse settings from post-secondary education to private industry to the non-profit sector.
Carmen brings an understanding of the mental and physical challenges of first responder work. While following his dream of becoming a first responder, he completed a Pre-service Firefighter Education and Training certificate at Seneca College and is currently serving as an Auxiliary Officer with an Ontario police service where he works alongside sworn officers. Having worked closely with firefighters, police and other first responders over the past few years, Carmen has developed an immense appreciation for the toll that mental health struggles take on first responders and the communities they support.
In his spare time, Carmen enjoys playing music, keeping fit through running, hiking and weightlifting, and connecting with friends and family.
Barbara Matzner
Barbara Matzner is a Trainer/Facilitator for Resilient Minds for Community Workers and Mental Health Works at CMHA Ontario. A passion for making well-being resources and tools more accessible to everyone drew her to the field of community work and later to education and training. Barbara brings an M.Ed. in Counselling & Psychotherapy from the University of Toronto and a decade of experience supporting and educating people in the areas of mental health, physical health, and employment. But more importantly, she brings a whole lot of empathy. Barbara has felt and witnessed, in her colleagues and in herself, the burnout and strain that can come from helping others without receiving enough support for oneself. Grappling with the question; “who is helping the helpers?”, she is moved to be a part of the Resilient Minds program as one avenue to support those who have dedicated their lives to support others.
Kayla Musselman
Kayla has been a career firefighter in the Nation’s Capital for 10 years. Before that, she spent nearly a decade working as a 911 Communications Operator for police, fire, and ambulance services across various communication centers. She also dedicated five years as a volunteer firefighter in the rural Northern community where she grew up.
For the past four years, Kayla has been a Lead Instructor for Resilient Minds. She is also an Instructor Trainer for Resilient Minds for Indigenous First Responders and has traveled to numerous Indigenous communities to deliver the program. Additionally, she was part of the steering committee for Resilient Minds for 911 Communications Operators and is thrilled to now be delivering this program nationwide.
In her spare time, Kayla enjoys spending time with her two young children and maintaining the illusion that all the books she reads are educational.
Karen Powell
Karen has over 35 years experience in the BC Public Service, including BC Wildfire Service. She also has over 20 years experience in the field of Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) and was the BC Provincial CISM Manager for the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources. She is certified through the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation as an instructor for Group Crisis Intervention and Assisting Individuals in Crisis. Karen became a CMHA Resilient Minds instructor in 2018 for Building the Psychological Strength of Wildland Firefighters and became an instructor in 2023 for Building the Psychological Strength of Indigenous First Responders. Her volunteer experience includes 14 years with the RCMP Victim Services and two years on the Quesnel Palliative Care Board in BC.
Ian Roy
With approximately ten years of experience as a firefighter, Ian has learned firsthand how critical healthy crew dynamics are in managing the stress that comes with being a first responder. Over the years, he has come to recognize that mental health is just as important as physical preparedness.
His personal journey has taught him the value of open communication and mutual support in fostering a resilient team. As an instructor, he is passionate about teaching fellow first responders how to recognize signs of mental strain and how to cultivate positive, supportive environments within their teams.
Outside of work, Ian believes it is essential to find balance by fostering healthy relationships with family and friends. He loves spending time with family, enjoying the outdoors, and traveling, which all help him maintain balance and recharge.
Pauline Spiess
Pauline is a mental health educator who specializes in training first responders to effectively support their own mental health and that of their peers through skill-building and education. She joined Toronto Fire Services in 2022 and is proud to advocate for the mental health and well-being of first responders.
Pauline holds a Master’s degree in Cognitive Science and Neuropsychology from the University of Lyon, France (2008) and is a Lead Trainer for the Resilient Minds program. Previously, as Program Manager, Pauline led the implementation and operationalization of Resilient Minds at CMHA Ontario, and has been heavily involved in both Francophone and Indigenous first responders-centered adaptations.
Outside of work, Pauline enjoys rock climbing, hiking, and visiting her family in France.
Kyle Swadron
Kyle has been a firefighter for 15 years. He started his fire career as a volunteer firefighter, and is now a full-time firefighter in York Region, where he is an Acting Captain. He is a very proud father of two young girls who give him so much meaning in life. Throughout his fire career, he has worked on his department’s medical instructor team as team leader, and was part of the creation of his department’s Peer Support Team, where he is also a team leader.
When he graduated from Algonquin College, Kyle was eager to start his fire career; while he knew his fireground skills were sharp, he also knew he was not trained in how to deal with the mental stress of the job. Resilient Minds gave him the tools and helped him find healthy coping skills. More importantly, it has let him teach many firefighters how to live a healthy and mindful lifestyle to go along with the job.
Scott Van Nieuwenhove
Scott is a certified Resilient Minds Instructor and an active Paid-on-Call Firefighter, dedicated to equipping first responders with the tools to build psychological resilience, manage stress, and enhance mental well-being.
With firsthand experience in the fire service, Scott understands the unique challenges and demands of frontline work. Scott fosters mental strength, peer support, and a culture of mental health awareness. Passionate about supporting fellow first responders, Scott strives to empower others to prioritize their well-being while continuing to serve their communities with strength and confidence.
Brandon Vecchiola
Brandon is the Program Coordinator and Trainer for Resilient Minds at CMHA Ontario. As an addiction counsellor, previously at CMHA Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services in London, Ontario, he taught mental health education to members of the public and managed a case load of hundreds of clients. In addition to his public education and speaking experience, he served as a soldier for the Canadian Armed Forces for 12 years and counselled veterans. With a first-hand knowledge of the challenges and trauma faced by first responders, Brandon is passionate about improving the mental health of the personnel who protect and support our communities.
James Woods
James’ background includes 20 years as a Mental Health Clinician in Northern Ontario, with a focus on Indigenous health care, trauma, substance use and generalized mental health disorders. He is actively involved in the District Critical Incident Stress Management team and provides contract crisis services and training. In addition to his clinical community work experience, James brings a wealth of fire service experience. He is currently Fire Chief for the Township of Alberton, Ontario, and is also a firefighter with the Town of Fort Frances and with Couchiching First Nation.
When not working in community mental health or for the fire service, James enjoys tending to his hobby apiary, is an outdoor educator and wilderness guide, and spends as much time on the land and water as possible.