Mark Reesor – President
Mark is a Sergeant with the Peterborough Police Services. He spent seven years as a Detective Constable in the Criminal Investigations Unit, spending time in the Sex Offences Unit, the Major Crime Unit and as the Elder Abuse Investigator. Prior to his policing career, Mark worked as a Pharmaceutical Representative. Mark’s values align closely with those of Alternatives and he has wide-ranging experience working with vulnerable citizens through his various roles with the Peterborough Police Services. Mark joined Alternatives Board of Directors in the Spring of 2018.
Email Address: [email protected]
Yvette Peplinskie – Treasurer
Yvette has worked in accounting for over 20 years as an auditor for various types of organizations, including not-for-profits, and in the finance departments for the municipal government. She has volunteer experience as the Treasurer on the boards of the YWCA Peterborough Haliburton, Green Communities Foundation, Peterborough Family Resource Centre and Women’s Business Network of Peterborough. Yvette joined the Alternatives Board of Directors in the Fall of 2023.
Shauna Kingston- Director
Shauna is a seasoned helping professional with a passion for equity, inclusion, and social justice. With over two decades of experience in the developmental services sector, she has held clinical, teaching, and leadership roles, including positions as a Direct Support Professional, Behaviour Consultant, and Child and Youth Worker. As a certified Child and Youth Care Practitioner with a degree in Psychology and graduate degrees in Child and Youth Studies, Shauna brings expertise in research and evidence-based practice to her role on the board. Shauna joined the Alternatives Board of Directors in the Spring of 2025.
Carrie Wakeford – Director
Carrie Wakeford is the Executive Director of Literacy Ontario Central South. She supports adult training programs across five counties. Previously, Carrie has worked as a manager, employment counsellor, trainer and training developer. She has also been an instructor in the Career Practitioner post grad program at Conestoga. Carrie has managed a team of counsellors, facilitators and case managers. She has managed her own consulting business, as well as non-profit and government funded organizations and training programs. Carrie has held various roles on boards and committees for the past 30 years. Carrie joined the Alternatives Board of Directors in the Fall of 2020.
Anne Driscoll – Director
Anne brings over 40 years of experience in the not for profit sector supporting families and caregivers, fundraising and community outreach with organizations in the communities of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton and Northumberland. Anne is an active member of the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce, Peterborough’s Women’s Business Network, Peterborough Area Fundraisers Network and Ennismore Horticultural Society. Volunteer experience includes Coordinator of Ennismore Community Food Hamper, Victim Crisis and Referral Service, Special Olympics, Canadian Cancer Society – Relay for Life and Peer to Peer Support, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Easter Seals Festival of Trees, Victim Services Board of Directors Peterborough and Northumberland. Anne joined Alternatives Board of Directors in the Fall of 2020.
Denise Stone – Director
Denise worked at Community Services in Peterborough as an Adult Protective Services worker providing advocacy for 10 years. She was the Executive Director for St. Catherine’s YWCA and Fort Erie Brain Injury, from there Denise went on to be the Reginal Director at the Canadian Red Cross Niagara Branch for 10 years. Denise final 10 years of her career were spent as an Emergency Management and Business Continuity Specialist with St. Catherine’s Fire Services and Niagara Region. Denise joined Alternatives Board of Directors in the Spring of 2021.
Audrey Gwiza- Director
Audrey, hailing from Rwanda, embarked on a transformative journey to Canada to pursue her studies and carve out a career in the corporate world. With a solid foundation in banking, nurtured at Kawartha Credit Union, Audrey has honed her skills in financial systems and strategic decision-making. In 2023, Audrey took on a vital role as a member of the Alternatives Board of Directors, where she contributes her expertise to drive strategic initiatives and steer the organization towards its mission. Audrey joined Alternatives Board of Directors in the Fall of 2023.
Joseph Horrigan- Director
Joseph is criminal defense lawyer and teaches the advanced criminal law course at Trent University. He runs his own office in Peterborough and has been practicing as a sole practitioner since 2020. Beyond his employment, Joseph has volunteered with Aspire (a mentorship program through the John Howard Society) that helps young people trying to plan out their future educational and employment goals. Joseph is from Peterborough and through friends from elementary and high school was made aware of all of the great work alternatives does in the community and became a board member in the spring of 2025.
