Executive Committee
President – Phil Wachel
Email our President
My name is Phil Wachel and I am the President of the Local. I have been a CUPE 4207 member since 2004, but I did not get involved in the union at that time. In 2011 my union activism began when I was elected as the Humanities Steward. At the end of 2011, I was elected as the inaugural Vice President of the newly formed Unit 3. I was the VP when Unit 3 famously went on strike in 2012 (the only strike at Brock to date).
Vice-President Unit 1 – Morgan Crosby
Morgan (she/her) is a recent graduate from Brock’s Social Justice and Equity Studies MA program. She joined the union during her second week at Brock as a TA in women’s and gender studies in 2022. Since then she has attended union conferences, trainings and even worked with CUPE ON. These experiences helped her deepen her union knowledge and build connections throughout the region. She is excited to support members as their VP Unit 1 this year!
Vice-President U1 Graduate Students – Kendra-Lee Dupuis
I’m a dedicated healthcare professional with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Brock University (2014–2018) and currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Nursing, set to finish in August 2025. I’ll be continuing my academic journey with a PhD in Applied Health Science starting in September 2025. Over the past seven years, I’ve worked as a Registered Nurse in both emergency departments and post-secondary institutions. I’m passionate about creating safe, supportive working environments and advancing education in healthcare. Outside of work and study, I’m a proud dog mom to two wonderful pups.
Vice-President Unit 1 Instructors – Tracy Kennedy, PhD
Hello Sisters, Brothers, and Comrades! My name is Tracy Kennedy, and I have been an Instructor at Brock for 23 years and a TA for 26 years. I have taught in six departments at Brock and at four universities across Ontario. I have also worked as a Course Coordinator and Marker-Grader during this time. This is my second term as VP Unit 1 Instructors since the position was created three years ago, and I appreciate the opportunity to work with Instructors once again.
My goal for this term is to strengthen the sense of community among Instructors by helping us connect with one another, share our experiences, and build greater cohesion across departments and disciplines. I also want to ensure that our voices are heard, that our concerns are addressed, and that we are all treated with respect.
I want to overcome the stereotypes that contract instructors are disconnected, disengaged, or just “passing through.” We are highly skilled, deeply committed educators and researchers, and we deserve to be recognized – and to recognize each other – as vital members of the academic community. I also want us to push back against the harmful stereotype that we only teach on contract because we couldn’t find tenured positions. The reality is that we are experienced, dedicated professionals who choose to continue teaching and contributing to the university despite the structural barriers in academia. Together we are Stronger!
Vice-President Unit 2/3 – Georgina Keller
I have been an ESL instructor here at Brock for the last 15 years and part of the Brock community for over 35 years as a student and alumnus. I have a BA and MA in Applied Linguistics, specializing in Teaching English as a Second Language. I have always had a passion for teaching and enjoy working with International students. I have been part of CUPE 4207 Unit 3 since it was established in 2011.
Vice-President Unit 4 – Rebecca La Rocca
I have been part of the Brock Community since 2006 when I graduated with BScN in nursing. I completed a MScN at McMaster University in 2011 and returned to Brock to start my teaching career as a Clinical Nurse Instructor and Nursing Simulation Lab Coordinator. I became involved with the union when I joined the bargaining team and spent time as lead steward for unit 4 before I became VP unit 4. I look forward to supporting our members for another year! May it be a good one!
Vice-President Unit 5 – Christine Bellini, Ed.D.
Christine has been a part time Instructor in the Faculty of Education since 2012. She holds a Doctorate in Education Policy and is the co-author of Professionalism, Law, and the Ontario Educator (2023).
Christine is a former Member of the Board of Directors for Ontario College of Teachers (6 th Council) where she served as Vice Chair of the Discipline Committee. She also served on the bargaining team for Peel District School Board’s Ontario Principal Council. Christine has extensive training in conflict resolution, education law, Canadian law, and human rights policy.
Christine is a retired Administrator with the Peel District School Board and hopes to serve this Unit by being available for you when you have questions or need assistance as quick as possible.
Christine can be reached at the email above and is available to meet at both the Burlington and St. Catharine’s campus.
Treasurer – Darrin Sunstrum
Hello there, I’m Darrin Sunstrum and I am honoured to serve as the Treasurer for CUPE Local 4207. I am a Brock graduate, who has worked as a Course Coordinator and Teaching Assistant in the Faculty of the Humanities, Department of Classics since 2003. I have served the local in various capacities, as a Faculty Steward, 1812 Health & Safety Committee, Bargaining Committee member and most recently as a member of the Bargaining Research Committee. I have attended numerous CUPE workshops and look forward to learning more in order to serve our members and community. I’m always available for a chat and I look forward to meeting you.
Lead Steward, Unit 1 – Brigitte Cecckin
Hello Cupe 4207 Members, My name is Brigitte and I will be your Lead Steward for 2023/2024. I have over 30 years experience in grievances, collective bargaining, dispute resolution, and general union business. I have a BA in Sociology and MA in SJES – both obtained at Brock. I have TA’d for Sociology and Labour Studies for the past 20 years. I look forward to serving the members of CUPE 4207 once again.
Lead Steward, Unit 2/3 – Donna Pearce
Donna is a Student Development Coordinator in ESL Services and also a proud Brock graduate (BA (Hon), MA Applied Linguistics/TESL, 2011/2012). In addition to her Unit 2 work, she continues to be a member of Unit 1, teaching pronunciation for the PMPB program in the Goodman School of Business. Donna is passionate about learning in general and language learning in particular and is currently in the process of learning her 5th language, Arabic.
Lead Steward, Unit 4 – Amanda Singer
Recording Secretary – Karen Hofman
Equity Officer – Nwakerendu Waboso (K)
Membership Outreach Officer – Daniel Barnowski
Dan “the MOO” Barnowski is a long term TA in the CPCF Deptartment. This is Dans second year as the Outreach Officer for the union and he works to communicate important news to the membership and runs the social events.
Health & Safety Officer – Ben Johnston
Ben is a master’s student in the Child and Youth Studies program and completed his BA in Psychology at Brock. He is passionate about civic advocacy and engagement. Ben has been very involved in the Brock community over the past 6 years, having served as a student representative in numerous capacities, most notably on Brock Senate as well as on Senior Administration Advisory Committees. For 2 years, he served on the Board of Directors of the Brock University Students’ Union. He also has experience serving as a club president and working as student staff in ESL Services, Student Life & Success, and Youth University. In the little bit of free time Ben has, you can find him playing sports.
Unit Stewards
Unit 2/3 Steward – John Villella – Email Unit 3 Here
Unit 4 Steward – Katie Roebuck – Email Unit 4 Here
Faculty Stewards
Social Sciences Steward – Hurakhsh Hazheer
Math and Science Steward – Karl Grantham – Email Here
Karl Grantham is a Master’s student in computer science. His research focuses on AI for drug design. Karl will also be moving on to a PhD in Intelligent Systems and Data Science this fall.
Applied Health Sciences Steward – Drake Christie – Email Here
I’m your steward for the faculty of Applied Health Sciences. In 2022, I graduated from Western University with a Bachelor’s degree in Medical Sciences, and in that same year I began my master’s in Applied Health Sciences here at Brock. My research here at Brock is largely centred around muscle metabolism, with a particular focus on improving metabolism and function of muscle in the context of a rare genetic disease known as Barth syndrome. Since starting at Brock, I have worked as a TA and a marker-grader for Applied Health Sciences courses. I hope to help others gain access to support and resources available through the union.
Education Steward – William Birrell
Business Steward – Sarfaroz Yunosof
International Student Steward – Adwoa (Nana) Yeboah Owusu
Instructors Steward – Melissa St. Germaine-Small – Email Here
Melissa St. Germaine-Small (she/her) proudly identifies as Anishinaabe (Chippewas of Rama First Nation) and Scottish. She holds undergraduate degrees in psychology and sociology from Wilfrid Laurier and Brock University and was a member of the first graduating class of Brock University’s interdisciplinary MA in Social Justice and Equity Studies. Melissa’s doctoral work in Community Psychology at Wilfrid Laurier University focused on Indigenous women, health and social justice with an emphasis on feminist theory and methodology. Melissa has been a member of CUPE 4207 since 2006 and has taught many cross-listed courses. Currently, she teaches primarily for Labour Studies and Women’s and Gender Studies. In her off-time, Melissa enjoys reading, camping, traveling and visiting with family and friends. She and her husband, Dennis, share their home with two dogs adopted from local animal shelters.
Department Stewards
We are looking for departmental stewards for the upcoming academic year! Department stewards play an important role in mobilizing members in their departments and ensuring that the Collective Agreement is followed and that members are aware of their rights, protections, and union activities. If you are interested, email Brigitte here to learn more!
Biology: Peggy Mantel
Canadian Studies: Brian de Ruiter
Child and Youth Studies: Sandra Kroeker
Classics – Vacant
Communication, Pop Culture and Film: Sierra Sheppard
Communication, Pop Culture and Film: Nicole Lemieux
Engineering: Nima Jafarnia
English: Claire Thyne
Geography: Vacant, Apply Now
History: Tracy Stewart
Labour Studies: Vacant, Apply Now
Nursing:
Sociology: Adwoa Fosuaa Owusu
Physics: Parisa Rouzbazar
Political Science: Tim Fowler
Psychology: Perla Matusof
Interactive Arts & Sciences – Vacant
Health and Safety Officers
Health & Safety Officer – Ben Johnson
Deputy Health and Safety Officer – Steph Kravcik
Marylin I. Walker campus Joint Health & Safety Committee – Ben Johnson
Alternate for Joint Health and Safety Committee Meetings – Dan Barnowski
Trustees
Term ending April 30, 2026
- Jessica Srivastava
Term ending April 30, 2027
- Melissa St. Germaine-Small
Term ending April 30, 2028
- Tanima Ferdous