PARO was founded in 1995 with Rosalind Lockyer at the helm. Her goal was to create a program to help women to realize success on their own terms. PARO began as a women’s community loan fund; today, as a multi-faceted women-centered community economic development program, it supports PARO groups located throughout Northwestern Ontario.
The essence and originality of PARO was seeded in how Rosalind involves the members in the organization and program development. A true grassroots organization, the members are elected to the board of directors annually, and collectively work with Rosalind, as primary innovators and decision-makers for the organization. Under her leadership, PARO has received significant recognition for its contribution to women. In 2002, PARO received the Soroptimist of Americas Eastern Canada Award for Advancing the Status of Women, and in 2004, the Chamber of Commerce Award for Business Excellence-Not- For- Profit.
Seven years at university earned Rosalind a Psychology Degree and certified teaching credentials. However, it was the 20 years of working as a teacher, entrepreneur, community developer that left Rosalind blatantly aware of systemic women’s issues, and provided the skills, experience, passion, and determination to work for positive change locally, provincially, and nationally.
For these efforts, Rosalind was awarded the prestigious Influential Women of Northern Ontario Award-Pubic Sector 2005 from Northern Ontario Business recognizing her leadership in building PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise into the dynamic organization that it is today. Rosalind serves as a founding director of the Canadian Women’s Community Economic Development (CED) Council, vice-chair of the Policy Council of the Canadian CED Network, women’s reference group member for the North Superior Training Board, advisory committee member for the Pan-Canadian Community Development Learning Network, and steering committee member for the new Ontario CED Network.
Laura Lynch has been with PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise for 8 years. Starting her career as a legal secretary for 6 years, she then began working with computerized accounting in 1995, and in 1998, Laura established her own bookkeeping and office service business. Having joined PARO Centre in June of 1998 as the Executive Assistant/Bookkeeper, Laura works along with the Executive Director in overseeing the financial activities of the organization of which include the preparation of financial statements, budget statements, and financial reports. In her position, Laura is also responsible for carrying out the bookkeeping/accounting and general administrative duties of the organization.
In her recreational time, Laura enjoys playing pool on a women’s league; gardening; and is a member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority
Bobby Jo Chenier joined PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise in June 2005 as Project Coordinator for the Gateway program. Through one-on-one sessions and group workshops, Bobby Jo provides individual support, financial and business expertise to assist program participants when developing their business plan and starting their business.
Bobby Jo received her Honours B.A. in Political Science from Laurentian University in 2003, where she also worked as a Teaching Assistant. Her experience includes work with the Wawa Economic Development Corporation as a Project Officer; Yours Temporarily as a Regional Administrator; and the Anishnabek Educational Institute as a Sessional Instructor.
Apart from her work with PARO, Bobby Jo is a member of the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care, and is an active parent in the Minor Hockey league association.
Maria started with PARO in the spring of 2005, and currently holds the position of Program Administrator.
Maria’s educational background includes an Honours degree in Political Science from Lakehead University, studies at the University of Calgary in the Development Studies/International Development program, and a certificate in Italian Language from the Centro di Cultura per Stranieri at the University of Florence, Italy.
Apart from her work at PARO, Maria enjoys volunteering in the community, of which includes work with the Thunder Bay Multicultural Association as an ESL tutor.
Suzanne Tighe joined the PARO team in the fall of 2006, as Program Coordinator of The Business Accelerator Program. Suzanne’s responsibilities are to provide women entrepreneurs a flexible variety of workshops, mentoring, expert coaching, web and tele-classes in Thunder Bay and throughout the region.
Suzanne comes to the position with 25 years of wide-ranging business experience. Starting her career path in sales of a high profile securities firm in downtown Toronto; she then moved to Thunder Bay and became Owner/Operator of a large home-based family business and franchise for 14 years. From Thunder Bay she partnered with a land developer, and established a golf recreational business and golf course in southern Ontario. In 2003, she went to Calgary where she worked, as General Manager, for a locally-based Thunder Bay company as they developed a new business from start-up to such time that it began trading publicly on the TSX Ventures Exchange.
Happy to move back to Thunder Bay, she enjoys living life to its fullest. She is also committed to raising funds for Breast Cancer Research.
Anke Starratt joined PARO in January 2007 as the Business Development Counsellor and Team leader for the Women’s Enterprise Centre and PARO on Wheels. In this role Anke is responsible for the development and delivery of comprehensive counselling, training, workshop and e-learning delivery, and mentoring components of a program in support of PARO’s mission to provide programs and services designed to increase the economic independence and self-sufficiency of women and their families.
She is very committed to Northwestern Ontario, and is excited to bring the PARO services across the region.
Born and raised in Germany, Anke spent the past 14 years in the Sioux Lookout and Dryden area. Apart from her more than 15 years of employment and entrepreneurial experience, in June 2006, she received her Business-Accounting Diploma from Confederation College with a 4.0 GPA, as well as the Award of Excellence. Anke is also a recipient of the National Scholarship, which is awarded through the Garfield Weston Merit Scholarship for Colleges.
Outside from her work with PARO, Anke enjoys spending time with her family, is involved in Martial Arts, and is living a very active life style. Committed to life long learning, she is always pursuing higher education and personal growth, and is finally starting to find her place in Thunder Bay.
Christine joined PARO Centre in January 2007 as the Program Assistant and Loans Officer. In this dual role, Christine is responsible for the delivery of clerical/bookkeeping/reception services, and assisting with the overall administration of the office; as well as the effective administration and delivery of peer lending programs and services in support of PARO’s mission to provide programs and services designed to increase the economic independence and self-sufficiency of women and their families.
Christine holds extensive administrative experience in both the non-profit and for-profit business sectors. Her experience includes over ten years of financial accounting administration with two local accounting firms; over three years administrative support to the CEO and Board of Directors, Manitoba Museum of Man and Nature; and three years fundraising for local, provincial, and national charitable organizations.
Having returned to university as an adult student, Christine earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Lakehead University in 1994.
Lori Wychopen Morin is approaching her fifth year as the Business Development Trainer for PARO’s Making A Difference program. Having studied Marketing, Entrepreneurship, and Business at Confederation College, Lori works with program participants, offering individual assistance and support in various aspects of business development, including business plan development. In addition to providing her financial and business knowledge to program participants seeking to become self-employed, Lori also supports participants seeking employment by assisting with job searches and resume writing.
Lori is also the coordinator of PARO’s weekly Biz and Bagel speaker series, and editor of PARO’s weekly e-newsletter The PARO Link. In 2005, Lori was the recipient of the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce Employee of the Year award, recognizing her contribution within the public sector.
As well as her work with PARO, Lori is an Advisory Member for the Confederation College Entrepreneurship Program; a member of the Employment Resource Committee; a Board Member for the Thunder Bay Community Mentoring Program; and a member of St. Peter’s Church Parish Council.
Pamela Caland joined the PARO team in April 2007 as the Project Coordinator for the Northern Opportunities for Women (NOW) program. In this role, Pam is responsible for the development of new PARO Peer Lending Circles, and nurturing existing Circles throughout Thunder Bay and Region. As well, Pam assists participants to access self-employment, employment and training opportunities, and personal and career development information.
A graduate of both Lakehead University and Confederation College, Pam earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Geography and Indigenous Learning, and a Post Graduate Certificate in Global Entrepreneurship and Electronic Commerce. Since 2000, Pam has worked with a number of area First Nations undertaking community and economic development projects.
Outside of her work with PARO, Pam is a member of the Board of Directors of the Fort William Curling Club, and enjoys spending quality time with her family.
