The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) is pleased to announce the re-election of Council President Mukesh Kowlessar, RSSW, and the election of the Council Executive Committee for 2021/2022.
“It’s a great honour to be re-elected to serve as President of the College Council,” said Kowlessar, who was re-elected on September 9, 2021. “I look forward to working alongside my fellow Council members as we continue our important work in the name of public protection.”
Kowlessar has over 30 years of leadership experience in the municipal and provincial sectors in social services. He was formerly an adjudicator with the Landlord and Tenant Board and a Registrar at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice; he is also currently a consultant in strategic planning. Kowlessar is a strong proponent of ensuring a diversity, equity and inclusion lens in the business of governance and in society in general.
“Council’s strategic work will continue to support the operations of the College to ensure members commitment to professional and ethical practice,” adds Kowlessar. “Social workers and social service workers play an integral role in so many communities – the public deserves the protection provided by College oversight.”
The College currently regulates over 25,000 social workers and social service workers across Ontario. Council is a 21-member governing body and board of directors that manages and administers College affairs. Council oversees the policy direction of the College as it fulfills its mandate to protect the public interest.
“I am pleased to continue working with Mukesh and Council as we operationalize the College’s strategic priorities in the current planning period,” said College Registrar and CEO Lise Betteridge, MSW, RSW. “Everything the College does comes down to public protection: All Ontarians benefit when they receive care and services from regulated professionals. Professional self-regulation not only protects the public from unqualified, incompetent and unfit practitioners, but also demonstrates members’ commitment to professional and ethical practice.”
The following Council members were also elected by Council to the Executive Committee:
- Lisa Seburn, RSW, Vice-President
- John Fleming, Public Member, Vice-President
- Sanjay Govindaraj, RSW, Executive Member
- Shelley Hale, RSSW, Executive Member
- Pamela Murphy, Public Member, Executive Member
The Executive Committee is a statutory committee of Council. It provides leadership to Council and facilitates its efficient and effective functioning.
To learn more about the Council, including member biographies, please visit the College Council Members webpage.