Meet the team

Dr. Michelle Vincent

Founding Member, Chief Executive Officer

Police Officer (Ret.) · Ph.D, M.A.C.P., C.C.P.A., I.S.S.T.

Dr. Michelle Vincent is the Founder and Lead Director of The Haven Mental Health and Wellness, a Canadian registered charity dedicated to strengthening the wellbeing of Public Safety Personnel, Military members, Veterans, and their Families. A retired Police Officer with eighteen years of service across frontline, investigative, and community policing, Michelle brings lived experience together with academic research, clinical knowledge, and a lifelong commitment to creating healthier human ecosystems.

Holding a PhD in Forensic Psychology with a specialization in Crisis Response, Michelle's work bridges science, leadership, and lived experience. She is passionate about translating evidence into practical, accessible approaches that strengthen connection, cultivate resilience, and create the conditions where individuals, families, organizations, and communities can thrive.

Michelle believes every person deserves to feel connected, anchored, and empowered with the relationships, knowledge, tools, and confidence to navigate life's challenges. Through The Haven, she brings together researchers, clinicians, leaders, community partners, and people with lived experience to develop innovative, peer-informed programs that foster belonging, lifelong learning, and meaningful contribution.

An international speaker, educator, and collaborator, Michelle shares a vision that extends beyond supporting those who serve. She is committed to advancing a future where every environment—families, workplaces, organizations, and communities—creates the conditions that allow people to grow, contribute, and flourish together.

Together, We Can.

Melissa Petriglia

Co-founder, Lead Director

H.B.A., H.B.S.W., M.S.W., RSW

Melissa is a Registered Social Worker with a Master's in Social Work from the University of Toronto, specializing in Mental Health, and has extensive clinical experience in both hospital and community settings. Her early career included working alongside York Regional Police on mental health calls, followed by crisis intervention work in major Emergency Departments, supporting individuals experiencing addiction, acute distress, and psychiatric emergencies.

Melissa now runs a private psychotherapy practice treating anxiety, depression, burnout, trauma, life transitions, and occupational stress, with a specialization in supporting First Responders and frontline medical staff. She also serves as the Clinical Director for the York Region CISM team and remains deeply committed to supporting those who serve their communities.

Lissa Ruocco

Chair & Lead Director

Police Officer · 24+ years, 17 in Tactical operations

Lissa brings over 24 years of policing experience, including 17 years in Tactical operations, where she became North America's longest-serving female tactical member and the first female sniper in Canada. With expertise in crisis negotiation, rappel, counter-sniper work, and resiliency training, she instructs nationally and was one of only four global participants selected for the FBI Hostage Negotiator course in 2023.

She is a Master Trainer for iPREP, a leader in crisis negotiation and mental performance within her unit, and an award recipient for mentoring, coaching, and contributions to police psychology. Lissa has supported federal PTSI research, delivered Peer Support Training across Canada, coached countless candidates into specialized units, and maintains deep involvement with CISM and public safety peer support networks.

Dr. Paula Di Nota

Secretary

PhD · Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Toronto

With a Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology and nearly a decade of applied research experience, Paula specializes in understanding the complex relationships between occupational stress, wellness, resilience and performance in Public Safety Personnel. Her current role as a Senior Performance Measurement and Reporting Analyst within the Inspectorate of Policing is helping drive improvement and innovation across Ontario's Policing Sector.

Her expertise spans neuroimaging, training, and policy consulting on critical issues like mass casualty response and use of force. We're honoured to have her leadership guiding our mission.

Matthew Simon

Director

Paramedic Superintendent · 20 years emergency response

Matt is an Operations and Tactical Superintendent with one of Ontario's largest paramedic services and also serves part-time as a TEMS provider with the UCRT team. With 20 years of emergency response experience, he has long supported his Peers through York's CISM team and as a dedicated peer supporter, always advocating for improved mental health support for frontline staff.

A collaborative leader, Matt continually seeks new ways to enhance care and resilience within emergency services. Outside of work, he coaches his children's hockey teams, stays grounded through running and time outdoors, and draws leadership inspiration from Simon Sinek's people-first approach. He is passionate about creating healthy workplaces where First Responders can thrive.

Paula McKechnie-Ballak

Director

Emergency Room Nurse · CISM

Paula is a Nurse, having worked in the ER for a number of years. She currently works in the community as a Nurse and has a strong connection to mental wellness. Paula breeds Barbet puppies (French Water dogs), many of which have gone to Policing and other First Responder organizations as support dogs. She has supported mental wellness promotion for many years in CISM.

Dr. Jen Frendo

Director

MD, MBA-C (2027), BSc, CCFP, FCFP · Family Physician, Surgical Assistant, VP — Medical Staff Association

Jen is a Family Physician and Surgical Assistant in the Niagara region, practicing since 2005 after completing medical school and residency at the University of Ottawa. A generalist at heart, she cares for patients across the lifespan and collaborates closely with colleagues to ensure comprehensive, thoughtful care.

With an undergraduate degree in Environmental Science, Jen brings a broad perspective on how environment and health intersect, and she is passionate about the outdoors and community service. In 2025, she began a part-time Executive MBA at Queen's Smith School of Business to further expand her leadership and governance skills. She is honoured to serve on The Haven's Board and looks forward to contributing to its mission.