Erika Morton (she/her), Chair
Senior Systems Planning Officer, Canadian Observatory on Homelessness
Erika attended McMaster University where she completed her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and her Bachelor of Social Work which sparked her interest in community development and prevention-based approaches to social issues. Her work in child and youth programming inspired her to follow a career pathway that would result in building the capacity of young people to achieve their optimal wellbeing. She worked at the Social Planning and Research Council of Hamilton where she provided collaboration support with community partners and youth with lived experience of homelessness who are working together to end youth homelessness. In her current role as Senior Systems Planning Coordinator with the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness, she is keen to transfer the skills and knowledge that she has developed towards preventing and ending homelessness in Canada. In her downtime, Erika is likely to be found being amused by her cats.
Brent Esau, Treasurer/Secretary
Chief Operating Officer, Compass Community Health
Brent joined our Board in 2024. With more than twenty years in community development, Brent has been engaged in supporting vulnerable youth, individuals who are homeless, international development and primary healthcare for equity-deserving individuals and families. He is committed to building capacity among individuals and organizations to bring hope to our communities.
Andrew Montgomery, Director
Constable-Hamilton Police Service
Andrew attended Sir Sanford College and graduated with an Educational Assistant Diploma. He then attended Trent University and graduated with a degree in Psychology. Andrew has volunteered with Hospice Peterborough, Victim Services Hamilton, Big Brother, Champions for Youth and was a committee member for Relay for Life. His passion in his career and personal life has always been helping others.
Bill Paul, Director
Sales Manager, KinsBrae Packaging Inc.
Born in Hamilton and educated at McMaster University, Bill joined the Board of Directors of Mission Services of Hamilton in 2024 with the aim of continuing his more than 40 years of social service.
From coaching youth sports to being a blood donor to his involvement with several charities, Bill is committed leaving circumstances better than how he found them. Bill credits his mom and dad for this disposition.
Raising funds for service organizations – including Mission Services of Hamilton, providing direction to the leaders of tomorrow and offering support to our brothers and sisters who have been pushed to the very margins of society is the manner in which he applies his community efforts and what has led him to this role.
Heather Varlow, Director
Case Presentation Specialist, Office of the Director of Crown Operations, Ministry of the Attorney General
Heather joined the board in 2024. She is passionate for all things related to the criminal justice field and social work. Heather brings over 10 years experience working in the social service field to the board. Originally Heather started as a volunteer with Mission Services, moving on to work in women’s services and eventually men’s services until making the move to pursue her passion in the criminal justice field. She is actively involved in volunteering in the local farming and equestrian community.
Stephen Kirby
Partner, MacDonald & Partners LLP
In 2025, Stephen joined the Board of Directors at Mission Services of Hamilton, aligning his legal expertise with his dedication to community advocacy. As a Partner at MacDonald & Partners, Stephen applies his extensive knowledge of family law—gained through his work across Ontario courts, including the Supreme Court of Canada—to support meaningful initiatives. As an honours graduate of the Dual J.D. Program at the University of Windsor and the University of Detroit Mercy, he has also made substantial contributions to family law publications and Continuing Legal Education programs.
Tyler Firth, Director
Retired Social Worker
Tyler joined the board in 2024 after a nearly forty year career in social work and journalism. He brings a passion for community organizing, policy and advocacy which was piqued and nurtured while attending grad school decades ago. He has worked in direct service in child welfare and community mental health in Windsor and Brantford. Mission Services’ Good Food Centre in one of a few volunteer assignments he keeps to stay active in the community. Tyler’s interests include reading, running and writing; he is an occasional contributor to The Hamilton Spectator opinion page.
Jerry Bulthuis, Director
Jerry Bulthuis joined the Mission Services of Hamilton Board of Directors in September 2025, continuing a long-standing relationship with the organization that began in 2012. Jerry is a dedicated volunteer—most recently serving in our Men’s Emergency Shelter, where he continues to support clients and staff through meaningful engagement.
He is also actively involved in his church, where he has served as an elder over the years, led senior programs, and mentored individuals with developmental challenges through the Friendship program—a role he finds especially meaningful. Fluent in English and Dutch, Jerry enjoys woodworking, biking, reading, and camping