Windsor, ON: Councillor Jo-Anne Gignac was elected to serve as Chair of the Windsor Police Service Board by members of the Board at their meeting held on January 16, 2025. Sophia Chisholm was re-elected to serve as Vice-Chair.
“I want to thank the members of the Board for their confidence and support,” said Chair Gignac. “The Board is committed to providing excellence in police oversight and governance, and I look forward to working with the members of the Board, Chief Jason Bellaire, and all of the men and women of the Windsor Police Service as we remain dedicated to improving public safety, fostering public trust, and continuous improvement and innovation in 2025.”
CHAIR:
Councillor Jo-Anne Gignac is a lifelong resident of the Riverside area. Jo-Anne was first elected to City Council in 2003.
Jo-Anne has also been involved with a number of Community organizations, including the Children’s Achievement Centre, Windsor Catholic Family Services, Habitat for Humanity, May Court Club of Windsor and the Farrow Miracle Park.
Councillor Gignac’s continuing priorities are to attract diversified investment in Windsor to create jobs; continuing the City of Windsor’s fiscal focus on reducing costs and taxes; promoting safe and clean neighbourhoods; and investing in improved sewers and roads. She is committed to working tirelessly with residents and business, making the tough decisions to achieve an attractive, vibrant community at the forefront of social and economic innovation.
VICE-CHAIR:
Sophia Chisholm is a lifelong resident of Windsor. Sophia is a certified professional accountant (CPA, CA) with a Bachelor of Commerce Honours Business Administration degree from the University of Windsor. Sophia brings financial expertise and community direction to the Board as a leader in financial management, business strategy, and employee development, with experience in both the private and public sector.
Sophia is currently the Senior Vice-President, Finance at Windsor Family Credit Union (WFCU) where she oversees the credit union’s financial operations. Prior to her current position, she held executive finance and administrative positions in various industry sectors including manufacturing, retail automotive, and professional public accounting.
Sophia has demonstrated community and governance leadership as a current board member of the Windsor Port Authority, and as a former Member of the Windsor Police Services Board (2016-2018), The Windsor Essex Children’s Aid Foundation (Board Vice-President), Essex Golf and Country Club (Finance Committee), and Association for Persons with Physical Disabilities (past-Treasurer). She was named a Heart & Stroke Red Dress Honouree for her dedication to community involvement and has launched several charitable initiatives involving children and food/toy drives. She has volunteered for numerous non-profit organizations and events throughout the community, in both a personal and professional philanthropic capacity.
Sophia is passionate about the safety and standing of Windsor, where she lives with her husband and two daughters. As a staunch supporter of Windsor-Essex, Sophia believes that volunteerism and direct involvement are essential elements to the community’s culture.
The WINDSOR POLICE SERVICE BOARD is a seven-member civilian Board that oversees the Windsor Police Service. Three Board members are appointed by the Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Ontario, three are appointed by Municipal Council (i.e. the Mayor or designate and two members of Municipal Council), and one is a Municipal appointee who is neither a member of council nor an employee of the municipality. The Windsor Police Service provides policing and public safety to the City of Windsor and the Town of Amherstburg.
The mandate of the Windsor Police Service Board is to set policy and to maintain an adequate and efficient police service, working with the community, city council and the police service.
Contact:
Norma Coleman
Administrative Director
ncoleman@windsorpolice.ca