Staff

Paul Pedersen, OACP Executive Director

Paul Pedersen started his role as Executive Director with the OACP on June 24, 2024. He has more than 40 years of exceptional experience in policing having served in senior leadership positions with York Regional Police and Chief of  Police of the Greater Sudbury Police Service.

Paul holds a Master of Public Administration from Western University along with a Diploma in Adult Education from St. Francis Xavier University and is a graduate of Executive Leadership programs from the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Business, the National Police Improvement Agency in the United Kingdom and the Senior Management Institute for Police through the Police Executive Research Forum in the United States.

Paul is a proud Officer of the Merit of the Police Forces and a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal and the Police Exemplary Service medal as well s being invested as a Member in the Order of St. John.

Paul is passionate about community engagement serving on the Board of St. John Ambulance as the Vice-Chair, the Chair of the Sudbury Food Bank, the Chair of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, and a past President of the Cambrian College Board. He participates in a wide variety of community events connection with diverse and multicultural communities all thorough the year.

Dr. Jose Luis (Joe) Couto, OACP Director, Government Relations & Communications

Dr. José Luís (Joe) Couto is a veteran public policy and communications professional with more than 35 years of proven government relations and communication experience. Joe is in his 20th year as Director of Government Relations and Communications for the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police. 

Before serving with OACP, he was a Senior Consultant with Enterprise Canada Consultants Inc., one of Ontario’s leading government relations and communications firms, where he developed a thorough expertise in several public policy areas, including municipal affairs, housing, energy, and taxation and fiscal policies. 

In addition to his professional work, Dr. Couto is also a Professor (part-time) at the University of Guelph-Humber’s Justice Department and Associate Faculty at Royal Roads University’s School of Communication and Culture, where he was awarded the 2016 Outstanding New Faculty Award. He is also a Contributing Editor to the Journal of Community Safety and Ewell-Being. 

A native of Brazil, Joe holds a Doctor of Social Sciences degree and Master of Arts in Professional Communications degree from Royal Roads University and a Bachelor of Journalism degree from Toronto Metropolitan University. 

Joe was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for his contributions to policing and public safety in Canada in 2013 and the Serving With Pride Ally Award in 2016.

Joe Couto Biography

Sharon Seepersad, OACP Director, Administration, Member Relations & Event Management

Sharon Seepersad is a dedicated and accomplished professional with over two decades of experience in administrative management. A graduate of St. Stephen's College in Trinidad and Tobago, Sharon has built a reputation for her commitment, reliability, and willingness to go the extra mile in every role she undertakes.

Sharon began her career in the private sector, where she spent more than 20 years as an office manager. Her exceptional organizational skills and keen attention to detail quickly earned her recognition as a dependable and proficient leader.

In 2010, Sharon joined the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP), fulfilling a personal ambition to work in the field of policing—a decision deeply rooted in her desire to honor her father, a well-respected Inspector of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service. Her father's legacy of service and dedication to the community inspired Sharon to contribute to the policing community in her own way.

Since joining the OACP, Sharon has been an integral part of the team, applying her extensive experience and professionalism to support the organization’s mission. Her role at the OACP allows her to combine her administrative expertise with her passion for public service, making a lasting impact within the policing community.

Larissa Pereira, OACP Communications Coordinator

Larissa Pereira holds a Bachelor of Social Science - Criminal Justice (Honours) and a Diploma in Community and Justice Services (Honours) from Humber College in Toronto. She successfully completed an internship with the OACP in 2017. 

She brings with her a wealth of knowledge in research projects both in the domestic and international markets.

Janice Fendley, Corporate Event Manager

Janice is a skilled and practiced meeting planner with thirty-five years of experience in meeting, conference, special events, and trade show management. She is known for her confidence, comfort and expertise in event planning and management. Janice attended the University of Toronto majoring in Psychology. She earned her Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation in 2004 and was recertified in 2009 and 2014. She has served on the Board of Directors for Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and was nominated for MPI's prestigious ‘Planner of the Year' award. She is a member of the Canadian Society of Professional Event Planners Association (CanSPEP) and is the Youth League Convenor at the Oakville Curling Club. Janice joined the OACP in 2009 as their Corporate Event Manager. While her main focus is organizing the Annual Conference, she also assists with the planning of OACP Committee events. The j. fendley consulting team of Janice and Kelly provide the resources, expertise, talent and commitment to provide the OACP with quality solutions for all their events.

Kelly Burns, B.A., Conference Coordinator

Kelly has been in the meeting planning business for eight years. In this short time, she has quickly shown that she is a born natural for planning conferences and events. She quickly wins over her clients with her ‘go-to' attitude and genuine desire to connect with people. She is truly a people person. Give Kelly a task and she stays with it until it's done. Kelly's twenty-one years in the hospitality industry, along with her Honours Degree in General Studies and 2 Year Diploma in Early Childhood Education from Sheridan College; helped her hone three critical event management skills: the ability to work well under pressure, the ability to work as a member of a team, and a terrific attention to details. Kelly joined the OACP in 2013 as their Conference Coordinator. Her main focus is organizing the Annual Conference and assisting with the planning of OACP committee events. Kelly alongside Janice from the j. fendley consulting team provide the resource, expertise, talent and commitment to provide the OACP with quality solutions for all their events.