Stewards
We have members who serve as union Stewards at most workplaces.
A union steward, also known as a union representative or shop steward, is your direct line to the Executive. They have been trained to support members in the workplace. Stewards know the contract, they can help with questions or concerns in the workplace. They help defend the right of the membership. The position is a voluntary position, if necessary the Stewards can be booked off to meet with members and their supervisors.
Tori Murray
IMMACULATA FAMILY
Immaculata HS, Assumption, Corpus Christi, St. Brigid, St. Michael (Ottawa)
ST. PETER FAMILY
St. Peter HS, Our Lady of Wisdom, St. Clare, St. Dominic, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Theresa
LESTER B. PEARSON FAMILY
Lester B. Pearson HS, Good Shepherd, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, St. Brother Andre, St. John Paul II, Thomas D’arcy McGee
ST. NICHOLAS ADULT HIGH SCHOOL
&
PAYROLL
Nicole Lavigne
ST. FRANCIS XAVIER FAMILY
St. Francis Xavier HS, St. Bernard, St. Jerome, St. Gianna, St. Veronica
ST. PATRICK FAMILY
St. Patrick HS, Holy Cross, Holy Family, Prince of Peace, St. Gemma, St. Luke (Ottawa), St. Marguerite d’Youville, St. Thomas More
ST. JUAN DIEGO
&
McHUGH
Kees Kapteyn
HOLY TRINITY FAMILY
Holy Trinity HS, Holy Redeemer, St. Anne
SACRED HEART FAMILY
Sacred Heart HS, Guardian Angels, Holy Spirit, St. Philip, St. Stephen
ST. PAUL FAMILY
St. Paul HS, Our Lady of Peace, Our Lady of Victory, St. John the Apostle, St. Rose of Lima
ST. MICHAEL CORKERY
Alex Vavro
ST. PATRICK ADULT HIGH SCHOOL – ESL PROGRAM
*Only a point of contact for the members of Alex’s school and the Executive*
Jill O’Malley
NOTRE DAME FAMILY
Notre Dame HS, Dr. F. J. McDonald, Our Lady of Fatima, St. Anthony, St. Daniel, St. Elizabeth, St. George
ST. MARK FAMILY
St. Mark HS, St. Catherine, St. Leonard, St. Mary
ST. MOTHER TERESA FAMILY
St. Mother Teresa HS, Monsignor Paul Baxter, St. Andrew, St. Luke (Nepean), St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. Patrick
ST. JAMES ELEMENTARY
Nicole Meyer
CEC (not payroll)
ST. JOSEPH FAMILY
St. Joseph HS, St. Cecilia, St. Emily, St. Benedict
ST. MATTHEW FAMILY
St. Matthew HS, Chapel Hill, Convent Glen, Divine Infant, St. Kateri Tekakwitha
ST. PIUS FAMILY
St. Pius HS, Frank Ryan, St. Augustine, St. Gregory, St. John XXIII, St. Monica, St. Rita
All SAINTS FAMILY
All Saints HS, George Vanier, St. Gabriel, St. Isabel, St. Isidore, St. Michael Corkery, St. Michael Fitzroy, St. Bernadette, St. Martin de Porres
Site Leads
Site Leads are the communication link between the executive board/stewards and the members in the worksite. Site Leads help to ensure all CUPE members at their worksite are receiving the CUPE 2357 emails.
Site Leads post information from executive board on the worksite’s CUPE board, or place information in member’s workplace mailbox.
Site leads direct member’s questions and concerns to the assigned steward.
Site Leads direct members to the CUPE 2357 website to find the Collective Agreement, Steward info, benefits info/links, CUPE newsletters, upcoming meeting dates, GMM Minutes and much more.
Site Leads are not to be sitting in on meetings with members and administrators. If Union representation is requested by your admin for a meeting – please call the CUPE 2357 office at 613-321-3667
Ideally, there should be one Site Lead per worksite/school. If your school/worksite does not have a Site Lead and you would like to take on this role, please contact the Executive Board. Executive@cupe2357.com
Executive Board
Cynthia Steeves
President
As President of CUPE 2357, Cynthia Steeves brings a decade of dedicated leadership and grassroots experience to her role, having served in various local and Executive Board positions before being elected President in 2022.
Before transitioning to full-time leadership, Cynthia spent 17 rewarding years as an Educational Assistant, supporting and empowering children and adults with developmental disabilities. Her deep-rooted passion for advocacy is supported by extensive professional development, including the Human Resources Management program at McMaster University, specialized certifications in labour studies and employment law, and ongoing work toward her Q.Med designation. Combining empathy with sharp problem-solving skills, Cynthia approaches challenges with confidence, resilience, and a focus on collaborative solutions.
Outside of work, you’ll likely find Cynthia exploring new ports of call on a cruise with her family or experimenting with a brand-new recipe in the kitchen.
Joanne Howell
1st Vice President (On Leave)
Joanne Howell is the 1st VP of CUPE 2357. Over the last five years she has held her current position on the Executive board as well as Secretary Treasurer for the local.
Joanne’s portfolio in her VP role includes overseeing Health and Safety, Steward training, and representing CUPE 2357 on various committees. Before joining the Executive board, she had been a Steward and an actively engaged member with the local for most of her career.
Joanne has been an Educational Assistant for the past 29 years and has participated in all aspects of the school community, be it working with students, coaching sports teams or helping to plan special events for students and staff.
When she is not busy with her union duties, you can find her enjoying game nights with her daughters and friends. She also enjoys watching the latest Marvel movies.
Francine Meledoro
Interim 1st Vice President
Francine Meledoro has been the 2nd Vice president of CUPE 2357 since 2022. Previously, she has been the Cupe 2357 Secretary Treasurer since 2019. Before joining the Executive Board, she was a Steward for two years and has served on the Elections Committee. Francine has been an active member within the local and continues to inform, support, and advocate for fellow CUPE 2357 members.
Upon graduating from the Developmental Services Worker program she has held various positions over the last 14 years, including in the Developmental Education Classroom. Francine currently splits her duties between CUPE 2357 and in the classroom as an Educational Assistant.
When she’s not working, she loves spending time with her husband and two children camping, fishing and being outdoors. She also has a passion for sewing.
Nicole Lavigne
Recording Secretary
Nicole Lavigne is the Recording Secretary for CUPE 2357. She joined the Executive Board in 2025. Previously, Nicole has been on the Bylaw Committee, Mobilization Committee, Elections Committee and has been a Steward for the last 8 years.
Upon graduating from the Developmental Services Worker program, she worked as a PSW with multiple Home Care Agencies and as a casual support staff with both Ottawa School Boards. Nicole has been an Educational Assistant with the OCSB since 2009. Nicole splits her duties between the classroom and CUPE 2357.
When she is not working, she loves spending time with her family, watching her nephews play in their competitive sports, staying active fishing and hiking, and also has a strong passion for reading.
Please note, the Executive Board can be reached solely via email. All other inquiries should be made directly through your Steward, or via the form below.
