ABOUT

Christine Thatcher is a dedicated community leader, educator and advocate with more than four decades of professional experience. Born in the United Kingdom and later making Canada home, Christine brings a unique perspective shaped by her experience as an immigrant, mother and grandmother. She is the proud mother of three daughters, Serena, Jennifer and Deborah, and grandmother to Evelyn, Liam and Madden. Her career began with 12 years in the corporate sector, where she worked for an international company supporting planning and purchasing programs for more than 200 stores across Canada. As a Merchandise and Buying Manager, she negotiated supplier terms, developed private-label programs, managed seasonal budgets, trained store managers and helped improve profit margins.

Christine then dedicated 23 years to public education as a Special Education Specialist. For more than half of that career, she supported students with special needs and trained classroom teachers in developing effective programs and legally binding Individual Education Plans. She was also trained to assess students for placement in special education classes. Her commitment to students and families continued through eight years as a Durham District School Board Trustee, where she championed accountability, fiscal responsibility, equity and human rights. As Chair and Vice-Chair of the Board, she helped oversee Ontario's fastest-growing school board and its $1.3-billion operating and capital budget. She chaired the Director Performance Appraisal Committee and served as a voting delegate on the Ontario Public School Boards' Association Board of Directors.

Christine believes effective public service begins with listening, advocacy and accountability. As Trustee, she helped develop and approve budgets through community consultation, advocated to the local MPP and Minister of Education for increased funding, promoted equitable hiring practices and worked to improve communication between the Board and the community. She has represented the Board at graduations, staff celebrations, Eid and Indigenous events, Black History Month, the Empower Her Conference and the Cypher Black Male Empowerment Conference, while introducing guest speakers at professional development events. As a parent, grandparent, educator, athletic coach and senior official with Swim Ontario, Christine understands the challenges facing families firsthand. She is committed to bringing that experience, compassion and proven leadership to Regional Council.