About Us

Melanie Lopes is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Brad’s Place Addiction Treatment of Southern Georgian Bay. A certified addiction professional with over a decade of experience, she leads with compassion, integrity, and a commitment to trauma-informed care. Inspired by the loss of her stepbrother to addiction, Melanie is dedicated to creating safe, supportive spaces where youth and families can heal and thrive. Through her leadership, Brad’s Place has become a trusted resource for recovery, outreach, and community wellness across Simcoe County.

Paul Lopes is the Co-Founder and Chair of the Board of Directors at Brad’s Place Addiction Treatment of Southern Georgian Bay. Inspired by the loss of a loved one to addiction, Paul helped create Brad’s Place to provide compassionate, trauma-informed support for youth and families. Drawing on decades of leadership experience as a union steward and health and safety officer, he brings a strong commitment to ethical governance, community collaboration, and recovery-focused care. Through his leadership, Paul continues to honour Brad’s legacy while championing hope, healing, and accessible support for those affected by addiction.

PJ has been part of Brad’s Place since its earliest days, helping transform a vision inspired by his mother, Melanie Lopes, into a trusted source of support for youth and families. With a background in social services and training in areas such as suicide prevention and mental health first aid, he is passionate about creating compassionate, individualized approaches to recovery. As a client advocacy, PJ is committed to honouring Brad’s legacy by ensuring every young person feels seen, supported, and empowered on their journey toward healing.

Logan Lopes joined the Board of Directors with a passion for creating positive change in his community. Growing up, he admired his mother, Melanie, and the compassion she showed in helping others. Her example inspired him to become someone who not only strives to better himself but also supports others when they need it most.

As one of the younger voices on the Board, Logan is committed to advocating for youth and ensuring they have hope, support, and opportunities to succeed. He believes every young person deserves to feel heard, valued, and empowered, and he is proud to help Brad's Place build a stronger, more compassionate community for future generations.

As the third Co-Founder of Brad's Place, Amber Buckner serves as the organization's Family Liaison Director and is Brad Buckner's sister. In this role, Amber helps ensure that every part of Brad's Place stays grounded in the values Brad embodied when he was not in active addiction—kindness, honesty, respect, and a deep care for the people around him.

Amber also serves as the liaison between Brad's Place and the Buckner family, helping keep Brad's legacy honoured with care, consistency, and integrity.

Amber brings a family-first perspective to the organization, advocating for caregivers and loved ones who are often carrying fear, confusion, and exhaustion in silence. She helps ensure Brad's Place remains compassionate, practical, and non-judgmental, so families feel supported, heard, and never alone.

For Amber, this work is deeply personal. As a co-founder, she has helped shape Brad's Place from its earliest vision into a growing organization dedicated to changing how young people and their families experience recovery. She believes that when a person is struggling, families need more than information—they need connection, hope, and a place that treats them with dignity.

Amber is committed to protecting the heart of Brad's Place: meeting people where they are, offering support without shame, and making sure no one is turned away when they're ready to reach out. Her presence on our team is a reminder that behind every story is a family—and that healing is stronger when it happens together.

Nicole Rothney is the Clinical Supervisor and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Officer at Brad’s Place Addiction Treatment of Southern Georgian Bay. A compassionate and equity-driven clinician, Nicole is dedicated to providing trauma-informed, client-centered care that empowers youth and families. With expertise and lived experience in addiction recovery, reflective supervision, and inclusive practice, she helps foster a culture of learning, resilience, and belonging while ensuring services remain accessible, culturally responsive, and rooted in dignity and respect.

Zoë Interbartolo is an Addictions Counsellor at Brad’s Place whose journey with the organization began as a Social Service Worker field placement student. Her growth from student to full-time team member reflects her dedication, compassion, and commitment to supporting individuals and families impacted by addiction. Drawing from both professional training and lived experience, Zoë provides trauma-informed, client-centred care that helps clients feel heard, empowered, and supported throughout their recovery journey.

Richard Paul is the Treasurer of the Board of Directors at Brad’s Place Addiction Treatment of Southern Georgian Bay and the owner of RJP Bookkeeping. Guided by both professional expertise and personal experience, Richard brings integrity, transparency, and a strong commitment to ethical financial stewardship. His leadership helps ensure Brad’s Place remains financially sustainable while advancing compassionate, recovery-focused care for youth and families in the community.

Olivia is a Volunteer Counsellor at Brad’s Place Addiction Treatment of Southern Georgian Bay and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology. Driven by a passion for helping others, Olivia brings empathy, compassion, and a commitment to lifelong learning to her role. Having personal experience with mental health challenges and a family history of addiction, she understands how difficult it can be to ask for help and the importance of having a safe, supportive space free from judgment.

As someone who is continually expanding her knowledge in the field of addiction recovery, Olivia is dedicated to creating opportunities for individuals to express themselves openly and access the support they need. Her involvement with Brad’s Place is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves to be heard, understood, and supported as they take the first steps toward healing and recovery.

Lucas is a Director at Brad’s Place Addiction Treatment of Southern Georgian Bay and works full-time as a roofer. Guided by a passion for volunteerism and supporting others, Lucas brings dedication, honesty, and a strong sense of community to his role. Having witnessed the impact of addiction within his own family, he understands the importance of compassionate, recovery-focused care. Helping others find hope and healing gives Lucas a deep sense of purpose, and he is committed to ensuring individuals and families affected by addiction know they are not alone.