The event will include a discussion of Ethics developments in the US and Canada since the 2024 conference and an opportunity to connect and share your updates with other COGEL members.

We encourage participants to have their cameras on to support an engaging and interactive experience. The session will include breakout rooms for discussion and networking opportunities. Please note that this session will not be recorded.

Steve Berlin

Executive Director 

Chicago’s Board of Ethics

Steve is a Past President of COGEL. In December 2023, he received the COGEL Award, the organization’s highest honor. He was appointed as the Executive Director of the Board of Ethics by then-Mayor Rich Daley and confirmed by the City Council for this position in December 2008.  Before that appointment, he served as the Board’s Acting Executive Director, from October 2006, and began his City career in September 1993 as the Board’s Deputy Director.

Paul Nick

Executive Director 

Ohio Ethics Commission

Paul M. Nick is currently the Executive Director of the Ohio Ethics Commission and has worked at the Commission in various roles since 1995.  He has been a member of COGEL for 27 years and has served as President and Treasurer.  He received a B.A. in Economics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a B.S. in Forensic Accounting from Franklin University, and his J.D. from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law.

Cathryn Motherwell

Deputy Commissioner

Office of the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario 

Cathryn Motherwell is deputy commissioner at the Office of the Integrity Commissioner in Ontario, Canada, and works in each of the Office's seven mandates. A former journalist, she was deputy editor of The Globe and Mail's Report on Business, managing investigative projects and digital news. Cathryn serves on the COGEL programming and nominating committees.