Irene Andress is the vice president, patient experience, health professions & chief nursing executive at Michael Garron Hospital. Irene Andress has over 20 years experience in nursing administration that spans the continuum of care from community health to acute care. Irene holds a bachelor of nursing degree from Ryerson University and a master of nursing degree from University of Toronto. She has had an adjunct clinical appointment at the Lawrence S. Bloomberg faculty of nursing, University of Toronto and is a graduate of the Rotman School of Management advanced health care leadership program. Irene is also a certified emotional intelligence trainer and is recognized as an extraordinary leader with a passion for transformation, partnership and outcomes achievement.
Sue is an experienced corporate director and retired president & chief executive officer of CDSPI, a company providing advisory, wealth management, insurance and health and wellness services exclusively to the Canadian dental community.
Sue has over 25 years of experience at the senior executive level in the insurance and reinsurance industries. During this time, she served as senior vice-president of Swiss Reinsurance Company Canada, with previous roles at CIBC Insurance and Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company. Prior to her senior executive roles, Sue was a senior manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers’ (PwC).
Sue currently serves on the board of directors of Lawyers' Professional Indemnity Company (LawPRO), Canadian Premier Life Insurance Company and Legacy General Insurance Company. Previously, she served as director and chair of the audit committee of McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited, a public company in the educational publishing industry.
Sue has also made a long-term commitment to the Canadian healthcare sector. In addition to serving as chair of the board of directors of Michael Garron Hospital, she serves as a director of West Park Healthcare Centre. Previously, she served on the boards of the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute and The George Hull Centre for Children and Families, which she chaired for three years.
In recognition of her career accomplishments and contribution to the community, Sue received the fellow, chartered professional accountants (FCPA), fellow charter accountant (FCA) designation in 2016 from the Chartered Professional Accountants Ontario. She has also earned the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors.
Active in organizations focused on networking and executive professional development, Sue is a member of financial executives international, International Women’s Forum and Women’s Executive Network.
Carol Chiu is President of BBS Securities Inc. a subsidiary of CI Financial with over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. Prior to her current position, she was the Chief Internal Auditor at CI Financial and the CFO, Funds for CI Investments. Carol has extensive experience in financial governance, internal controls and risk management. She serves as Treasurer for the Board of Directors at Young People’s Theatre.
Dr. Imogen R. Coe was the founding dean of the Faculty of Science at Ryerson University (2012-2018). She is a professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biology, and is also an affiliate scientist in the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, Keenan Research Centre, at St. Michael’s Hospital, where her research group studies the biology of drug transporters which are proteins that facilitate the entry into cells of anti-cancer and anti-viral drugs. In addition to her work as a research scientist, Dr. Coe is internationally recognized as a Canadian thought leader in the area of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). She has advised academia, government and industry on best practices and approaches to improve EDI in STEM, particularly in the Canadian post-secondary education (PSE) sector. She has written and spoken about these issues extensively for platforms such as the Globe and Mail, iPolitics and the CBC. She has also given a TEDx talk on gender equity in science and is much in demand by academia, industry and government as a speaker and panelist. She sits on several boards including that of Science Rendezvous and is the Vice-President of the Canadian Molecular Biosciences Society. In fall 2016 she was recognized by WXN as one of Canada's Top 100 Women, in the Trail Blazer category for her advocacy work promoting equity in STEM and in 2017, she was one of the “Canada150 Women” in the best-selling publication of the same name. In March of this year, she received the Ryerson University’s, Alan Shepard Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Employee Award, for her outstanding achievements as a senior leader in the Ryerson University community, who advances equity, diversity and inclusion at the university and beyond.
Sarah Downey is a senior healthcare leader whose career spans 25 years across a broad range of hospitals including community, academic, and complex multi-institutional organizations. In 2015, she was appointed President and CEO of the Michael Garron Hospital, a large community teaching hospital in Toronto. In her current role she is responsible for a $500M redevelopment project and is part of the group leading the East Toronto Ontario Health Team application. She is proud to have held progressive leadership positions at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, the University Health Network, and The Ottawa Hospital. Sarah has made numerous contributions to health care in Ontario through her leadership of cancer and mental health programs, capital and strategic planning, workplace safety and wellness, and community building.
Sarah has served on many provincial and national committees and Boards. Currently, she is a member of the Board of the Ontario Hospital Association, Plexxus, and is President of the Toronto Regional Alumni Council for the University of Ottawa. Sarah is also the recipient of the Trudeau Medal, the highest honour awarded by the Telfer School of Management to its alumni.
Sarah has a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of New Brunswick and a Master of Health Administration from the University of Ottawa. She holds a Certified Health Executive designation with the Canadian College of Health Leaders, and is fluently bilingual in French and English.
Doug is a member of the Asset Mix Team and is responsible for the management of portfolios for non-profit organizations (foundations and endowments) and private clients.
He has over 20 years of experience managing balanced and specialty portfolios. Prior to joining Guardian Capital Advisors LP, Doug was a senior partner and portfolio manager at one of Canada's largest trust companies, where he managed portfolios for high net worth clients and the non-profit sector such as charitable groups.
An economist by formal training, Doug received his honours bachelors of arts from the University of Western Ontario. He has also completed the academic credits required to obtain his member of trust institute (MIT) designation from the Trust Companies Institute. Doug is a chartered financial analyst (CFA), and a member of both the Toronto Society of Financial Analysts and Association for Investment Management and Research (AIMR).
Dr. Fraser is Michael Garron Hospital's (MGH) chief of staff as well as director of the Provincial Weaning Centre of Excellence and a lecturer in the division of respirology, faculty of medicine, University of Toronto. He is the former chief and program medical director of medicine. Since joining MGH in 1988, Dr. Fraser has led clinical and research initiatives in quality of care improvement and inter-professional care. He has also been involved in the development of a Canadian community of excellence in prolonged/long-term ventilation (CANuVENT) at a regional, provincial and national level. His current area of interest is collaborative, innovative quality improvement and education in patient safety in the community teaching hospital setting
Katherine is Curling Canada’s chief executive officer. She has a wealth of experience in leadership roles in sports, marketing and brand management that spans more than 20 years.
Katherine manages an organization that is ranked first in the world in men’s, women’s and wheelchair curling, and runs the highly successful Season of Champions series of national curling championships that includes the Tim Hortons Brier, the Scotties Tournament of Hearts and Ford World Men’s and Women’s Curling Championships.
Prior to this her role was as senior vice-president, marketing and revenue for the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games organizing committee, and she played a significant role in, among other things, putting together the most successful non-Olympic sponsorship program in Canadian history with a who’s-who of Canada’s corporate community. She also oversaw the negotiation of broadcast rights for the Games, and under her watch, the Pan/Parapan American Games broke records for attendance, ticket sales and television ratings.
Prior to that, she spent seven years with the Whirlpool Corporation, filling various prominent leadership roles in marketing and general management for the Canadian and North American divisions. She also worked in marketing/branding roles with other high-profile companies such as Colgate Palmolive Canada, Campbell Soup Canada and General Mills Canada.
Katherine holds a bachelor of science degree in nutrition from the University of Western Ontario, an Master business administration from the Schulich School of Business at York University and a master’s in theological studies from the University of Toronto. She also serves on the boards of Rugby Canada, The Canada Sevens World Series, the Canadian Sports Tourism Alliance and the Michael Garron Hospital in Toronto.
Dr. Hiscox is the president of the medical staff association and a member of the department of anesthesia at the Michael Garron Hospital.
Catherine Johnston is a corporate lawyer with a focus of creating long-term sustainable growth resulting in long-term shareholder value. Catherine is assistant general counsel & assistant secretary of KIK Custom Products, a leading manufacturer of consumer packaged goods. She has been a member of the senior management teams of Brookfield Asset Management Inc. and Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited. Prior to those roles she was a member of the business law group at Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP. Catherine has broad experience in several practice areas including corporate and commercial law, securities compliance, corporate governance, litigation management, privacy, mining, travel law and international trade.
Melissa is Vice President at Hill+Knowlton Strategies. She is an award-winning communicator with more than a decade of experience serving as a strategic communications leader in high-profile positions across the most senior ranks of the federal government, political campaigns and in the private sector.
Prior to joining Hill+Knowlton Strategies, Melissa was head of Premier Doug Ford’s 2018 winning Campaign War Room and served as chief spokesperson for the campaign. Prior to that she served as Caroline Mulroney’s leadership campaign director. Melissa also held senior roles in the 2008, 2011 and 2015 federal Conservative Party of Canada campaign war rooms.
Melissa served as director of communications for Canada’s ministers of finance, foreign affairs, trade and environment as well as in the private sector with one of Canada largest financial institutions. She provides strategic communications advice, speechwriting and media support in intense and highly scrutinized media environments across Canada and globally.
Melissa and is a frequent media commentator and contributor. She is a member of CBC’s Power and Politics, Power Panel and hosts her own weekly program on NewsTalk1010.
Melissa graduated from the University of Toronto and went on to graduate studies at Ottawa University. She is active in community service as a volunteer, board member and mentor with several organizations, serving on the board of directors of Hot Docs, the Canadian Jewish Public Affairs Committee (CJPAC) and Jewish Addiction Community Services (JACS). She is fluent in English, French and Russian.
Lovisa McCallum is a managing director at BMO Capital Markets and has previous experience in corporate treasury. For over 25 years, she has specialized in building and managing new business lines with substantial exposure to risk management and infrastructure development. Lovisa’s not-for-profit board experience is dedicated to the Canadian Health sector. She served on the finance committee and board of Sherbourne Health Center. She was a director on the national board and then Toronto chapter president for Cystic Fibrosis Canada. As a passionate public speaker, advocate and media spokesperson, Lovisa was awarded the National Leadership Breath of Life Award by Cystic Fibrosis Canada. She also received the award for Leadership from Woman in Capital Markets. Woman of Influence Magazine has recognized Lovisa as a Canadian Diversity Champion.
Lovisa has a bachelor of commerce from Queen's University, holds the chartered financial analyst (CFA) designation and has an ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors.
Scott McDonald is a Corporate Director and former senior executive. He has served as a Board member and Committee Chair with Purolator Inc. and SCI Logistics. Over the course of his successful career, Mr. McDonald held transformative roles in large complex organizations in the consumer goods, food, transportation, distribution, and forest products sectors. Areas of responsibility included general management, operations, and human resources in both Canada and the U.S.
A Certified Board Director (ICD.D), Mr. McDonald has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Toronto and is a Certified Human Resources Executive (CHRE). He is a graduate of executive development programs at University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management, McGill University, and MIT. Mr. McDonald is proficient in both official languages.
Bob McGuire is the regional managing director and global market manager for Citi Private Bank Canada. He serves as chairman of the board and president of Citibank Canada Investment Funds Limited, the entity through which Citi Private Bank offers investment services and products in Canada. Bob also serves as chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Citigroup Global Markets Canada Inc. and as director on the board of Citi Trust Company Canada. Bob joined the Toronto office of the Citi Private Bank in 2005 as senior banker. He currently divides his time between his Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal offices.
Bob has more than 25 years of experience in corporate/investment banking. Prior to joining Citi, Bob was a senior banker with Société Générale in Paris, France and had previously led Société Générale’s Corporate and Investment Banking Group in Canada. Earlier positions include senior marketing roles with Bank of America and Royal Bank of Canada in Toronto as well as an early career position as an economist with the Bank of Canada in Ottawa.
Bob holds an Master of business administration from The University of Western Ontario’s Ivey School of Business, a bachelors of science in economics from l’Université de Montréal and completed the institute of corporate directors education program at the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto (obtained ICD.D designation). Bob is a registered investment counselor/portfolio manager with the Ontario Securities Commission and l’Autorité des Marchés Financiers in Quebec.
Married with two sons, Bob is fluently bilingual (French and English) and holds dual citizenships (France/Canada). He frequently lectures at local universities on topics such as international finance and management. Bob also serves on the board of Rise Asset Management, a not for profit entity that provides micro financing to individuals with mental health and/or addiction issues. He previously served on the executive committee of the board and was chair of the audit & finance committee of the Toronto French School (one of Canada’s largest private schools). He is past co-chair of Citibank Canada’s United Way Campaign (2010).
Dr. Rajwani is Vice President of Clinical Services at NYRC where he manages and works with a multidisciplinary team of medical consultants overseeing complex medical evaluations. He is also the Health Policy Officer for the Ontario Chiropractic Association where he provides policy advice in the areas of Autos Insurance. He practices and manages orthopedic rehabilitation centers in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). He graduated as a Doctor of Chiropractic in 1994 and has post-graduate certifications in Occupational Health and Sport Sciences.
Dr. Rajwani has volunteer experience in the Health Care Sector. He presently serves as the Co-Chair of the Coalition of Health Professional Associations in Auto Insurance Services in Ontario. He serves as a board member for World Spine Care (WSC) which was launched to fill the profound gap in the evidence-based treatment of musculoskeletal and spinal conditions found in underserviced areas around the world. He was previously a board member of Access Alliance Multicultural Health and Community Services which provides health care services to marginalized members of the community including refugees and new immigrants in the GTA.
Outside of the health sector, he has served as the Vice President of the Aga Khan Council for Canada and Chairman of the Ismaili Centre Management Board from 2012-2015. He has served as an Allocations Chair for Children and Youth Services for United Way of Greater Toronto. He presently sits as a member of the Ismaili Council for Ontario and member of the Aga Khan University Resource Development of Committee for Canada.
He is a recipient of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Volunteer Award, the OCA Volunteer Service Award and has received an award from the Ministry of Citizenship for 25 years of service to the community.
Catriona Read is a partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP with over 20 years of experience serving clients in the financial services industry, both in Canada and the United States. Catriona has been the lead partner on a number of the firm's largest public Canadian asset management clients as well as several alternative asset management and other private clients. She is currently the human capital leader for the greater Toronto area assurance practice and is one of the leaders of the firms audit transformation initiatives.
Sandy joined the Board of MGH in September 2018. He brings two important skills with a background in both Finance and Engineering. He also has a deep appreciation for the importance of MGH in the community stemming from a personal history with the hospital dating back three generations. Sandy is presently the President of Alexander Capital Group in Toronto, an investment banking firm which provides specialized advice to growing companies requiring capital as well as those looking to grow through acquisition. Prior to founding Alexander Capital in 2006, Sandy was an executive at BMO Capital Markets, starting there in 1986. Earlier in his career, Sandy was a consulting engineer, specializing in energy conservation. Much of this work involved assessing mechanical systems in commercial establishments with a view to optimizing energy consumption. Sandy currently sits on both the Finance & Audit Committee and the Redevelopment Committee.
Dr. Smith is the vice president of the medical staff association and is a member of the department of medicine, division of general internal medicine at Michael Garron Hospital.
Andrew Steele is vice president and Group Head at StrategyCorp, Canada's integrated public affairs, communications and management consulting advisor.
Over a 20 year career, Andrew was responsible for critical victories in public policy, government relations, business strategy, corporate restructuring, branding, communications, and issues management..
Previously, Andrew served as senior advisor to the Premier of Ontario, as well as chief of staff in several Ministries. He held senior campaign roles for the Ontario Liberal Party in three successive election victories, and was a key player in war rooms for Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and Prime Minister Jean Chretien.
In 2012, Andrew was the founding chief executive officer of the Pecaut Centre, a non-profit management consulting firm housed at the Boston Consulting Group. More recently, Andrew was essential to implementing the strategic transformation of public broadcaster TVO.
Andrew graduated with distinction from the master of business administration program at the University of Western Ontario. He also earned degrees at the University of British Columbia and Trent University. He has written extensively on public policy as an opinion columnist for the Globe and Mail and others.
John Tobin is a partner of Torys LLP. John has a generalist tax practice advising businesses, not-for-profits, governments and pension funds on Canadian legal and tax matters relating to their activities at home and abroad. John has advised on public private partnerships, infrastructure development and project finance including for roads, schools and hospitals. John has advised regarding health care buying groups, health care insurance reciprocals and the tax status of certain hospitals and their activities. He brings a broad legal knowledge in solving problems. He serves on several board and industry committees. John also served on a Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA) task force regarding accounting guidelines. John is repeatedly recognized as a leading tax and structured finance lawyer in Canada. John has lived in the Beach area since 1990.
Eric Tripp was appointed president of BMO Capital Markets in March 2008. Eric has responsibility for BMO Financial Group's dealings with corporate, institutional and government clients, which encompass investment and corporate banking as well as trading products and treasury operations. Eric began his career at Burns Fry Ltd. (a predecessor firm of BMO Capital Markets) in 1983 in fixed income derivatives. Since then he has been involved in increasingly responsible positions including management of the firm's equity business, and its treasury and trading products businesses. Most recently, he was co-president of BMO Capital Markets. Eric is the past chair of the Canadian Derivatives Clearing Corporation (CDCC), and former board member of the Toronto Futures Exchange and the TSX Group. He is the founder and executive sponsor of the BMO Capital Markets diversity council, which is committed to achieving a diverse workforce and an equitable and supportive workplace.
Eric is a graduate of both Queen's University bachelor of arts honours in Economics and the Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario master of business administration.
Natasha vandenHoven is a partner in the Pensions & Benefits Group. Her practice focuses on statutory and governmental plans, governance, fiduciary obligations, investment and administration issues, trusts, and compliance matters. In particular, she advises clients on pensions and benefits issues relating to corporate transactions, creditor/debtor agreements, and bankruptcy and insolvency matters.
Natasha is experienced in executive compensation and advises clients on matters including equity and non-equity based compensation, supplemental retirement arrangements and bonus plans. She has also developed an expertise in de-risking strategies involving complex annuity buy-in and buy-out transactions including with respect to regulatory discharges.
Natasha was Senior Policy Consultant of the Pension Initiatives, Income Security and Pension Policy Division at the Ministry of Finance, following a leadership position within the Ontario Government where she worked on the development of the newly proposed Ontario Retirement Pension Plan. Natasha practiced pensions and benefits law in private practice for a number of years and was a pension analyst with the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (formerly the Pension Commission of Ontario).
Michelle Wales is Acting President of the Volunteer Services Association. She is a retired executive from the staffing and recruitment industry and lives in Toronto. She has been a volunteer at Michael Garron since 2008, volunteering in the Emergency Department, and now with the Therapeutic Touch team and in the Special Care Nursery.