Our Board & Committees

Denise is currently Chair of the Board, EnerFORGE, Chair of the Board, Oshawa Power and Utilities Corporation, Vice Chair and Chair of the Audit Committee of Synergy North and Chair of the Board, Canada’s Great Kitchen Party, a social enterprise.

In 2018, Denise was appointed to the Diversity 50 Cohort, recognizing Canada’s most diverse and eligible Board candidates. She is an active and accredited member of the Institute of Corporate Directors, The International Coach Federation and the International Women’s Forum. Her passion is exploring the world, its people, and its cultures. She lives in Toronto and continues to travel widely.

Denise was appointed as Chair in 2022 and has served on the RMHC Toronto board since 2020.

“I have always believed that we all need to look out for each other and give back to our communities. Working alongside the other RMHC Toronto Board Members, I am honoured to contribute and be part of this incredible organization.”

Michelle has a master’s degree in environmental studies from York University and earned her law degree at Osgoode Hall Law School. Before joining the Board in 2017, she served on the RMHC Toronto Young Professionals Committee and on the Governance and Nominating Committee of the Board.

“I feel privileged to be involved with an organization that has a unique mission to keep families close during the most difficult time of their lives. As a mother of two young children, I have such compassion for children who are struggling through serious illness and welcome the opportunity to do something to support these children and their families.”

Before he joined the Board in 2014, Aric’s family used the services of RMHC Toronto, and he served on the RMHC Toronto Family Room Sub-Committee. Aric is a sitting member of the Finance and Audit Committee and the Governance and Nominating Committee with RMHC Toronto.

“As a father, RMHC Toronto is important to me. This is a charity I believe in, and I can attest to how well it works for families during their time of need. In our experience, RMHC Toronto was an incredible source of support when we needed it the most. Working alongside the other Board Members, I’m grateful for the opportunity to give back and be involved within the community in such a personal and meaningful way. RMHC Toronto transitioned my family from desperation to inspiration and now, as an RMHC Toronto Board Member, this is where my passion and purpose intersect.”

Angela is a Chartered Professional Accountant with a bachelor’s degree in commerce and several professional designations, including Project Management Professional, Facilities Management Administrator, and Real Property Administrator.

She is a passionate advocate for women in the infrastructure sector and actively seeks ways to make meaningful contributions to her community through her involvement in industry associations and volunteer efforts.

“Through my work, I’ve come to appreciate how our environment can impact all aspects of our health. RHMC Toronto is a truly magical place providing families a safe and comfortable home away from home when they need it most. I am honoured and humbled to play a small part in helping RMHC Toronto realize its vision.”

“After returning from five years in the U.S., I was searching for an opportunity where I could volunteer my time towards children, whether it is in their development or in assisting them with their challenges. When I was approached by Ronald McDonald House Charities Toronto, I quickly jumped at the chance to join the Board. I was previously involved with RMH New York while living in the U.S., and saw it as a great way to give to an incredibly worthy cause.”

“It is a real privilege to be part of an organization that does so much to help families during their most difficult times. It is an extraordinary group that assists the families and provide them with a home away from home. I am very proud and honoured to help support this group and contribute in any way I can. As a father with two daughters, I can’t imagine a more vulnerable time for a family. RMHC Toronto helps keep families together while providing the care they need, when they need it most. I think that’s pretty special.”

Jim has been actively involved with children’s charities for over 25 years, including Ronald McDonald House Charities and The Friends of We Care. Participation in both organizations has included golf days, Board meetings and Home for Dinners, along with various annual fundraising events. Jim has always been passionate about supporting children and families in need. He joined the Board of Directors of RMHC Toronto in 2019 and is Co-Chair of the Development Committee.

“I have been involved with Ronald McDonald House Charities programs across Canada for over 25 years, and I look forward to the opportunity and challenge of serving on the RMHC Toronto Board. Making it possible for families to be close together when they need it most is so important, and I am honoured to help support this objective in our community at RMHC Toronto.”

In 2008, Marcia realized her long-term goal of becoming a McDonald’s Owner/Operator and founded Finlayson Hospitality Partners operating three locations and growing to the current seven restaurants. Marcia’s organization has been recognized frequently for its operational accomplishments and commitment to the community including, Markham Board of Trade, Seneca College, Stouffville Chamber of Commerce, Portraits of Giving Award and the proudest accomplishments for her team was being recognized with the Ronald McDonald House Charities, International McTLC Award of Excellence.

“The mission of the Ronald McDonald House has been important to me and my husband Todd since 1986 when we volunteered as Weekend Managers at the London Ronald McDonald House. As Owner/Operators, we worked to bring the Ronald McDonald Family Room to Markham-Stouffville Hospital. Together with our local community business leaders called the “Fab 15” we have raised over $1,000,000, hosted many Home for Dinner events and continue to elevate the mission.

“As parents of two and grandparents to three, Todd and I believe that Family is medicine and are honoured to serve.”

Josef resides in uptown Toronto with his beautiful wife, Suzana, and their three young daughters, Isabella, Adrijana and Natalia. He enjoys playing and watching sports, especially soccer, football, hockey, and golf.

“As a father of three, I recognize the importance of family, familiarity and togetherness in the healing and recovery process of children going through difficult times. As I continue progressing my career with my team, colleagues, and clients at Deloitte I am excited to lend this experience to help RMHC Toronto achieve their long-term goals and vision.”

Karen has been with The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) for over 30 years, beginning with her career as a staff nurse in the Cancer Centre in 1990. In 2001, she was appointed to a clinical director role and earned her MBA in 2004. She became Vice-President of Clinical Operations in 2014. In 2022, Karen was appointed Vice-President, Patient and Family Experience in addition to her clinical operations role. Her portfolio includes Ambulatory Services, Perioperative Services, Diagnostic & Interventional Radiology, Department of Paediatric Laboratory Medicine, Rehabilitation Services, Child Life, Creative Arts Therapy, Communication Disorders, Genetic Counselling and the Ontario, Nunavut and Manitoba Poison Centers hosted by SickKids. She also plays a key role as Co-Executive Sponsor, designing SickKids of the future, under Project Horizon, a major capital project spanning the next decade.
Karen joined the Board of Directors at RMHC Toronto in 2019 and is co-Chair of the Ronald MacDonald House Mission Committee.

“There’s an old saying that has stuck with me throughout my career with McDonald’s Canada – to whom much is given, much is expected. I truly believe that whoever has an opportunity to give back, should. It’s always been important for me to use my position to raise awareness of RMHC’s mission and positively impact the lives of families with sick children.”

More recently, Rob served as a partner in Europe’s largest private equity firm, CVC Capital Partners.  He now focuses on early-stage venture capital, investing in clean, med, and bio tech through his family office, Hawk Capital. He is an independent director on Hitachi Limited boards in Canada and the U.S; and previously served on not-for-profit, health, education, and culture boards.  As the board chair of the Canadian Cancer Society for six years, until 2021, Rob led a strategic realignment combining the sector’s three largest Canadian charities. His reputation is built on effective governance and strategic leadership.

Besides the Ronald McDonald House Charities Toronto Board of Directors, Rob currently serves as a director of Evergreen, a charity creating green spaces which contribute to more livable and prosperous cities, as Brickworks does in Toronto.

Rob’s degrees are from the University of Toronto.  He resides in Ontario and California with his wife Judy and doodles, Jack and Charlie.

Previously with Food Banks Canada for almost nine years, Tania spearheaded strategy and execution of all national revenue and food generating initiatives, supply chain and innovation portfolios. She was responsible for leading transformation growth (almost 3,000%) during her tenure to benefit over 4,700 independent organizations that make up the food banking system in Canada and in service to the million plus people who visit food banks each month. In addition, she drove the strategy and execution of Food Banks Canada’s 1-year special Covid-19 Response Fund, raising over $160 million and inspiring over 165,000 new individual donors and over 500 national and multinational corporations to support their mission in and help to relieve hunger today and prevent hunger tomorrow.

Tania recently served as the Co-Chair of the Canadian Marketing Association’s – Not for Profit & Public Sector Council and was awarded one of 50 Canadian Report on Business Best Executive’s Award’s in 2020. Previously she’s served at the executive board level of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, locally, nationally, and internationally, AFP Foundation for Philanthropy and with Planned Parenthood Toronto as an executive board member and Chair. Tania is a mom to five, and joyful grandparent to three grandkids.

Rocky has over 20 years of leadership experience in finance, operations, sales, IT optimization and enterprise scale infrastructure and agile transformation. He holds a bachelor of Commerce from York University in addition to Chartered Professional Accountant and Certified Management Accountant designations. Rocky joined the RMHC Toronto Development Committee in 2016 and the RMHC Toronto Board in 2017.

“As a father of a young child living in Toronto, I have a heightened awareness of how fortunate we are to have access to a world class health-care community. I am overwhelmed by the magnitude of the impact a seriously ill child has on parents and the entire family and how that impact is compounded when the care that’s needed isn’t locally available. It is a privilege to contribute to an organization that provides respite and a home away from home for seriously ill children and their families.”

Prior to that, he was Regional President for TransUnion in Canada. Before joining TransUnion, Brett was the SVP and Head of Retail Cards and Unsecured Lending at Scotiabank responsible for developing and driving the overall strategic direction for the Canadian business. While at Scotiabank, Brett was also the Head of Digital Products where he created a new digital banking organization and led product development across 20 agile Teams and the sales function for Canada. Prior to that, Brett spent 13 years at American Express in the fields of risk, analytics, digital and product in Canada and across international markets.

Brett received an MBA from Kellogg School of Management & Schulich School of Business and graduated with Business Administration (Honours) from Wilfrid Laurier University.

Brett lives in Oakville, Ontario, and outside of work, enjoys spending time with his wife Nancy and two young children, Ethan and Chloe. He also enjoys mountain biking, snowboarding and travelling.

Brett joined the RMHC Toronto Board in 2022.

“I’m passionate about giving back to our communities and as a parent, I understand the importance of supporting families through difficult times. RMHC Toronto is an exceptional organization and I look forward to contributing to their mission to provide families with critical support when they need it most.”

“Many of the patients I care for at SickKids, particularly those accessing experimental therapies, come from elsewhere in Ontario, or even elsewhere in Canada. Having RMHC Toronto available to support these families while they are staying in Toronto is absolutely vital and I look forward to understanding more about RMHC Toronto and working to improve what we are able to offer to these (and other) families.”

She worked as an associate at the London, U.K., and Toronto offices of the law firm McCarthy Tetrault before shifting her professional focus to wealth management.

Elke is the founder of Fashion Heals for SickKids, which has raised more than $500,000 for pediatric cancer care and research since 2016. She also gives back with board and volunteer commitments with the Professional Advisory Council for SickKids Foundation, the Investment Committee at the Office of the Public Guardian, the Advisory Board for Transpod Inc, and the Board of Ronald McDonald House of Charities Toronto.

Today Elke is a sought-after speaker on wealth management, estate planning, and philanthropy. She is also a dedicated mother, sharing her parenting responsibilities with her ex-husband as they raise their two teenage sons and daughter. With an impressive range of skills, Elke excels in golf, and is fluent in English, Spanish, French, and German.

Victor believes in the power of strategic planning to drive results and has a strong reputation of enabling and empowering his teams. Acknowledged as a respected business partner and communicator, Victor has an exceptional ability to engage diverse groups and guide stakeholders through transformational change while making a positive impact on the business and its people. He has led the vision, strategy, and execution of several large-scale change initiatives. Victor also takes great pride in being purposeful, accountable, and challenging of the status quo.

Victor is a Chartered Accountant and holds a BBA (Hons) from Brock University. He previously served as Treasurer and Executive Board member of Ronald McDonald House Charities South Central Ontario.

“I believe RMHC Toronto plays an important role in helping families when they need it the most. As a husband and father with young children of my own, I truly feel for the parents and siblings going through this difficult time. RMHC Toronto is a safe haven for these families – to come together, support one another and find comfort and understanding. I am so proud to be part of RMHC Toronto and look forward to continuing to support the efforts to bring people together around the common goal of helping each other.”

Clara possesses a collaborative management approach that excels in building consensus among diverse stakeholders. Her expertise spans complex accounting, mergers and acquisitions, financial reporting, audit, and governance and controls within the financial services industry.

Currently, Clara serves as a senior manager in EY’s Climate Change and Sustainability Services group. In this role, she provides strategic guidance to senior management, enabling them to create long-term value for their businesses. She specializes in identifying opportunities and risks in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategies.

Beyond her professional achievements, Clara also chairs the RMHC Toronto Finance and Audit Committee, a role she has held since 2020.

“I believe proximity to healthcare services and quality care to sick children and their families are crucial especially during what is perhaps one of the most vulnerable times they will go through as a family. I deeply believe in the work that RMHC Toronto does and proud to be part of the positive impact this organization has in our great city.”

As a Chartered Public Accountant, Clara combines her financial expertise with her passion for making a difference, dedicated to driving meaningful change in the communities she serves.

Prior to joining CIBC, Andrew was with Oliver Wyman, a management consulting firm, based in New York and Toronto. Andrew is a diversity and inclusion champion. In 2018, he was named one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40. Andrew holds a BA Honours (Economics) from Queen’s University, is a CFA charterholder and serves on the Board of Governors of Havergal College.

Andrew lives in Toronto with his wife and three children. He was inspired to volunteer at RMHC Toronto after his family benefitted from the world-class facilities of SickKids and he sought to expand the hospital’s reach and positive impact through RMHC Toronto’s mission.