Board of Directors

COTA Health is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors that play a vital role in not only shaping COTA Health's mission and strategic direction but also ensuring accountability to our stakeholders. Directors are appointed for a two-year term and are eligible for reappointment to two additional terms to a maximum of six consecutive years.

The Board conducts much of its work through three standing committees, the Finance and Audit Committee, the Quality and Performance Committee and the Governance Committee. In addition, the Mental Health Advisory Committee, which reports to the Board of Directors, has one Board Director as a member and liaison.

Chair

John Stevenson is a senior executive with Canadian and international experience in process improvement, communications and organizational repositioning.  John is currently a Director of EthnoDialogue, a communications and marketing company, assisting institutions to more effectively reach the growing diversity market in Canada.  He holds a BSc. from Queens University in Biology and a business degree from the London School of Economics.

Vice-Chair

Eleanor Hill is a Policy Advisor with Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services Accessibility Directorate where she is a member of a team developing the compliance mechanisms and enforcement tools for the new Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. Previously, Ms. Hill was a Program Consultant at the Ministry of Health and Long Term LHIN Liaison Office and a Senior Policy Analyst at with the Long Term Long Term Care Homes Branch. She has held numerous volunteer roles, including serving as a board member for Homeward, a community mental health agency.

Past-Chair

Cara Wilkie is a lawyer with the firm bakerlaw. Her practice focuses on employment law, health law, civil litigation, sexual harassment and assault, and human rights. Ms. Wilkie earned a Bachelors degree in political science at the University of Winnipeg and a Bachelor of Laws at Osgoode Hall Law School.

Secretary/Treasurer

John Sidle is a Chartered Accountant who, prior to his retirement, ran his own chartered accounting firm and held a number of positions with the Government of Canada Ministry of Transport. Mr. Sidle is currently performing financial reviews of parishes for the Archdiocese of Toronto and is a treasurer for a condominium board. As an active volunteer, he has lent his financial expertise to many charitable organizations including Habitat for Humanity, St. Vincent de Paul and Fresh Start. Mr. Sidle earned a Bachelor of Laws from the London School of Economics.

Members

Abdillahi, I. S. is Private Consultant, provides consultation to for profit and non-profit organizations in the areas of research, policy development and implementation, Health Equity, Anti-Racism and Anti Oppressive practice.  Abdillahi, I.S. is also a lecturer at Guelph Humber Institute-School of Community and Social Services in the Post Graduate Programs. Abdillahi, I.S, has several years work experience in varying capacities and sectors in the social services field.  Currently working as the Assistant to the Director, in the area of Health Equity, Community Engagement and Research at a community mental health agency.  Abdillahi, I.S. earned a Master of Social Work.

John Garry Baker is a consultant who runs his own firm helping community agencies serving seniors, people with disabilities and people with acquired brain injuries. Before his retirement he held a number of positions with the Ontario Provincial Government.  He was the Senior Policy Advisor in the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care and Psychologist and Policy Analyst in the Services for the Disabled Branch of the Ministry of Community and Social Services.  Mr. Baker remains active as a consultant to the mental health and disabilities sector.

Brenda Butters is a health care consultant specializing in strategic planning, board governance and quality improvement. Previously, she was President and CEO of Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital. Ms. Butters is a registered nurse and a Health Services Administration graduate. She holds a Certified Health Executive designation from the Canadian College of Health Services Executives and is a national and international surveyor with the Accreditation Canada. She also serves on the Boards of the Ontario Lung Association Board and Casey House Hospice.

Ian Campbell is the Principal of Partners in Solutions, a health care consulting firm with a focus on capital project leadership, interim management and project management. Previously, he was Senior Vice President of Leamington District Hospital, Chief Executive Office of South Muskoka Memorial Hospital and Chief Operating Officer of Cancer Care Ontario – Hamilton Regional Cancer Centre. Mr. Campbell is also a surveyor with Accreditation Canada.

Robert Coulter is a former employee of the City of Toronto, where he worked in the Fire Chief’s Office and the Parks and Recreation Department. Mr. Coulter is an active volunteer and is currently serving as the Secretary of the Advisory Council at the John Innes Community Recreation Centre and is a member of the 51 Division Community Police Liaison Committee. He has received two Canada Day Achievement Awards, a Province of Ontario Volunteer Service Award and a City of Toronto Volunteer of the Year Award in recognition of his history of volunteering in the community.

Andrew Harington is a Managing Director at Duff & Phelps, a leading global independent provider of financial advisory and investment banking services. He provides business and intellectual property valuation services and expert witness services in the quantification of damages pursuant to intellectual property, commercial litigation and other dispute matters.

Peta Lomberg is a senior communications and corporate affairs leader with over 30 years’ experience. As President of The LOMBERG NetWork, she leads a virtual group of professionals who specialize in working with transforming organizations to engage stakeholders by involving, communicating, measuring and building commitment. Ms. Lomberg built and operated the Consumer Council of Canada’s Public Interest Network.

Terrance Slobodian is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Bridgepoint Health Foundation. Prior to joining Bridgepoint, Mr. Slobodian was Vice President for University Advancement and President and Chief Executive Officer - Foundation at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology and held senior positions at DVA Navion International Fundraising Consultants and The Navigators. Involved in numerous associations and community organizations, Mr. Slobodian was recognized for his contributions in Canada and overseas with the HRH Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll Golden Jubilee Commemorative Medal.