Board Members
Our Board of Directors is an unpaid, volunteer board that serves as the authoritative link between the operational organization and you, the people that the organization serves.
The Board oversees the organization using a Governance Model and written governance policies within the broad categories of:
- Ends
- Executive Limitations
- Governance Process
- Board-Management Delegation
Responsibility for the organization’s operations is delegated to the CEO, who reports to the Board of Directors. The performance of the CEO is reviewed annually.
Terms of Reference for Board and Board Committees 2022
Board Performance
To assess its performance, the Board and individual members undergo an annual self evaluation process. The aggregated results are reviewed by the Governance Committee and addressed as necessary. Attendance of individual members is reviewed annually by the Governance Committee. Board members who miss three consecutive board meetings may be removed from the Board. All Board members must declare any conflicts of interest at the outset of every meeting.
An annual education plan is developed for existing members of the Board that includes internal and external opportunities to grow their knowledge on a variety of topics relevant to their role.
The Board publicly shares the Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements so that our community is confident that the organization is effectively providing exceptional client care, good governance and fiscal accountability. More informally, the community is kept up to date through its social media channels, email newsletters, and virtual updates.
Joining the Board
For more information on joining our Board of Directors please contact Michele Swanson, Executive Assistant at 905-827-8800 x2011.
Prospective board members are asked to provide a cover letter outlining their interest in joining the board, along with a resume. If there are open board positions, and the candidate and their skills match current board needs, the candidate will be interviewed by the Board Chair, Governance Committee Chair and CEO. Successful candidates will recommended to the board for membership via motion at the next board meeting.
New board members are provided with a formal orientation to the organization.
Board Sub Committees
The board has created the following standing sub committees:
- Finance
- Governance
- Pension & Benefits
- Quality & Risk
Board Members
To contact one of our board members, please contact Michele Swanson, Executive Assistant at 905-827-8800 x2011.
Cindy Heinz
Chair
Appointed to the Board: 2015
Cindy is a senior legal counsel with 20 years of experience and extensive accomplishments as both a Partner in a large international firm in Toronto and as In-House Counsel. During her career she has had accountability for a broad range of legal matters including private mergers and acquisitions, corporate commercial law, contract drafting and negotiation, civil litigation and employment law. She spent nine years on the Board of Directors of a large community hospital and was a member of various Research Ethics Board. Currently, she co-leads and facilitates the Advanced Corporate Governance Course for Ontario hospital boards of directors offered by the Governance Centre of Excellence of the Ontario Hospital Association.
Chad Murray
Vice Chair, Pension & Benefits Committee Chair
Appointed to the Board: 2018
Chad brings his extensive leadership experience in retail sales and marketing to his work on the board. He is currently President of Chad Murray Sales and Marketing Inc. offering sales management and strategic consulting services to small and start up companies in the retail sector. Prior to moving to Oakville, he served as a board member for the St. Thomas and District Chamber of Commerce, the St. Thomas Economic Development Corporation, and the Flamborough Chamber of Commerce. Always a committed community champion, he was Chair of the United Way of St. Thomas campaign cabinet for two years, and served on their board for six.
Michael David Marco
Treasurer, Finance Committee Chair
Appointed to the Board: 2013
Michael is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA/CMA) and completed the Institute of Corporate Directors designation (ICD.D) in 2016. Michael has over 30 years of experience, including executive positions at Royal Bank, Aviva Canada, Intact, The Co-operators, Allianz Global Assistance and Livingston International. He is currently VP Finance & Technology at Fred Victor Centre. Michael completed his MBA at Concordia University and holds a CRMA (Certificate in Risk Management Assurance) designation. He is also a session leader training the next generation of accountants with CPA Ontario. Michael has held a number of different community volunteer positions in Oakville, including several roles on the Board of Shaarei-Beth El Congregation, coaching soccer and scout leader.
Stuart Du Kamp
Secretary, Quality & Risk Committee Chair
Appointed to the Board: 2017
Stuart is a Quality Assurance professional with over 30 years of experience within the pharmaceutical industry. After spending his formative years in the UK, Stuart immigrated to Canada in 1997, and had held a series of Senior Quality Management roles with companies spanning the pharmaceutical spectrum. Throughout his career Stuart has sought out opportunities that would not only expose him to a diverse range of experiences, but also allow him to apply his core quality philosophies across a wide range of platforms. Stuart is very excited about the opportunity to leverage his extensive experience within pharmaceutical manufacturing to the challenging arena of health care delivery, and in doing so, improve the patient experience.
Maureen McCallister
Governance Committee Chair
Appointed to the Board: 2019
Maureen retired from the Ontario Government after 30 years which included the last 15 years with the Ministry of Health long-term care sector as Senior Financial Analyst and Program Supervisor. After retirement, Maureen volunteered with a community agency serving seniors, adults with disabilities and children and families in the Region of Halton & Mississauga. Maureen also served as Treasurer, Vice Chair and Chair on the Board of Directors for Links2Care. Once her term of office expired, she wanted to continue serving the community and is pleased to join Acclaim Health’s board.
Mario Velez
Member
Appointed to the Board: 2020
Mario is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA/CMA), originally graduated as a Civil Engineer in Colombia with further degrees as MBA and MS International Business in the US. With 30 years of experience, has spent the last 14 years as a Director of Shared Services for Bimbo Bakeries USA, a division of Grupo Bimbo, global leader in the baking industry. Former treasurer for S.E.N.A.C.A. Seniors day program Halton Inc. until their amalgamation with Acclaim Health as of March 31, 2020.
Lawrence Benjamin
Member
Appointed to the Board: 2020
Lawrence is a professional with over two decades of experience in the pharmaceutical, banking and technology industries, where he held several progressive positions. He was also a volunteer tutor for several years at Skills for Employment, Life and Family (SELF), formerly the Peel Literacy Guild, and is currently a mentor for post-graduate students of colour. Lawrence has a Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.) specializing in Healthcare Management, an M.Sc. in International Management focusing on Health Systems Management and Operational Excellence and a B.Sc. Biology/Chemistry. He also holds a Post-Graduate Diploma in Strategic Organizational Leadership and is a Certified Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt. He is extremely excited to continue his passion for advocating for positive social change.
Dwania Peele
Member
Appointed to the Board: 2021
Dwania wears two hats – a Quality Control Manager in the Beverage & Distilled Spirits Industry and the Founder of Canadian Small Business Women. She holds a B.Sc. in Chemistry and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Windsor, a Diploma in Chemical Laboratory Technology from St. Clair College and postgraduate courses in Project Management from University of Toronto. Living in three different countries throughout her lifetime has given her a high level of cultural intelligence, which she has used to build an online community of thousands of diverse entrepreneurs. She is an avid volunteer in her community and a proud member of the University of Windsor Alumni Association’s Reunions & Special Events Committee. She has been recognized for her excellence in the entrepreneurship world as IWAA Entrepreneur of the Year, Top 40 under 40 and Top 100 Black Women to Watch in Canada. Dwania has also used her platform to promote entrepreneurs in two collaborative books. She is also a proud breast cancer conqueror.
Debra Deakin
Member
Appointed to the Board: 2021
Debra is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA/CMA) with over 30 years of experience in business partnering across various industries including financial institutions, logistics and automotive. An Acclaim volunteer in the Friendly Visiting / Tele-Touch program and former volunteer at Halton Women’s Place, she is excited about contributing her knowledge and skills in supporting not for profit health care services.