LEADERS IN HOME AND COMMUNITY CARE

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The association is governed by elected and appointed individuals representing our members from provincial and territorial governments, home care administrators and direct service providers. Board responsibilities include setting the association’s strategic direction, approving annual operating plans and budgets and oversight of national projects.

Chair of the Board

Jo-Anne Poirier

President and CEO

VON Canada

SERVICE PROVIDER

Bio

Jo‐Anne Poirier joined VON Canada in 2014 as President and Chief Executive Officer.

From 2008 until 2014, Jo‐Anne was Chief Executive Officer of Ottawa Community Housing Corporation. Under her leadership, Ottawa Community Housing received several awards for excellence including the 2011 Ottawa Chamber of Commerce Business Achievement Awards’ Non‐Profit Organization of the Year. Jo‐Anne was previously Vice‐President, Resource Development and Chief Executive Officer of the Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign for United Way Ottawa, First Vice‐President, Business Development for MBNA Canada Bank, and Deputy City Manager, Corporate Services with the City of Gloucester. She has worked for more than 35 years in the private, public and not‐for‐profit sectors.

Jo‐Anne is also actively involved in the community and on several Boards of Directors. She is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) and a holder of the ICD.D designation.

She was previously the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), is the Chair of the Canadian Home Care Association and a Committee Chair at Calian. She also sits on The Ottawa Hospital Board. Previous Board roles include Board member of the Réseau des services de santé en français de l’Est de l’Ontario, Chair of the Shaw Centre, Chair of the Change Foundation, Vice‐Chair of Ottawa Public Health, Board member of TVO and founding Board member of the Board of Directors of the Champlain Local Health Integration Network (LHIN).

Jo‐Anne has received several awards for her work in the community, including the 2020 Ottawa Distinguished Women Lifetime Achievement Award, the 2020 Community Service Award for University of Ottawa Alumni Association, the 2012 Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the 2012 Dirigeante de l'année, Secteur Communautaire (2012 CEO of the year, Non‐Profit sector) Award from the Regroupement des gens d'affaires de la capitale nationale.

Past Board Chair

Vikas Sethi

Executive Director, Seniors Specialized Care Transformation

Interior Health (BC)

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Bio

Vikas Sethi is an accomplished health‑care leader with over twenty-six years of experience across multiple sectors and provinces in Canada. With a professional background in Occupational therapy, Vikas brings deep clinical insight together with senior leadership expertise to advance system integration, operational excellence, and person‑centred service delivery.

Over his career, Vikas has held numerous leadership roles, guiding programs in acute care, community health, rehabilitation, and specialized services. His work has focused on advancing innovative models of care, strategic planning, care excellence, strengthening partnerships, and improving both patient and provider experiences.

Vikas currently serves as the Executive Director, Regional Integrated Services at Interior Health, British Columbia, where he oversees region‑wide programs and services that support coordinated, person‑centred care across diverse communities. Known for his collaborative leadership style and strategic mindset, he plays a key role in enhancing access, quality, and equity throughout the region.

Vice-Chair

Sheila Anderson

Vice President, Integrated Regina Health

Saskatchewan Health Authority

SASKATCHEWAN

Bio

Sheila Anderson is Vice-President of Integrated Regina Health with the Saskatchewan Health Authority and a health system leader with more than 30 years of experience serving the people of Saskatchewan. A registered nurse by background, she is a collaborative leader who translates strategy into action, builds strong partnerships, and leads through complexity and change.

Sheila provides executive oversight for provincial primary health care strategy and system transformation, guiding service planning, quality and safety, and capital and business planning. Working closely with physicians, government ministries, and community partners, she strengthens system integration and alignment to better serve patients and families. Sheila is committed to advancing integrated, patient- and family-centred care, workforce engagement, and culturally responsive practice.

Charbel Daniel

President & CEO

Northwood

NOVA SCOTIA

Bio

Charbel Daniel is the President and CEO of the Northwood Group of Companies, one of Atlantic Canada’s largest and most trusted providers of long-term care, home care, and community-based services. With a strong background in healthcare leadership, Charbel previously oversaw Nova Scotia’s provincial ambulance operations as part of his senior role at Emergency Medical Care Inc., leading transformative initiatives that enhanced system performance and patient care. A passionate innovator and author of “The Problem with Solutions,” Charbel is committed to challenging the status quo, fostering collaboration, and shaping the future of healthcare in Canada.

Jeremy Altman

Chief Executive Officer

Equinoxe LifeCare

QUEBEC

Bio

Jeremy Altman is the Chief Executive Officer at Equinoxe LifeCare, a home care company that focuses on the whole person care, ensuring the management, coordination and provision of quality care services across the spectrum in geriatric, chronic care, post operative and palliative care. Prior to entering into the homecare service industry, Jeremy was a seasoned fintech executive. Up until February 2022, he was Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Paysafe Group, a leading specialized payments platform with annualized transactional volume of U.S. $100 billion. Prior to joining Paysafe in 2017, he served as Chief Transformation Officer at Oney Trust, leading the post-merger integration of two anti-fraud management companies. Before that, Jeremy was VP Sales at SlimPay, a recurring payments fintech company where he led their European expansion as their first executive hire. Earlier in his career, he worked as an Investment Officer and then a Business Development Manager at Monext, a company that he helped to launch out of Experian's payment division.

Jeremy is also a member of the Board of Directors of MTL+Ecommerce, a non-profit organization dedicated to driving the startup culture, fostering innovation & digital education, and facilitating business networking. He also serves on the Advisory Board of Payment Source, a Canadian Fintech that empowers inclusion by providing alternative payment options to organizations.

Jeremy holds an MSc in Management from EMLYON Business School.

Lara De Sousa

Chief Operations Officer

CarePartners

SERVICE PROVIDER

Bio

Lara is a dynamic and transformational senior leader with decades of experience in the healthcare sector. Her commitment to achieving results that positively impact health and social systems is at the core of her professional journey.

As a passionate advocate for innovative approaches to complex issues that support healthy communities, Lara excels in building robust professional relationships and coalitions with partners across various systems. Her effective communication skills and collaborative mindset have been instrumental in leading several large-scale initiatives. Lara strikes a balance between strategic visioning and operational execution, showcasing her ability to inspire and engage people in fostering a culture of transparency, creativity, and innovation.

Throughout her career, Lara has held clinical and progressively senior roles, demonstrating her versatility and expertise across multiple health sectors. As an occupational therapist with a Masters in Health Administration, Lara is tenacious about quality improvement and demonstrating the value of homecare as integral to a modernized and sustainable health system in Canada. A leader who values integrity and grace in her interactions, Lara is not only adept at driving sustainable results but also holds herself and others accountable to value-based principles. Her forward-thinking approach and commitment to quality healthcare make Lara a visionary leader who continues to shape and elevate the healthcare experiences of those she serves.

Carolyn Gosse

Regional Director, Community Support Program

Eastern Urban Zone, NFLD Health Services

NEWFOUNDLAND

Bio

Graduated with a BN in 2002 and an MN in 2020 from Memorial University, received a certification in Community Health Nursing from the Canadian Nurses Association in 2015 and a Certification in Change Management from Prosci Canada in 2020.

Currently the Director of the Community Support Program Eastern Urban Zone with Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services in Newfoundland and Labrador and have held various positions, in the community sector since 2007 – coordinator, division manager, change manager and professional practice consultant.

I held the role of a panel member for the CAN-PCC Canadian Guidelines for Post Covid-19 Condition through McMaster University and the Public Health Agency of Canada (2023-2025) and currently sit on the College of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador Disciplinary Panel as well as the College of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador Education and Research Trust Committee.

Stephen Jackson

Territorial Director, Home, Community and Continuing Care

Nunavut Department of Health

NUNAVUT

Bio

Stephen has 30 years of experience in health systems, long-term care, and home care from Ontario, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.

He is a Certified Health Executive (CHE) and former board member of the Canadian College of Health Leaders and has held a variety of senior leadership experiences including Assistant Deputy Minister. Stephen is also an accreditation surveyor and mentor to graduate students in health quality degree programs.

Robyn Maddox

Senior Provincial Director, Provincial Seniors Health and Continuing Care

Alberta Health Services

ALBERTA

Bio

Robyn Maddox is currently in the position of Senior Program Director, Strategy, Innovation and Transformation and is also serving as the Interim Chief Program Officer, Provincial Planning, Contracting and Excellence, for Assisted Living Alberta.

Robyn brings extensive senior leadership experience, academic achievement, and deep knowledge of Alberta’s seniors health and continuing care system. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Calgary and is a Certified Health Executive (CHE).

Her previous roles include Interim Chief Operating Officer for ALA and Executive Director for Seniors Health in Alberta Health Services’ North Zone, where she led complex continuing care services. Robyn also has experience in the dental, construction, and oil and gas sectors, bringing a broad perspective to large, multifaceted initiatives.

Ginette Pellerin

Vice President, Operations

Medavie Health Services

NEW BRUNSWICK

Bio

Ginette Pellerin is a seasoned healthcare leader and registered dietitian with a distinguished career spanning public health, clinical services, emergency preparedness, and home‑care operations in New Brunswick. A graduate of the Université de Moncton, Ginette earned her Bachelor of Nutrition and completed her professional internship at the Georges‑L.‑Dumont University Hospital Centre, establishing a strong foundation in clinical nutrition and patient-centered care.

Ginette began her career in Miramichi, as a Public Health Dietitian, where she provided community-focused nutrition services and played a key role in health promotion initiatives. During this time, she also operated a private dietetic clinic, specializing in weight management and personalized nutrition coaching. Her work allowed her to develop deep expertise in supporting individuals at various stages of health and vulnerability.

Her career evolved significantly as she took on expanded responsibilities in emergency preparedness and pandemic planning, with a focus on protecting high‑risk and vulnerable populations. Her leadership was instrumental during critical public health emergencies, where she coordinated responses across partners and sectors to maintain safety and continuity of care.

Ginette later transitioned into progressive leadership roles within Public Health and subsequently the Extramural Program (EMP), New Brunswick’s provincial home‑care program. In these roles, she played a central part in modernizing service delivery and improving system integration. Notably, she helped design and implement a successful model of care for Special Care Homes, enhancing clinical oversight and access to professional services across the province. She also led outbreak management team responses in vulnerable settings throughout the COVID‑19 pandemic, ensuring rapid coordination, risk mitigation, and protection of residents and staff.

Today, Ginette serves as the Vice President of Operations for the Extramural Program (EMP), where she provides strategic and operational leadership for home‑based clinical services across New Brunswick. She is recognized for her collaborative approach, her commitment to innovation in community and home‑based care, and her dedication to integrated person-centered care to improve health outcomes for populations with complex needs.

Crystal Praught

Director, Home-Based Care

Health PEI

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

Bio

Crystal Praught is the Director of Home-Based Care with Health PEI. She graduated from the University of Prince Edward Island with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (1997) and earned a Certificate in Public Sector Leadership Development (2012). A lifelong learner, Crystal has completed training in Change Management, Case Management, and Leads Inspired Leadership.

Her experience spans acute care early in her career, transitioning to a predominant focus in Long-Term Care and Home-Based Care, with a strong emphasis on senior care and aging in place. Over 28 years with Health PEI, including 17 years in leadership roles, Crystal has led initiatives that advance person-centered care and improve access to community-based services. She currently serves as a government representative on the Réseau Santé en français Î.-P.-É. board and recently contributed to the HSO Home Care and Support Services Technical Committee.

Crystal is passionate about creating strategies that help Canadians remain in their homes and communities—where they aspire to be. She looks forward to collaborating with the Canadian Home Care Association to strengthen home and community care programs and services across the country.

Georgina Veldhorst

Vice President for Quality, Performance & Strategy

Shared Health

MANITOBA

Ex-Officio

Fiona Deller

Chief Executive Officer

Canadian Home Care Association

STRUCTURE

SELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The association is governed by elected and appointed individuals representing our members from provincial and territorial governments / home care administrators and direct service providers. Board responsibilities include setting the association’s strategic direction, approving annual operating plans and budgets and oversight of national projects.

Directors are responsible for the highest level of decision-making and legal authority in an organization. The board articulates and communicates the organization’s vision to the membership and the community. As a governing board, members are responsible for:

Establishing the organization’s mission and vision
Providing oversight of the organization’s affairs
Setting strategic directions and evaluating achievements
Facilitating member engagement

Board of Directors Terms of Reference

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Established in 1990, the Canadian Home Care Association (CHCA) is a national non-profit membership association dedicated to advancing excellence in home and community care.

National Office: 905-567-7373 | General Inquiries: chca@cdnhomecare.ca
2000 Argentia Road, Plaza 3, Suite 302. Mississauga, ON, L5N 1W1

This post is also available in: French