Our Board of Directors consists of some of the most dedicated members of our community, who give generously of their time and energy to set the highest standards for governance, accountability and performance.
Meet the members of our Board of Directors:
Ronald Richardson, P.Eng., ICD.D, (Chair), Co-Founder & VP Sales, Benbria
Ronald Richardson is a private industry executive with professional, governance and investment interests in the software, energy and not-for-profit sectors. Ronald is a licensed Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) and a certified Corporate Director with the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD.D). In governance, Ronald currently serves as Chair of the QCH Foundation; as Director ex-officio of QCH; as Director, HS&E Committee Member of Tundra Oil & Gas Ltd. (Winnipeg); as Chair of Brokrete, Inc. (Toronto); as Director of Kanata Montessori School (Ottawa) and as Director, Trustee or Observer for several other private organizations. Ronald is an active investor and member of the Capital Angel Network in Ottawa, and was co-founder of Benbria Corporation. Ronald formerly held positions with Barclays Capital, Intel, Husky Injection Molding Systems and SlipStream Data. Ronald holds a B.S.E. (Bachelors of Software Engineering, Honours Co-op, with Distinction) from the University of Waterloo. Two of Ronald’s three children were born at QCH.
Fred Seller (Vice Chair), Partner, Brazeau Seller Law
I practice in the areas of corporate and commercial law, both as a solicitor and as a litigator. During my career I have had the privilege of assisting many clients grow their businesses significantly, handle very sizeable purchases and acquisitions, as well as participate in high profile business disputes. For certain clients I also act as their General Counsel dealing with legal matters on a global scale. I have sat on the Boards of a number of charities and foundations and I co-chaired the $50 Million Courage Campaign for the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation. I have been married for 34 years and I have three daughters, one son-in-law and one grandchild.
Doug Hewson (Treasurer), Managing Partner, Caribbean Basin, Ottawa, Portland Private Equity
Doug has over nineteen years of private equity and venture capital experience. Prior to joining Portland Private Equity he was responsible for co-founding and leading two successful investment management firms. At Portland, he has primary responsibility for investor relations and is a board member of several portfolio companies including Merqueo, Facey Telecom, InterEnergy Holdings, and Productive Business Solutions. He is a member of the fund’s Investment Committee and involved in all aspects of the fund’s management.
Amy MacLeod (Secretary), Vice President of Corporate Communications, MDA
Amy MacLeod is a seasoned business leader with 25 years experience as a senior communications executive and spokesperson. An expert in shaping complex business, financial, and technical developments into global strategic communications and corporate programs, Amy believes that good communication comes from connecting people with information that conveys passion and purpose, and that the simple truth simply told is the best path to leadership, influence and personal and corporate credibility. She is a frequent public speaker, keynote presenter and panelist, and in 2019 was a featured speaker on the TEDx stage and a finalist for the Ottawa Business Women of the Year award, which recognizes the accomplishments of outstanding leaders in the National Capital Region. Amy is a University of Waterloo political science graduate who began her career in Ottawa as a political staffer on Parliament Hill.
Shannon Gorman, President & CEO, Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation
Shannon Gorman joined the QCH Foundation as the President & CEO following an 11 year tenure as the National Director of Community Affairs for TELUS. She was instrumental in advancing TELUS’ legacy of giving by leading their 13 Community Boards across Canada, and five internationally, introducing TELUS’ Internet and Mobility for Good programs in 2016, and most recently she launched the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation.
In October 2017, Shannon was named the Executive Director of the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation. In her short time as Executive Director she has achieved unprecedented fundraising success ensuring vital support is available to countless grassroots charities across Canada.
Prior to joining TELUS, Shannon was a senior executive with the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation for more than 13 years, where she played a key role in raising more than $30 million to increase cancer survivorship in Ottawa.
Shannon holds a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Ottawa, a Masters in Philanthropy and Non Profit Leadership (MPNL) from Carleton University, is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE), and has certificates in Corporate Social Responsibility from both Harvard Business School and Boston College.
Dr. Andrew Falconer, President & CEO, Queensway Carleton Hospital
Andrew has been an Emergency Medicine Physician at QCH since 1987 and the QCH’s Chief of Staff from 2008 to 2019. He graduated from the University of Ottawa, School of Medicine in 1985 and completed his Family Medicine Residency at the University of Ottawa in 1987. Andrew has an interest in the improvement of patient safety and has attended several international patient safety conferences and completed the Canadian Patient Safety Institute’s Patient Safety Instructor course. In addition, he has received his Advanced Healthcare Leadership Program certification and Financial Literacy certification from the Rotman School of Business, and completed his Masters in Health Administration from the University of Regina in 2018. Andrew recently served as the President of St. Mary’s General Hospital before moving back to QCH to take on the role of President and CEO.
Dr. Ruchi Murthy (Medical Staff Appointment), Infectious Disease, Queensway Carleton Hospital
Dr. Ruchi Murthy has been a member of the Department of Medicine Division of Infectious Diseases at QCH since 2017. She graduated from St. George’s University School of Medicine in 2012. She completed her Internal Medicine Residency and Infectious Diseases fellowship at the University of Ottawa in 2017. In 2021, she completed her Certification in Infection Control (CIC). In her time at QCH, she has been a physician representative on the Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC). She has also played a role in event planning at the hospital, which has proven to be a welcome break for colleagues working tirelessly before and through COVID-19.
During the pandemic, Dr. Murthy has become passionate in advocating for new parents and pregnant individuals. She has lent her insights on COVID-19 vaccinations, illnesses, and impacts on both traditional and social media platforms. Beyond addressing the immediate attention on COVID -19, Dr. Murthy has a special interest in bridging the gap between the community and the hospital by advocating for appropriate equity, diversity and inclusion in the culture of QCH.
Chad Schella, Board of Directors Appointment, Queensway Carleton Hospital
A graduate of Bishop’s University in Lennoxville, Quebec, Chad Schella is the General Manager, Government and Community Relations at Canada Post. Prior to joining Canada Post in 2012, Chad worked for two leaders of a federal political party and then with the Canadian Construction Association in Ottawa before spending 4 years in Toronto with the Royal Canadian Golf Association (now Golf Canada) and then pharmaceutical-based company, Pro-Pharma. Chad returned to Ottawa in 2003 to work with the Ottawa Senators Foundation to help create, build and open Roger Neilson House. Following the successful completion of this pediatric, palliative care facility, he spent 8 years with the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club and sat as a founding Board Member of Roger Neilson House for seven years. Chad has been a member of the QCH Board since 2018 and was previously a member of the Patient and Family Advisory Council. He now acts as the Chair of the Human Resources and Executive Compensation Committee and sits as the Hospital Board representative on the QCH Foundation Board of Directors. Chad and his wife Catherine Clark live in Carp with their two children, Alexandra and Charlie, who were both born at the QCH.
Alan Doak, Principle, Proveras Commercial Realty
Alan is a principal and co-founder of Proveras Commercial Realty. In this role he works with public and private sector organizations in the development and leasing of office, commercial, and industrial projects. Through his career, Alan has acted on behalf of financial institutions, large law firms, crown corporations, and many of Ottawa’s most notable businesses. Alan is an Ottawa native and a graduate of Queen’s University with a BPHED and a BSc. He is also a member of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR) and he holds a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation.
Benson Wong
Benson was born in Ottawa, raised in Brampton, educated at Carleton University for Software Engineering, and now works and lives in Ottawa. He describes himself as a “standard high energy ADHD tech guy who took an entrepreneurial path, failed his way forward, and since 2017 he’s had the privilege to invest as a member of the Capital Angel Network in Ottawa.”
He cares deeply for mental health issues, is passionate about technology, and is humbled to be surrounded by such accomplished board members for QCH Foundation.
Cal Kirkpatrick, President, Colonnade Development
Cal’s first memory of the QCH was as a local teenager watching it being built in 1976. Since then he has relied on the hospital and its emergency department for more than a few stitches, finger splints, x-rays and of course excellent health care for his extended family, including his wife and two daughters who lived very close by.
But the real commitment to the hospital and QCH Foundation was when he was introduced to the campaign to raise funds for the soon-to-constructed Acute Care of the Elderly (ACE) Unit. The ACE unit was a facility specializing and focusing in on the specific health care and medical needs of the elderly and the increasing geriatric population in our city. The concept of special care for the old resonated with Cal immediately and he quickly become more involved in fundraising and other initiatives and eventually took a seat on the Board of Directors in 2016. He is also the Board Liaison to the Campaign Cabinet, the fundraising volunteer team of the Foundation.
A graduate of Carleton University, Cal has been actively involved in Ottawa’s commercial real estate industry primarily with the Colonnade Group of Companies, and more specifically Colonnade Development. Cal remains as the President of Colonnade Development and sits on the Board of Directors for Colonnade BridgePort, a successful real estate services company specializing in property management, commercial leasing, new development, and asset management.
Ed Herweyer, Vice President, Annis O’Sullivan Vollebekk
Beth and I have three daughters, three grandchildren and numerous dogs, all of which keeps us running, connected and enjoying life. Mental health initiatives are a focus and a promise I made to my nephews after my brother’s death; manic/bi-polar/depression are words now connected to my soul. Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation is an opportunity for me to make a difference in mental health care and to participate in so many issues relevant to great hospital care and experiences.
Janet Yale, ICD.D
Janet Yale is an accomplished leader and senior executive with long years of management experience in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. She served as the President and CEO of the Arthritis Society (Canada) from June 2012 to January 2020 after a long career in the telecommunications and broadcast sectors. In June 2018, she was appointed by the federal Ministers of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Canadian Heritage to serve as Chair of The Broadcasting and Telecommunications Legislative Review Panel. The Panel released its Report “Canada’s Communications Future: Time to Act” in January 2020.
Previously, she served as President and CEO of the Canadian Cable Television Association and, later, as the Executive Vice President of External Affairs at TELUS. Ms. Yale also served as a Director General at the CRTC and as General Counsel at the Consumers Association of Canada.
A long-time volunteer, Ms. Yale currently serves on the boards of the Samara Centre for Democracy, WPBS, Business for the Arts and Salus. In 2008, she was awarded the United Way Community Builder Award for Volunteer of the Year.
During the course of her distinguished career, she has received a number of awards and recognitions. In 2001, she was named “Woman of the Year” by the Canadian Women in Communications Organization. She is a recipient of both the Queen Elizabeth II Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals. She was also named as one of Canada’s 100 Most Powerful Women by the Women’s Executive Network from 2004 to 2006, and inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007. In 2005, she was named Businesswoman of the Year by the Women’s Business Network and in 2006 she was named Woman Leader of the Year by Federated Press.
A lawyer and economist by training, Ms. Yale is fully bilingual (English & French), a keen marathon runner and passionate about health, the arts and business.
Lorraine Mastersmith, Partner, Gowling WLG & Owner, KIN Vineyards
Lorraine Mastersmith is a partner in Gowling WLG’s Corporate Commercial and Capital Markets Groups and is the Head of the Business Law Department in Ottawa. She is the Ottawa lead for the firm’s Technology Industry Group and team lead for the Corporate Practice/Private M&A Group in the Ottawa office. Lorraine represents emerging and established companies specializing in various technology sectors including live broadcasting, financial services, business intelligence, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, logistics, digital, cloud and security services in respect of M&A activity, commercial contracts and technology licensing. Over the course of her career both as in house counsel and in private practice, Lorraine has assisted clients in raising hundreds of millions of dollars in financing from banks, angel investors, private equity and venture capital firms. She has acted as lead counsel on a number of listings of Capital Pool Companies and the completion of Qualifying Transactions on the TSX Venture Exchange and subsequent financings. She has been recognized in Chambers Canada, The Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory and the Legal 500 Canada.
Lorraine currently serves as an independent director and member of the HR & Compensation Committee of Ross Video Limited, as a director of Ruckify Inc., as a director and member of the Governance Committee of The Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum and as a director and member of the Governance Committee of QCH Foundation. She is an Ottawa Regional Ambassador Council member for Women Get on Board, an organization devoted to the advancement of qualified women to corporate boards. Lorraine and her husband own and operate KIN Vineyards, a beautiful winery located 25 minutes west of downtown Ottawa.
Mischa Kaplan, Director of HR & Organizational Development, Ottawa Tourism & Convention Authority
An Ottawa native, Mischa is the Director of HR and Organizational Development at Ottawa Tourism, as well as a part-time professor in the School of Business at Algonquin College. He is also the co-owner and former president of Rainbow Foods, a full-service natural foods store located in West Ottawa, as well as the vice-chair of the Ottawa Board of Trade and the former chair of the West Ottawa Board of Trade. Mischa lives in Stittsville with his wife and three daughters.
Ryan Kelahear, Business Development Manager, Colliers Project Leaders
Ryan lives in Richmond, Ontario with his family. Ryan is a business development professional with a government relations and fundraising background. Ryan cares deeply about the well-being of our hospital and is focused on raising its profile as one of the leading hospitals in Eastern Canada.
Shaina Watt, Senior Manager, Assurance, Hendry Warren LLP
Shaina is a Senior Manager at a local accounting firm, Hendry Warren LLP, and as such, she works closely with a variety of Ottawa’s local business owners. Specializing in Not for Profit Audit as well as Corporate Taxation and Business Advisory allows Shaina to work with a variety of clients. This allows her to help support the businesses and people that make up our community. Not only is supporting the community important in the office, but Shaina believes it’s important to be actively involved outside of the office as well. Shaina has found that joining the Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation has been an inspiring experience. She enjoys being part of a team that is so committed to excellence.
Wynand Stassen, Chief Financial Officer, HammerTech