Faculty

Inside the ALP Learning Experience

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Faculty

Learn from leading sector experts

AdvantAge Ontario instructors are established leaders in Ontario’s long-term care and seniors’ housing sector, with deep experience in all aspects of operations. To learn more about our faculty members, click their photos.

Program Director

Carolyn Clubine

Program Director and Facilitator

Subject Matter Experts

Alan Hui

Bahar Karimi

Bruce Goldie

Jeanette O’Leary

Julie Wheeler

Renee Guder

Sharlyn Carrington

Travis Durham

Wendy Beckles

William Willard

Speakers

Abby Katz Starr

Alan Hui

Aleksandra Grzeszczuk

Amorell Saunders N’Daw

Audriana Di Ruzza

Bahar Karimi

Barbara Bell

Bruce Goldie

Connie Lacy

Cynthia Marinelli

Dwayne Green

Feroz Masjidi

Hamlet Nation

Heidi Taylor

Jamie Cook

Jeanette O’Leary

Jennifer Gibson

Jonathon Bingeman

Julie Wheeler

Kyle Cotton

Lillian Rank

Lindsey Harrold

Lisa Corrente

Lisa Levin

Mary Nestor

Meara Roebuck

Megan Garland

Mina Karabit

Mona Krolak

Rich Janes

Samantha Peck

Sandra Lawson

Sebastien Normandin

Sharlyn Carrington

Stephanie Ventura

Tiffany Cecchetto

Travis Durham

Twinkle Patel

Wendy Beckles

William Willard

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Carolyn Clubine

Program Director and Facilitator

Carolyn Clubine has a wealth of Health and Long-term Care experience. She is the former Director of Long-Term Care and Community Support Services for the Region of Peel’s five campuses of care. 

Currently, Carolyn serves as an LTC sector expert and consultant with Clubine Consulting, a boutique firm offering customized management consulting and services. She consults with non-profit organizations on issues ranging from strategic and organizational planning, redevelopment, operational effectiveness, and board governance.

Carolyn has obtained her Fellowship with the Canadian College of Health Leaders. In addition, she is a graduate of The Advanced Executive Leadership Program at the Schulich School of Business at York University. Carolyn regularly participates with AdvantAge Ontario facilitating workshops, participation on various committees, and member support service development.

A strategic thinker and innovative planner with strong analytical skills, Carolyn has coached, mentored, and taught strategic and management/leadership courses locally and internationally. Her desire is to empower leadership teams to develop strategies that will shape key services for today and over the long term.

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Wendy Beckles

Wendy Beckles has over 27 years of experience in Financial Management and Executive Leadership. She is a graduate of Harvard University and the Rotman School of Management. Wendy holds several accreditations including the Certified General Accounting designation, Chartered Professional Accounting designation and Certified Healthcare Administrator designation. As President and CEO of Shepherd Village Inc., Wendy provides executive leadership to the largest integrated single-site, Seniors’ community in Ontario. Serving over 900 seniors across an innovative healthcare campus, Shepherd Village Inc. delivers a continuum of care including independent living, retirement living, assisted living and long-term care.

As President and CEO of Shepherd Village Inc., Wendy provides executive leadership to the largest integrated single-site, Seniors’ community in Ontario. Serving over 900 seniors across an innovative healthcare campus, Shepherd Village Inc. delivers a continuum of care including independent living, retirement living, assisted living and long-term care.

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Sharlyn Carrington

Sharlyn Carrington is an award-winning communications strategist and trusted senior advisor to leaders navigating complexity, change, and public accountability. With more than 17 years’ experience across public and private sectors, she works with organizations that need clarity, credibility, and cohesion in high-stakes environments.

Sharlyn has led integrated communications and engagement strategies, advised executives, political leaders, and business owners, and helped organizations build resilient brands rooted in trust. Her public-sector experience includes advising more than 12 cabinet ministers and two premiers, and developing communications strategies, protocols, and public-facing campaigns for initiatives serving underrepresented and vulnerable populations—work that required political acuity, risk management, and a deep understanding of public trust.

Today, through her consultancy, Sharlyn serves as a strategic partner to mission-driven organizations across nonprofit, higher education, mental health, and small business. She supports leadership teams with brand strategy, reputation management, stakeholder communications, and the systems and protocols that enable organizations to communicate clearly and credibly—especially during periods of growth, transition, or scrutiny. Her work is grounded in the belief that strong communications infrastructure is essential to organizational health, trust, and long-term impact.

An experienced inclusion strategist, speaker, and facilitator, Sharlyn brings both academic research and lived experience to her work on equity in communications and leadership. Her research has contributed to national conversations on representation and power within the public relations industry, and she co-founded the Anti-Racism in Public Relations Conference, convening more than 600 communicators to advance practical, systemic change. She is regularly invited to speak, facilitate, and contribute to conversations at the intersection of communications, leadership, and equity.

Sharlyn holds a Master’s degree in Communications Management from McMaster University, a graduate certificate in Public Relations from Humber College, and a certificate in Leadership and Inclusion from Centennial College.

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Travis Durham

Travis Durham is the Director of Dietary Services and Information Technology at Grove Park Home in Barrie, Ontario, where he has worked for more than nine years in progressively senior leadership roles. He has served as Director since January 2019, following his tenure as Manager of Food and Nutrition Services. Travis has been a Certified Nutrition Manager (CNM) since 2019 and is an active member of the Canadian Society of Nutrition Management (CSNM) and the CSNM Ontario Networking Group (ONG).

With over 20 years of experience in long-term care and seniors’ services, Travis has held senior leadership roles across long-term care, retirement living, supportive housing, and adult day programs, including positions with IOOF Seniors Homes Inc., Mill Creek Care Centre, and Leacock Care Centre. His leadership experience spans multi-site operations serving more than 500 residents, with accountability for food services, support services, emergency preparedness, and operational compliance.

In addition to his operational leadership at Grove Park Home, Travis serves as a Coordinator for the Food and Nutrition Management and Retirement and Assisted Living Management programs at Georgian College, contributing to curriculum delivery and workforce development. He also recently served as a Subject Matter Expert within AdvantAge Ontario’s Administrator Leadership Program, supporting leadership development and applied learning for emerging and current long-term care administrators.

Travis has volunteered extensively at the provincial level, contributing for several years to the Ontario Seniors Nutrition & Advocacy Committee (OSNAC) and its working group, the Food and Nutrition Advisory Team (FNAT), where he supported advocacy initiatives and the development of practical resources to assist long-term care homes in adapting to the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021.

He is widely recognized for championing a food-first approach in long-term care, emphasizing local sourcing, direct vendor partnerships, and system integration to improve nutritional outcomes, food quality, and community economic impact. Travis is currently pursuing a Master of Education through Athabasca University.

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Bruce Goldie

Bruce Goldie has worked for close to 40 years in Human Resources, Training and Development, and Labour Relations including over 23 years with the Municipal Government at the Regional Municipality of Peel. The last 8 years with Peel, Bruce worked with their 5 Long Term Care Homes providing Human Resources and Labour Relations advice and guidance.

Bruce is teaching faculty at Sheridan College where he has been for 24 years teaching with the Human Resources Management Program.

After retiring from the Region of Peel in 2022, Bruce was asked to return to Human Resources in 2024 and 2025 to help again in Long Term Care. Following that assignment, Bruce started his own HR consulting company called BMG HR Solutions where he provides employee and labour relations advice and guidance as well as training and development on various topics.

Bruce is a Certified Human Resources Leader with the Human Resources Professionals Association and a Certified Training and Development Specialist with The Institute for Performance and Learning.

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Renee Guder

Renee is a Registered Nurse and holds a Master of Leadership degree with 20 plus years experience leading within the long-term-care and health care sector. She has served as the Senior Administrator with Thrive Group and oversaw St. Peter’s Residence at Chedoke and Idlewyld Manor. She is knowledgeable in the Fixing LTC Act and other governing regulations ensuring compliance and application of best practice approach.

In her current role she is responsible for directing, developing and implementing Organizational Development and Human Resource strategies for Thrive Group. She leads Thrive Group’s training, leadership development, employee engagement, corporate culture and change management strategies and oversees corporate communications and marketing. She is skilled at building and delivering high impact training programs that align employee efforts behind organizational goals to maximize employee performance, increase revenue and advance customer loyalty.

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Alan Hui

Administrator, Mon Sheong Markham Long-Term Care Centre
Alan Hui is the Administrator at the Mon Sheong Markham Long-Term Care Centre, where he has progressed from social worker to Assistant Administrator, and to the Administrator. Alan is responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership to ensure the delivery of safe, high-quality, and culturally appropriate care. He oversees clinical operations, regulatory compliance, resident services, staff development, and organizational performance, fostering a collaborative environment with residents, families, and staff. In addition, Alan also serves as a CARF Surveyor with CARF International, conducting accreditation surveys and supporting organizations in quality across aging services. Alan also volunteers as the Vice President of the Board of Directors for The Kidney Foundation of Canada (Ontario Branch) and Chair of the Chinese Renal Association Chapter, leading fundraising initiatives, community outreach, and kidney health advocacy within Ontario. Throughout his career, Alan has led numerous major operational and clinical projects, including implementations of eMAR, Point-of-Care, interRAI LTCF transition, strategic plan update, accreditation, HRIS and scheduling systems, and the organizational response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He has also overseen FLTCA and Regulation implementation and strengthened IPAC standards across his home. He holds a Master of Business Administration in Health Leadership from Athabasca University, a Master of Social Work in Gerontology from the University of Toronto, and a Bachelor of Social Work from York University. He is a Certified Health Executive (CHE) through the Canadian College of Health Leaders and has completed multiple leadership and clinical education programs, including the AdvantAge Ontario Administrator Leadership Program and specialized dementia and quality improvement training. Passionate about serving seniors—particularly within the Chinese community—Alan is committed to providing high-quality, culturally sensitive care. He values the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with residents, families, and staff and enjoys working in environments where he can make a direct impact on well-being.
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Bahar Karimi

Bahar Karimi is the Executive Director of Clinical Practice and Centre of Excellence at Thrive Group, a multi-site organization providing long-term care and community-based services in Ontario. She is a nurse leader and health system executive with over 22 years of experience across frontline care, clinical leadership, operations, and system transformation in long-term care.

Bahar’s career spans roles as a PSW, RPN, and RN, ADOC, DOC, and LTC Administrator, giving her a deep, practical understanding of the realities of care delivery and the leadership challenges faced by administrators and clinical leaders. She has held senior leadership roles overseeing clinical practice, quality, risk, education, and workforce development, and is recognized for her work in designing and implementing sustainable models of care and leadership in long-term care settings.

As the lead for Thrive Group’s Centre of Excellence in Healthcare Innovation, Bahar supports applied research, quality improvement, and workforce initiatives that are directly embedded in practice. Her current work focuses on management of care, clinical governance, relational and emotional leadership, and building cultures that support both staff well-being and resident quality of life.

Bahar holds graduate degrees in Nursing and Health Sciences (Health Administration) and is currently completing her PhD in Nursing at Western University, where her research focuses on the sustainability of the personal support worker workforce in long-term care. She also holds adjunct academic appointments and teaches in undergraduate, graduate, and bridging nursing programs. Her approach to leadership and education is grounded in co-creation, social accountability, and practical strategies administrators can apply immediately in their homes.

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Julie Wheeler

Julie Wheeler is the Director of Seniors’ Services for the Region of Waterloo, where she is responsible for long-term care, seniors’ supportive housing, home care/supports, and community programs. Her previous roles included managing long-term care services, community and social services as well as managing services to support people living with a dementia in the community. She has over 20 years of experience supporting the not-for-profit sector through health, community and social services.

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William Willard

William Willard is the Vice-President of Operations and Chief Financial Officer at the Deep River and District Hospital, the North Renfrew Family Health Team, and the Four Seasons Lodge Long-Term Care Home, which are located on a single campus of care in Deep River, Ontario. William is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) with an Honours degree in Accounting. Since 2017, William has been growing his knowledge of multi-sector care and service delivery in rural settings, as well as a person-centered approach to leadership. William was recognized as the inaugural winner of the CPA Ontario Emerging Leaders Award in 2018. The award celebrates the outstanding business and social contributions of Ontario’s CPAs, aged 34 and under. William has focused on driving forward innovation and organizational performance through major infrastructure and capital projects across healthcare settings, including long-term care, primary care, and acute care. As Project Lead for capital development, William has been integral in advancing a business case for a campus of care expansion, which has recently resulted in the successful allocation of 86 additional Long-Term Care beds for Deep River and its surrounding communities.
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Jeanette O’Leary

Jeanette is a Nurse Practitioner and currently in the role of Senior Director of Clinical Practice at Thrive Group. She has been a nurse for almost 30 years and has held numerous roles that span the continuum from Registered Nurse, Director of Care, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Practitioner and CEO. The focus of her nursing career has been caring for older adults and individuals at end of life across all sectors including hospital, community and long-term care, with a specific emphasis on leading teams using a coaching model of leadership. Jeanette’s specific areas of expertise include advanced clinical assessment, diagnosis and therapeutics for the care of frail older adults and those at end of life; helping teams navigate complex clinical and ethical situations; and executive leadership in the LTC sector. Jeanette is most passionate about working with like-minded colleagues who continuously support each other to be the best human beings we can be, allowing us to provide the highest quality of care and support for those we serve and care for.

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Connie Lacy

Constance (Connie) Lacy is a Long-Term Care and Seniors' Services Consultant who recently retired as the Director of Seniors’ Services for the Region of Waterloo. Prior to this, she also served as Director of Services for Seniors in the Region of Halton. Connie has over 30 years of experience in health, community and education services including over 15 years of senior leadership of Long-Term Care, Seniors’ Housing and Community Programs.

Connie is an active leader in the Seniors’ Services sector and also served as the previous Chair of the Board for AdvantAge Ontario. She has sat on many provincial and federal committees supporting best practices in seniors’ services and care. Connie is a strong advocate and leader in developing and promoting person-centred, emotion- focused models of seniors’ care.

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Jamie Cook

Jamie Cook is a skilled Project Director with over 20 years of experience delivering project management, space planning and functional programming services within the healthcare sector. Since joining Colliers Project Leaders, she has led several functional programming projects for a wide variety of our firm’s public and private sector clients. Jamie has experience leading small and large functional programming, space planning, estimating, project management, and construction management assignments. She has applied her leadership experience and evidence-based research to support a variety of healthcare and government institutions to develop space standards or apply existing standards for many multi-disciplinary departments.

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Jennifer Gibson

Jennifer A, Gibson (she/her), RN, MSN, PhD is currently the Executive Director of Professional Practice and Quality Practice Environments and Acting Director of Ethics Services at Providence Health Care.

Jenn has worked within the Providence family since 2003. Jenn started as a staff nurse on 10AB Surgery and 5A Cardiac and the later moved to the Cardiac ICU where she worked as a staff nurse, CNL, and then Nurse Educator. She moved from clinical practice to serve as a Patient Care Manager in the Heart Centre and then later joined the PHC Ethics team after finishing her graduate studies at the University of British Columbia.

During the challenging times of the pandemic, Jenn returned to nursing practice with the Pandemic Response Teams at both PHC and at VCH's LTC homes. These experiences deepened her appreciation for the exceptional work in Providence's Seniors' care programs and led to her taking on the role of Executive Director of Practice, Quality, and Program Development for Seniors Care at Providence Living and PHC.

In addition to her leadership roles, Jenn is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Nursing at UBC. She is deeply passionate about education and knowledge sharing, and supports students across various health disciplines including medicine, social work, and nursing. Jenn frequently shares her expertise on Health Care Ethics and the benefits of social-relational models in Seniors’ care. Her insights have been featured at numerous local and national conferences and educational events, as well as in a variety of peer-reviewed publications.

Outside of PHC, Jennifer loves spending time with family and friends and being outside in the forest and in the mountains. She is also always up for a conversation about birds, especially during migration events!

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Jonathon Bingeman

Jonathon Bingeman is the VP Finance & Digital Transformation of Providence Care, a Kingston-based academic health system focused on specialized care in aging, mental health, and rehabilitation. His portfolio encompasses finance, information management, and information technology across Providence Care’s operations including hospital, transitional care, long-term care, and community programs.

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Lisa Corrente

A partner in the firm’s Litigation and Health Law Groups, Lisa’s practice focuses primarily on advising and representing healthcare facilities and professionals, including long-term care homes, retirement homes, group homes, treatment foster homes and other residential congregate living facilities and their staff members.

Due to the sensitive nature of her practice, Lisa’s clients can rely on her responsiveness and accessibility when they find themselves in critical and unforeseen situations that require immediate attention. She advises and represents clients on ministry inspections and police investigations; statutory compliance matters; licensing issues; reviews and appeals of conditions, orders and administrative monetary penalties; complaints made by residents and families, including to professional regulatory colleges, the Patient Ombudsman and police; professional discipline proceedings and civil litigation; CAS verification decisions; tenancy disputes; privacy and requests for access to information; and resolving issues concerning residents and their family members. Lisa also counsels various employers on matters such as wrongful dismissal; human rights and employment standards complaints; compliance with accessibility standards under the AODA; pay equity; workplace investigations and the resolution of workplace disputes.

Coupled with her impressive knowledge in health law, Lisa possesses strong advocacy skills and has appeared before several courts and tribunals, including the Licence Appeal Tribunal; the Health Services Appeal and Review Board; the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board; the Human Rights Tribunal; the Landlord and Tenant Board; the Pay Equity Hearings Tribunal; discipline committees of regulatory colleges; the Superior Court of Justice; the Divisional Court; and the Court of Appeal for Ontario. Lisa’s vast experience has resulted in her acting as counsel in high-profile matters, including as counsel to a long-term care home operator in the 2018 public inquiry into the murders committed by a former registered nurse. Throughout  the pandemic, Lisa was instrumental in assisting long-term care homes and other congregate living settings with matters relating to COVID-19 and has since been advising them on compliance with new legislative amendments that have arisen  as a result.

Committed to the health law bar, Lisa is the past chair of the Ontario Bar Association’s Health Law section and the Canadian Bar Association’s National Health Law section. Lisa is also a member of the Canadian Association of Workplace Investigators. As well, Lisa devotes her time to Pro Bono Ontario’s legal clinic at The Hospital for Sick Children, where she provides free legal services to the families of children at SickKids, an initiative which she helped establish in 2009 and for which she was awarded Lexpert’s Zenith Pro Bono Award. As a testament to her professional excellence in health law, Lisa has been recognized as a leading lawyer by Best Lawyers in Canada and Who’s Who Legal. She is also a recipient of the Ontario Bar Association’s Susan Hillary Davidson Memorial Award for Excellence in Health Law.

As a way of giving back to the profession and her clients, Lisa is a sought-after speaker, and speaks regularly at legal, industry and client webinars, conferences and other events on a range of subjects, including licensing, inspections and enforcement, privacy, employment practices, medical assistance in dying, legal risk management and other topics relevant to residential care home operators.

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Lisa Levin

Lisa Levin is the CEO of AdvantAge Ontario – an association of Ontario’s non-profit organizations serving seniors. Before joining AdvantAge, Lisa was the Director of Nursing and Health Policy with the Registered Nurses ‘Association of Ontario (RNAO). From 2011 to 2016, Lisa was the Chair of the Ontario Caregiver Coalition (OCC) that advocates for family caregivers across the province. In 2012, Lisa received a Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee medal for her work leading the OCC. From 2005 to 2015, Lisa was a senior executive with Circle of Care – a home and community care agency. Before that, Lisa was a policy advisor for 16 years in different ministries of the Ontario government including: Housing; Community and Social Services; Health; and Children’s Services. Lisa has her Bachelor of Arts in Urban Systems/Geography from McGill University, and her Master of Science in Urban Planning from the University of Toronto

AdvantAge Ontario has been the trusted voice for senior care for 100 years. We represent community-based, not-for-profit organizations dedicated to supporting the best possible aging experience. We are the only provincial association representing the full spectrum of the seniors’ care continuum. Our nearly 400 members are located across the province and include not-for-profit, charitable, and municipal long-term care (LTC) homes, seniors’ housing, supportive housing and community service agencies.

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Mary Nestor

Mary has over 35 years’ experience in the field of seniors’ care and services in both government and the private sector.  Throughout her career, she has held executive and senior leadership positions with varied portfolios focused on seniors’ care and services involving long-term care home regulatory oversight (compliance and enforcement), strategic and operational policy development, privacy, corporate and crisis communications, and government relations.  She has also served on numerous long-term care sector and government Committees, workgroups and expert panels. Mary retired from the Ontario Public Service a few years ago and provides consulting services to the long-term care home sector. She is currently Chair of the Board of Directors, Ontario Association of Residents’ Councils (OARC); and a Member of the Advisory Board of Sheridan College’s Centre for Elder Research.

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Mina Karabit

Mina is a lawyer at Wise Health Law. Mina has extensive first-hand experience in the health care industry as a medical first responder. She has also worked in health policy, giving her an in-depth understanding of the framework health professionals must navigate. Having clerked for the judges of the Superior Court, Mina is comfortable in handling complex legal matters. Mina combines her first-hand health care experience and legal expertise to achieve results for her clients.

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Mona Krolak

Mona joined HUB in 2004 to manage a diverse book of commercial business.  With an interest in healthcare and one marquee Senior Living client, Mona embarked on establishing a Senior Living Practice and growing it to a nationally recognized leader in the distribution of insurance products to the Senior Living industry.  She has a wealth of experience in the design, implementation, management and administration of healthcare risk with an emphasis on Senior Living. Her current responsibilities include management of our Senior Living Practice, as well as a group professionals working within it.  A hands on leader, she has demonstrated the ability to lead a team of professionals to new levels of success.  Mona is recognized as one of Canada leading brokers for the healthcare sector and is a member of HUB’s North American Healthcare Steering Committee.

Prior to joining HUB, Mona spent 10 years with Canada Brokerlink Inc., managing a diverse book of commercial business, which included a Food Manufacturer and Distributor program.

Mona is actively involved in the industry; she currently the President of the Toronto Insurance Counsil and a board member of the Insurance Brokers Association of Canada. Mona earned her BA in Economics and Mass Communications from York University. She has completed her CIP and CAIB designations.

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Rich Janes

Rich Janes brings nearly two decades of executive leadership at the intersection of education, strategy, and mission-driven not-for-profit organizations. He spent more than ten years as President & CEO of Master's College and Seminary, guiding institutional strategy, governance, and stakeholder engagement. Currently, as Director of Spiritual Life & Strategic Partnerships at Shepherd Village, he leads with an integrated leadership style, aligning vision with action, connecting people to purpose, and linking strategy to long-term sustainable impact to foster an innovative and flourishing organization.

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Samantha Peck

Sam (she/they) is passionate about helping people and groups achieve their goals. In her 16 years with Family Councils Ontario (formerly Family Councils’ Program) she has supported thousands of family members and long-term care home staff to improve their work to achieve the best possible outcomes and meaningful impacts.

In their role as Executive Director, she focuses on building and maintaining relationships with funders, stakeholders, and community partners to carry out activities that support FCO's mission & develop strategies that enable the organization to create positive change within the long-term care sector.  Sam holds an Honours B.A. from York University. A dedicated lifelong learner, she also holds Advanced Client-Directed Case Management and Volunteer Management post-graduate certificates from Humber College, a Project Management Certificate from the University of Toronto, a Masters Certificate in Adult Training and Development from the Schulich Executive Education Centre. She is working on a Voluntary Sector Management Certificate from Toronto Metropolitan University

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Sandra Lawson

Sandra Lawson was appointed Assistant Deputy Minister for the Operations Division (LTCOD) of the Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care (MLTC) in October 2025.  The Operations Division leads the Ministry’s efforts in 4 main areas: (a) compliance and enforcement; (b) operational funding; (c) operational policies and procedures to support things like emergency response and the modified placement model for cultural homes (d) performance measurement. Prior to joining MLTC, Sandra was the Assistant Deputy Minister of the Fair Safe and Healthy Workplace Division (FSHWD) at the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD). The Division is recognized as a leader in modern regulatory practices providing compliance assistance and enforcement, when necessary, of Ontario’s requirements for Occupational Health and Safety (OHSA), Building Opportunities in Skilled Trades (BOSTA) and Employment Standards (ESA).

Sandra also served as Executive Director (Emergency Response) with FSHWD where she led the establishment of MLTSD’s Compliance Assistance Team, the Multi-Ministry Team, and several other innovative and collaborative initiatives to advance COVID safety requirements to help keep Ontario’s businesses safe and open. Her leadership brought together 9 ministries, 3 agencies, 30 public health units, 50+ bylaw departments and local police services to work collaboratively to promote and enforce the public health requirements under the Reopening Ontario Act.

Before joining MLITSD, Sandra worked for the Ontario Ministry of Attorney General, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs and for Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd.

Sandra holds undergraduate degrees in Agricultural Science and in Education and an executive MBA.

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Tiffany Cecchetto

Tiffany Cecchetto is a Partner at KPMG LLP and the Office Managing Partner of KPMG’s Northern Ontario offices which has locations in Sudbury, Sault Ste Marie, North Bay, Parry Sound, and Elliot Lake. She services a wide range of clients including Private Enterprise clients and not-for-profit clients, including the higher education, municipal and charity sectors. Tiffany has also completed a number of operational and process reviews and internal control assessments for a number of for profit and not-for-profit clients. In addition, Tiffany has over twenty years’ experience in external financial statement audits and reviews.

Tiffany has played a role in the audits of various public sector organizations, including municipalities, utilities, credit unions, school boards and higher education institutions located in Northern Ontario. In addition, she has participated in a number of operational and process reviews for over fifteen Northern Ontario municipalities.  She brings with her knowledge and understanding of the accounting and financial reporting issues for public sector, not for profit and enterprise clients. Born and raised in Northern Ontario she understands first hand the unique challenges which exist in Northern Ontario and has the skills to provide the appropriate guidance and support to enterprise and public sector organizations.

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Kyle Cotton

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Feroz Masjidi

Director, Funding Policy & Capital Development, AdvantAge Ontario

Feroz Khan Masjidi holds an MSc in Economics and a Master's degree in Public Policy, Administration and Law, with more than 20 years of experience in the public and not-for-profit sectors. He currently serves as Director of Funding Policy and Capital Development at AdvantAge Ontario, supporting providers of long-term care, seniors' housing, and community support services.

Over the past five years, Feroz has led advocacy for operational and capital development funding, along with educational programs and member support initiatives focused on seniors' care, including long-term care. His expertise includes policy development and analysis, funding and capital development, research, program development and implementation, governance, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement. He works closely with government, sector leaders, and community partners to strengthen care and services for older adults across Ontario.

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Sebastien Normandin

Sebastien is a Kinesiologist who has been working with facilities to improve their safe resident handling practices for 20 years. He has been a past speaker at the annual Safe Patient Handling Conference hosted by Veterans Affairs in the U.S. Currently the Director of Clinical Outcomes at Arjo Canada, he leads the clinical team in providing education and consultation to Long Term Care homes with the goal of helping them achieve reduced caregiver injuries and safe comfortable transfers for the people they care for.

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Audriana Di Ruzza

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Twinkle Patel

Twinkle Patel, RD is a Registered Dietitian Leader with 20 years in Seniors Care. Her passion for food started in her grandfather's bustling restaurant, and evolved into a career that blends good food with good nutrition.

For the past 18 years, she has been with Seasons Care, embracing their Food First philosophy. Twinkle's expertise spans menu planning, mentoring Registered Dietitians and Nutrition Managers, and leading quality improvement initiatives. Today, she provides operational leadership across Long-Term Care and Retirement Homes, empowering teams to excel — a reward almost as sweet as chocolate.

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Amorell Saunders N’Daw

Amorell Saunders N'Daw is a seasoned leader and experienced consultant with broad experience in management, public relations, corporate governance, equity, diversity, and inclusion as well as human resources. She has held senior management roles for government ministries, broader public-sector organizations, public relations agencies and a national search firm.

Amorell is sought after by organizations looking for dynamic, strategic and pragmatic counsel, facilitation and training that's delivered with panache and precision. A trained journalist who speaks English and French, Amorell completed her Master of Education degree at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto, with a focus on adult education and community development. She has a certificate in diversity and inclusion from Cornell University.

Amorell strongly believes in engaged citizenship and for more than a quarter century, she has either worked for or served on Boards of Directors. She served on the Central East Local Health Integration Network (CE LHIN) for five years, including as Board Vice-Chair.

She currently serves on the Board of Directors of Health and Supportive Care Providers Oversight Authority (HSCPOA), which oversees the registration of personal support workers in Ontario. Amorell has been recognized by Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU, formerly Ryerson) with two awards of distinction.

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Stephanie Ventura

Stephanie is the Director of Education with the OARC. She has worked in the LTC sector for over 10 years, holding progressive roles from “placement student” to “acting Administrator.” Stephanie has worked closely with colleges and universities to mentor students through LTC placements and has provided workshops for students entering the field. In addition to working with students, Stephanie herself is a lifelong learner and is continually enrolled in courses that spark her interest and deepen her knowledge and understanding of a variety of topics.

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Megan Garland

Megan Garland is an executive and leadership coach with more than 25 years of senior leadership experience in long-term care, including roles as Administrator, Regional Director of Operations, and Director of LTC & Senior Services. She brings deep operational expertise in navigating Ministry requirements, leading interdisciplinary teams, and making critical decisions in complex care environments. Megan helps leaders strengthen clarity, communication, critical thinking, and decision-making skills essential for navigating LTC’s fast-moving and multi‑stakeholder landscape.

Megan integrates evidence-based tools, including the Tilt 365 True Tilt Personality Assessment and Agility Tracker, with practical frontline and senior‑level experience. She also brings lived experience caring for her parents in their senior years, adding a personal understanding of the human realities of LTC.

She holds a degree in Health Care Administration, the Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential through the International Coaching Federation and serves as Chair of the Board for her family business as well as several local not‑for‑profit board.

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Heidi Taylor

Executive Coach and Leadership Facilitator

Heidi Taylor is an executive coach and leadership facilitator with 12 years of experience developing leaders across healthcare, consulting, and small business. Her work centres on a simple premise: before leaders can grow, they need an accurate picture of how they actually lead, especially under pressure. With a foundation in social work, she brings a relational, evidence-based lens to that question, examining the drivers, motivations, and instinctual biases that shape how leaders decide, communicate, and respond when the stakes are high.

Heidi is the returning educator for AdvantAge Ontario Region 1, selected by its Administrators and CEOs to deliver leadership education across the region's homes. She knows the realities of leadership in long-term care: human, high-stakes, and demanding sound judgment when there is no single right answer. Her facilitation helps participants recognize their own patterns, triggers, and stress responses and put that self-awareness to work in the conversations, decisions, and team dynamics they navigate every day.

Heidi holds certifications in two Enneagram approaches, the Narrative Tradition and the ATA Enneagram, which anchor her practice, and is trained in Gallup CliftonStrengths.

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Meara Roebuck

Health and Safety Associate, Region of Peel
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Lindsey Harrold

Director, Funding and Programs Branch, Ministry of Long-Term Care
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Aleksandra Grzeszczuk

Aleksandra Grzeszczuk, is the Chief Executive Officer of Copernicus Lodge, a long-term care and seniors’ living organization in Toronto, where she provides strategic leadership with a focus on quality care, innovation, and culturally responsive services. A Registered Nurse, and Certified Gerontological Nurse (GNC(C)), with over a decade of progressive leadership experience, Aleksandra is dedicated to strengthening health system integration and advancing quality improvement initiatives to enhance resident well-being.

In addition to her executive role, Aleksandra serves on the College of Nurses of Ontario’s Discipline and Fitness to Practise Committees and has contributed her expertise to several health care and community-focused non-profit organizations. Previously, she was a professor at Conestoga College and has served as a legal nurse expert, advising on complex matters at the intersection of health care and law.

Aleksandra is a strong proponent of continuous professional development and holds multiple post-graduate certificates in advanced leadership and management in nursing, elder law, and health law. She is currently pursuing a Master of Laws in Health Law at Osgoode Hall Law School to further deepen her expertise in policy, regulation, and governance. Passionate about leadership capacity-building and systemic transformation, she leverages her diverse background to inspire collaborative solutions and drive sustainable improvements across the health care sector.

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Abby Katz Starr

President and Chief Executive Officer, Unionville Home Society

Abby Katz Starr is a respected senior leader and long-standing advocate for seniors, with more than 30 years of experience across Ontario’s public and private sectors. She brings deep expertise in leading complex organizations through transformation, governance, and system change.

Before joining Unionville Home Society as President and CEO, Abby served as Assistant Deputy Minister with the Ontario Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility. Her career has been dedicated to improving outcomes for seniors through policy, legislation, and community-based supports.

Abby has led several high-profile, province-wide initiatives, including directing the Provincial Government’s Retirement Homes Project and overseeing the implementation of the Retirement Homes legislation. She also played a key role in establishing the governance and accountability framework for the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority and led the modernization of the Elderly Persons Centres Act, resulting in the Seniors Active Living Centre Act, 2017.

Throughout her career, Abby has held senior leadership roles across multiple Ontario ministries, including Government Services, Community and Social Services, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Ontario Women’s Directorate. She has also served as Chief Operating Officer of the Health Boards Secretariat and as Registrar of the Health Services and Health Professions Appeal and Review Boards.

In addition to her executive role, Abby remains actively engaged in the sector through board and advisory positions, including AdvantAge Ontario and the Eastern York Region North Durham Ontario Health Team. She is also a committed mentor, supporting the next generation of leaders.

Abby brings broad expertise in corporate governance, strategic planning, regulatory policy, and program development, with a strong focus on accountability, collaboration, and sustainable leadership.

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Cynthia Marinelli

Chief Executive Officer, Chester Village
Cynthia Marinelli has been in the Long-Term Care field since 1992 when she first started as a staff nurse in a small long-term care home located in Grimsby, ON.  Over the past 32 years, Cynthia’s heart has remained with the residents who reside in LTC homes as she gained experienced in the roles of Director of Care, Administrator, Regional Director and CEO.  For the last 17 years, she has been the CEO at Chester Village, a not-for-profit home to 203 residents.  She takes great pride in the dedication and longevity of the front-line staff and leadership team members.  In her spare time, Cynthia enjoys spending time with her grandkids, reading, cruising and doing puzzles.
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Dwayne Green

Administrator, Post Inn Village

I lead at the intersection of governance, quality, risk, and operations where complex systems require steady leadership and thoughtful alignment.

Over the course of my career in health systems, seniors’ care, and public service, I have strengthened organizations through strategic renewal, enterprise risk oversight, cultural transformation, and operational alignment. I work closely with executives and boards to ensure governance structures support safe, reliable care while aligning strategy with performance, accountability, and financial stewardship.

Early in my career, I learned that data shows us what is happening, but people help us understand why it matters. Strong systems require both. My leadership approach integrates evidence, lived experience, and disciplined execution to create clarity in complexity and stability during change.

I have led large, multidisciplinary teams and partnered across sectors to:

  • Strengthen governance and enterprise risk frameworks
  • Align quality, operations, and strategic planning
  • Stabilize and develop high-performing leadership teams
  • Foster accountable, human-centred cultures

I believe strong systems support safe care. Strong culture sustains strong systems. Strong leaders shape a strong culture. Beyond my formal roles, I remain deeply connected to the community. I mentor emerging leaders and youth, volunteer with organizations supporting families, and invest in lifelong learning and reflection. Music, fitness, and writing are disciplines that ground me and reinforce the rhythm and clarity I bring to leadership.

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Hamlet Nation

Chief Operating Officer, Parkview Home Long-Term Care

Hamlet Nation is the Chief Executive Officer of Parkview Services for Seniors in Stouffville, Ontario, a multi-service organization providing long-term care, senior housing, and community support programs. He is actively leading the organization’s transformation through strategic rebranding, strengthened community engagement, and the thoughtful integration of technology to build a more responsive and invigorated seniors’ care organization. Under his leadership, Parkview has received recognition for its community impact and engagement initiatives.

With over 15 years of leadership experience across the public, private, and non-profit sectors, Hamlet brings expertise in governance, system performance, and digital innovation in seniors’ services.

He serves as a Director on the Board of AdvantAge Ontario, where he is the Region 4 Representative and Chair. He is also a member of the Core Leadership Council for the East York Region North Durham Ontario Health Team (OHT) and a founding member of the Roche Canada Patient Co-Creation Council.

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Barbara Bell

Chief Operating Officer, Belmond House
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Lillian Rank

Administrator, Sheridan Villa
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Program Kick Off

Mon. Sept. 14 | 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Virtual

Join this 1-hour program kick-off to get a facilitator update, a quick student information session and a chance to ask any questions.

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Leadership Foundations Forum

Thurs. Sept. 17 & Fri. Sept. 18 | 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Novotel, North York

Thursday, September 17, 2026

Understanding Leadership in LTC Context

Megan Garland, Executive & Leadership Coach, StillNorth Coaching and Consulting

Ontario’s LTC Update

Lisa Levin, CEO, AdvantAge Ontario

Leadership in Complexity

Megan Garland, Executive & Leadership Coach, StillNorth Coaching and Consulting

Guest Speaker: Ministry of LTC Update

Sandra Lawson, ADM, Operations Division, Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care

Lindsey Harrold, Director, Funding and Programs Branch, Ministry of Long-Term Care

Critical Thinking & Decision-Making

Megan Garland, Executive & Leadership Coach, StillNorth Coaching and Consulting

Social Networking

Student Group Meet-Up

 

Friday, September 18, 2026

Leadership Identity and Self Awareness

Heidi Taylor, LTC Leadership Consultant

Leadership Development

Heidi Taylor, LTC Leadership Consultant

Introduction of Mentors

Mentors TBC

Leadership in Practice: A Conversation on Leading Culture and People

Mentors TBC

Leadership Culture and Team Impact

Heidi Taylor, LTC Leadership Consultant

Integration and Closing

Heidi Taylor, LTC Leadership Consultant

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Module 1: Effective Communications

Thurs. Sept. 24 | 9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

For each module there will be self-paced readings, videos and reflections that will be complimentary to the live-virtual segment.

External Communications and Media Relations

Sharlyn Carrington, Principal, Content Strong Communications

Social Governance and Reputational Risk

Sharlyn Carrington, Principal, Content Strong Communications

Crisis Communications and Reputation Management

Sharlyn Carrington, Principal, Content Strong Communications

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Module 2: Strategic and Integrative Thinking

Thurs. Oct. 1 | 9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

For each Module there will be self-paced readings, videos and reflections that will be complimentary to the live-virtual segment.

Vision, Mission and Values

Wendy Beckles, President & CEO, Shepherd Lodge

Strategic Planning, Operational Planning & Enterprise Risk Management

Wendy Beckles, President & CEO, Shepherd Lodge

Strategic and Integrative Thinking

Wendy Beckles, President & CEO, Shepherd Lodge

Strategic Priorities, Initiatives and Key Success Factors

Wendy Beckles, President & CEO, Shepherd Lodge

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Module 3: Legislative and Legal Matters

Thurs. Oct. 8 | 9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

For each Module there will be self paced readings, videos and reflections that will be complimentary to the live-virtual segment.

Law as a Business Asset and Legal Frameworks in LTC

Alan Hui, Administrator, Mon Sheong Scarborough Long Term Care Centre

Substitute Decision Making and Powers of Attorney in LTC

Mina Karabit, Lawyer, Wise Health Law.

Interpreting Legislation and Developing Policies, Processes and Procedures in LTC

Alan Hui, Administrator, Mon Sheong Scarborough Long Term Care Centre

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Module 4: LTC Financial Literacy Part 1

Thurs. Oct. 15 | 9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

For each Module there will be self paced readings, videos and reflections that will be complimentary to the live-virtual segment.

LTC Funding in Action

William Willard, Executive Vice-President and CFO, Deep River and District Health

Understanding your Payment Notifications

Kyle Cotton, Director, Long-Term Care, Administrator, Victoria Manor, City of Kawartha Lakes

Budgeting for your Home

Jonathon Bingeman, Vice President, Finance & Digital Transformation, Providence Care Centre

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Module 4: LTC Financial Literacy Part 2

Thurs. Oct. 22 | 9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

For each module there will be self-paced readings, videos and reflections that will be complimentary to the live-virtual segment.

LTC Funding and Policy Updates

Feroz Masjidi, Director of Funding Policy and Capital Development, AdvantAge Ontario

LTC Financial Operations

Speaker TBC

LTC Financial Governance

William Willard, Executive Vice-President and CFO, Deep River and District Health

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Module 5: Human Resources and People Management

Thurs. Oct. 29 | 9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

For each module there will be selfppaced readings, videos and reflections that will be complimentary to the live-virtual segment.

Introduction to HR and People Management

Bruce Goldie, Owner/Proprietor, BMG HR Solutions

Employee Relations

Bruce Goldie, Owner/Proprietor, BMG HR Solutions

Labour Relations

Bruce Goldie, Owner/Proprietor, BMG HR Solutions

Human Rights

Bruce Goldie, Owner/Proprietor, BMG HR Solutions

Occupational Health and Safety

Meara Roebuck, Health and Safety Associate, Region of Peel

Recruitment and Selection

Bruce Goldie, Owner/Proprietor, BMG HR Solutions

Attendance Management

Bruce Goldie, Owner/Proprietor, BMG HR Solutions

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Module 6: Quality and Leadership for Clinical Care Part 1

Thurs. Nov. 5 | 9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

For each module there will be self-paced readings, videos and reflections that will be complimentary to the live-virtual segment.

Role of Administrator in Quality and Clinical Leadership

Bahar Karimi, Executive Director of Clinical Practice and Centre of Excellence, Thrive Group

Jeanette O'Leary, Senior Director of Clinical Practice, Idlewyld Manor

Creating and Leading the Team

Bahar Karimi, Executive Director of Clinical Practice and Centre of Excellence, Thrive Group

Jeanette O'Leary, Senior Director of Clinical Practice, Idlewyld Manor

Leading Quality Programs for Excellence

Bahar Karimi, Executive Director of Clinical Practice and Centre of Excellence, Thrive Group

Jeanette O'Leary, Senior Director of Clinical Practice, Idlewyld Manor

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Module 6: Quality and Leadership for Clinical Care Part 2

Thurs. Nov. 12 | 9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

For each module there will be self-paced readings, videos and reflections that will be complimentary to the live-virtual segment.

Building an Effective Compliance Program

Mary Nestor, Principal, MKN Consulting

Integrating Quality, Compliance and Clinical Excellence – Leadership Approaches and Frameworks

Bahar Karimi, Executive Director of Clinical Practice and Centre of Excellence, Thrive Group

Jeanette O'Leary, Senior Director of Clinical Practice, Idlewyld Manor

From Knowledge to Action

Bahar Karimi, Executive Director of Clinical Practice and Centre of Excellence, Thrive Group

Jeanette O'Leary, Senior Director of Clinical Practice, Idlewyld Manor

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Module 7: Customer Relations and Business Operations Part 1

Thurs. Nov. 19 | 9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

For each module there will be self-paced readings, videos and reflections that will be complimentary to the live-virtual segment.

Integrating Advancing Technologies and Artificial Intelligence into LTC

Travis Durham, Director of Dietary Services and Information Technology, Grove Park Home for Senior Citizens

Keeping Your Building Standing: How to Strategically Manage Major Assets and Planned Replacements

Speaker TBC

The Philosophy and Key Principles of Person-Centered Dining

Twinkle Patel, Director Quality Nutrition & Food Service, Seasons Care Dietitian Network

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Module 7: Customer Relations and Business Operations Part 2

Thurs. Nov. 26 | 9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

For each module there will be self-paced readings, videos and reflections that will be complimentary to the live-virtual segment.

Making LTC Feel Like Home

Julie Wheeler, Director, Seniors' Services, Regional Municipality of Waterloo, Sunnyside Seniors' Services

Ask a Resident

Stephanie Ventura, Director of Education, Ontario Association of Residents’ Councils (OARC) OARC Residents Leaders TBC

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Amorell Saunders N'Daw, EDI Champion, Amorell & Co

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Group Assignment Work

Thurs., Dec. 3 | 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Meet with your group to collaborate on your assignment, with guidance and support from your mentor.

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Group Assignment Work

Thurs., Dec. 10 | 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Meet with your group to collaborate on your assignment.

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Group Assignment Presentations

Thurs. Dec. 17 | 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Groups will present their assignments in 30-minute sessions, sharing insights and outcomes with their peers.

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Constance (Connie) Lacy

Program Director

Constance (Connie) Lacy is a Long-Term Care and Seniors’ Services Consultant who recently retired as the Director of Seniors’ Services for the Region of Waterloo. Prior to this, she also served as Director of Services for Seniors in the Region of Halton. 

Connie has over 30 years of experience in health, community and education services including over 15 years of senior leadership of Long-Term Care, Seniors’ Housing and Community Programs.

Connie is an active leader in the Seniors’ Services sector and also served as the previous Chair of the Board for AdvantAge Ontario. She has sat on many provincial and federal committees supporting best practices in seniors’ services and care. Connie is a strong advocate and leader in developing and promoting person-centred, emotion-focused models of seniors’ care.