Current Members
Elected Community Members
Cordelia Clarke Julien, Chair of the Board of Trustees
Cordelia Clarke Julien is from Pickering, her home for over 20 years.
As a self-professed change agent, Cordelia has held several executive roles in the Ontario Public Service focused on change and transformation including, but not limited to, leading teams as a senior executive in the Ministries of Municipal Affairs and Housing; Labour, Training and Skills Development; Finance Revenue; and the Office of the Premier and Cabinet Office. She is currently the Assistant Deputy Minister in the Social Assistance Programs Division of the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.
As a former publicist with an extensive policy and change management background, Cordelia has put her communications, policy, and strategic planning skills to work for not-for-profit organizations in her community, including as a past Director of the United Way of Ajax, Pickering, and Uxbridge prior to amalgamation, as well as providing supports to organizations promoting mental wellness.
Cordelia has a Master of Arts in Political Science and International Relations with specialization in Public Administration and a Double Major Honours Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications and Political Science. In addition to her role as a part-time Professor in the Master’s in Public and International Affairs (MPIA) program at York University, she is also a certified project manager, change management specialist, and public relations practitioner.
Mary E. Flindall-Simpson, Treasurer
Mary E. Flindall-Simpson is a long-time Durham resident with more than 30 years of experience working in the municipal public service and with not-for-profit, public-sector Boards of Directors.
A respected leader with senior level management experience, particularly in areas of financial planning and innovative initiatives, Mary has held various leadership positions in the Finance Department of the Regional Municipality of Durham. She currently holds the position of Director, Risk Management, Economic Studies, and Procurement for this department at the Region and acts as the Deputy Treasurer and Acting Commissioner of Finance when required.
Mary currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for the Robert McLaughlin Gallery and as a member of the Board of Directors for Durham 9-1-1. She has also served as a Board member for Ontario Tech University (then University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT)) and Durham College.
Mary holds a Master’s degree in Economics from the University of Toronto and a combined Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and Mathematics from Glendon College, York University. She is a Chartered Professional Accountant and holds various certificates, including a Risk Management Certificate from the University of Toronto.
Christine Ashton
Christine Ashton and her family have lived in Durham Region for over 15 years.
She is a lawyer and partner at Wilson Vukelich LLP. Her practice is divided between labour and employment law and tax litigation. Prior to joining Wilson Vukelich LLP, Christine articled with the Ontario Ministry of Labour. Christine is actively involved in various advocacy organizations seeking to improve our community and beyond. She sits on multiple committees of the Ajax Pickering Board of Trade and is a former President of the Board of Trade. She also is a member of the Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers’ Advocacy Committee and a member of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s Policy and Advocacy Committee.
Christine regularly moderates and speaks at programs on labour and employment topics and tax litigation topics, including events held by the Ontario Bar Association, the Human Resources Professionals Association, the Professional Engineers Ontario, the Ajax Pickering Board of Trade, and the Oshawa Chamber of Commerce. She also writes on various labour and employment issues and tax litigation issues.
Melissa Belliveau
Melissa is a lawyer and resident of Oshawa with a longstanding passion for helping others and has been a part of the Durham region’s business community for 17 years. She is a Partner at Kitchen Simeson Belliveau where, in addition to overseeing much of the day-to-day business of the firm, her focus is on both litigation and settlement-based family law and family law mediation.
She graduated from Queen’s University Faculty of Law in 2006 and was called to the bar in June 2007. Prior to that Melissa received an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice and Public Policy from the University of Guelph in 2003. Most recently she has completed her Certificate in Family Mediation with York University.
Melissa was previously a member of the Grandview Children’s Foundation Board and was the Chair of the Foundation’s Gala Committee. She is currently the Treasurer for the Board of the Durham Region Collaborative Law Association, is a member of the Legal Advisory Committee and is a Pro Bono lawyer at Luke’s Place. She is a panel lawyer with Legal Aid Ontario and in 2018, was appointed as a Dispute Resolution Officer with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.
In addition to her practice, Melissa is a wife and a mother to two very busy and wonderful boys.
Shashi Bhatia
Shashi Bhatia is a leader and a community builder who resides in Pickering. She is committed to promoting tolerance, understanding, and inclusiveness for all. A founding Chair of the Indo-Canadian Cultural Association of Durham (ICCAD), Shashi is a driving force behind the highly successful “Roots and Drum” concerts in support of the Durham West Arts Centre and a member of a multi-faith community of Durham Region.
She is a member of the Durham Regional Service Board, the Ontario Philharmonic Board of Directors, and Rotary Club of Pickering. Shashi is also Co-Chair of Lakeridge Health’s Ajax Pickering Community Advisory Panel, an Associate Member of Royal Canadian Legion #606, a member of the Community Advisory Committee, a Community Durham Ambassador (Influencer) with the Canadian Armed Forces, and a member of the Ajax-Pickering Hospital Foundation Gala event.
Additionally, she has co-founded various cultural and heritage grassroots organizations in Durham Region and created the Durham Advisory Committee, which brings together various multifaith and multicultural organizations under one banner.
Shashi has served on many provincial and federal quasi-judicial boards and tribunals, including the Immigration and Refugee Board, the Consent and Capacity Board, and the Social Benefits Tribunal.
She is the recipient of numerous awards, recognitions, and commendations for her service to the community, including a leadership award from Toronto Police Service, a Lifetime Achievement Award (Pickering), and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. She also appeared as a trail blazer in the East Magazine of Durham Region.
Peter Hobb
Peter Hobb is from Bowmanville and a member of the Resources Committee.
Peter was a partner of Baker Tilly KDN LLP, a public accounting firm, for thirty-four years retiring in 2017. He was also President of Baker Tilly KDN Consulting Inc. from its inception in 2006 until his retirement. He continues to work on a part time basis as an associate with the firm.
Peter is very active in his community. He is a former member of the Bowmanville Lions Club, served on the Board of Directors of the Bowmanville Chamber of Commerce (now Clarington Board of Trade), and coached minor league hockey and soccer teams. He is currently doing a second term of service with the Bowmanville Hospital Foundation, serving as its Treasurer. During his first tenure with the Foundation, he chaired its Planned Giving Committee, which was responsible for developing a planned giving program, which launched in 2011. He also chaired its Leadership Committee, which had the task of revamping the Foundation’s governance model in anticipation of the new Ontario Not-For-Profit Corporations Act taking effect.
Peter has been published in CPA Magazine (Pivot), Baker Tilly, and other local publications, writing on a wide range of business and financial topics. He has also presented on a variety of business and financial topics to small and medium sized business owners and advisors to these businesses.
Peter is a member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario and the Institute of Certified Management Consultants of Ontario. He graduated with a Business Degree from Ryerson University.
Duncan Mathieson
Duncan Mathieson is a retired investment professional currently living in Pickering. He and his wife have resided in the Durham community for almost 40 years, actively engaging in community sports, arts, and activities while raising a family of four children.
He has an extensive financial background having spent his 40-year career in the Canadian capital markets either advising institutional investors or directly managing institutional investment portfolios. As the lead manager of multibillion-dollar investment portfolios, he developed and employed a team-based investment process based on rigorous fundamental financial analysis to ensure portfolios exceeded the expected benchmark performance within an acceptable risk profile.
Duncan has well developed corporate governance skills through his participation on both corporate and not-for-profit health charity boards. He served on the board of Arthritis Society Canada for 10 years holding several leadership positions and recently completed a three-year extended term as Board Chair. He is currently on the corporate board of Valverde Power Solutions, a Canadian green-energy start-up company focused on developing leading-edge technology to deliver carbon-free electrical generation and carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS).
Duncan holds a Bachelor of Commerce (honours) degree from Queen’s University and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.
Dr. Steven Murphy
Dr. Steven Murphy joined Ontario Tech University as its fourth President and Vice‐Chancellor on March 1, 2018 and was reappointed for another term beginning July 1, 2023. He envisions the university as an active space to reinvent learning while championing diversity in all its forms. He believes experiential and co‐operative learning opportunities are fundamental training for successful careers.
Dr. Murphy is renowned for his organizational and human behaviour expertise across business and industry. Even more notably, his dedication to equity, diversity, and inclusiveness underscores every facet of how he lives his life. Beyond the lens of race and gender, he believes firmly in the diversity of thought and ideas that underpin civil society.
Dr. Murphy’s vision for positive change influenced Ontario Tech’s Strategic Research Plan, supported the creation of the Integrated Academic Research Plan, the establishment of the President’s Equity Taskforce, and reaffirmed the university’s commitment to Indigenous Reconciliation. Dr. Murphy also rapidly guided the university’s evolution toward a distinct and bold new identity, a process that included renaming the university, and refreshing the brand and accompanying university and spirit logos.
He currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the National Research Council of Canada; Co‐Chair of eCampus Ontario; Chair of Council of Ontario Universities Audit and Budget Committee; Chair of Ontario University Athletics; a Director of U Sports; and as a member of the Universities Canada Education Committee.
He earned a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) in Human Resource Management, a Master’s in Management Studies (with Distinction) in the Management of Technology, and completed his Doctorate in Management, Organizational Behaviour at Carleton University.
Anuj Pasrija
Anuj Pasrija is a highly accomplished global leader in the life sciences industry, having served on various boards and delivered significant socio-economic impact over the course of his 25-year career. His career extends across the United States, Canada, multiple countries in Asia, and Africa.
Throughout his professional journey, Anuj has spearheaded large-scale initiatives in diverse sectors such as life sciences (specifically MedTech and Pharma), consumer products, retail, and automotive industries. His passion for making a positive difference in the world has been the driving force behind his remarkable achievements.
In line with his personal mantra of 'Doing Well, by Doing Good,' Anuj pioneered a groundbreaking business innovation in the pharmaceutical field that improved access to medicine for approximately 49 million underserved communities in Asia and Africa. The far-reaching societal and economic impact of this initiative has garnered significant recognition, including a case study by the renowned Michael Porter of Harvard's Business School.
Currently, Anuj holds the position of Vice President of the Strategic Customers Group at Johnson & Johnson (MedTech) Canada. Additionally, he serves as a board member for Healthcare Net of GS1, an advisor to the Council of Board at the Canadian College of Health Leaders, and a policy member at SCAN-H. Anuj's extensive experience also includes a past role on the board of the Health Products Stewardship Association of Canada.
Anuj's is an associate member of Harvard Alumni, holding an MBA from IMI India (an affiliate of IMD Lausanne, Switzerland). Furthermore, he has completed programs in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Healthcare from both MIT-Sloan and Harvard Medical School.
Ijade Maxwell Rodrigues
Ijade Maxwell Rodrigues is from Brooklin and a member of the Quality Committee.
Ijade is the Chief of Government and Community Relations at York University, one of Canada’s largest and most diverse universities. Ijade has over two decades of experience in the areas of: strategic planning, community engagement, issues management, reputation building, finance, human resources, communications strategy, risk management, and stakeholder engagement. In 2018, Ijade received the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of Presidential Assistants in Higher Education in recognition for her service to the organization.
Ijade is active in the community, recently serving on the Board of Directors for Carea Community Health Centre as the Chair. She also has served on the Brooklin Community Connections Board and as a volunteer writer for the local Brooklin Town Crier newspaper.
Bill Sims
Bill Sims is from Bowmanville and is Vice Chair of the Resources Committee. He is the president and owner of Durham Medical, located in central Oshawa and has been President of Durham Mental Health Services Board of Directors since 2009.
His experiences with both have given him a working knowledge of the community health care and mental health care systems and exposed him to the accreditation, governance and strategic planning processes. Bill graduated from McMaster University with a Mechanical Engineering Degree.
He started his work career with Johnson Controls, a large multi-national company involved in commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings. This gave him experience in large building construction, maintenance, and operations while providing him with a solid business foundation to run and grow Durham Medical.
Bill and his wife believe in a strong community and contribute to many community organizations, including Grandview Children’s Treatment Centre, Community Foundation, Parkwood Foundation, Bowmanville Hospital Foundation, and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology.
Dr. Kirk Stewart
Dr. Kirk Stewart, originally from St. Catherine, Jamaica, is a family physician in Bowmanville. He served 13 years as an Airborne Infantry Officer with the Canadian Army Reserves, while simultaneously pursuing his studies in child and youth Work. He earned a bachelor’s degree in community welfare and obtained a master’s degree in organizational psychology to reinforce his experience working with non-profits.
He then embarked on a new path to pursue a medical career which he did in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. He completed his clinical rotations in Chicago, Illinois with a focus on rural family medicine. Dr. Stewart serves as the Black Health Committee Provincial Lead for the Alliance of Healthier Communities which advocates for health equity and improved healthcare outcomes for Black communities across the province.
In his personal life, Dr. Stewart along with his wife are raising six children: two sets of twins and two singletons.
Imtiaz Daniel
Imtiaz Daniel is a resident of Whitby and holds a PhD from the University of Toronto in Health Services Research, a Master of Health Science in Health Administration, a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, and is a Certified Professional Accountant (CPA, CMA).
He is the Chief Innovation and Transformation Officer (CITO) at the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA), an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto, and holds academic positions at Toronto Metropolitan University and the University of the West Indies. He served three terms on the Board of Directors at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences.
Imtiaz is a recognized leader in health system funding, performance measurement, and value-based care. He has developed and supported innovative funding models and classification systems in Ontario and advises on health system policy at both provincial and national levels. As CITO at the OHA, he leads the organization’s health innovation strategy. Passionate about aligning incentives to improve care quality, he also teaches and supervises graduate students at the University of Toronto and is a frequent academic author and invited speaker in Canada and internationally.
Ivan Dejong
Ivan Dejong is a life-long resident of Durham Region and past co-owner of Youngfield Farms in Nestleton, which was started by his family in 1953. The farm has been transitioned to the next generation and Ivan is semi-retired, enjoying time for world travel with his wife Brenda.
As a leader in high-tech agriculture, he has a valuable rural perspective, along with expertise in finance, corporate business management, human resources, and risk oversight.
Ivan previously served as Chair of the Durham College Board of Directors and further honed his governance and risk management acumen through training with Colleges Ontario.
Ivan holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University in Guelph and has been involved in local organizations including the Durham Agricultural Advisory Committee, the Durham College Community Choir and the Canadian Food Grains Bank. In 2013, Ivan received the Diamond Jubilee Medal for community service.
Lorraine Gray
Lorraine Gray is the Vice President of System Operations & Station Services at Hydro One, a results-oriented executive with over two decades of leadership experience in the energy sector. She is responsible for a team of 1100 who maintain and operate over 1300 substations, grid control rooms, and metering infrastructure. She brings a wealth of expertise in operational excellence, risk management, and financial stewardship. With a strong track record in overseeing large capital projects, driving cost efficiency and optimizing resource utilization, Lorraine also brings a sophisticated understanding of how operational excellence can support and accelerate organizational goals.
A champion of equity and inclusion, Lorraine serves as Co-Chair of Hydro One’s Executive DEI Council and supported the development and implementation of the organization’s DEI strategy—significantly enhancing inclusion, engagement, and culture across the company. She previously chaired the Whitby Public Library Board, leading strategic oversight and executive succession planning, and served as Vice-Chair of Step Up, a nonprofit promoting gender equity in the energy sector.
Lorraine has a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering and Management from McMaster University and a Masters of Business Administration from Schulich School of Business, York University with specialization in Strategic Management and Finance.
Tony Doyle
Tony Doyle lives in Port Perry and has been fortunate to call Durham Region home professionally and personally for most of his life. His career with Durham College has spanned almost 20 years, including his most recent role as the Associate Vice-President, Academic. In this role, he works closely with leadership across all of the college’s academic Faculties to deliver high-quality teaching and learning experiences that prepare graduates for professional success or pursuing further studies.
His background includes a range of successes in government and community relations, strategic communications, and he was an award-winning journalist during his tenure with Durham-based community newspapers. Tony has over 20 years of board and committee experience, focused on building inclusive and healthy communities, and most recently served as Vice-Chair of the Board at Five Counties Children’s Centre.
Tony has a Master of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (Leadership and Communications disciplines) and a Graduate Certificate in Public Relations Management from Royal Roads University, and a College Teaching Certificate and Journalism diploma from Durham College.
Brian Bussiere, Auxiliary Representative
Brian Bussiere, originally from Montreal, and his wife, Lyne, have lived in Oshawa for the past 27 years. He is a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University where he received a Hons BBA in Business.
He retired from General Motors of Canada after a career of 35 years in Sales and Marketing with positions in Ottawa, Montreal and Oshawa, gaining experience in financials, sales performance, customer satisfaction, advertising and public speaking.
Since retiring, Brian has been active in the community, serving on the Distress Centre Durham Board, volunteering at Lakeridge Health’s Cancer Centre, and joining the Auxiliary of Lakeridge Health Oshawa Board as Director of Memberships and Awards. He also supports fundraising through the Par for the Cause golf tournament which raises funds for Ontario Shores and Princess Margaret Hospital.
Brian enjoys skiing, golfing, cycling, woodworking, and has guest lectured in Poland. His volunteer work has earned him several recognitions, including Toronto FC’s Neighbour of the Match, the Auxiliary’s Outstanding Service Award, an Ontario Volunteer Service Award nomination, and the 2025 RBC Ride for the Ridge Hero Award.
Dr. Aaron Frombach
Dr. Aaron Frombach bio coming soon...
Appointed Members
Cynthia Davis, BSc, MSc, President and CEO
Cynthia Davis joined Lakeridge Health as President and CEO in January 2021.
Cynthia is a registered nurse by profession and has over three decades of health care experience. She brings a mix of leadership skills and operational experience acquired through her progressive leadership roles in Ontario and Newfoundland. Her career began as a frontline nurse in a variety of settings in Canada and the US. Upon returning to Canada, Cynthia began work at St. Michael’s Hospital where she had the opportunity to work as a Manager in the Surgical and Cardiac programs during a time of change for the organization. She joined St. Mary’s General Hospital in Kitchener Waterloo and led the development of a new tertiary level Cardiac program.
Upon return to her home province, she joined Western Health, one of four leading integrated health authorities in Newfoundland and Labrador responsible for the delivery of integrated health services to a diverse population across the entire continuum of care. She served eight years as the Vice President of Patient Services and Chief Nursing Officer, before being appointed President and Chief Executive Officer. Cynthia has a passion for patient-centred care, which she fosters through engagement and partnerships. Through her PhD studies she is focusing her efforts on advancing the transformation and integration of health services to support vulnerable populations, such as care of older adults.
Cynthia is a graduate of Western Regional School of Nursing diploma program. She holds a Bachelor of Science (Nursing) from Dalhousie University, and a Master of Science from the University of Toronto. She is a member of many provincial and national health care engagement groups and a member of the Canadian College of Health Leaders.
Dr. Randy Wax, Chief of Staff
Dr. Wax joined Lakeridge Health in 2010 as Section Chief of Critical Care, helping to evolve the service into an expanded regional academic critical care site and Clinical Teaching Unit with Queen’s University in Oshawa, and led the formation of a multi-site department at the Ajax Pickering and Bowmanville Hospitals. He also serves as the Medical Director of Academic Affairs, having held this position since 2010, as well as the President of the Medical Staff Association, having previously served on the Executive.
He is also the Central East Sub-Region Lead for Critical Care in conjunction with Ontario Health. In addition, Dr. Wax has worked as a Transport Medicine Physician with Ornge, Ontario’s air ambulance and critical care transport service.
Within academia, he is an Associate Professor in the Department of Critical Care Medicine and the Regional Director of Clinical Education with the Faculty of Health Sciences at Queen’s University. He also serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto and has held an adjunct faculty role at Ontario Tech University.
Dr. Wax is an active researcher and has lectured extensively. He has published numerous papers and book chapters on a variety of topics. One of his papers on COVID-19 patient care has been downloaded more than 100,000 times around the globe and cited in more than 1,000 research papers.
Dr. Wax has received specialty certifications in Internal Medicine, Critical Care Medicine, and Emergency Medical Services. He has also been inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Critical Care Medicine and has received numerous awards from the Society of Critical Care Medicine for his leadership in education, clinical care, and international disaster management. As well, he was selected by the Canadian Association for Medical Education to receive the 2018 Certificate of Merit Award for his commitment to medical education.
Petrina McGrath, BSN, MN, PhD, Health System Executive, People, Quality and Practice and Chief Nursing Executive (CNE)
Petrina is an accomplished health-care leader with extensive experience leading change and driving results within complex health-care environments. Throughout her career, Petrina has been a committed leader, educator, and researcher in the areas of patient- and family-centred care, quality, safety, and interprofessional practice.
Most recently, she served as the Executive Director of Quality and Safety for the Saskatchewan Health Authority, which delivers health care to 1.2 million people with 43,000 staff and 2,500 physicians.
Throughout all phases of the pandemic, Petrina provided invaluable service and support to the Province of Saskatchewan’s pandemic response as the Safety Officer in the Emergency Operations Centre while continuing with her Executive Director responsibilities.
Petrina sits on the Board of Healthcare Excellence Canada. Created in 2020, the Board brings together the Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement and the Canadian Patient Safety Institute.
Petrina received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Saskatchewan, her Master of Nursing at the University of Toronto, and her PhD in Human and Organizational Systems from the Fielding Graduate University in Santa Barbara, California.
Dr. Julie Ann Francis, President, Medical Staff Association
Dr. Francis is a Gynaecologic Oncologist with more than 15 years of experience. Originally from Toronto, she started her academic career at Harvard and Yale Universities, before returning to Canada to complete her residency in obstetrics and gynaecology at McMaster University and her fellowship in oncology at the University of Western Ontario.
Dr. Francis spent the first 10 years of her career in Gynaecology Oncology at Queen's University, becoming the Division Head there before joining Lakeridge Health where she founded the Gynaecologic Oncology program at the Durham Regional Cancer Centre.
As one of the first Gynaecology Oncologists in Canada trained on the DaVinci robot, Dr. Francis has a keen interest in robotics and the development of the robotics program at Lakeridge Health.
She is also interested using technology to further care in under resourced communities. To this end, Dr. Francis holds privileges at the Weeneybayko Health Authority, and is a faculty member at the University of Nairobi in Kenya.
Dr. Rebecca Wray, Guest and Foundation Representative
Dr. Rebecca Wray is a full-time comprehensive family physician practicing in Port Perry, Ontario. After completing a Master of Arts (Sociology) at McGill University, she returned to Queen’s University where she completed her Doctor of Medicine. Dr. Wray then completed her Family Medicine Residency Program at the University of Toronto (Mt. Sinai Hospital). She also provides primary care for the community of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation.
Dr. Wray is a member of the North Durham Palliative Care Team, the Physician Lead for the Healthy Lung Program at the North Durham Family Health Team and is involved in regional leadership as the Primary Care Co-Lead for the Durham Ontario Health Team, and Regional Primary Care Lead for the Central East Regional Cancer Program. Dr. Wray is the Site Lead for the Queen's-Bowmanville-Oshawa-Lakeridge Family Medicine Residency Program in Port Perry.
When she is not in the clinic or the board room, Dr. Wray's most beloved activity is spending time with her husband, George, and their three active daughters.