Our Board

Katie Heelis_Margarets_Chiar

Katie Heelis

Chair

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Katie Heelis is an accomplished health sector expert with experience leading policy, communications and advocacy campaigns for some of Canada’s largest health organizations. Katie is currently the Vice President at EnterpriseHealth within Enterprise Canada, a leading national communications firm. She brings a vast experience working in the health sector including working for the Ontario Ministry of Health, Ontario hospitals and many other community health agencies to the Margaret’s Board. Katie is a long-time advocate for better mental health and addictions care in Ontario, including serving as the Interim CEO for Addictions and Mental Health Ontario. Katie is a graduate of the Balsillie School of International Affairs, holding a Master’s degree in International Public Policy, and a former Research Fellow at an independent and non-partisan think-tank, the Centre for International Governance and Innovation.

Luke Doherty

Luke Doherty

Vice-Chair

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An accomplished technology, data, and insights professional Luke has demonstrated experience in developing, growing and managing high functioning teams through periods of rapid growth. Luke has led the roll out of advanced technology across some of Canada’s most recognizable brands and specializes in leading complex projects. He is a trusted advisor to Toronto based technology startups. Currently, Luke is the Chief Financial Officer at Leading Edge Physiotherapy. Luke holds an Honours BA in Economics from McMaster University and various other finance certifications. He brings excellent strategic planning, communication, and negotiation skills.

Dan Atkinson

Dan Atkinson

Treasurer

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Dan Atkinson holds a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Comm.) and Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degrees.  Professional designations include: Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Certified General Accountant (CGA); and Chartered Director (C.Dir.) Dan recently retired from the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA), the largest provider of outsourced water and wastewater operational services in the province of Ontario.  OCWA provides contractual operational and engineering services to municipalities, industries and First Nations communities.  During his tenure at OCWA he held executive positions in operations and finance and corporate services.  Prior to joining OCWA in 1993, he worked for Wellpoint, a private health insurer, in Los Angeles, California. Dan presently chairs Margaret’s Finance and Audit Committee.

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Natalie Ho

Secretary

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Natalie has worked in the hospitality and events industry for over 16 years and is currently the National Director of Event Sales for Oliver & Bonacini Hospitality. Through Oliver & Bonacini’s rapid expansion across Canada, Natalie has gained a breadth of experience, ranging from acquisitions, system planning, strategic growth, marketing, sales, communications and developing new products and services, creatively bringing them to market. Natalie holds a Bachelor’s Degree with Honors in History from York University, and a Business Management Certificate from Ryerson University.

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Jasmine Hermans

Board Member

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Jasmine is an experienced communications professional who specializes in digital public affairs and advocacy campaigns. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations from Humber College, as well as certificates in project management and online marketing.

 

Jasmine was previously a consultant at Enterprise Canada, a strategic communications firm, and then moved to Addictions and Mental Health Ontario as their public affairs manager. She is currently a senior consultant at Argyle. Her experience as a consultant ranges from clients in health in both the hospital and community sector, as well as in tech and education. She brings a digital-first perspective to every campaign and project she works on.

 

 A lifelong advocate for the addiction and mental health sector, she is open about her bipolar disorder diagnosis and what it has taught her about the need for properly-funded community health services.

Noelle Richardson

Board Member

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An accomplished senior executive and transformational leader who was responsible for the creation and implementation of a diversity and inclusion strategy for both the Ontario Public Service and the broader public-sector agencies of the Ministry of the Attorney General. Specialized in inclusive organizational change strategies and processes within complex national and international organizations. Extensive national and international speaking experience on issues of social inclusion and human capital strategies including; the European Union, the United States and the continents of Africa and Asia. An experienced broadcaster, who reported, anchored and hosted news and current affairs programs for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), CTV NewsNet and Vision television. Noelle holds a BA in Sociology from the University of Windsor. She concurrently sits on the Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s Board of Directors.

Don Locke

Don Locke

Board Member

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With 30 years of varied investment banking, industrial marketing and general management experience including not for profit, Don has a Master’s Degree in Business, and tremendous expertise in relationship-based investment banking, lending, mergers and acquisitions, project management and justification, marketing management, and joint ventures. He brings excellent negotiation, oral and written communication, and financial oversight skills.

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Christopher Gordon

Board Member

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Chris is a Partner within the People Advisory Practice of EY Canada, where his primary focus is leading diverse teams, across multiple geographies, in delivering services that encompass mobile talent, immigration, cross-border taxation, strategic HR and workforce enablement. As the leader of EY’s Global Immigration practice based in Canada, Chris’ remit spans over 130 countries. Chris spends a lot of his time meeting with executives and discussing their strategic talent, mobile talent and business objectives. Chris has advised and served some of the largest Canadian, global and Fortune100 corporations during his 20+ year career in professional services. As an innovator and strategic thinker, Chris is often asked to lead global projects to build new service offerings and capabilities. He was a founding director for a not for profit lobby organization Facilitators for a Better Jamaica (UK) and also tried his hand at setting up and running a music booking agency and artist management company, BookGospel.com. Chris holds a double major honours degree in Law and Political Science from Middlesex University in the UK, is a Certified Mobility Specialist and has earned several certificates through an EY-Harvard Management training program. He also holds a diploma in Soccer coaching from the Ontario Soccer Associate. 

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Emily Naddaf

Board Member

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Emily Naddaf is a lifelong learner and community builder. As someone who gets her energy from connecting with people, she feels the most full when helping others.

She currently leads community growth at Wealthsimple Foundation, mixing her drive to do good with her passion for education, helping more Canadians achieve their version of financial freedom. In 2017, she started an educational organization called Elena’s Club, with the goal of connecting more women around topics like finance, politics and wellness. 

 

With almost a decade of communications and consulting experience, for both public and private clients, she has learnt to connect meaningfully, cultivate strategic partnerships and empower others through knowledge-sharing. 

 

Emily holds a Graduate Certificate in Public Relations from Humber College and a Bachelor’s Degree with Honors in Political Studies from Queen’s University. 

She brings a mix of digital-first marketing, strategic communications, partnership and fundraising skills to the Margaret’s Board. 

Saad Minhas`

Board Member

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Saad is Senior Legal Counsel, Corporate, Americas at Equinix, advising primarily on matters across the continent. Equinix is a global leader in data center solutions and Saad’s practice spans construction, real estate, renewables, project finance, procurement, regulatory and litigation. He has demonstrated leadership in infrastructure consulting, telecom, government, Canada’s largest bank and a high growth startup. Saad holds a law degree from the University of Westminster, and certifications in Construction Law from Osgoode Hall, and in Negotiation from Harvard Law School.

 

Saad has been a lifelong volunteer and his contributions have included acting as board member for a national health charity (CCHA), executive committee member for a city building organization (CivicAction), lead mentor for the Prince’s Trust (now HRH King Charles), and ongoing annual leadership in the All Community Games in Ontario – for which he received an award for longstanding voluntary service.

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