Board of Directors

Now retired, Shawn has a strong background in leadership within the financial services sector, most recently serving as Vice-President of National Sales, Credit Union Distribution at CUMIS Group/The Co-operators. In this role, he led the delivery of insurance solutions to credit unions and their members across Canada. Prior to this, Shawn held senior leadership positions at Meridian Credit Union and TD Bank in Commercial Banking. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Western University and an MBA from McGill University. Shawn is a former Board Chair of St. Joseph’s Health Centre Guelph and an active volunteer with the Canadian Cancer Society. He resides in Guelph, Ontario, with his wife, Anna.

Bishop Douglas Crosby, OMI, was born in Marathon, Ontario. He was ordained a priest with the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate in 1975, and over the years accepted a variety of ministries, including Provincial Superior of St. Peter’s Province of the Oblates. He was ordained a bishop in 1998 and served as Bishop of Labrador City-Schefferville Diocese. In 2003 he was appointed Bishop of St. George’s Diocese (Newfoundland and Labrador), while continuing to serve as Bishop of Labrador. Following a realignment of the boundaries, he became the first Bishop of Corner Brook and Labrador in 2007. Bishop Crosby was appointed Bishop of Hamilton on September 24, 2010, and took possession of the Diocese on November 8, 2010, during a ceremony at the Cathedral of Christ the King. He served on the Executive of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) from 2009; and as President from 2015-2017.

Vice-President Human Resources, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Linamar Corporation

Mr. Fulton obtained his BA (Hons. 1984) from McMaster University, his LLB (1987) from the University of Western Ontario and was admitted to the Ontario Bar in 1989. He joined Linamar Corporation in 2003 and is currently Executive Vice President – Human Resources, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary. Prior to Linamar, he worked for one of Canada’s largest steel producers as General Manager of Human Resources and Legal Affairs. He has extensive experience in the areas of corporate commercial law, mergers and acquisitions, project construction, financing, regulatory offences, labour & employment, securities and litigation management. Mr. Fulton sits on several subsidiary boards and acts as corporate secretary. He has been a presenter and panel member at the Canadian Corporate Counsel Annual Institute and American Corporate Counsel Association conferences.

Mr. Fulton has been active within the St. Joseph’s System since 1996, serving in various capacities including, as Chair of St. Joseph’s Homecare, member of the Board for St. Joseph’s Healthcare System, and on the System Governance, Finance and Audit, and Philanthropy Committees.

Daniel Cremasco is a Managing Partner of BDO Canada (retired) and a past Divisional Chair of CPAO Professional Conduct Committee. He is also a member of CPAO, holding a FCPA, FCA Canadian Professional Accountant designation. Daniel graduated from the University of Waterloo with a Bachelor of Mathematics in 1976. He is the past Chair of the Guelph Chamber of Commerce, the Guelph Community Foundation, St. Joseph’s Health Centre Foundation Guelph, St. Joseph’s Housing Corporation, Guelph, St. Joseph’s Health Care Centre Guelph and a Life Member of the Kinsem Clubs of Guelph and Fergus.

Tony De Luca was born and raised in Hamilton and is very committed to the community and served as a Board member for many non-profit organizations, including St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation, Catholic Youth Organization, Mount Hamilton Youth Soccer Club and Hamilton United Soccer Club.

He was educated at McMaster University where he obtained an Honours Commerce and Arts degree and attained his CA designation in 1998.

He started his accounting career at a national accounting firm in 1996 before joining Pettinelli Mastroluisi LLP in 2003 and was admitted into the partnership in 2007.

Brendan started Lane Sales Development Group Inc and LS Logistics in May of 1997. He joined the SJHCG Foundation Board in Sept of 2011 and served as Chair for three years, 2015-2018. Since 2015, Brendan has also sat on the St. Joseph’s Health System Philanthropy committee and is currently the Chair of the St. Joseph’s Housing Corporation Guelph. In addition to his time with St. Joseph’s Housing Corporation Guelph Foundation, he also sat on the University of Guelph Athletic Dept’s, ‘She Got Game’ board. This board’s mandate is to increase the awareness for Female Athletics and funding so that the scholarship dollars are equal to or greater than, the male athletics scholarship dollars.

Ben DeRubeis is a Partner with De Rubeis, Chetcuti LLP. He has practiced law in Hamilton since his call to the bar in 1981. During this time, he has served in various senior leadership roles in the title insurance industry across Canada and has been active in many non-for-profit organizations. Ben has been a member of the St. Joseph’s Healthcare Foundation for many years, serving as its Chair in 2017-2018. He holds a B.Sc. degree (USMC), J.D. (Queen’s) and LL.M. (Osgoode Hall-York). He has three children and currently resides in Stoney Creek, Ontario with spouse Anna both of whom are committed and honoured to serve the community and promote the highest level of healthcare for its members.

Mr. Hayes is a Director, Vice President and Portfolio Manager at RBC Wealth Management. He entered the investment industry in 1995 and has spent the last 15 years with RBC Wealth Management successfully managing the complex needs of sophisticated retail and institutional clients. Kieron is a member of RBC’s prestigious Chairman’s Council, recognizing his strong business standards. Mr. Hayes has been active in the not-for-profit sector for over 15 years.  He has advised charitable foundations and not-for profit organizations as clients and has also served on numerous boards. He is the past Chair of St. Joseph’s Healthcare Foundation and is deeply committed to supporting the quality of care provided by the St Joseph’s Health System and the communities they serve.

David Higgins MB BSc MRCPI FRCPC graduated from the University of Ireland, University College Cork, in Medicine in 1979 undergoing post graduate training in Medicine and Respirology in Ireland, UK and, finally, in Hamilton at  McMaster University  and the Firestone Institute. He practiced in Sudbury Hospitals as before recruitment to St Joseph’s Healthcare in 1991 as staff Internist and Respirologist.

He assumed a number of leadership positions at St Joseph’s including Chief of Medicine, Chief of Staff and became President in 2010. He became a Clinical Professor of Medicine at McMaster University related to his contributions to the academic mission related to the teaching, leadership and administrative roles. He participated in, and led, many hospital-based  initiatives related to accreditation, patient safety, quality of care and redevelopment of the sites including the operating room redevelopment and rebuild/opening of the mental health facility.

As president he sat on local and provincial task forces including chairing LHIN advisory committees on Mental Health and Ophthalmology. He was closely involved with local agencies and task groups with respect to initiatives related to mental health, housing and management of people in crisis in the community. He retired in 2018, has participated in a redevelopment project at University Health Network in Toronto and has sat as a member of the St Joseph’s Health System Board since 2021.

Paul Kwasnik graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University, with a BA in Political Science and holds a MBA from Queen’s University. Paul is an accomplished leader and has over 25 years of experience in the energy industry. In 2013 he was appointed as CEO & President of Brantford Energy Group, whose companies include Brantford Power Inc., the local distributor of electricity to approximately over 40,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in the City of Brantford; and Brantford Hydro Inc., the retail division that provides high-speed fibre optic telecommunication connections through its NetOptiks division.  Since joining Brantford Energy Corporation, Paul’s strategic focus continues to be building sustainable communities while making continual improvements and investments across all aspects of its business including employee and community safety; operational efficiency and reliability, responsible asset management and innovation; and responsive customer service.

Paul brings considerable governance experience having served as an elected Trustee on the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board; serving as a member on the Board of Directors for Brantford Power, in addition to sitting on the Board of Governors for Wilfrid Laurier University.

Born and raised in Brantford, Paul continues to be active in community sports leadership and coaching.

Benjamin is the Senior Director of Corporate Development at Govan Brown & Associates, the Canadian arm of the global STO Building Group. He is responsible for the strategy and growth of their National Buildings Group, having previously helped open the company’s sixth Canadian office in Kitchener-Waterloo. Benjamin holds a B.Sc from McMaster University and an MBA from the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics at Wilfrid Laurier University with a specialization in Finance. He currently sits on the Board of Governors at St. Jerome’s University. Born and raised in Ancaster, Benjamin now resides in Burlington with his wife, Leah.

Ms. Matthews is Senior Counsel of John Deere Canada ULC. Proudly born and raised in Hamilton, she earned her Honours Bachelor of Arts from the University of Western Ontario and her law degree from the University of Calgary. Ms. Matthews recently served on the St. Joseph’s Healthcare Foundation where she was Chair for two years. Ms. Matthews lives in Hamilton with her husband, Mike, and their two daughters, Olivia and Victoria.

Sandra is a recently retired superintendent of education as of June 30, 2021. Formerly with the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board, Sandra joyfully and faithfully spent 31 years serving students, staff and school communities.  Her portfolio and responsibilities included board and school improvement planning, secondary curriculum/programs, implementation of ministry initiatives, continuing education programs and oversight of a family of schools.  For the past three years, Sandra served as the chair of the Board of Representatives of the Catholic Curriculum Corporation which includes 17 member boards and partner organizations.  Additionally, Sandra has participated and served on several board and community organizations (ie. Industry Education Council).

Peter Prawak is a graduate of McMaster University where he obtained his Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree and has completed the Ivey Leadership Program at Western University.

He currently leads the global supply chain organization of Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. in his position of Senior Director, Supply Chain and has over twenty years of professional experience in strategic sourcing and supply chain management.

He currently lives in the Hamilton area with his family and is committed to giving back to his community through his volunteer work.

Top performing innovative Senior Leader with 35 years plus management in Human Resources. A highly influential and passionate business leader who can develop and lead Human Resource strategy and teams through agile and dynamic change. Proven trusted consistent results which exceed targets and growth plans. Sets the bar high and always exceeds expectations.

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