2010-11 Directors

Chair - Diana Bacon

Diana was born in Nappan and graduated from Amherst Regional High School. After graduating from Mount Allison University she joined the Department of External Affairs in Ottawa as an Executive Assistant – with assignments to the Law of the Sea Conference in NY, Canadian Mission to the UN, and High Commission in Jamaica. Diana joined Scotiabank in 1987 as an Investment Advisor with ScotiaMcLeod, followed by Vice President ScotiaMcLeod Direct Investing, and Director of Scotia Private Client Group. Currently Diana is the Branch Manager of Scotiabank Victoria Street, Amherst. Diana (and her husband Bruce) enjoys playing golf and the family cottage in Tidnish.

David Wood – Past Chair (ex-officio)

David taught Math and Physics at Amherst Regional High for 33 years before his retirement in 2005. He was a long term high school soccer coach and coached basketball at many different levels. During his university years at Mount Allison he played varsity basketball and for several years during the '80's acted as assistant basketball coach at MtA. He enjoys wilderness and white water canoeing, sailing and boating, hiking, and cycling, having biked around the Cabot Trail with his two sons, a number of times. He is a past board member of Family and Children Services and the YMCA and past president of Amherst Minor Basketball and Cumberland County United Way. His two sons, Andrew and Jeff are currently finishing their university education. Dave and his wife Jane live in Amherst, but he is puttering away building their retirement home on the Tidnish River.

Rhonda McIver, CA – Treasurer

A graduate of Mount Allison University, Rhonda worked in public practice while obtaining her Chartered Accountancy designation with Hemming Weir Casey in Halifax. In 2006, Rhonda joined the firm of KPMG in Moncton before accepting a position with McIsaac Darragh Chartered Accountants. In 2009, she chose to launch her own Chartered Accountancy practice and to begin a part-time teaching career in the business department at Mount Allison University. She brings substantial auditing experience in the not-for-profit and healthcare segments and has actually been involved in the audit of Cumberland Health Care Foundation in prior years.

Karen Angel – Secretary

Karen retired from the teaching profession in 2004. She received her Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education Degrees from Mount Allison University and spent most of her 35 year teaching career at Amherst Regional High School. Karen has served as a Board Member on the Amherst United Way, Chair of Trinity St. Stephen's United Church Organ Renewal Fund, a volunteer at the Amherst Food Bank and Coordinator of the Peer Drug Program at ARHS. Travel, art appreciation and Spanish Dance are among her favorite leisure pursuits.

Stephanie Hillson – Member at Large

Stephanie is currently employed with Nova Scotia Legal Aid and is the past President of the Cumberland Barristers Association, a former Board member of the Northern AIDS Connection Society, and is currently on the Board of the Cumberland Community Alternatives Society.

Ruth Hoeg – Member at Large

Ruth comes to us with many years of experience in the manufacturing, agricultural, financial, and forestry industries. She started her career at the former Canadian Assemblies plant in Amherst which later became known as Waldale Manufacturing. From there she proceeded to work with Panasonic Canada (Halifax) excelling in both level and role with the company until she returned to work in the financial industry in Amherst. She currently is the office manager in the family business of Hoeg Industries (blueberries & lumber). She has been treasurer for various sporting groups as well as being an active sportsperson herself and is a member of her local church choir.

Michael Stack – Member at Large

Michael is a second generation Board member following in his father’s commitment to healthcare initiatives (see Garry Stack, 2010 Distinguished Service Award recipient).  Michael and his family reside in Amherst where he is employed with Barnes Insurance / NSNB Insurance. 

Dr. Ian McCarthy – Member at Large

Ian was raised in Cumberland County and is now a licensed practicing Optometrist in Cumberland.   He is actively involved with the provincial governing body for optometry – the NS Association of Optometrists and volunteers on both their newsletter committee and their Practice Innovation Committee. 

Janet Ripley – CHA Staff Representative

Janet is currently a Lab Technologist with the Cumberland Health Authority (CRHCC).  Janet and her family reside just outside of Amherst, NS.   Her previous involvement with the Foundation includes serving terms  on the committees of Public Relations, Light the Way, and Donor Recognition.  

Bob Janes - Cumberland Health Care Auxiliary Representative

Bob has been the Cumberland Health Care Auxiliary’s representative on the Foundation Board since 2007. With the support of the Auxiliary, he has agreed to continue in this role for another term. Bob is the past President of the Auxiliary, a local business operator, an active Rotarian and is known for his decades of work with Camp Tidnish. During his most recent term on the Foundation Board, Bob has been an active member of many committees including Finance, Golf, Foundation Dinner, and Personnel Committees.

Rakesh Minocha – CHA Management Representative

Rakesh has been the Cumberland Health Authority’s representative on the Foundation Board since 2002. Rakesh is employed by the Cumberland Health Authority as the Vice-President of Operations, he is also a Professional Engineer (electrical), and an MBA graduate. Rakesh works closely with the Foundation offices, staff and Board in a collaborative relationship of ensuring that donated dollars are utilized where they are most needed within the healthcare system for Cumberland.

Dr. Justyna Krol-Lass – CRHCC Medical representative

Dr. Krol-Lass works in partnership with Dr. Celina White in the treatment of patients suffering from chronic pain due from fibromyalgia, abdominal pain, upper and lower back pain and others. She is a member of the anesthesia team of the CRHCC – CHA.

CRHCC Nursing Representative – Jan Saunders

 

Jan is currently a RN with the Cumberland Health Authority (CRHCC Site) and the CHA Access Manager.   Jan grew up in the area and has practiced both in Canada and the United States.    Her past volunteer work includes the FPA (Florida) and the IWK Halifax.  She is currently involved with fundraising for both the Foundation Dinner Committee and the annual Highland Classic Golf Committee.

Staff

Gwen Kerr - Interim Managing Director

Gwen joined the Foundation Board in January of 2009 and recently retired from an Executive position as Chair. Gwen has a professional background in marketing, special event management, funds development and visual art exhibitions. Gwen and her husband are local operators in the hospitality industry and she gives graciously of her time in the community with many volunteer roles.