Board of Trustees

The OASSIS Board of Trustees is comprised of members who have a deep knowledge and a wealth of experience in the not-for-profit sector.

Valerie Bishop-De Young

An experienced management professional, Valerie has worked for crown corporations, the private sector and the public sector. Valerie has over 20 years experience working in Ontario’s health care system, from hospital to community support services. Her education in economics (B.A.), psychology (B.A. hons) and a degree in Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) facilitates a unique perspective on the business of health care.

As Past-President of the Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) for two terms, Valerie is a staunch supporter of community-based health and social services as the effective, efficient response to an escalating health care budget. She is currently the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of VHA Health & Home Support, a community-based provider agency of home care services for seniors, with specialty in serving people with physical disabilities and mobility challenges. Val presently sits as Chairperson for OASSIS (a not for profit group benefit plan).

William (Bill) Krever

Bill Krever is currently President and Chief Executive Officer of Victoria Village in Barrie, Ontario. Victoria Village provides a continuum of services to seniors including; independent living, assisted living to long-term care.

During his 30 year career in health services, Bill has held positions in senior management with older adult centres, community support services and long-term care services. Bill has also held volunteer leadership positions with provincial organizations including terms as president of the Older Adult Centres’ Association of Ontario and the Coalition of Ontario Voluntary Organizations and terms as a board member of the Active Living Coalition for Older Adults, Advantage Ontario and OASSIS.

Bill has a degree from Ryerson University in Applied Geography, a Certificate in Gerontology from Ryerson University and a Certificate in Not-for-Profit Management from York University. His research projects include a number of studies on Older Adult Centres including a major research project for the Older Adult Centres’ Association of Ontario called Building Bridges to Tomorrow conducted from 2007 to 2010. Bill has also worked with a number of organizations on board development, policy development and strategic planning. Bill presently sits as Secretary / Treasurer for OASSIS (a not for profit group benefit plan).

Candace Thomson

Candace Thomson’s work experience has been in the health and social services sector. She currently holds the position of Executive Director with North York Seniors Centre (NYSC). NYSC is a charitable organization supporting seniors living in the community with a spectrum of program and services.
Candace’s formal education reflects education in community recreation, gerontology, human resources and not for profit management from a variety of educational faculties.

Candace currently sits as a Trustee with the Board of OASSIS and has served as Chairperson in the past. Candace is active in many community committees including being one of the founding members of the Central Community Support Services Network (CSSN) and participating on the local Ontario Health Team, Seniors Committee.

Trish Baird

Trish has worked in the health and social service sector for over 35 years. Currently Trish is the Chief Executive Officer of Community Care Northumberland, a multi-service, volunteer-based community agency. Community Care Northumberland is well known as a leader in delivering innovative programs and services developed through partnerships and community collaborations. Lead by a dedicated team of over 700 volunteers and 75 employees the agency delivers program in the areas of nutrition, transportation, wellness, in-home and hospice services in Northumberland County.

Trish is active at many planning tables in the health and social services sector, currently as Co-Chair of the Ontario Health Team Northumberland. Her volunteer work includes a nine-year term on the Campbellford Hospital Board, Board member of the Campbellford Community Mental Health Centre, Westben Centre for Connection & Creativity through Music, Beehive Daycare and 5 years as a municipal councilor (Municipality of Campbellford/Seymour).

Trish has a Degree in Social Sciences from the University of Ottawa and a Certificate in Long Term Care Administration from Toronto Metropolitan University.

Debbie MacDonald Moynes

Debbie MacDonald Moynes is Executive Director of The Prince Edward County Community Care for Seniors Association, an agency with over 500 volunteers. Well known as a Meals on Wheels® provider, Community Care provides a range of Community Support Services to help seniors live at home. The agency was established in 1977. Debbie is Chair of the Community Support Services Network of Southeastern Ontario. She served on the board of the Ontario Community Support Association from 1997 to 2006. She has a B.A. (Hon.) and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Queen’s University. Debbie was pleased to receive a full scholarship that enabled her to complete the Advanced Health Leadership Program at the University of Toronto Rotman School of Management.

Debbie was adjunct professor with the Bachelor of Applied Arts in Human Services Management degree program at Loyalist College in Belleville for 6 years, teaching the third year course “Social Policy, Community Relations & Government” and the fourth year course “Communities & Canadian Politics”.

Debbie is deeply involved in the community and her volunteer work includes Past President of the Rotary Club of Picton; Past President of the Quinte Educational Museum & Archives (which raised $50,000.00 to move the 100 year old Victoria Schoolhouse); and she is also Past President of The Regent Theatre Foundation.

Debbie presently sits as Vice-Chairperson for OASSIS (a not for profit group benefit plan).

Sujata Ganguli

Sujata Ganguli has been the Chief Executive Officer at Bellwoods Centres for Community Living since August of 2024. Prior to that, she was Chief Operating Officer in Fort Smith Region for the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority from 2021 to August 2024. Her career has included almost 30 years of experience in the community sector, mainly as the Executive Director at St. Clair West Services for Seniors and then as Senior Director Community Services/Quality Improvement with Reconnect Community Health Services. She has partnered with primary care services, hospitals and community-based organizations to integrate health sector and cross-sectoral services, build on digital health initiatives and ensure service quality evaluation and measurement. Her education includes a BSc in Biochemistry, an MSc in Nutrition Sciences and an Executive MBA for Healthcare and Life Sciences from the Rotman School of Management.

Deborah Simon

Deborah Simon is a dedicated leader with decades of clinical, administrative, government relations, and leadership expertise. Deborah has devoted her career to health care, having captained the Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) as CEO for the past 12+ years, and excelled in several senior leadership positions in government and other home and community care organizations before that. Deborah is also a registered nurse who worked across the health sector in acute care, long-term care, and rehabilitation sectors. She holds a BA in Administration from York University and an MBA in Administration from Athabasca University.

Sue Hesjedahl

Sue Hesjedahl has been the Executive Director of the Older Adult Centres’ Association of Ontario (OACAO) since 2011, having previously served on the OACAO Board of Directors since 1996 (as President from 2001-2002). Sue has a 25 + year history of working in the not-for-profit sector, specifically with older adult centres. During her long tenure as the Executive Director of the Square One Older Adult Centre from 1994 – 2011 Sue developed and implemented a seniors’ charity. Sue has a B.A. in both Psychology and Gerontology from McMaster University in Hamilton.

Sue’s current role with the OACAO involves community development and partner collaboration, financial and project management, government relations and advocacy initiatives for the Seniors Active Living Centres sector. Sue has worked on large granting projects including Building Bridges to Tomorrow funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Partnership Grant Project (PGP) Building Evaluation Capacity for Older Adult Centres funded by the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration and the Seniors Information and Active Living Fairs funded by the Ministry of Seniors Affairs.

Sue is an active volunteer holding positions on the Advisory Board at Sheridan College Centre for Elder Research and as a Board of Trustee for OASSIS Benefit Plans for non-for-profits as well as various volunteer roles in her local community.

Brian Dunne

Brian Dunne has been the President & Chief Executive Officer of PHSS since its inception in 1988. PHSS is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting people with complex medical, physical and developmental needs so they can live in their own homes, participate in the community, and enjoy life with family and friends, and supports more than 300 people in over 70 locations.

Brian graduated from Western University with a double major in English and Psychology, has attained a Certified Human Resource Professional Designation, and completed the Executive Leadership Program at Queen’s University School of Business. Past employment has included positions with the Ministry of Community & Social Services, Community Living, and the Canadian Mental Health Association. He has been/or is currently involved on several boards/committees including: Ontario Agencies Supporting Individuals with Special Needs (OASIS), South Western Executive Director’s Group, Southwest Community Services Sector Council, and the Developmental Services Advisory Group.