OASSIS Board of Trustees

Greetings, from the OASSIS Board of Trustees. The board 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

Having been in the field for almost 25 years, Candace Thomson supports a client focused approach to service delivery as the Executive Director of a charitable organization which services seniors in the North York area of Toronto. Candace’s formal education reflects a Community Recreation, Gerontology and not for profit management background. A long term advocate for developing a sturdy volunteerism foundation, Candace strongly supports the work of the Central LHIN’s CSS Network.

Susan Thorning

Susan graduated with a BA in Philosophy from the University of Guelph, and B Ed from the Ontario Teacher Education College. She has earned diplomas in Gerontology and Voluntary Sector Management from the University of Toronto and York University. Susan’s health care experience includes positions in hospital chronic care, long-term care and community services. In 1986 Susan started one of Ontario’s first day programs serving clients with Alzheimer Disease.

She joined OCSA in 1993, where she has had extensive experience in project management, standards development, training, and knowledge management activities with community based organizations and First Nation communities across the province. She held the position of CEO with OCSA from 2006 to 2012. Susan has retired from OCSA and continues to serve on the OASSIS Board.

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 Past 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.

Kathleen Praught

Kathleen recently retired after 23 years with the Canadian Red Cross Ontario, Human Resources. During her tenure, she held the positions of Benefits Manager, Employee Relations Manager, and Senior Manager. Kathleen also was in the position of Acting Director on four different occasions. Included in Kathleen's portfolio was benefits management.

Kathleen has been a member of the OASSIS Board of Trustees for 23 years and during that time has participated in a few sub committees.

She is also a former Chairperson of the OASSIS Board of Trustees.

Since retiring, Kathleen has become involved in community activities.

Deborah Simon

Deborah Simon has been the CEO of the Ontario Community Support Association since 2012. Deborah is a Registered Nurse with a Bachelor of Arts from York University and a MBA from Athabasca University. Her role as OCSA CEO draws on over thirty years of clinical, administrative, government relations and leadership experience. Privileged to have had a very diverse career, Deborah has worked across the health care system, but is particularly drawn to the creativity and diversity of the home and community support sector.

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 250 people in over 60 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.