Our Leadership

Dr. Gail Tomblin Murphy is an internationally recognized expert in population needs-based approaches to health systems strengthening, workforce planning, evaluation, capacity-building and a leading expert in healthcare innovations.

Since 2005, Gail has served as an Expert Advisor on health workforce planning to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and is Director of the Dalhousie University’s PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centre on Health Workforce Planning and Research. Dr. Tomblin Murphy’s research involves leading and co-leading multidisciplinary teams with national and international partners. Her work has been widely funded and published, garnering significant interest from governments and stakeholders due to its substantial impact on health policy and practice and citizens worldwide.

As a champion of innovations and innovative partnerships in healthcare, Dr. Tomblin Murphy has been instrumental in the conception and launch and operationalization of the Health Innovation Hub in Nova Scotia. Under her leadership and working with global experts, industry, health system and academic partners, several key innovations such as the Care Coordination Centre, VirtualCareNS, and the Robotics Centre of Excellence have been successfully implemented, expanding access to care across the province.

Currently, Dr. Tomblin Murphy is focused on advancing Innovation Partnerships and leads the development of the AI Centre in Applied Health in Nova Scotia in addition to contributing to global planning and strengthening of workforce and health systems.

Feisal Keshavjee is the Senior Vice President, Health Partnerships & Transformation, Home Health Services. He is an accomplished healthcare leader who has worked in all facets of the healthcare system – policy, public, private, corporate, and early stage. He has worked in the healthcare system in Calgary where he was greatly involved in the restructuring and regionalization efforts throughout the nineties. He was also a Principal for Ernst & Young in the Asia Pacific region, carrying out numerous post-merger integration efforts in New Zealand, Australia and Malaysia. 

Feisal has held the position of Director of Business Development for the University of Calgary, Faculty of Medicine, General Manager for GE Healthcare, CEO of a large radiology practice in Calgary, and CEO of a health technology start-up.

For the past few years, Feisal has been involved in the health technology sector in Alberta and is a sessional instructor at the University of Calgary on New Venture Finance. Prior to joining CBI Health, he led a boutique consulting practice in the healthcare space and has been involved in a number of engagements involving strategic planning, business growth, due diligence, negotiation, project planning, and operational excellence.

Feisal acted as Chair of the Canadian College of Health Leaders, the professional association for Canada’s 4,000+ health leaders and industry executives. He currently sits on the Board of an artificial intelligence (AI) company in the imaging space, and is also a Board member of a not-for-profit, long-term care provider. 

Since January 21, 2019, Martin Beaumont has been the President and CEO of the Québec-Université Laval CHU. From April 2015 to January 2019, he was President and CEO of the Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de la Mauricie et du Centre-du-Québec (integrated university health and social services centre of Mauricie and Central Québec).

In recent years he has held various executive director positions in Sept-Îles, in Basse-Côte-Nord and until just recently, at the Centre de santé et des services sociaux du Nord de Lanaudière (Northern Lanaudière health and social services centre). He holds a Ph.D. in public health from the Faculty of Medicine at Université de Montréal, specializing in health service administration; since 2010, he has been teaching there in the capacity of associate clinical professor. He is a member of the Canadian College of Health Leaders and an affiliated member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

In June 2015, Dr. Beaumont was awarded the title of Fellow by the Canadian College of Health Leaders; this is the highest professional award granted by that organization. Dr. Beaumont also serves as an inspector and visitor for the International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQUa) and for Accreditation Canada. He is also a member of the Ordre professionnel des inhalothérapeutes du Québec (professional order of respiratory therapists of Quebec).

Antoine Désilets, Executive Director of the Société Santé en français since 2021, has worked close to 15 years in French-language health. A trained political scientist, he started his career working for the federal government and the University of Ottawa. In 2018, his passion for public policy led him into active politics at the local level, where he took on the role of campaign manager during the Ottawa municipal elections. He maintains an active commitment to his community, as a member of the board of directors of the Vanier Community Service Centre and the Centre d’appui et de prevention, two organizations that provide services to Ottawa’s Francophone community. He now hopes to bring his experience in advancing equity in healthcare to help advance Healthcare Excellence Canada’s mission.

Jeanette Edwards chaired the Manitoba Institute for Patient Safety board prior to its merger with Shared Health in June 2021. She remains active with Accreditation Canada and the Health Services organization, and serves on the Board of the Rehabilitation Centre for Children.

Prior to her recent retirement Jeanette was the Strategic Lead for Community Health, Quality and Learning and the Interim Provincial Lead for Indigenous Health with the Shared Health in Manitoba. Jeanette led the provincial quality, patient safety and accreditation project as a part of the provincial health transformation work. This work has formalized a provincial quality and learning framework which will support the implementation of the provincial clinical and preventive services plan. 

Prior to this, Jeanette was Regional Director of Primary Health Care and Chronic Disease with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. In addressing broader primary health care principles Jeanette's portfolio supported public and patient engagement and intersectoral collaboration. Jeanette also led the Specialized Services for Children and Youth (SSCY) initiative. Jeanette also served as Special Advisor to the Deputy Minister on Primary Care providing support for primary care renewal policy development and strategic action planning.

A physician and manager by training, Antoine Groulx has held various union, associative, and administrative roles, including that of Assistant Deputy Minister in Québec’s Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux. While there, he also worked on integrating local services and democratizing data. As a full professor at Université Laval, he currently combines his work as a family physician and entrepreneur at Clinique Maizerets with his roles as scientific director of the Unité de soutien SSA Québec and researcher at VITAM. An avid proponent of patient partnership, he strives to improve our healthcare system to make it more learning-oriented and sustainable for all.

Appointed Deputy Minister of Health on January 9, 2023, Megan Hunt brings over two decades of leadership in Indigenous health systems, digital transformation and primary care innovation. Since joining the Government of Nunavut, Ms. Hunt has distinguished herself through a hands-on, community-first approach that reflects her deep respect for the people and cultures of the territory.

Ms. Hunt has travelled extensively across Nunavut, visiting nearly all 25 communities. Her presence on the ground, listening, learning and building relationships, has been central to her leadership philosophy. Whether meeting with Elders, front-line health workers or community leaders, she prioritizes direct engagement to ensure health strategies are informed by lived experience and local voices.

Ms. Hunt has led transformative initiatives to expand virtual care delivery, improve access to culturally safe services and strengthen Inuit employment and representation within the health system. Her advocacy for integrated, whole-of-government approaches has helped align health priorities with broader social determinants, driving more responsive and equitable outcomes.

Before arriving in Nunavut, Ms. Hunt served as Executive Director of Primary Care and eHealth with the First Nations Health Authority in British Columbia. There, she played a pivotal role in pandemic response efforts and the implementation of virtual care programs tailored to Indigenous communities. Her 2019 strategy for First Nations-led primary care continues to support the development of 15 team-based initiatives across BC.

Ms. Hunt's career spans 21 years of work in digital health, Indigenous and Western models of care, medical affairs and child and family services. She has cultivated strong partnerships with First Nations communities, elected and hereditary leaders, provincial ministries and federal agencies, relationships that continue to inform her collaborative leadership style in Nunavut.

Originally from northern BC, Ms. Hunt lived for over two decades on the traditional territory of the Lehdli T'enneh people. Her spouse and children are proud members of the Nak'azdli First Nation and Nisga'a Nation, belonging to the Frog and Eagle clans. Now rooted in Iqaluit, she brings both personal and professional dedication to advancing health equity across the territory.

Ms. Hunt represents Nunavut on several intergovernmental health committees and serves on the boards of pan-Canadian organizations, including Canada Health Infoway, where she continues to advocate for northern and Indigenous health priorities at the national level.

Named Maclean’s Top Healthcare Innovator of 2023 and the first Indigenous physician on The Medical Post’s 50 Most Powerful Doctors, Dr. Alika Lafontaine made history in 2022 as the first Indigenous and youngest doctor to serve as President of the Canadian Medical Association in its 154-year history.

A mixed Indigenous Anesthesiologist (Métis, Oji-Cree, Pacific Islander), Dr. Lafontaine trained in medicine and anesthesiology at the University of Saskatchewan before relocating to northern Alberta, where he has practiced for most of his clinical career.

For nearly two decades, Dr. Lafontaine has worked at the intersection of health systems, policy, and social justice. From 2013 to 2017, he co-led the Indigenous Health Alliance, one of the most ambitious Indigenous-led health transformation initiatives in Canadian history and in 2019 he founded Safespace Networks, an anonymous reporting and learning platform that addresses racism and harm in healthcare. His work has raised tens of millions of dollars in Provincial and Federal funding, with the Public Policy Forum recognizing his work in 2017 with an award presented by then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

During his tenure as CMA President, the Federal government invested its largest healthcare investment since 2004, advanced landmark reforms in physician credential recognition and laid the groundwork for greater national collaboration on health data and workforce planning. The CMA also adopted adoption a long-term Indigenous health goal as well as apologized for its role in the mistreatment of Indigenous patients in Canada’s healthcare systems, a process Dr. Lafontaine led over two years. He continues to support the CMA’s reconciliation work as its Indigenous Advisor in Residence.

Kedar Mate, MD, is the co-Founder of Qualified Health and the former President and Chief Executive Officer at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI). A member of the faculty at Weill Cornell Medical College, his scholarly work has focused on health care quality, strategies for achieving large-scale change, and approaches to improving health equity and value. Previously he worked at Partners In Health, the World Health Organization, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and served as IHI’s Chief Innovation and Education Officer. He is widely published, serves on multiple health system and healthcare technology Boards, and has received multiple honors including serving as a Soros Fellow, a Fulbright Specialist, and an Aspen Institute Health Innovators Fellow. He graduated from Brown University with a degree in American History and from Harvard Medical School with a medical degree.

Jane McMullan is an executive with over 35 years experience in senior corporate and consulting roles in the private and public sector. Jane’s corporate career was primarily spent with Baxter Corporation, a global Fortune 500 medical technology company where she was Vice President of the Canadian Renal and Biomedical Divisions and a member of the Global Renal Management Council.

Jane’s public sector experience includes a senior level consultant role in the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.  As a Principal/ Senior Manager at Blackstone Partners and KPMG LLP, she has led numerous consulting projects for community hospitals, academic health science centres, provincial governments and other agencies.

Jane has recently completed her third term serving on the Board of Directors of William Osler Health System, most recently as Board Chair.  Jane is also an active member of her community and has previously served on the boards of the Toronto and Ontario Restaurant and Food Service Associations.

Jane holds a BScA (Honours, Microbiology) from the University of Guelph and an MBA from The University of Western Ontario.

Tammie Myles is Stz'uminus First Nations and Danish. Bridging the two cultures within her work and life has enhanced opportunities for learning and development in both western society and Aboriginal traditions. She has a Master of Arts in Leadership and Training and 30 years of experience nationally in First Nations communities in the areas of training, organizational and community development. Additionally, Tammie's background includes instructing trauma, abuse and addictions counselling courses.

Currently, she is the Owner/Director of Mother Earth Whispers, an organizational wellness and leadership development company focusing on positive change. She is pursuing a doctorate degree in Relationship Dynamics and Metaphysical Science and has instructed at the University of Toronto in the Master of Social Work – Indigenous Trauma Resiliency Program. Currently, she is a sessional instructor at Royal Roads University and Vancouver Island University. Historically, Tammie's significant management experience with Aboriginal Friendship Centres provided opportunities to implement organizational culture philosophies, wellness and development. Moreover, addressing the intergenerational effects of colonization in residential schools in communities and in the workplaces requires an Indigenous approach. These experiences provided an ability to incorporate Indigenous methods to implementing organizational wellness. Personal awareness and development are the keys for leaders in organizations. As a hobby, she also enjoys project management in real estate/construction.

Heather has extensive and ongoing lived experience as a person living with two chronic neurological conditions, has had multiple hospitalizations and ongoing interactions and treatments in the health system. She was part of the historic Patient First Review of Saskatchewan, a landmark document in both Saskatchewan and Canadian history, where they were provincially mandated to shift from a system-centred health system to a patient and family-centred health system. Heather is one of the first patient partners to explore how the patient voice could be authentically incorporated into how healthcare was delivered and experienced.  

Heather is a passionate patient partner with over a decade of experience, serving on numerous committees and working groups at the local, regional, provincial, and national levels. She has been involved in the education of health science students at the University of Saskatchewan and is on the Partnership Program planning team for first year medical students. In 2021, she was recognized for her work with nursing students and was awarded an Honorary Membership Award by the Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association.

Currently, Heather serves as a Patient Partner at Health Standards Organization and Accreditation Canada where she supports patient partners across Canada and internally within HSO for People-Centric work. She has also been trained as a patient surveyor with Accreditation Canada. Heather has co-authored a chapter in the book "Bringing leadership to life in health: LEADS in a caring environment" that focuses on leadership and people-centred care.

As part of the former-CFHI's extensive network of patient partners, Heather was an active patient partner on CFHI collaboratives as a coach, and on numerous working groups, including the co-development of CFHI's guiding principles for engagement. Most recently she was an active member of CFHI’s Better Together programming (now HEC’s Essential Together program) and has shared these experiences in a blog post. 

Heather has a strong understanding of the healthcare system. She is honoured to bring her lived experiences as both a patient and patient partner within healthcare, and her insight as a passionate patient partner and a strong contributor to the future vision of Healthcare Excellence Canada.

Elizabeth Toller is seasoned policy and public sector leader within the Government of Canada with a passion for health issues. As the Director General of Health Care Strategies at Health Canada, she facilitates pan-Canadian collaboration on shared health priorities, including the Government’s Working Together to Improve Health Care for Canadians Plan.

Previously, as Executive Director of Digital Health and Primary Care within the Health Care Strategies Directorate, Elizabeth and her team worked with provinces and territories to improve access to family health services and modernize the health system with health data and digital tools. Her team was key in advancing collaboration on connected care through better health data interoperability.

Elizabeth has also led initiatives at Health Canada’s Health Product and Food Branch, driving regulatory changes for food and drugs to support innovation and safety. She has held policy roles in various federal departments, including Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada, and the Privy Council Office. Outside of work, she is a mother of two and enjoys exercise and gardening.

Matt Torigian is an internationally recognized leader in public policy. His 40-year career has involved many aspects of well-being and community safety. He is a Distinguished Fellow at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, facilitating symposia and mentoring graduate students pursuing careers in public service. He has also served as Ontario's Deputy Solicitor General and as chief of police for the Waterloo Regional Police Service. As Deputy Solicitor General, Matt led a comprehensive community safety transformation through the passing of the Safer Ontario Act.

Prior to joining the Alberta Public Service, Matt was the Chief Strategy Officer for a Canadian-based global software company that focused on case management. A published author, he holds a Master of Public Administration from Western University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Wilfrid Laurier University. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, and the FBI National Executive Institute. Matt is also a recipient of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Award.

Dr. Jennifer Zelmer is the inaugural President and CEO of Healthcare Excellence Canada, which focuses on shaping a future where everyone in Canada has safe, high-quality healthcare. Jennifer is also the President of the Canadian Association for Health Services and Policy Research, a C.D. Howe Research Fellow, and an adjunct faculty member at the University of Victoria, as well as a member of several health-related advisory committees and boards.

Previously, as President of Azimuth Health Group, Dr. Zelmer was a strategic advisor to leaders who sought to advance health and healthcare at local, national, and international levels. Before that, she held senior leadership positions with Canada Health Infoway, the International Health Terminology Standards Development Organization, and the Canadian Institute for Health Information.

Dr. Zelmer received her PhD and MA in economics from McMaster University and her B.Sc. in health information science from the University of Victoria.

Maria Judd leads Healthcare Excellence Canada to accelerate change, working closely with colleagues and partners to shape the organization’s long-term strategy and identify and deliver new initiatives. Her portfolio includes cross cutting priority areas such as patient partnerships and Indigenous health.

A physiotherapist and epidemiologist by background, and NHS Quality and Safety Fellow, Maria brings a passion for healthcare improvement, and a patient-first perspective, that has evolved from her diverse roles within the health system as a community health centre board member, clinician, program manager and researcher. She was previously CFHI's Vice-President, Programs. In this capacity, Maria played a key role in CFHI’s evolution, including strategic planning, partnership development and the creation and implementation of new programs. 

Christine LaRocque has more than 25 years’ experience in leadership, communications and stakeholder engagement roles with not-for-profit and public sector organizations. During this time, she has had the privilege to collaborate with multi-disciplined teams on strategic opportunities to improve process and drive change. 

In her role as Vice-President, Operations and Impact, Christine provides strategic leadership to Healthcare Excellence Canada’s operational planning, delivery and performance activities and key corporate functions including finance and information technology and knowledge management. She is responsible for the systems and processes that support organizational excellence and that are aligned with the HEC’s mission and mandate.  

Previously, as Executive Director Organizational, Planning Delivery and Performance, Christine led HEC’s integration strategy and organizational transition work as a newly amalgamated organization and established the organizational delivery management approach.  

Prior to joining HEC, Christine worked at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario on transformational change initiatives, at WaterAid Canada as Director of Communications and Engagement and at the Canadian Paediatric Society as the Manager of Public Affairs where she was responsible for the national media relations strategy and initiatives to engage internal and external audiences to advance organizational priorities. 

Christine holds a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, a Bachelor of Social Science in Political Science from the University of Ottawa and a Diploma in Public Relations from Algonquin College. 

As the Executive Director, Healthcare Transformation and Capacity Building, Denise works to enable healthcare leaders and teams across Canada to enhance their ability to make improvements and to sustain them. Denise leads a team providing a focus for subject matter expertise and knowledge translation in key areas of Healthcare Excellence Canada’s mandate, such as patient safety and lived experience of patients, caregivers, and communities. Denise also lends her leadership to our team-based executive training program EXTRA and focus on leadership and governance.

Prior to joining Healthcare Excellence Canada, Denise worked at Interior Health as Director of Aboriginal Health and Mental Health and Addictions - Thompson, Cariboo. Her experience in healthcare leadership lends itself to understanding systems knowledge. Her lived experience as a Métis woman, patient and caregiver supports her passion for justice, equity, diversity and inclusion. Denise previously supported the Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement as an Indigenous coach and has supported Healthcare Excellence Canada since its inception as an Indigenous advisor.

Denise has been recognized for her many years of leadership in the not-for-profit sector with a Champion Mental Health Award from the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH). Closer to home in Kamloops, British Columbia, the YMCA awarded Denise with a Woman of Distinction Award. 

Joëlle is a People & Culture Leader with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, a master’s degree in international human resources and 15 years of work experience. She is fluent in English, French and Spanish, and has managed HR operations in 19 countries across North America, Latin America, Africa and Asia. Joëlle previously served as the Director of Human Resources at the Youth Services of Ottawa, and as Manager of HR Services for Cuso International. Her experience also includes leading HR Operations for the IFRC’s Haiti Earthquake Response Operations.

Joëlle is curious about the future of work and modern People & Culture practices. She is passionate about fostering a vibrant workplace culture rooted in people-centric policies, respect and a drive for excellence. 

Jan Byrd is passionate about co-designing policy that improves care quality and safety in healthcare systems and communities. Jan was an early adopter in the Canadian patient safety and quality movement, having worked at the Manitoba Institute for Patient Safety (MIPS), and at St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg, as Manager of Quality, Patient Safety, and Patient Relations for several years. Jan holds a Master’s degree, focused in Sociology of Health, Illness and Medicine; a Lean Certification; and the Certified Health Executive (CHE) designation from the Canadian College of Health Leaders (CCHL). In 2018, she was first runner up in The Great Canadian Healthcare Debate, at the National Health Leaders Conference in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Jan served two consecutive Ministerial Appointments on the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority Board of Directors, where she also Chaired the Board’s Quality and Safety Committee. Jan enjoys volunteering as the Chair of the Manitoba Chapter of the Canadian College of Health Leaders Board. Outside of work, Jan enjoys spending time with her two teens and their Australian Shepherd, Ace. Jan is also a classical soprano in Winnipeg’s premiere professional choir, The Winnipeg Singers.

Neil brings over 20 years of broad health system expertise to Healthcare Excellence Canada (HEC). Most recently, he oversaw the pan-Canadian quality improvement collaboratives at the former Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement (CFHI), including the Connected Medicine, INSPIRED COPD Scale and Advancing Frailty Care in the Community programs. Prior to this, Neil managed the Quality Improvement Program at Canadian Forces Health Services. He also delivered education and client support in rehab and mental health at the Canadian Institute for Health Information, where he also supported strategic initiatives, including the secondary use of health information in the electronic health record environment. He has extensive clinical experience as an Occupational Therapist in inpatient, ambulatory and community settings, and has been actively involved in quality improvement initiatives throughout his career.  

Neil was previously chair of the Quality Improvement Committee at the University Health Network, and a past co-chair of Emerging Health Leaders Ottawa. Neil holds a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from McGill University and a Master of Health Science in Health Administration from the University of Toronto. He continues to be a registered Occupational Therapist and is a Certified Health Executive with the Canadian College of Health Leaders. 

Colleen is passionate about making a difference in the healthcare system. She has practiced nursing clinically in addition to working in health program administration and policy environments over the past 15 years with different organizations including the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada, the Canadian Nurses Association, and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). At CIHR, she held several senior level positions including team lead of the Strategy for Patient Oriented Research at its inception and Director General of Governance. Colleen’s clinical, academic and real-world policy experience drives her ability to bring about innovative and integrated changes in complex environments.  Colleen holds a Master of Health Studies and Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and is bilingual in English and French.

Over the past 12 years, Nicole has worked in Indigenous health and wellness for a variety of Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations, including the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada and National Aboriginal Health Organization. Nicole’s work at these organizations focused on relationship building, partner engagement, governance, strategic planning, program implementation and knowledge mobilization. She has built and nurtured a broad network of relationships with national and regional First Nations, Inuit and Métis governments and organizations across Canada, partnering in the co-creation and implementation of strategic plans and funded initiatives. 

Nicole completed her undergraduate studies in anthropology and biology at the University of Toronto and Carleton University. She has a Master of Arts in Cultural Anthropology from Carleton University where her thesis focused on culturally safe Indigenous social work practice. She began her career in the field of knowledge translation and patient safety research with positions at the Ottawa Health Research Institute, Canadian Institutes for Health Research and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. As a woman of Métis and European descent with experience supporting Indigenous health and wellness in both Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations, Nicole is dedicated to supporting our collective journey towards reconciliation in Canada. 

As the Director, IT & Digital Transformation, Ali provides strategic leadership over HEC’s technology and knowledge systems. He brings over 20 years experience in IT and learning roles across both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. More recently, he served as Director, Learning Programs & Systems for Healthcare Excellence Canada. Ali holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta and a Masters of Science in Computer Information Systems from Boston University.

Melissa is a strong value-based leader, recognized for her ability to engage others and achieve results through strong partnerships and transforming the healthcare system. Melissa has two decades of extensive leadership experience across the continuum of care in both rural and urban settings in Newfoundland and Labrador. Throughout her career, Melissa has held progressive leadership roles, most recently, she was the Senior Director responsible for Primary Health Care and Community Services in the Eastern Urban zone of Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services. 

Melissa is a Certified Health Executive, LEAN green belt certified, Team Stepps Master Trainer and LEADS faculty member. Melissa was recognized for her leadership abilities as the recipient of the Eastern Health CEO Award of Excellence in Leadership in 2018 and 2022. In 2022, she received a Chapter Award for Distinguished service from the Canadian College of Health Leaders. Melissa brings her system level thinking and broad experience in healthcare operations and strategy to tell the story of Healthcare Excellence Canada’s impact through measurement and evaluation. 

Melissa holds a Bachelor of Science (Physiotherapy) from Dalhousie University as well as a Masters in Health Studies from Athabasca University and is in the process of completing a Masters in Business Administration in Executive Management from Royal Roads University. Melissa was born and raised in Labrador City, NL and now calls St. John’s, NL, home with her husband and two young daughters.

Natalie has more than 15 years of experience supporting not-for-profit and health-focused organizations strive for operational excellence. As Director of Organizational Planning and Delivery, she is responsible for leading the development of HEC’s annual operational plan, strengthening planning & delivery systems, and overseeing regulatory compliance & risk management activities. Natalie brings a practical, outcomes-focused approach to translating strategy into action in complex environments. She has worked at national and community-based health organizations, and has had roles in governance, communications and policy. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Carleton University.

Katrina King is a seasoned communications and marketing professional with over 15 years of experience across the not-for-profit, public, and healthcare sectors. A strategist at heart, she specializes in strategic communications, brand development, and engagement initiatives that help organizations amplify their impact and build stronger connections with the communities they serve.

Katrina began her career at an international public relations agency, supporting healthcare clients across government, non-profit, and private sectors. During this time, she also co-led the launch of a community-driven non-profit in northern Uganda focused on sport for development—an experience that deepened her lifelong commitment to community building and social impact.

She has since held senior roles with the Ontario Telemedicine Network, Actua, and Colleges and Institutes Canada. Career highlights include launching OTNhub, a secure virtual care platform; leading Actua’s national rebrand; and developing pan-Canadian engagement strategies to strengthen collaboration and advocacy across the post-secondary sector.

Now back in healthcare, Katrina brings her expertise full circle as she rejoins Healthcare Excellence Canada, having previously contributed through its predecessor, the Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement.

She holds a Bachelor of Communication Studies from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Graduate Certificate in Public Relations from Humber College.

As Director of Finance at Healthcare Excellence Canada (HEC), Zivanayi (Zi) is responsible for providing vision, leadership and direction in formulating strategies, programs, policies, and procedures relating to HEC’s financial affairs. He is also responsible for ensuring that HEC’s finances are managed in accordance with legislation, funding agreements, policies and procedures, and generally accepted accounting principles. In addition, he coordinates activities that are related to HEC’s Finance Investment and Audit Committee. 

Zi is a Chartered Professional Accountant with over 20 years of progressive accounting experience, both in large complex finance environments and in several not-for-profit organizations. Zi worked at Canada Post for several years before taking on a senior management position in the Finance Business Partner Services area with the Canadian Institute for Health Information. He joined the former Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement in June 2019. 

Carol has a unique mix of skills and experience in the healthcare system, spanning front-line clinician, educator, academic, leader and caregiver. She seeks to build and strengthen relationships, and engagement and partnership are central to her work. Carol has led the co-development and co-delivery of programs and activities that focus on the needs and priorities of patients, caregivers, and communities. A physical therapist by training, Carol also obtained a PhD at the Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation at the University of Toronto where her dissertation focused on patient engagement and storytelling for organizational learning and improvement. 

Jérôme has been a registered nurse for nearly 20 years. He holds a bachelor's degree in nursing and a master's degree in education from the Université de Sherbrooke, as well as a doctorate in nursing from the Université de Montréal. He worked in clinical and community settings, then in the university teaching network, and with the Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec. From 2019 to recently, he was assistant to the director of nursing at an integrated university center on the West Island of Montreal. In 2022, he received the Dr. Naimark Award for EXTRA - C16 cohort - from Healthcare Excellence Canada. Since August 2023, he is Director, Leadership Programs at Healthcare Excellence Canada. He is also an affiliate member of the specialized nurse practitioner program at McGill University.