BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
We are recruiting! Strongest Families Institute Board of Directors nominations are now open. If you have a passion mental health and want to give back to your community, please consider this opportunity to join our team of dedicated professionals. Board Members meet four times per year and offer their expertise in helping to steward the important work we do.
As part of our commitment to inclusivity, diversity, equity and accessibility, our goal is a structure that reflects the community.
To learn more about this opportunity, please review our recruitment PDF.BOD.Posting _SFI
Patrick McGrath
Chair of the Board
Patrick McGrath, OC, PhD. FRSC, FCAH co-founder of Strongest Families Institute, joined the Board of Directors of the Strongest Families Institute from inception and has been Chair of the Board since then. His research, mentorship and health care leadership have been recognized by an appointment to the Order of Canada and election to the Royal Society of Canada and the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. With Dr. Pottie, he won the Manning and Governor General Awards for Innovation for his work with Strongest Families Institute. Dr. McGrath is a practicing clinician at the Centre for Medical and Psychological Health, and an Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry at Dalhousie University. His extensive career has included being a clinician, researcher, administrator and social entrepreneur.
Robert Hunt
Board Treasurer
Robert Hunt joined the Board of Directors of the Strongest Families Institute in November of 2011. Rob serves as the Board Treasurer, a role he has held since joining the board in November 2011. Robert is a Partner with Grant Thornton and is a chartered professional accountant and chartered accountant, licensed insolvency trustee, Fellow Chartered Insolvency & Restructuring Professional, a member of the Insolvency Institute of Canada, and has been awarded the Fellow CPA designation.
Fae J. Shaw
Fae J. Shaw, Q.C. joined the Board of Directors of the Strongest Families Institute in June of 2015. Fae is a Partner with the law firm of McInnes Cooper where she practices primarily in the areas of corporate, M&A and corporate finance.
Grant Sullivan
Grant Sullivan joined the Board of Directors of the Strongest Families Institute in June of 2016. Grant is Director General for the National Research Council’s Industrial Research Assistance Program in Atlantic and Nunavut. Grant brings with him to the Board his experience as a seasoned business executive, leadership qualities and skills as a graduate professor, entrepreneur and engineer.
Elizabeth Snide
Liz Snide joined the Board of Directors of the Strongest Families Institute in November of 2017. Liz is the VP of Finance at Iron Dog Inc. and is a chartered professional accountant and certified management accountant.
Glen LeBlanc
Glen LeBlanc joined the Board of Directors of the Strongest Families Institute in February of 2018. Glen is the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, BCE & Bell Canada. Glen’s vast financial executive and board experience, as well as, his volunteer involvement with NS Charities provides a valuable asset to the Strongest Families Board of Directors.
Dr. David Lovas
Dr. David Lovas joined the Board of Directors of the Strongest Families Institute in April of 2018. Dr. Lovas is the physician co-leader of the Emergency Mental Health & Addictions Service (EMHAS) at the IWK Health Centre. Dr. Lovas is the Program Director of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Residency Program and Assistant Professor with the Department of Psychiatry at Dalhousie University.
Patricia Murray
Patricia Murray joined the Board of Directors of the Strongest Families Institute in November of 2019. Patricia Murray is retired from the Department of Health and Wellness, Mental Health and Addictions Branch. She served as Director of Children's Services, Acting Executive Director and finally Special Advisor to the Associate Deputy Minister on Mental Health and Addictions. She previously worked at the IWK as Director of Ambulatory Services in the Mental Health and Addictions Program. She has held both chair and director positions on several boards which provided services to children, seniors and families.
Jen Richard
Jen Richard joined the Board of Directors of the Strongest Families Institute Board in January of 2020. Jen is People Services and Payroll Operations Manager for Admiral Insurance. Her expertise is in Human Resources providing guidance and advisory direction to senior level executives in employee engagement, performance and morale.
Shawna Paris-Hoyte
Shawna Paris-Hoyte joined the Board of Directors of the Strongest Families Institute in February 2021. Shawna is an inter-professional and multidisciplinary university educator, a practising clinical social worker, lawyer, and the founding Director of the National Institute of Forensic Social Work. Shawna has provided services to children and families for over four decades and is a sought after speaker on issues related to racial trauma which is the focus of her doctoral research
Kristy Wolfe
Kristy Wolfe joined the Board of Directors of the Strongest Families Institute in June 2021. Her family originally became acquainted with the Strongest Families Institute when they participated in the Parents Empowering Kids program. Kristy brings with her a variety of experiences within education, healthcare and non-profit sectors throughout Alberta.