Board of Directors
Stevenson Memorial Hospital Foundation: Board of Directors 2024 – 2025
The Stevenson Memorial Hospital Foundation is governed by our dedicated volunteer Board of Directors. Our Board is responsible for the governance and oversight of financials, operations, and fundraising activities of the corporation to ensure the fulfillment of new equipment and other needs of Stevenson Memorial Hospital as it continues to provide quality health care to our community.
The SMHF Board of Directors sets strategic direction, Board effectiveness, ensures financial and organizational viability and manages and builds relationships with community members.
Ted Vandevis / Board Chair
Ted was raised on a veal farm in Tecumseth Township and graduated from Civil Engineering in 1977. After graduation, he worked eleven years for Barrie Public Utilities Commission as a Water Plant Operator.
In 1988 he joined the Electrical & Utilities Safety Association (E&USA) as a field consultant and provided health and safety consultative services to water and electrical utilities around the Province. From 1998 to 2009 Ted was their President & CEO. He has presented numerous seminars and workshops, has been invited to speak at many industry functions throughout the globe, and takes a keen interest in strategic planning and organizational culture. He has written dozens of journal and newsletter articles and columns.
In 1996 he graduated from the University of Western Ontario, Ivey School of Business with a Masters in Business Administration, and in 2008 was awarded a Ph.D. from Capella University in Organization and Management.
He is/was a member and Chair of numerous local and international Boards and committees, most notably Chair of the Stevenson Memorial Hospital Board from 2007 to 2011. He presently lives with his wife Janet in Barrie, ON.
Gary Sim / Vice Chair
Now semi-retired, Gary has had a successful career leading a number of charitable foundations after beginning his career in marketing with some of Canada’s leading packaged goods corporations. Over the past 25 years, Gary has raised and managed in excess of $250 million in charitable donations through both annual campaigns as well as major capital campaigns.
Most recently Gary served as President of the L’Arche Canada Foundation, building that organization into a major national fundraising organization, serving individuals with intellectual disabilities. Prior to that, Gary also ran the fundraising for The Toronto Public Library Foundation, Havergal College, North York General Hospital Foundation, and The Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care Foundation.
Gary is passionate about improving the human condition and looks forward to playing a role in the success of the Because of You, We Can campaign.
Boris Pavlin / Treasurer
Boris is Corporate Director and retired National Accounting Partner with Ernst & Young. His past experience has been an asset to the Foundation Board. While at Ernst & Young, Boris acted as a consultant to clients and partners of his firm on difficult accounting issues related to innovative financing techniques, securitization, leasing, financial instruments derivatives, rate-regulated accounts, and Canadian and US regulatory matters.
Darlene Blendick / Director
Now retired, Darlene worked for 43 years in the prevention of occupational health and safety injuries, latterly as Vice President, Corporate Services. In this role, she was responsible for finance, human resources, communications and information technology. Married for 35+ years, Darlene has resided in Adjala-Tosorontio with her husband Bill since 2001 and is actively engaged in the community.
Darlene sat on the Stevenson Memorial Hospital Board and currently participates as a Board Director for the Foundation, contributing to various committees with her knowledge and passion for fundraising. Darlene is excited to be part of the redevelopment of the local hospital and the Because of you, we can campaign.
Giuseppe Decicco / Director
Giuseppe comes to us with 45 years of experience in the service industry. For 15 years, he helped grow the ALDO Shoes Group of retail stores across Canada, managing and overseeing operations of 125 stores.
He became an entrepreneur in 1994 and owned a well-established restaurant/bar in Toronto called The Swimming Pool for 15 years. The establishment hosted many events for the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation, Thalassemia Foundation, NHLPA Association Fundraisers, CHUM City Christmas Wish, etc.
Presently, Giuseppe has been working at Rogers Communications for 15 years, managing the infrastructure of services for corporate accounts across Canada.
Giuseppe participated in numerous charity foundations, including the Thalassemia Foundation of Canada, Million Dollar Smiles, and the annual Saturday Night Fever fundraiser event for the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation ….
His philosophy is to find the good in every aspect and matter that life has. He gains personal fulfillment through helping others and seeing them succeed.
Giuseppe has lived in Alliston for ten years and has watched this beautiful “town” evolve. He feels it is essential to continuously raise awareness of the SMH expansion and how lucky we are to have a hospital in our backyard.
Giuseppe strongly believes and is committed to the success of the Because of You, We Can Campaign.
Fayaaz Kala / Director
Fayaaz is currently working as a Sales Manager with RBC Insurance. Fayaaz has an extensive career in the financial service industry, as prior to RBC Fayaaz spent 11 years with TD Bank Financial Group. During this time Fayaaz received his yellow belt training in lean six sigma methodologies. Fayaaz’s experience and expertise fall within Operational Efficiency, Leadership, Sales Management and Change Management.
Fayaaz has always been passionate about giving back and prior to joining Stevenson Memorial Hospital Foundation, Fayaaz worked with various charity events, mainly with the United Way. When Fayaaz moved to Alliston in 2018 with his wife Kayla and two daughters Iyla and Rayna. Fayaaz had set a goal for himself to find a way to give back to the community in which he was residing, New Tecumseth. Giving back has always been at the core of Fayaaz and his family.
Fayaaz joined the Stevenson Memorial Hospital Foundation board in July of 2020 and has also been working with the Major Gifts Committee since March of 2020. Fayaaz is looking forward to being a part of the Because of you, we can Campaign and be part of the redevelopment of the hospital within our community.”
Zafar Khan / Director
Zafar is a dedicated and seasoned Business Architect with over 35 years of diverse experience across multiple industries and countries. With a proven track record in leadership, collaboration, and ethical integrity, Zafar excels in strategic planning, finance, advisory, and project development.
His extensive background includes owning and operating retail and wholesale fashion and electronic outlets and pioneering mobile repair as well as phone systems refurbishing services.
Actively engaged in community service, Khan has contributed to rebuilding efforts in Pakistan and Africa and supported immigrant integration in Canada. Fluent in five languages, he brings strong communication skills and a commitment to advancing Stevenson Memorial Hospital Foundation’s mission as a member of the Board of Directors.
Joseph Madsen / Director
Joseph was born at Stevenson Memorial and raised in Alliston. He has an appreciation for hard work after earning his Heavy Equipment Technician Certification. He transitioned to Real Estate with Faris Team in 2016 and has enjoyed building strong relationships with community members. He’s also managed several major renovation projects and a residential build from planning to completion so prioritizing and communicating are important skills for Joseph.
Lealand Sibbick / Director
Lealand has been a CPA-CGA involved in municipal finance for over 25 years. Most of that time he has been in a Treasurer role with the County of Simcoe. The responsibilities include the development of annual budgets and long-term financial plans, with significant project reporting.
Lealand became a member of the Stevenson Memorial Hospital Foundation Board in June 2015 and has previously been a member of the audit committee. Lealand is currently the Treasurer of the Foundation.
Lealand became a member of the Stevenson Memorial Hospital Foundation Board in June 2015 and has previously been on the audit committee. Lealand is currently the Treasurer of the Foundation.
Ann Somerville / Director
Ann is a CPA-CGA who has spent most of her career in non-profit organizations, including Municipal and Charitable Long-Term Care and Community Living. During her career within those organizations, she had connections with the Ministry of Health & Long-Term Care and the Ministry of Community and Social Services for budgeting and financial reporting.
Ann is also a Certified Long-Term Care Administrator and has a Certificate in Human Resources for CPAs.
She has lived in the Alliston and Adjala-Tosorontio area for almost 40 years. Her children were born in Stevenson Memorial Hospital as well as other relatives were born in the original hospital. Family members have also been part of the Hospital Auxiliary.
She is looking forward to joining the Stevenson Memorial Hospital Foundation Board and is excited about the opportunity to contribute to the redevelopment of our local hospital.
Jodi Walker / Director
Jodi is Registered Nurse who has been working in Healthcare Leadership for the last seven years. Six of those years at Stevenson Memorial Hospital, where she fell in love with the people and community. Prior to this, she practiced on the frontlines as a Maternal Child Nurse helping to deliver hundreds of babies.
As a wife and mom, Jodi is an active member of her community and has a passion for helping all members of society reach their fullest potential.
Jodi has experienced firsthand what the needs of the hospital are on many levels and the impact those needs have on our patients, staff, and available resources within the community. She looks forward to supporting the Stevenson Memorial Hospital Foundation and the journey to opening the doors of the new and improved hospital.