Our Board

Fayaaz Kala

Board Chair

Fayaaz Kala

Board Chair

Fayaaz is currently working as a Private Client Insurance Specialist with RBC Insurance. He 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, he received his yellow belt certification in lean six-sigma methodologies. His experience and expertise fall within Operational Efficiency, Leadership, Sales Management, customer service, and Change Management.

Fayaaz has always been passionate about giving back. Prior to joining the Stevenson Memorial Hospital Foundation, he worked with various charity events, mainly with the United Way. When he moved to Alliston in 2018 with his wife Kayla and two daughters, Iyla and Rayna, he 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.

He joined the Stevenson Memorial Hospital Foundation board in July 2020 and has also been working with the Major Gifts Committee since March 2020.

Gary Sim

First Vice Chair & Treasurer

Gary Sim

First Vice Chair & Treasurer

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 campaign.

Darlene Blendick

Secretary

Darlene Blendick

Secretary

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 campaign.

Giuseppe Decicco

Director

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, and many others.

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 campaign.

Zafar Khan

Director

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 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.

Ryan Shea

Director

Ryan Shea

Director

Ryan earned his Honours Bachelor of Kinesiology from McMaster University in 2004 and a Master’s in Physiotherapy in 2006. He has completed advanced training, including a Fellowship in Manual and Manipulative Therapy, certifications in acupuncture (AFCI), IMS, the McKenzie method, and shoulder physiotherapy courses. He is also certified in Concussion management and vestibular rehabilitation.

As an Associate Professor at McMaster, Ryan teaches Advanced Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy and co-founded The Real Running Course to help clinicians treat runners. He enjoys mentoring therapists pursuing FCAMPT.

Ryan specializes in working with runners, as well as individuals with spinal, shoulder, sports, and complex motor vehicle injuries or chronic pain. He lives in Alliston with his family, is active in the community, and manages a growing physiotherapy practice that started in 2011 and expanded in 2012 and 2013. In 2023, he opened South Simcoe Physiotherapy Tottenham, with plans for Beeton in 2026.

Outside work, Ryan is passionate about distance running, having completed several marathons, and aims to run one in every province. He also enjoys fishing, motorcycling, and traveling with his family.

Ann Somerville

Director

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.