Executive Team
- Kelly Simpson, Executive Director
- Rachel Stack, Director of Strategy & Quality
- Misty Gray, Director of Clinical Services
- Scott Coleby, Director of Clinical Services
- Paul Vandenberg, Director of Human Resources
- Depo Ogunruku, Director of Finance
- Sherri Simms, Executive Assistant
Board of Directors
Sally Zandri, Board Chair
Sally Zandri is passionate about improving the lives of children and families through exceptional mental health care. She has held leadership positions within The May Court Club of London, being a member for over 30 years. May Court’s commitment to Vanier Services continues after 50 years of financial and community support. As a past president and board member of May Court, she has been aware and invested in the continued success of Vanier.
Sally also brings healthcare managerial experience from working more than thirty years at LHSC before recently retiring. Working for a charity and a healthcare organization has allowed her to view Vanier and its challenges from 2 different lenses and bring ideas and support to the Board.
Being nominated to serve on the Vanier Children’s Services Board is an honour, personally and as part of a longstanding partnership with The May Court of London.
Paul Levac, Secretary
Paul Levac of London has over 30 years of experience in the Education Sector. Paul has held various positions such as Teacher, Department Head, Principal as well as Superintendent of Education. He has been employed by the French Language Health Planning Entity Erie St. Clair\Sud-Ouest since 2017 as a Planning Officer and as the Interim Executive Director since July 2020.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law and Justice, a diploma in Public Administration including a Teaching Certificate from Laurentian University, and a Master’s degree in Arts, Political Science, and Judicial Administration from Brock University.
Born and raised in Sturgeon Falls, Ontario Paul has been residing in London since 1991. Paul brings to the Board his knowledge of the school environment, his understanding of special needs including rehabilitation and mental health and wellness.
Meredith McEwan, Co-Vice Chair
Meredith McEwan is a Continuous Improvement Specialist at Libro Credit Union, where she has worked since 2015. Her experiences at this community-focused organization expanded her desire to give back to the community and encouraged her to find ways to do so.
In 2017, she graduated from McMaster University with an Honours Bachelor of Science Degree in Life Sciences, minoring in Psychology. She also holds a Graduate Diploma in Applied Health Sciences from Western University. Growing up in Goderich Ontario, she volunteered in multiple capacities in the Public Health field. This and other experiences lead to her passion for mental health awareness and health promotion. While she does not currently work in the health field, she hopes to use her passion, continuous improvement mindset, and leadership aspirations to create a positive impact on Vanier and the community it serves.
Hilary Di Crescenzo, Treasurer
Hilary has more than twenty years of progressive leadership experience, more than half of which has been within the healthcare industry. She is currently accountable for leading a team responsible for a budget of over $530 million and all related financial reporting requirements.
Hilary is also a mother who has first hand experience navigating a complex system for mental health services for her child. She is excited to use her skill set to support an amazing organization and help families in similar circumstances.
Krista Vogt, Co-Vice Chair
Dr. Krista Vogt has been working in the post-secondary sector for over 20 years. Her passion is working with youth through their transition to adulthood. Krista has worked as a teacher, overseas and in BC and has held positions involved in student leadership development, academic advising, and international exchanges. Krista is currently a Senior Associate Registrar at Fanshawe College. A strong advocate of mental wellness, Krista has developed campus-wide mental health strategies and works to integrate mental wellness into college policy and practice. Krista holds a Master’s degree from Simon Fraser University and earned her Ph.D. in Education from the University of Toronto. Originally from Edmonton, Alberta, Krista has been living in London since 2005 with her husband and two children. This is Krista’s first board experience and she is eager to learn and contribute.
Zoe Ritchie
Zoe Ritchie is a recently returned Londoner and Ph.D. student within the Faculty of Health Sciences at Western University. Her research focuses on developing best practices to navigate legal and ethical challenges in clinical pediatric care. She holds membership in the Canadian Bioethics Society and the American Society for Bioethics and Humanities. Professional experiences in government and the wider public affairs sector, during her time living in Toronto, fuel her passion for creating communities that are responsive to the needs of children and their families. She feels privileged to have the opportunity to learn from Vanier’s service users and contribute to the future direction of the organization.
Greg Lavoie
Greg Lavoie attended the University of Windsor where he received his undergraduate degree and his Bachelor of Education. He taught in Europe upon his graduation and moved to London after his return to Canada. He is bilingual and spent 10 years working for the French Catholic School Board in London and is currently employed as a Principal with the Thames Valley District School Board.
Greg has previous experience working as a member of a board of directors of a children’s mental health organization and brings with him a thorough understanding of the educational system and the challenges that today’s youth are facing.
Born in Belle River Ontario, Greg now lives in Old South with his wife and 3 school aged children.
Bayly Guslits
Bayly is a born and raised Londoner. Bayly completed her BA in International Relations and MA in Political Science at Western University. After spending a few years away in Ottawa for law school, she returned to London to work as a Family and Child Protection Lawyer with Harrison Pensa LLP. Bayly is a passionate advocate for children’s mental health and family wellness. She is an active member of her synagogue and involved with the Middlesex Family Law Association. Bayly is excited and energized to be giving back to the community with Vanier’s innovative team.
Mariana Peres Toledo
Mariana Peres Toledo was born in Brazil and immigrated to Canada in 2012. Mariana completed her B.A. in Economics at Carleton University in 2015 and her Civil and Common Law Degree at McGill University in 2018. She lived in the Provinces of Quebec and New Brunswick and settled in Ontario when she started working as a Personal Injury lawyer with Siskinds LLP in 2020. Since she arrived in London, Mariana has been treated with kindness and has been well supported by the London community. By joining Vanier, Mariana hopes to give back to the community. Proud and thankful for being part of Vanier’s Board of Director, Mariana is excited to learn with the Vanier community and contribute to Vanier’s inspiring mission.
Samrat Raj
Samrat is a highly accomplished physician executive leader with over a decade of experience in clinical medicine, clinical research, medical education, and medical administration. After completing his MD in 2009, he pursued post-graduate training in General Surgery, achieving certification in 2014, and subsequently establishing a thriving surgical practice in India. Driven by a profound understanding of healthcare intricacies, he has excelled in diverse healthcare settings, encompassing hospitals, private clinics, academic medical centers, and research institutions. This extensive background enables him to effectively bridge the divide between clinical practice and strategic decision-making, ultimately leading to enhanced patient outcomes and organizational performance. His formidable expertise is complemented by an Executive MBA and a strong commitment to governance and board membership. He also holds a certificate in Good Governance from Colleges Ontario. As a former Member of the Board of Governors at Fanshawe College, he played a pivotal role in shaping strategic priorities and ensuring compliance with pertinent laws and regulations. Currently, he serves as a member of the Board of Directors for Scientific Advisory at Rytol Bioscience. In his leisure time, he derives enjoyment from reading, nature walks, and cherished moments with his family. Samrat joined the Board of Directors in October 2023.
Jean-Marc Boisvenue
Contact:
If you want to contact the Vanier Board of Directors, please email Vanier Board.
If your inquiry is with respect to operations, please contact the Executive Director.