BOARD OF GOVERNORS

Since 1962, Northwood has been changing lives, from one powerful community meeting to becoming Atlantic Canada’s leading provider of long-term care, home care, and affordable housing.

As Northwood continues to grow and evolve—with a more diverse team, resident population, and broader community reach—we are always seeking new Board members who reflect the voices and perspectives of those we serve. If you’re passionate about inclusive leadership and building stronger communities, we’d love to hear from you.

Board Commitment and Meeting Schedule

The Board of Governors meets in the evening on the first Monday of each month, from September through June. In addition to the full Board meetings, members also serve on one of three standing committees: Finance & Audit Committee, Safety & Quality Committee, or Governance Committee. Each committee meets once per month during the same period. There are no regular meetings scheduled in July or August.

Board Composition

In selecting individuals to serve on the Northwood Board, we consider the skills sets required by the Board using a combination of scanning results, dialogue at the Board table, reviewing internal and external factors that the organization may be facing facing in the future and looking at the directions being pursued by Northwood in the next number of years.

We further nominate new members to our Board based on a number of considerations including how the candidate’s contribution will compliment the strengths of other Board members, range of skills, interest, knowledge, diversity and available volunteer time.

The Northwood Board continually works to ensure representation of senior leaders in the following areas :

Finance & Accounting
Project Management & Engineering Human Resources
Academic & Research Quality & Risk
Advocacy Strategy & Leadership
Government Relations / Public Sector Governance / Board Experience
Marketing & Communications
Quality & Risk
Strategy & Leadership
Human Resources
IT & Cybersecurity
Healthcare Leadership & Administration
Real Estate & Development
Legal

Northwood’s Board of Governors is elected by the corporate membership at its annual general meeting in June.

Each member serves a regular term of three years.
There are no less than ten and no more than fourteen people on the Board at any one time.

Board’s Role

As a “committee of the whole,” the Board sets organizational ends, develops policies that provide clear direction to the Chief Executive Officer for the successful operation of the organization and monitors whether these policies are being successfully met within the limitations set.
The Board realizes its strategic direction and governs Northwood through active and effective governance mechanisms that include: Ends Policies; Executive Requirements; Governance Process and Northwood Board’s Reserve Decisions.
The Board establishes and maintains an interactive relationship with the community it serves and in relation to established strategic directions.
The Board performs an advocacy role as appropriate and required.

Questions concerning board activities, or about joining the board should be directed to boardinquiries@nwood.ns.ca

THE NORTHWOOD BOARD OF GOVERNORS

Gavin Stuttard, Chair

Gavin has over 20 years’ experience practicing corporate law in Canada and the United States, with a focus on transactional and corporate governance matters. 

After growing up in Halifax, Gavin studied and articled in Toronto and practiced in California before returning home in 2006.  Gavin is active in the community, currently serving on non-profit boards in youth sports and the arts, in addition to his role with Northwood.

Barbara Hall

Barbara is a retired senior health executive with experience in healthy policy, health reform, acute and community care. She was an Accreditation Canada fellow for many years and has a passion for Patient safety and quality.

She has been on several national and provincial boards including the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia. She is a champion of intellectual philanthropy and believes we have a responsibility to pass on wisdom, learnings, and knowledge throughout our lifetime.

She is also a volunteer for St John Ambulance with her therapy dog Jack.

Bill Book

William Book retired from a highly successful 37 year banking career that culminated with a Senior Management role as Vice President and Regional General Manager with Canadian Western Bank.

Bill has extensive Board experience in the Not-For-Profit sector – Alberta Diabetes Foundation, Better Business Bureau, Central and Northern Alberta, and the Halifax Harbour Bridges.

Bill grew up in Berwick and attended Acadia University. Since returning home he has focused his time on family, local Board and committee. He is an avid golfer, plays old timers hockey and enjoys many outdoor activities.

Lois Block

Lois Block is a retired social worker, having worked for many years with the Department of Community Services. During her employment, Block was involved in the development and implementation of policies and initiatives pertaining to staff, including service delivery initiatives, and succession management.

Block holds a Master’s in Social Work Degree, McGill University and a Masters in School Psychology, Mount Saint Vincent University. She has volunteered in community organizations, and has served on the Board of several not-for-profit boards in HRM, including Northwood.

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Michael Sherar

Michael Sherar  is currently sitting as a per diem Judge of the Provincial Court of Nova Scotia. He has been a Judge of that Court for over three decades. 

During his professional career he has volunteered for numerous organizations and has sat on and Chaired several cultural and philanthropic Boards. Sherar is a resident of Halifax. 

Rhonda Church

Rhonda Church spent over three decades working in health care in various roles including as a full service family physician, emergency room physician, hospitalist and physician consultant to Nova Scotia Medical Services Insurance (MSI). She is a past president and former board chair of Doctors Nova Scotia and former board member of the Canadian Medical Association where she also chaired the organization’s Committee on Health Care and Promotion.

She has a special interest in health care system safety and is the co-author of a book for Canadians on health care system safety.

Sean Marguarett

Sean Margueratt is a biotechnology executive and co-founder of DeCell Technologies Inc., with over 20 years of leadership in medical devices, biologics, and healthcare innovation. As a board member at Northwood Care, he contributes expertise in strategic planning, quality systems, and change management to help advance care for seniors across Nova Scotia.

Sean also serves on national advisory boards in tissue banking and is committed to driving innovation and excellence in continuing care.

Rachelle Williams

Rachelle is a Social Worker who's been with the Department of Opportunities and Social Development for 20 years. She is currently a director with Diversity, Equity, and Engagement division and has experience and knowledge in developing and delivering programs and services to diverse populations. Rachelle holds a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Social Work from Dalhousie University.

Rachelle is from the community of East Preston and enjoys spending time with family, and friends, shopping, and traveling. She is active in her church community and enjoys helping others. Rachelle is committed to lifelong learning and growing.

Roberto Menendez

Roberto has over 15 years’ experience working in the Canadian and cross-border banking industry, federal government, public and private institutions. He is currently a Managing Director in a large Canadian financial institutions’ Corporate Finance practise. Roberto is an experienced senior financial and banking leader who has worked on transactions in Canada and the US.

Roberto’s expertise includes financial reporting, auditing/internal controls, mergers and acquisitions and financial transactions and banking.

Roberto has a history of community involvement and is an active volunteer. He enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids.

Susanne Willett

Susanne is a semi-retired accountant. She qualified as a CPA, CA and brings with her over 25 years with senior financial management experience in a variety of industries between Halifax, Toronto and Fredericton. For the last decade, Susanne has been a consultant and fractional CFO, residing in Halifax.

Having been a caregiver herself, Susanne appreciates the legacy and leadership role of Northwood in the community. Susanne has served on a number of non-profit boards including Food Banks Canada and St. Thomas University.

Amongst her pastimes, Susanne loves to garden, cook and cater to her two dogs.

Vicki Black

Vicki Black is a social worker and career civil servant with the Department of Opportunities and Social Development.  Currently a director in the Disability Support Program, she has extensive experience in policy and program development and implementation. She holds undergraduate degrees from Kings College and Dalhousie University and a Master of Social Work from Dalhousie University. 

She and her family have a special interest and affinity for Northwood, as her mother is a current resident at Ivany Place.