Board of Directors
2025-2026

A life-long resident of Blind River, Chris has worked in the community as a volunteer on multiple boards, and has raised three lovely daughters with his wife Suzanne. Chris was an employee at the Cameco refinery for over 38 years, of which he was the General Manager for the final nineteen years of his career.

 

A graduate engineer, Chris brings a varied viewpoint to programs and operations to the various boards he has sat on, and he continues to look forward to being able to give back to the community.

 

 

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Lisa is an experienced finance executive and strategic leader. Lisa retired in 2021 after a 30-year career at the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation where she was the Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, responsible for the company’s overall financial management and multiple corporate functions including financial planning, controllership, procurement, finance strategy, and corporate facility management. Lisa then joined iGaming Ontario, a newly formed agency of the Province as an Industry Financial Advisor where she helped establish the various finance functions for this start up organization.

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Lisa has demonstrated experience in providing stewardship and advice to executives and other business partners, influencing corporate decisions and processes that support an accountability framework and regulatory legislation compliance.  A positive, results-focused coach and mentor she likes to develop strong leaders and create a culture of continuous improvement within and across teams. Lisa obtained a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1985 and achieved her CPA designation in 1990. Lisa is an active volunteer in her community and is former Chair of the Board of Directors for the Sault Area Hospital. Lisa is a native to the Algoma region and in 2020, she and her husband returned to the area and built their retirement home on Lake Lauzon where they love to spend time with their family.

Amanda is a Senior Director at RBC in Technology and Operations, where she leads tech support strategies that serve 90,000 employees, focusing on innovation, efficiency, and enhanced user experiences. With over a decade of experience, Amanda has implemented solutions such as AI chatbots and skills-based routing while driving cost-saving initiatives for the bank.

Amanda also Chairs the NSHN Foundation Board of Directors.

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Outside of work, Amanda enjoys fishing, lounging at her lakeside property, and spending time with her husband Ian, and stepdaughter Teagan.

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James is a Physician Assistant (PA) in the field of cardiovascular medicine with more than thirty years experience in the role. PAs are highly trained healthcare providers who partner with physicians to diagnose and treat patients in all areas, especially primary care and emergency medicine. PAs have been expanding in Canada since 2007, working autonomously under indirect physician supervision carrying out most of the same duties performed by an MD, thereby caring for patients as physician extenders.  PAs are like NPs (nurse practitioners) however their training is more along a physician model than the nursing model of an NP.

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Originally from Sault Ste. Marie and now residing on St. Joseph Island after a long hiatus in Boston, James recently joined the NSHN board last fall in an effort to improve patient access and customer experience through the expansion of PAs in Northern Ontario communities. He previously served on the board of a ski academy and is hoping to have a meaningful impact on team-oriented healthcare along the North Shore now that he’s come home.

As a management consultant and board director, Allison brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, sharing her expertise in business strategy and operational effectiveness.  She is a trusted advisor to CEOs and boards. Allison is an entrepreneurial, highly accomplished director, whose experience and insights are invaluable to the companies and boards she serves having worked with public, private, NFP and family businesses in North America and Europe. 

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Allison lives in Oakville but spends a lot of time at her family cottage on Lake Duborne. Married with one son, she follows in her mother’s footsteps in serving the community she was born and grew up in. 

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Doug left the Ontario Public Service in 1998 after a career spanning service in five Ontario Government Ministries and several municipal government organizations.  He then established a successful international consulting practice. 

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Although now fully retired, Doug continues to contribute his time and expertise as a volunteer with local government committees and as a member of the NSHN Foundation and the NSHN Board of Directors. His strong communication and organizational skills give him a flair for consultation and facilitation. Doug has traveled extensively throughout his career and brings a broad perspective to his work.

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Hugh has a background in medical research and in medical diagnostics. Initially a Research Associate working in drug discovery at Queens University and McMaster University, he went on to co-found Affinity Biologicals Inc, a developer and manufacturer of research and diagnostic laboratory products worldwide. After 35 years as President, the business was sold and Hugh continued as Chief Scientific Officer until retiring in 2021.

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Hugh has strong family ties to the North Shore, and post-retirement moved to Thessalon with wife Patricia and were later joined by our two daughters and their families, one living on St. Joseph’s Island, the other in Sault Ste. Marie.

Allan has a wide range of experience with Indigenous not-for-profit entities as well as the Canadian Banking System and the Provincial Credit Union system. Prior to being appointed C.E.O. for Mamaweswen the North Shore Tribal Council, he was their Chief Administrative Officer and Financial Comptroller. Allan started his career working for one of the ‘Big Five” Canadian Banks but wanted to work supporting Indigenous Communities and organizations. As a result, he has spent the last 25 years working directly and indirectly supporting First Nation Communities.

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Allan’s education includes a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with a Management Concentration. Having grown up in Elliot Lake, he is glad to be contributing to the North Shore Area while enjoying the time on summer weekends at Chiblow Lake. Allan lives in Blind River with his wife, teenage daughter, and a lazy dog.

James has many years of experience in healthcare, most of them as a pharmacist and owner, along with his wife Donna, of Main Street Pharmacy in Thessalon. He also spent time as a councillor and mayor of Thessalon, during which time, the preservation and advancement of healthcare in the area was at the forefront. 

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James was born in Sault Ste. Marie, is a University of Toronto graduate, moved to Thessalon in 1994 and resides there with his wife Donna, daughter Jamie, son Marc and 2 black labs, JellyBean and JuJube.

Peyton Pitawanakwat is a proud Michi Saagiig/Aanishinaabe kwe from Misswezahging (Mississauga First Nation). Her community is located along the North Shore of Lake Huron, where she continues to be actively involved through various leadership roles. However, she has built a longstanding career within the environment sector.

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Peyton is dedicated to advancing Indigenous peoples' rights, protecting the environment, and furthering change to move equality forward and empower marginalized communities. Her educational background has focused on Environmental Protection & Compliance, Environmental Geography, and Public Administration & Governance.

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Peyton resides within the area with her husband and daughter, together they enjoy being active on the land and participating in local community functions.

Mark holds B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Mathematics and Physics from McMaster University. He was a Professor of Physics at Memorial University of Newfoundland from 1977 to 2004, where he also held various academic administrative positions, including Associate Dean (Research) from 1997 to 2000. In 2004, he moved to the University of Manitoba for a ten-year term as Dean of Science. After completing his term as Dean, Mark founded and led the Faculty of Science Indigenous Achievement Initiative for three years until his retirement and move to Blind River in 2017. 

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In addition to his academic and administrative roles, Mark has served on and/or chaired several local, regional and national boards of directors. The overall focus of his career has been fostering the success of others. He and his wife live on the shores of Lake Duborne, and revel in the outdoor activities Blind River offers.