Margaret Barrie

President

Margaret has both a clinical and business background in Cardiology as an Echocardiographer. She worked clinically at the Ottawa Hear Institute for many years and then went into the medical device industry working for industry leaders Toshiba, Hewlett-Packard and retired from GE Healthcare as the National Product Sales Manager. Her career gave her the opportunity to present and share her expertise globally.

Throughout her career, education was always a strong focus for Margaret. She went back to school to get a BSc and became a Professor at McMaster University. She went on to develop and coordinate the first and only full time accredited educational program for Echocardiography in Canada.

Janice Fisher

Director

Janice Fisher attended HBA Ivey Business School, Western University and was born and raised in Elgin County and with her husband have raised their family here. Throughout the years she has lent her expertise to a number of community, church, and sports organizations, as well as working in the seniors and the social service sectors. In 2019 Janice crossed paths with others involved with the Inn and knew when an opportunity to be on the Board came up in 2020 that this was a way she could serve.

Melanie Rowley

Director

Melanie Rowley was a Housing-Based Case Manager through the Youth Homelessness Protocol at the YWCA St. Thomas-Elgin before returning to school to complete a Master of Social Work degree from Kings University College at Western University. Melanie is a registered social worker and brings passion for and knowledge of our community through a social work framework, to support the important work of the Inn.

Susan McConnery

Director

Susan McConnery has worked in the accounting field for over 35 years with over 10 years as a CPA. She has worked in various industries including manufacturing, government and health care. Susan has been involved in other community initiatives involving poverty prevention and animal rehabilitation.

Joyce Dittrich

Director

Joyce Dittrich has been legal counsel for the Family and Children's Services since 2004. Through her work with society to support youth, children and families she has learned the impact that coming together as a community can have on improving the lives of others.

Denise House

Director

As retired Director Human Resources (CHRL), Community Living Elgin, Denise has overall close to 30 years in the not for profit sector. Her experience has shown how community partnerships and the dedication of all stakeholders can make a positive difference.

Steven

Bogart

Steve Bogart is a lifelong resident of St. Thomas. He is a 28-year veteran of the St. Thomas Police Service and currently holds the role of Staff Inspector of Operations at the St. Thomas Police Service. Further, he has been selected as the incoming Deputy Chief of Police in St. Thomas, commencing in June of 2025. Steve resides locally in St. Thomas with his wife, daughter, son, and family dog Ollie. Steve has a strong sense of community and has been a volunteer for years with various local charities and groups. In his spare time, Steve is a sports enthusiast and enjoys outdoor time with his family.

Katherine

Englander

Katherine Englander is a Human Resources professional, a part-time instructor at Fanshawe College and a leadership/executive coach. She is the founder of HRP4B Inc., which recently rebranded as The HR Business Group. She holds a BA in French and psychology; a Certificate in HR Management, an HR Business Partner Certificate, a certificate in Life Coaching, and is a Personality Dimensions facilitator. She is a member of the Human Resources Professional Association, and she currently serves as the volunteer Chair of the Better Business Bureau of Western Ontario. Katherine enjoys life in Port Stanley with her spouse, Brad and miniature rescue poodle Piper. Brad and Katherine have 5 adult children.

David

Remy

With over 15 years of healthcare leadership experience, David brings a wealth of knowledge in emergency care, Indigenous health, quality improvement, and patient advocacy. His background includes roles such as Manager of the Emergency Department at University Hospital and Director of Client Care at an Indigenous Primary Health Care Team. He has secured over $2 million in funding, built strong community partnerships, and developed care models that prioritize both efficiency and dignity. A proud St. Thomas resident, David lives with his wife, three children, and their dog, and holds a Master of Science in Nursing Leadership from Western University.