Board of Directors

Mr. Steven Brookshaw

Mr. Brookshaw is the executive vice president at TFI International where he manages their specialized groups and companies. He has been a member of the Finance Committee for the Brantford Country Club for the past 10 years and holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts from Wilfrid Laurier University. Over the years, Mr. Brookshaw has developed experience in finance, accounting, business management, strategic planning and leadership.

Mr. Brent Cain

Mr. Cain is a lifelong resident of Brant County and has been a member of The County of Brant Fire Department since 1995, with a current rank of District Chief at Station #2 Airport. He has been a dedicated volunteer firefighter for many years and is currently a member of the County of Brant Critical Incident Stress Management Team for Fire and Paramedics and a two-time committee member for Master Fire Planning with The County of Brant.  Mr. Cain also took over his family dairy business, Rovelon Farm, in addition to being the director with the Brant County Milk Producers.

Ms. Maggie Copeland

Ms. Copeland is the Community Health Nurse/Supervisor of the community health program for the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation. Ms. Copeland is a Registered Nurse, having graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Ryerson University. She has extensive pediatric and adult nursing experience at various healthcare facilities in the region, including McMaster Children's Hospital and Hamilton Health Sciences Centre.  Ms. Copeland is currently a member of the Indigenous Health Network of the Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant Local Health Integration Network.  Ms. Copeland is a member of the Fisher River Cree Nation and has lived in Brantford for 28 years.

Mr. David Corbett is a highly successful leader in the financial services industry, currently serving Director of Cash Management at the FirstOntario Credit Union. He is passionate about volunteering and community involvement and he has given much of his time to organizations like United Way, Thrive Child Services, Home Suite Hope, and has served as a mentor for new Canadians through Mohawk College and the United Way. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, a Commercial Lending Certificate, and is a Certified Credit Union Manager.

Mr. David Diegel

Mr. Diegel is a private planning consultant for community-based health and social service agencies and networks.  Prior to establishing his own consultancy, Mr. Diegel worked for the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and the Ministry of Children and Youth Services.  In addition, he previously served as a health planner for the Grand River District Health Council.  Mr. Diegel recently completed a certificate in Not-For-Profit governance from the Institute of Corporate Directors and the Rotman School of Management.  He also holds a Master's degree from Wilfrid Laurier University. Mr. Diegel lives in Brantford and is the current Chair of the Grand River Community Health Centre and a Board Member of Brant Family and Children Services.

Mrs. Teresa Doolittle

Mrs. Doolittle is a member of Six Nations of the Grand River. She has held various roles with Six Nations enterprises and Six Nations Elected Council, including Six Nations Public Works, First Nations Engineering and the Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation. Mrs. Doolittle has a Diploma in General Business from Mohawk College and is currently working on her Certified Human Resources Professional Designation.

Mr. Paul Emerson 

Mr. Emerson is a native of Paris and the recently retired Chief Administration Officer of the Count of Brant, overseeing all County of Brant programs and staff and reporting directly to County of Brant Council. Prior to that role Mr. Emerson was the CAO of the Grand River Conservation Authority. In addition, Mr. Emerson has volunteered locally with the Canadian Cancer Society, Hear & Stroke Foundation, Canadian Diabetes Society and the Brant United Way. Mr. Emerson has been appointed the Chair of the BCHS Board of Directors.

Ms. Annette Gillis

Ms. Gillis is a Registered Nurse who has previously served on the BCHS and BCHS Foundation Board of Directors. Ms. Gillis is a passionate advocate for local healthcare and before retiring held managerial positions at Grand River Hospital, St. Joseph Healthcare System, St. Mary's General Hospital and London Health Sciences Centre. In those roles, Ms. Gillis consistently looked for and implemented innovative ways to improve patient care.  Ms. Gillis lives in Brantford and is currently vice-chair of the BCHS Community Engagement Council.

Mr. Naser Hamed

Mr. Hamed is an Information Technology specialist with deep experience in managing IT projects and Construction projects. He currently is a System Administrator for Apotex Pharmachem.  Mr. Hamed has a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, a Diploma in Business Administration and is a Microsoft Certified Professional. Mr. Hamed has extensive volunteer experience in the community and he is the President of the Palestinian Association of Brantford and the Vice President of the Muslim Association of Brantford.

Ms. Kim Laush

Ms. Laush is currently the Associate Dean of the Community Studies Department at Mohawk College. She also has experience as a corrections officer, elementary school teacher, youth mental health worker and associate dean in other departments. Her education focuses primarily on community, education and leadership and she has acquired a BA in Social Development Studies, as well as her BEd, MEd, and EdD.

Mr. Vernon Payne

Mr. Payne has been a Brantford resident for 46 years was a classroom educator and principal for the Grand Erie District School Board prior to his retirement.  Mr. Payne is currently the Chair of the Brantford Caribbean Association and is Chair of the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee for the City of Brantford.  He is also a board member of Brant Family and Children's Services.

Mr. Peter Quinlan (Chair)

Mr. Quinlan is a practicing litigation lawyer with Waterous Holden Amey Hitcheon LLP in Brantford. Mr. Quinlan has a law degree from Queen's University and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Toronto. Before returning to law school, he taught high school for three years.  Mr. Quinlan was called to the Ontario Bar in 1980 and in addition to his legal practice, he serves as a Deputy Judge of the Superior Court of Ontario.  He is currently on the Board of Directors of Brant-Brantford Crimestoppers and a former Director of the Chamber of Commerce and W Ross MacDonald Foundation.

Dr. Mackenzie Slifirez

Born and raised in Brantford, Dr. Slifierz has a Ph.D. in infectious diseases from the University of Guelph.  Dr. Silfierz is an epidemiologist at the City of Hamilton (Public Health) and a part-time academic instructor in the health studies program at the Brantford campus of Wilfrid Laurier University. Dr. Slifierz has extensive research experience with a wide array of publications and presentations. He is a member of the Association of Public Health Epidemiologists in Ontario.