If you would like to contact any of LWDHF’s Directors, we can be reached by using the contact form below, or email:  lwdhf@lwdh.on.ca

Chair

Ashley Hendy
Implementation Support Coach, School Mental Health Ontario

Ashley is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to an organization that directly impacts patients, staff and the community.  Having spent her professional career in Child and Youth Mental Health advocating for and working with children, youth and their families she is passionate about access to local health care.  She brings a variety of experiences through both professional and volunteer opportunities and is looking forward to contributing to new partnerships and innovative fundraising opportunities to continue to valuable contribution of the Foundation to our community.

Vice Chair

Shauna Aubin,
Assistant Branch Manager – Standard Insurance

I was born and raised in Kenora and after graduating High school, I continued my post-secondary education at Lakehead University. Graduated with Honours Bachelor of Kinesiology and Bachelor of Education. Taking a position with Dufresne Furniture & Appliances in early spring of 2001, I loved the connections I made from our seasonal residents plus serving our community year-round. In spring of 2003, I stepped into a management role and headed west to Calgary as Sales Manager at that location until fall of 2005 when I realized that my heart was meant to be at home. I returned to the Kenora location until my husband and I brought our daughter into the world. After our family was complete with our son arriving, they were my world and being home with them was where I needed to be. I made the decision to leave my management position of 10 years and started my own Home Daycare. Raising my own children as well as many others in our home was a huge blessing. I retired my daycare in August of 2021 and started at The Standard Insurance Brokers October of 2021 in the role of Personal Lines Assistant Branch Manager. Being part of this organization, which is deeply rooted to our community, is extremely important to me. I’ve always been involved in our community right from my high school days until now. I hold the chair position of School Council at Valleyview Public School. It’s been a big part of my soul to give back, be a part of and do right by our community. I’m excited to use my home-grown roots to bring energy, passion, and drive to the foundation in turn bringing great things to our hospital and staff.

“Volunteering isn’t about having the time, It’s about having the heart”

Secretary/Treasurer

Jackie Hailstone
CIBC – Community General Manager

Jackie Hailstone is the Community General Manager for Imperial Service at CIBC. She was born and raised in Emo, ON and graduated from Bemidji State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business. She has been with CIBC for 24 years working in Fort Frances, Sioux Lookout, Dryden and Kenora. Jackie loves Northwestern Ontario and has been enjoying Kenora for the last 16 years.

Jackie and her husband Sean have two children and believes in the value of a strong health care facilities for all families in the area.

Directors

Marc Bissonnette
Owner, Bell’s Septic & Environmental Services

I was born and raised in Keewatin and graduated from BBSS in 1989.   I left Kenora to go to school in Ottawa but moved to Calgary and graduated from Mount Royal College with a marketing diploma in 1992.   After graduation I was given a contract position with Molson Breweries that turned into a full time position in Thunder Bay. I worked as a sales rep with Molson’s from 1993 till 1999.  As a result of cut backs I was forced to change directions so I decided to take 6 months off to prepare myself for the next challenge that life would present to me.  In October of 2000 I purchased Hap’s on the Harbourfront and was owner/operator till November of 2012 when I realized family and quality of life are more important. In January of 2013 I took a job as a account manager for Acklands-Grainger.

Since moving back to Kenora I was lucky to find my wonderful wife Lana and we have two wonderful kids, Luc and Leah, four and two respectively.  I tried to give back through my business by giving to the hospital foundation and through multiple charities with our charity beef on a bun. 

I have been involved in many different business organization including Kenora BIZ, Economic Business Development Commission and Business Attraction Committee. I look forward to raising my children in Kenora and give them all the opportunities that Kenora and the Lake of the Woods have to offer. One of the biggest lesson I hope to give my kids is giving back to your community.  I look forward to helping the foundation accomplish all of its goals and believe I will be a valuable member.

Barry Marmus
Commercial Branch Manager, The Standard Insurance

I was born and raised in Rainy River but have made Kenora home for the past 22 years with my wife and daughter.

I co-owned and operated our family run business until 2011 at which time I then became a Broker and partner at Standard Insurance.

Throughout the years I have developed my career with hard work, determination and integrity, which are all qualities I will bring to the Board.

I have previously been involved in various community organizations and thought this would be a good opportunity to again become involved and give back while helping to support an integral part of our community.

Laci Dingwall
Public Relations Manager, The Dingwall Group

I’m happy my family and I get to call Kenora home. 

After moving here in 2008, I have tried my best to involve myself in our community as much possible. Starting my business career at Woodlake Marine in Finance, I quickly grew a huge respect for the lake and fisheries and became a director on the Kenora Bass internationals board of directors. Now 8 years later I am the Director of Sponsorship and Co-chair of the Tournament. I have also been a member on the Community Foundations Marketing Committee, The Kenora Recreation Centre’s Expansion Committee and am currently a Director for the Kids Can Fish ice fishing Tournament.

I have spent the last 4 years as the HR & Marketing Manager for the Dingwall Group of Companies. In this role I have been able to reach the community on so many other levels through organizing various charitable functions. This role has allowed me to strengthen my educational background in business marketing while creating great partnerships within the community!

Kenora is not only beautiful to look at, but is a town with the biggest heart. I’m a huge people person and it’s the people that truly make a strong and thriving community and I’m thrilled to be a part of that.

Kim Mejia
Partner, Hook Seller & Lundin

Kim was born and raised in Kenora and is now a Partner at Hook, Seller & Lundin LLP. Kim left Kenora shortly after graduating from Beaver Brae and returned to our community after completing her post-secondary education in southern Ontario and Australia. She now resides in Kenora with her husband and two children and uses her role with the Foundation to give back to the community. Kim believes in the integral role that the foundation plays in raising awareness for projects and services that help to maintain quality patient care at our Hospital. She is a strong believer in giving back to the greater community and the people who live, work and visit Kenora and the surrounding area.

Melanie Buffett
Manager – Education, Organizational Development & Talent Manager, Lake of the Woods District Hospital

Melanie was born and raised in Dryden and has lived in Kenora with her daughter for the last 15 years. After graduating from Wilfred Laurier University in 1998, she moved to Toronto and worked in marketing and sales before returning to Northwestern Ontario in 2000.

Melanie has a 20-year background in Communications and Human Resources. She currently is the HR Manager for Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation.  Prior to that she spent years serving in various HR and Communications roles at the Northwestern Health Unit.

“I have seen firsthand the positive impact that access to health services has on the overall health of a community.  I’m passionate about the work LWDHF does to support the facilities and the treatment opportunities they offer at Lake of the Woods District Hospital. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be a member of the Foundation team, and help make a difference in building a healthy, vibrant and supportive community for all.”

Dr. Steph Foidart
Family Physician