2025-26 Annual Report celebrates a year of progress and impact
Southlake Health and Southlake Health Foundation are pleased to welcome new members to their respective Boards of Directors and release their joint 2025-26 Annual Report, highlighting a year of significant progress in advancing care across northern York Region and southern Simcoe County. Three new directors and a new board community member have been appointed to Southlake’s Board, and two new directors have been appointed to Southlake Foundation’s Board. These additions further strengthen governance across both organizations, build on accomplishments achieved in 2025-26, and advance Southlake’s commitment to delivering leading edge care, close to home.
Joining Southlake’s Board of Directors are Geoffrey McKnight, Carter Powis, and Jeff Price, whose leadership experience and expertise will help guide the organization through a transformative period as it advances its vision to create a Distributed Health Network over the next decade. Their contributions will help shape the future of health care across the region, including planning for the redevelopment of Southlake’s Davis Drive campus, the construction of a second acute care hospital in East Gwillimbury, and the development of Advanced Care Centres in Bradford West Gwillimbury and Georgina that will bring services closer to home.
Southlake Health is also pleased to welcome Jayson Rutledge, CPA, CA as a board community member. Board community members bring additional perspectives to Board discussions and committee work, helping strengthen accountability, transparency, and financial sustainability.
“Southlake Health is entering one of the most significant periods of transformation in its history,” said Diana Brouwer, Chair of the Board of Directors, Southlake Health. “As we chart the course for a second acute care hospital, redevelop our existing site, and expand access to care through Advanced Care Centres across the region, strong governance and strategic leadership are essential. Geoffrey, Carter, Jeff, and Jayson bring valuable expertise and perspectives that will help guide Southlake through this exciting next chapter.”
Southlake’s Board of Directors is responsible for providing governance oversight, strategic stewardship, and accountability for organizational performance. Directors help guide the organization’s long-term vision, ensuring Southlake remains positioned to meet the evolving health care needs of one of Ontario’s fastest growing and aging regions.
Joining Southlake Health Foundation’s Board of Directors are Paul Bailey and Steve Hinder, who bring the strategic and philanthropic leadership essential to the Foundation’s vital mission to deliver a transformative campaign to support Southlake Health’s future vision and strategy. Southlake Health Foundation’s Board of Directors comprises volunteer community leaders who provide essential governance, strategic oversight, and advocacy. Their thoughtful leadership ensures donor investments are stewarded responsibly and directed toward advancing leading edge care, close to home. Through their commitment to community engagement, the Board strengthens the relationships that make extraordinary patient care possible now and into the future.
“As Southlake embarks on this transformative chapter, philanthropy will play a critical role in turning vision into reality,” said David Greenwood, Chair of the Board of Directors, Southlake Health Foundation. “Our volunteer Board champions the power of community giving, helping ensure that patients and families throughout our catchment have access to the best possible care, close to home. We are excited to welcome Steve and Paul, and the experience, passion, and community leadership they bring to this important work.”
Southlake and Southlake Foundation would also like to thank outgoing Board members for their incredible partnership and unwavering commitment to the communities Southlake serves. With their support, Southlake and Southlake Foundation achieved significant milestones in 2025-2026. The hospital expanded the Emergency Department, introduced advanced, life-saving technologies, was recognized nationally and internationally, and saw record breaking support from generous community members. These stories and more can be found in the joint annual report.
Read more about Southlake’s Board of Directors and Southlake Foundation’s Board of Directors.
New Southlake Health Board of Director Bios
Geoffrey McKnight, Board Member
Geoff McKnight is a retired municipal executive and former Chief Administrative Officer of the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury. Over a 35-year career serving municipalities across Southern Ontario, he provided executive leadership during periods of significant population growth, overseeing complex municipal operations, strategic planning, infrastructure investment, financial stewardship, and intergovernmental partnerships.
A Registered Professional Planner by background, Geoff has extensive experience in community development, governance, organizational leadership, and stakeholder engagement. Throughout his career, he worked collaboratively with elected officials, senior governments, healthcare organizations, businesses, and community partners to deliver services and build resilient, healthy communities.
Carter Powis, Board Member
Carter Powis is a retired Partner and current Senior Advisor at Spencer Stuart, a leading global advisory firm specializing in people, team and organizational performance. His background includes over 25 years of Board and CEO advisory experience through his time with Spencer Stuart and McKinsey & Company, and a decade of corporate experience running an early-stage technology company and operating as a marketer at both PepsiCo and Colgate-Palmolive. His wide-ranging, cross-industry experience has given him a deep understanding of best practices in Canadian business.
Jeff Price, Board Member
Jeff Price is a Vice President, Commercial Financial Services with RBC, leading teams across the Greater Toronto Region and helping businesses achieve their growth, expansion, and succession goals. His extensive career at RBC includes previous leadership roles such as Regional Vice President, Personal Banking and extensive experience in commercial banking and relationship management. Jeff is passionate about supporting entrepreneurs, fostering strong client partnerships, and developing high-performing teams. He is actively involved in community initiatives, volunteerism, and economic development across York Region and the GTA, reflecting his commitment to making a positive impact both professionally and personally.
Jayson Rutledge, CPA, CA, Board Community Member
Jayson Rutledge is a partner at the public accounting firm Chaggares & Bonhomme. Jayson has been with the firm since 2013 and has over a decade of experience in public accounting across a diverse client base. He obtained his Chartered Professional Accountant designation after graduating from Queen’s University with a Bachelor of Commerce degree and a Graduate Diploma in Accounting. In addition to his professional responsibilities, Jayson is actively engaged in community service across York Region. He currently serves as Vice-Chair of Hesperus Village, an elder living facility in Richmond Hill, and as Treasurer for both the Central York Chamber of Commerce and NewMakeIt. Jayson is a lifelong resident of York Region and resides in the growing community of Georgina.
New Southlake Health Foundation Board of Director Bios
Paul Bailey, Board Member
Paul Bailey is the founder and owner of Bazil Developments Inc., a residential land development company he established in 1984. For over four decades, he has led the planning and construction of multiple communities across York Region and the GTA, with a focus on sustainable design and neighbourhood livability. In addition to his development work, he is an active community supporter, serving as an inaugural member of the Southlake Foundation’s Philanthropy Cabinet and contributing to organizations such as Acadia University, Ronald McDonald House, Inn From the Cold, the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, Canadian Mental Health Association of York and South Simcoe, the Lake Simcoe Regional Conservation Authority, and Oak Valley Health. Mr. Bailey has received the Hero of the Lake Award from the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal, the Portraits of Giving 2024 Honoree Award and most recently, was honoured with Acadia University’s 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award, recognizing Paul for being a pioneer of “building with a conscience,” championing affordable housing and the protection of green spaces.
Steve Hinder, Board Member
Steve Hinder is a long serving community leader in York Region with a career spanning policing, municipal service, corporate community relations, and nonprofit leadership. He has served his community on Aurora Town Council and following a nearly three-decade career with the Toronto Police Service, he joined Magna International, where he led major community relations initiatives and played a central role in the development and expansion of Neighbourhood Network. Steve serves as Co-Chair of the Southlake Foundation Philanthropy Cabinet and is a member of the Gala Steering Committee, in addition to volunteering with other organizations in York Region. His contributions have been recognized through several honours, including Aurora’s Citizen of the Year, the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, and the King Charles III Coronation Medal.
