Newmarket, ON (January 12, 2022): Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation has announced the appointment of Peter van Schaik and Steve Hinder as Co-Chairs of its Philanthropy Cabinet. They succeed Chris Pfaff, who stepped down as Chair but remains an active member of the Cabinet. Southlake Foundation would like to acknowledge Mr. Pfaff’s philanthropic leadership and his integral role.
Southlake Foundation enjoys a strong relationship with the communities served by the Southlake Regional Health Centre and depends on them for support. An extraordinary group of leadership volunteers, the Philanthropy Cabinet consists of business and community leaders working in concert and partnership with staff to fundraise for Southlake. As ambassadors for Southlake, Philanthropy Cabinet members inspire investment from Southlake’s communities – support that is crucial for providing leading edge care for the 1.5 million people who rely on Southlake Regional Health Centre for their healthcare.
“Peter and Steve are active community members and have built strong relationships with Southlake through their volunteer involvement over the years. We are very grateful to be able to tap into their deep knowledge of Southlake’s communities as Co-Chairs of our Philanthropy Cabinet,” said Barbara Bellissimo, Chair of Southlake’s Foundation Board of Directors. “I would like to recognize and thank the previous Chair, Chris Pfaff, for his contributions over the past two years. His leadership, enthusiasm and passion for Southlake is contagious and we are grateful for his continued support.”
“Southlake Foundation’s Philanthropy Cabinet is comprised of an exemplary team of community leaders who support and inspire investment to ensure Southlake is optimally helping patients for today and tomorrow,” said Jennifer Ritter, President and CEO of Southlake Foundation. “We are excited to channel Steve and Peter’s talent, expertise and energy into furthering our fundraising raison d’être through the vital support of our Philanthropy Cabinet.”
As a first priority, Peter and Steve have renewed recruitment efforts to grow the Cabinet and are pleased to welcome five new members: Jim Alexander, Owner Tim Hortons; Louanne McGrory, President, Shiseido (Canada); Keith Loo, Founder and CEO, Skinopathy; Bruce Nanton, CIO, Moneris; and Jonathan Goodyear, Executive Chef and Director Food and Beverage, Social Membership, Magna Golf Club. For the full list of Southlake Foundation’s Philanthropy Cabinet, click here.
About Peter van Schaik
Vice Chair of the Board for Southlake Foundation, Peter van Schaik is currently the President of Van-Rob Realty. In 1979, Peter formed Van-Rob Inc., an automotive parts supplier, which grew into one of the largest automotive parts suppliers in Canada. In 2011, Van-Rob Inc. consolidated with Kirchhoff Automotive, creating a global automotive supplier on 3 continents. In 2016, Peter sold all remaining shares of Van-Rob Inc. to Kirchhoff Automotive.
Under Peter’s leadership as Southlake Foundation’s Count on Me Cancer Campaign Chair, $65 million dollars was raised to build the Stronach Regional Cancer Centre, which opened in 2010. Peter was recognized as Aurora’s Citizen of the Year at the 2017 Community Recognition Awards.
About Steve Hinder
Steve Hinder is currently the Director of Government and Community Relations and Senior Advisor to the CEO, President and Chair of the Board for The Stronach Group. After completing a 30-year career in policing in Toronto, Mr. Hinder retired at the rank of Staff Sergeant, having served in many areas of policing. Community has always meant a lot to Steve. He has been active since moving to Aurora in 1975, serving as a member of Aurora Council (1997 to 2000) and honoured as Aurora’s “Citizen of the Year” in 1996. Steve served as a member of the Southlake Foundation Board of Directors, is former Chair of the Newmarket Chamber of Commerce, and former Chair of the Board of Governors for the Character Community Foundation of York Region and currently a member of the Aurora Economic Development Board.
About Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation
Since the inception of Southlake Foundation in 1980, more than $213 million dollars has been raised in support of Southlake Regional Health Centre. Working with members of the community, hundreds of volunteers, the Southlake Family and our incredible donors, Southlake Foundation will continue to support life-saving medical equipment, infrastructure upgrades and expansions, patient programs and staff education, all for the goal of providing leading-edge care for patients and families, close to home. For more information visit: southlakefoundation.ca.
About Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation
Since the inception of Southlake Foundation in 1980, more than $213 million dollars has been raised in support of Southlake Regional Health Centre. Working with members of the community, hundreds of volunteers, the Southlake Family and our incredible donors, Southlake Foundation will continue to support life-saving medical equipment, infrastructure upgrades and expansions, patient programs and staff education, all for the goal of providing leading-edge care for patients and families, close to home. For more information visit: southlakefoundation.ca.
