Leadership 

Robert Beutel is the President of Oakwest Corporation Limited, a private investment company based in Toronto, which he joined in 1987. Oakwest’s mandate is principally to invest in smaller to mid-size public and private companies for long-term appreciation. Oakwest continues to actively pursue opportunities in areas such as manufacturing, distribution and financial services.

Robert has served as a director and chairman of several companies including Firan Technology Group, Nu-Gro Corporation, and Accord Financial Corp; as well as being the former CEO and board member of Strongco Corporation and Capital Trust.

Robert is a graduate of University of Toronto, BA, and the University of Michigan, Master of Science Engineering, Naval Architecture.

Ricco is a partner in Osler’s Corporate department and Co-Chair, Financial Institution Transactions. He is a leading recognized advisor in public and private mergers and acquisitions, as well as private equity and pension fund investments and joint ventures and partnerships, having special expertise in the financial services, infrastructure and technology sectors.

Called to the bar in both Ontario and New York, Ricco works with clients on their Canada/U.S. cross-border and other international transactions. With an ICD.D certification from the Institute of Corporate Directors, he also advises boards and senior leadership on governance, proxy and activist investor matters.

An involved and committed member of the community, Ricco sits on the Board of the Sunnybrook Foundation, is a member of the Audit Committee and a member of the Sunnybrook Hospital Board’s Quality Committee. He formerly served as vice chair of the board and chair of Governance at the William Osler Health System. Ricco is also a mentor in the Western Law BIPOC Mentorship Program, among other charitable and diversity-focused initiatives.

William Cheng is an entrepreneur with businesses in multiple industries including Home Fragrance and candle products manufacturing, restaurants and real estate. He is an avid philanthropist who continues to make innovative contributions to advance the future of healthcare and culture in Toronto. In early 2019, William launched Chefs’ Circle, an exclusive dinner series hosted by prominent leaders of the Toronto community. This innovative event supports life-saving work at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.

Through his immense passion for culinary arts, William is instilling this city with world-class dining through each of his authentic and exquisite Japanese restaurants – Sushi Masaki Saito, Shoushin, LSL and MSSM.

Phillip Crawley was CEO and Publisher of The Globe and Mail for 25 years until August 2023 when he retired.

He previously worked for media businesses in Britain, New Zealand and Hong Kong. He was chairman of The Canadian Press, and honorary consul for New Zealand in Toronto.

His voluntary activities include being chair of the board for the Sunnybrook Foundation. He is a board member of the Royal Society of Canada and the Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation.

In 2012 he was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for his charitable work in Canada, and in 2019 he was appointed a member of the Order of Canada for his contributions to journalism and media innovation.

Perry Dellelce is a Founder and Managing Partner of Wildeboer Dellelce LLP, one of Canada’s premier corporate law firms. Perry is a graduate of Western University (B.A.), the University of Notre Dame (MBA) and the University of Ottawa (J.D.). He was called to the Ontario Bar in 1992. Perry has been bestowed Honorary Doctorate Degrees from Laurentian University, Western University and University of Ottawa.

Perry is extremely involved in the community and various charities. His mandates include: past chair and current member of the Board of Directors of the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Foundation, the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Olympic Foundation, the Chair of the University of Ottawa reIMAGINE Campaign and a member of the Business Advisory Council of the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame.

Karen Diamond is a director on the Sunnybrook Hospital Foundation Board and is a member of its Donor Relations Committee. She will serve as the Co-Chair of Toronto’s 2025 United Jewish Appeal annual campaign. Karen is also a director on the Save a Child’s Heart Canada Board, where she previously held the roles of Past Chair and Executive Director. She has served in leadership positions on The Mabin School Board, Health & Fitness Events, and the Baycrest Foundation Board. Karen holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) from the University of Toronto.

I am truly honoured to be part of an institution that is dedicated to maintaining an unwavering commitment to excellence in care. On a personal note, many members of my family have received outstanding treatment at Sunnybrook, and most recently, the DAN Centre for Women and Babies has become the birthplace of all nine of my grandchildren, making it a place that holds special meaning for me. On a broader scale, Sunnybrook stands as a true pillar of excellence, not only in the quality of medical care it provides but also in the exceptional people—both medical and non-medical—who make it all possible.

Michael has over 25 years of experience in the investment banking business.

He started his career as a metallurgist in the gold division of Anglo American Corporation (now AngloGold Ashanti) and later worked as a consultant with McKinsey & Co., consulting to the resources sector globally.

Michael has advised on marquee transactions for Agnico Eagle, Barrick, BHP, Cameco, Cobalt 27, Equinox, Hudbay, IAMGold, Kinross and Turquoise Hill.

Prior to assuming his current role, Michael led equity capital markets origination in the mining and oil and gas sectors with TD Securities.

Michael holds a BSc in Engineering from the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa and read an MA at Oxford University, where he studied as a Rhodes Scholar.

Mike is the President of the Temerty Group, a family office based in Toronto, and Chief Investment Officer of the Temerty Foundation. In these roles, Mike is responsible for strategic direction and operations of the family office, and overall investment strategy and performance of the family’s private foundation. He serves on several private, public and advisory boards, spanning venture capital, private equity, and private and non-profit enterprises. His broad background has contributed to developing expertise in early-stage company formation and investing, business and project development, and public and private M&A.

Mike holds a double major BA from Western University, an MBA (summa cum laude) from Rotterdam School of Management, and the ICD.D designation from Institute of Corporate Directors (Rotman).

Umeeda oversees The Sofina Foundation, the charitable arm of Sofina Foods Inc., one of Canada’s largest privately owned global food manufacturers. Under her leadership, the Foundation received its formal charitable status in 2014 and has proudly partnered with various charities across Canada and the U.S. with an aim to positively impact the communities in which the company operates. To date, the Sofina Foundation has raised millions of dollars for various children’s causes.

Umeeda graduated with a B.A. in Economics from the University of Toronto and subsequently obtained her Montessori Teachers’ Training Certification. She is an active member in her community and volunteers her time to many causes close to her heart.

Umeeda is married to her first love, Asif, and resides in Toronto. She loves to travel, take down any opponent, in any sport or board game and can be counted on to be the last one standing on the dance floor. One of her greatest joys is being a proud aunt to four and a great-aunt to six and counting!

Umeeda joined the Sunnybrook Foundation Board of Directors in 2021 and began her term as Chair of the Donor Relations Committee in fall 2024.

Russell is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School and he was called to the Ontario Bar in 1987. He spent 12 years working in commercial real estate at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (one of Canada’s largest law firms) and then continued his practice at the boutique law firm of Aylesworth, Thompson, Phelan & O’Brien.

In 1999, Russell joined his brother Randy and together the own and operate their family businesses through the Towerhill Group of Companies. The company builds and sells luxury condominiums and single-family homes in the Greater Toronto Area. Russell along with his father and brother is actively involved in all aspects of the family business which includes land development, rental apartment construction, condominium development and house building in the GTA.

Maneesh is a co-founder of The Black Box Institute (TBBI), a boutique advisory firm and think-tank that provides advice to senior management and boards of organizations that are facing complex organizational, business, transactional or leadership challenges.

Maneesh sits on the Board of Ornge, where he is Chair of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee. He is also a member of the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Board and currently is Chair of the HIS Subcommittee. He has previously been on the Board of Markham Stouffville Hospital and the Central LHIN.

Maneesh has earned M.A.Sc. and B.A.Sc. degrees from the University of Waterloo. He has also completed executive programs at IMD and Harvard. He is a graduate of the ICD DEP program.

Having experienced outstanding care over the past decade or so as a patient in several GTA hospitals, including Sunnybrook, Maneesh can attest first-hand the unique skills, extra care and personalized attention that makes Sunnybrook special, indeed!

Anne Odette Kaye joined the Sunnybrook Foundation Board in 2008 and is currently a Director and Member of the Donor Relations Committee, and Vice Chair of the Governing Council.

Anne has been an active community volunteer and has chaired the Sunnybrook Women’s Health Golf Classic for 20 years raising over $4.5 million for Breast Cancer research.

She is also a board member of Wellspring Cancer Support Foundation a non profit organization offering support to cancer patients and their families.

She is also President of the Odette Kaye Family Foundation and the E. & G. Odette Foundation.Also, Anne is a Member of the Women’s Art Initiative at the Art Gallery of Ontario.

She graduated from the University of Western Ontario. Anne lives in Toronto with her husband and has 3 sons.

Sheldon Pollack is a seasoned entrepreneur and investor, best known for co-founding OnX Enterprise Solutions at the age of 21. Under his leadership, OnX grew into a $1 billion IT services leader before its acquisition by Cincinnati Bell in 2017. He also co-founded OverActive Media Corp., where he currently serves as Chairman of the Board, guiding a global esports organization that includes teams such as Toronto Ultra, Toronto Defiant, and MAD Lions.

In addition to his entrepreneurial ventures, Sheldon is an active investor in early-stage technology companies and serves as Chairman of illumin Holdings Inc., a leading digital advertising platform. His achievements have earned him recognition in Alan Gould’s The New Entrepreneurs: 80 Canadian Success Stories, and he was a finalist for the Canadian Entrepreneur of the Year Award by Ernst & Young.

Sheldon is also deeply committed to philanthropy. He founded AbilityGives.org, a charity dedicated to empowering children and young adults with special needs. Additionally, he serves on the Board of the Sunnybrook Hospital Foundation, contributing to the advancement of healthcare in Canada.

Cliff is a tax litigation/tax controversy lawyer at Aird & Berlis LLP. He is the immediate past Chair of the Foundation and currently has a seat on the board of the hospital in addition to the board of the Foundation. What makes Sunnybrook special to Cliff are the many ways its people strive for excellence in often difficult circumstances.

Adi is general counsel at GLH Asset Management Corporation, a family investment office in Toronto. Adi has a broad legal practice and advises on numerous areas, including corporate law, private and public equities, partnerships, contracts, litigation, trusts, employment and private shareholdings.

In addition to her role with the family office, Adi advises the Garry Hurvitz Foundation on all legal matters and takes a leading role in managing the Foundation’s day-to-day activities, including managing relationships with existing and potential donors and general development of philanthropic goals.

Prior to her role at GLH Asset Management Corporation, Adi was in-house counsel for Ash City Worldwide, an apparel company with over 300 employees. Adi was responsible for all general legal matters for the operating company as well as the corporate investment portfolio.

Adi has an Honours Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and a Juris Doctor from the University of Western Ontario. Adi articled at Davies Ward Phillips and Vineberg and was called to the Ontario Bar in 2010.

Since 2017, Dr. Andy Smith has been the President and CEO of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre where he leads over 12,000 staff, physicians, researchers and learners and an annual budget of more than $1.4 billion. Prior to his current role, Dr. Smith served as Sunnybrook’s Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Executive.

With a long-established career as a surgeon and a recognized leader in the management of colorectal cancer, Dr. Smith is intensely passionate about improving healthcare. He has been involved for many years in quality improvement initiatives in Ontario and is passionately interested in healthcare leadership, innovation and the evolution of the healthcare system in Canada. Dr. Smith is the immediate past Chair for the Toronto Academic Health Sciences Network (TAHSN), and is on the Board of Directors for HealthCareCAN, ORNGE, Public Health Ontario (PHO), and Toronto Innovation Acceleration Partners (TIAP).

Jennifer Tory retired in December 2019 as Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) at the Royal Bank of Canada after 42 years. Previously, Jennifer led RBC’s Personal & Commercial Banking division across Canada and the Caribbean. A passionate advocate for diversity, Jennifer has received numerous awards for her efforts supporting women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ communities. She serves as a Director on the Boards of BCE Inc., ALLIED REIT and FH Health Inc. Jennifer is an active and accomplished fundraiser. In addition to Sunnybrook, she has assisted TIFF, United Way, Modern Miracle Foundation and many other not-for-profit organizations. In 2019, Jennifer was appointed to the Order of Canada.

What makes Sunnybrook special to me:
“Sunnybrook holds a special place in my heart, as it’s where I began my journey in healthcare – volunteering as a candystriper when I was just 13. Over the years, it’s been a privilege to witness the incredible transformation of this hospital and its people. From its cutting-edge medical advancements to the compassionate care it provides to the most critically ill patients, Sunnybrook exemplifies excellence in both innovation and patient-centered care. The fact that four generations of my family have volunteered here speaks to the deep connection we all feel to this remarkably special institution.”

Alexandra von Schroeter is an experienced business leader, strategic thinker, and investment professional with a global outlook and a 35+ year track record in the investment management and banking industries across in Canada and abroad. Currently, she is an executive director and co-owner of a leading independent wealth management firm, which she helped establish in the Canadian marketplace over the past 25 years. Her skills and experience span across finance, portfolio and risk management, marketing, communications and business development.

Ms. von Schroeter has been dedicated to giving back to non-profit organizations in health care, the arts and education over many years. Beyond Sunnybrook Foundation and her active role on Sunnybrook’s Common Investment Board Committee over the past five years, she is Co-Chair of Curators’ Circle at Art Gallery of Ontario, Board Chair of INSEAD Canadian Foundation, and a former 15-year trustee of the INSEAD Alumni Fund and Capital Campaign boards. Alongside her directors’ certification and a CFA designation, she holds an international MBA from INSEAD and a BCom. from Queen’s University.

Dr. Wijeysundera is the Chief of the Schulich Heart Program, and Head of the Division of Cardiology, at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center. He is as an interventional cardiologist and a senior scientist at Sunnybrook Research Institute. He is a professor in the Department of Medicine and the Institute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (IHPME) at the University of Toronto. His clinical practice is focused on transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and coronary chronic total occlusions. He holds a Canada Research Chair in Structural Heart Disease Policy and Outcomes. In 2022, he was appointed as the inaugural Provincial Cardiac Lead for CorHealth-Ontario Health.