Leadership - ESS Support Services

The Board of Directors is the organization’s primary policy-making and decision-making body, governed by a defined Constitution and By-laws. It has a strategic function in setting the agency’s mission, vision, and goals. The Board has a fiduciary duty to protect the agency’s assets and investments by managing the yearly audit process. The Board’s primary responsibility is to the general membership, who, at the Annual General Meeting, elect the Board’s twelve members, comprising four executive officers, i.e., Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary, and eight directors. The Board also selects and appoints the organization’s Chief Executive Officer, who reviews the agency’s policies and procedures and advises the Board on any required changes. Our Board members represent a wide range of diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Bringing a rich blend of experience to this governance body, they include professionals in finance, law, medicine, marketing, and human resources.

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

Executive Officers

Erica Teklits – Chair
Erica Teklits is an audit partner with BDO Canada LLP and National Leader of the Not-for-Profit and Education Sector for the firm. She also serves on the Accounting Standards Board Not-for-Profit Advisory Committee. Her experience as an auditor and volunteer on other not-for-profit boards has given her valuable insight into the financial and operational issues facing this sector. Erica has served on the board of ESS Support Services for a number of many years and is passionate about providing services to the community, enabling those requiring additional care to remain in their homes with dignity. She has served as Co-Chair and Treasurer. She is currently serving the Board as Chair.

Karen Lynn – Vice Chair/Acting Secretary
Karen Lynn is a Human Resources executive passionate about helping others. For over fifteen years, she has led the Human Resources function for businesses operating across Canada in a range of industries. She now works as an independent Human Resource Consultant. Her Bachelor of Science degree, coupled with her previous not-for-profit Board leadership experience, suits the ongoing needs of ESS’s Board. Karen’s tenure with ESS began as a volunteer wrapping gifts. Karen currently serves the Board as Vice Chair & Acting Secretary.

Ken Chong – Treasurer
Ken Chong has been a member of the Institute of Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario since 1984. Ken has been a partner at Wallington Chong, Chartered Professional Accountants since its inception in 1989. Ken has served as the Treasurer and Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee of Osteoporosis Canada from 2002 until June 2007 and as Vice–Chair, Chair and Past Chair of the Board of Directors of Osteoporosis Canada from 2007 until 2012. From 1998 to 2007, Ken served as Treasurer of the Board of Etobicoke Services for Seniors, rejoined the Board in 2013, and currently serves in the same capacity.

Catherine Grenaway – CEO

Catherine Grenaway has been part of ESS Support Services since 2000, beginning her career with the organization as Volunteer Coordinator. Over the years, she has held a wide range of roles across the organization, including leadership roles in client services, business and fund development, and quality and accreditation, as well as more than twelve years in senior leadership. This breadth of experience has given Catherine a deep understanding of ESS, its programs, the community it serves, and, most importantly, the people who make its work possible. At the heart of her work is a simple belief: every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect and to have the opportunity for a meaningful and fulfilling quality of life. As CEO, Catherine brings an approachable and collaborative leadership style. She values new ideas, innovation, and partnership, and believes that when people work together, better outcomes are always possible. Catherine’s vision is for ESS to be the organization people think of first when they need support, expertise, partnership, or leadership in helping older adults and caregivers thrive in their community. She is committed to strengthening ESS as a trusted voice, a valued community partner, and a leader in quality. Catherine holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts from York University in Toronto and a Master of Arts from the University of York in England. She has also taught at Humber Polytechnic, an experience she values for the opportunity to contribute to the learning and development of future community and social service professionals.

Directors

Donna Cansfield
Donna Cansfield has been involved with charity work her entire life. Besides serving on the ESS Board, recent tenures include Chairing the Board of Brands for Canada, member Canadian International Air Shows Inc. Board, Dorothy Ley Hospice, Ontario Lung Association, Room 217, Etobicoke Rotary (president-elect for the 2017-2018 term) and serves as an Honouray Patron for Dying with Dignity, Community Living, Canadian Korean Business Mens Association, and the Shevcheko Foundation. In 1988, Donna was elected to the Etobicoke Board of Education. During her tenure, she served as president of both the Ontario Public and Canadian School Boards Association. In November 1997, she was elected trustee as a member of the newly amalgamated Toronto District School Board. She also served as Vice-Chair, Chair, and Co-Chair of the Board. She was successful as Liberal MPP candidate in the riding of Etobicoke Centre in the 2003 election. Cansfield was appointed Parliamentary Assistant (PA) to the Minister of Energy and later served as Minister of Energy, Minister of Transportation, and Minister of Natural Resources. She also served as PA to the Minister of Economic Development and Innovation, Municipal Affairs and Housing, Research and Development, and PA to the Minister of Finance. She also served as chief government whip for the Liberal Caucus. Cansfield left provincial politics after she declined to seek another term in the 2014 Ontario election.

Darlene Dubbin
After a thirty-year career in the Ontario Public Service working in the areaonnalysis, planning, finance, and policy development in the Ministries of Health, Labour, Community & Social Services, and the Attorney General, Darlene joined ESS’s Board of Directors in June 2003. She accepted the position of Chair of the Board in June 2005. She left the board in 2015 and rejoined the board in 2016. As a long-time resident of Etobicoke, Darlene has extensive experience in fundraising for both national and community organizations. She continues to be an active volunteer as the Executive of a long-standing Etobicoke social club, fostering fellowship amongst seniors in Etobicoke.

Ken Jones
Ken Jones has been a practicing lawyer for over 25 years, advocating for the rights and interests of individuals and organizations in a variety of contexts. His practice has focused primarily on commercial litigation – the conduct and defence of lawsuits arising out of contract disputes, shareholder or partnership matters, or business or real estate transactions gone wrong. He also has considerable appellate experience, including before the Supreme Courtbecame, a significant part of Ken’s practice has involved representing clients before administrative tribunals such as the Ontario Securities Commission. Outside of the law, Ken has been a volunteer leader and committee member with Scouts Canada, and has coached/managed youth baseball.

Michael Lu
After over 20 years of managing businesses internationally, including the last 8 years building consumer brands at Procter & Gamble, Michael Lu found a passion for caregiving. Growing up with his grandmother in China, Michael has a vision of keeping seniors happy at home and enjoys making people’s lives better every day with his team at CareHop Nursing & Home Care. Michael holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration, is a certified Personal Support Worker, and specializes in Alzheimer’s and dementia care. Michael believes in supporting the community like a family. He is actively involved in the Rotary Club of Etobicoke. He serves as a member of their Board of Directors, as Chair of the Communication Committee, and as Chair of Toronto Ribfest 2018, its largest fundraising event.