North York Seniors Centre (NYSC) Board of Directors follows a results-oriented model of governance to lead our organization into the future. The board membership reflects the diversity of our community and includes user-representation from clients, members and caregivers. Our dedicated board members volunteer their time and resources to help with NYSC’s mission to provide older adults with quality programs and services.
In 2010 the NYSC Board of Directors was nominated for the Maytree Diversity in Governance Award.
Peter Fuchs
Chair
Peter Fuchs joined the NYSC Board in January 2006. Peter has held many positions in his tenure on the Board, including Chairperson of the Board, Vice-Chairperson and the Chair of the Governance Committee. Currently, he is serving his second session as Chairperson of the Board and chair of the Executive Committee. Peter is a corporate affairs executive at one of the world’s largest mining companies, responsible for communications strategy and issue management. Peter has a keen interest in governance issues and expertise in issues management, and media and community relations. Peter has previously worked in Hong Kong and enjoys travel.
Personal Value Statement:
“I volunteer with the NYSC to help seniors live actively and independently for as long as possible. This is a reality I want to see happen for all seniors, including my own family and friends.”
Dr. Andy Kin On Wong
Vice-Chair
Dr. Andy Kin On Wong joined NYSC in October 2015, currently chairs the Governance Committee, is the Vice-chair and sits on the Executive Committee. He is an Assistant Professor of Epidemiology at U of T, and an Imaging Scientist at the Joint Department of Medical Imaging of the University Health Network. He has a particular interest in the aging Canadian population and in measuring trajectories of change in the muscle and bone systems as related to osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. His research team is now using automated algorithms and artificial intelligence to quantify medical images. Dr. Wong is currently the director of a large population-based cohort study at 6 cities in Canada to link muscle and bone properties through imaging techniques to predict people’s risk for fractures and joint abnormalities. He has been successful in obtaining over $2.2M in research funding (Vanier, CIHR, non-profit organizations, American and European societies) to run his various studies. He applies his healthcare and leadership experiences to lead governance at NYSC. With his connections to the medical community, he also strives to bring fresh perspectives on healthy active aging and education for NYSC. In his free time, Dr. Wong enjoys playing tennis, cooking and hiking.
Personal Value Statement:
“I am passionate about translating medical knowledge into practice for seniors, particularly in terms of mobility and healthy active aging. There is no better way to create an impact in this area than to work firsthand to improve the quality of care among seniors in our community.”
Stephen Steele, B.Comm. MBA
Treasurer
Stephen Steele, B.Comm. MBA, brings to the North York Senior Centre over thirty years of Finance and Treasury experience with a major multinational automotive company. As the Director of Finance and Treasurer, he was responsible for all treasury, corporate finance, accounting and tax functions. Stephen has extensive Canadian and international Board experience as a director and chairperson of both business and not-for-profit boards. A veteran communicator, he has been featured in numerous articles on governance, employee communication issues, and global competitiveness. Stephen is presently on the Board of the Toronto Humane Society and its Treasurer. In his spare time, he is a volunteer tutor and teacher with Frontier College, working with new Canadians to improve their English skills and to help them to adapt to the culture of their new home in Canada. Stephen enjoys skiing, kayaking and sailing. Stephen hopes that his experience will assist the NYSC in the achievement of its Mission. Stephen joined the Board in 2013 and is the Chairperson of the Quality Audit Committee.
Personal Value Statement:
“I believe in the old adage, ‘In life, it is not what you get that matters, it is what you give. What a wonderful way it is to give through being involved as a volunteer Director with the NYSC, an organization that supports seniors, living in our community, in so many very positive ways.”
Dr. Caterina Valentino
Secretary
Caterina Valentino is a dynamic healthcare leader with extensive senior leadership experience in acute care, long-term care, and community health services. She brings deep expertise in operational excellence, policy influence, and transformational change to the NYSC board, driving high-quality, patient-centered care in Ontario.
A Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and a certified member of the Canadian College of Health Leaders, Caterina is dedicated to advancing healthcare leadership and system-wide improvements. Her ability to navigate complex environments and implement innovative strategies has made her a key influencer.
Beyond her executive roles, Caterina shapes the future of healthcare leadership as a contract lecturer at Toronto Metropolitan University and Athabasca University. Through teaching and mentorship, she empowers emerging leaders to drive meaningful change.
With a career marked by strategic vision, operational excellence, and a commitment to improving healthcare, Caterina continues to lead with integrity, expertise, and dedication to service.
Personal Value Statement:
“No one should face challenges alone. A network of community agencies and support systems stands ready to welcome, empower, and uplift those in need.”
Janice Lai joined the NYSC Board in 2017 and sits on the Quality Audit Committee. Janice graduated from the Ivey School of Business with a degree in Business Administration. She is currently an Associate in Mezzanine Finance at Royal Bank of Canada, providing junior capital to Canadian and U.S.-based mid-market companies across a wide range of industries. She began her career in the assurance practise at Grant Thornton LLP and is a Chartered Professional Accountant. Janice grew up in North York and enjoys travelling, yoga, and photography.
Personal Value Statement:
“It is an honour for me to volunteer with NYSC, as it is important to give back to the older generations who have contributed so much to our society, as well as the community I grew up and currently reside in.”
Janice Lai
Director
James Mayer (Jamie)joined the NYSC Board in 2015. James leads investments and venture services at the Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation. CABHI invests in healthtech, biotech, and fintech companies seeking to help older adults age fearlessly. Under his leadership, he has helped grow CABHI to become the most active Agetech investor in North America. James is also a mentor at 500 Startups, Techstars, and One-Mind and a Venture Partner at Clearco, the world’s largest eCommerce investor that has invested $3+ billion into 7,000+ companies.
Personal Value Statement:
“By volunteering on the Board I help ensure that there are programs and places for seniors to go to remain vital, healthy and connected to their community; there is no greater feeling than that.”
James Mayer (Jamie)
Director
Olivia Ng, BScPhm, RPh, PharmD, CHE, MHSc, joined the Board in 2021 and sits on the Governance Committee. She is currently the Director of Pharmacy at Supply Ontario, where she leads strategic initiatives to enhance healthcare supply chains across the province. Olivia has held various roles at University Health Network (UHN), ranging from pharmacy operations to clinical informatics, and has been a strong advocate for quality and innovation in healthcare. She is an active volunteer with the Canadian College of Health Leaders (CCHL) and the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists (CSHP), contributing to health leadership development and advancing pharmacy practice across Canada.
Personal Value Statement:
“Raised in North York, I am deeply committed to giving back to my community. As a healthcare leader and clinician with extensive experience in the hospital and public sectors, I am passionate about improving the health, well-being, and independence of seniors living at home. My goal is to leverage my expertise to drive positive change, ensuring that seniors have access to the care and support they need to thrive in their communities.“
Olivia Ng
Director
Julia Suk joined the NYSC Board in 2024 and serves on the Quality Audit Committee. She holds a Bachelor of Mathematics and a Master of Accounting from the University of Waterloo. Julia is a Chartered Professional Accountant, Chartered Accountant, and also holds a US CPA certificate. Currently, she is a partner at KPMG in Canada’s national office, where she provides both attest and non-attest services to clients on financial reporting and general securities filings matters. Julia has extensive experience working on Canadian reporting issuer and SEC registrant audits for several large multinational companies, as well as in technical accounting roles within both IFRS and US GAAP frameworks. Prior to her role at KPMG, she spent over 20 years at Deloitte LLP, where she most recently served as a partner in the National Office A&A Securities Services. Julia was also a board member of another not-for-profit organization from 2017 to 2021. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling with her husband and three children, skiing, playing golf, practicing yoga, reading, and spending time with friends.
Personal Value Statement:
“I am deeply passionate about giving back to my community. As a young adult, I actively participated in various community initiatives through my local church, but life became quite busy as I focused on raising three young children. Now that my children are older, I am grateful for the opportunity to serve again, especially with NYSC, an organization I truly value for the services it offers to our senior community members.”
Julia Suk
Director
Dr. Jacqueline Getfield
Director
Dr Jacqueline Getfield joined the Board in September 2024. Dr. Jacqueline Getfield is the manager of the Caribbean African Regenerative Medicine (CARM) Project. She is an adjunct member in the Faculty of Graduate Studies, York University. Dr. Getfield is a social scientist who does qualitative research that focuses on mothering, blackness, and disability/disablement in health and education spaces, and specifically in home-institution-community partnerships. She theorizes through the lenses of Critical Race Theory, Black feminisms, and Critical Disability Studies. Dr. Getfield delivers keynote speeches and public lectures at academic and professional conferences in Canada and the US. In community settings, specifically for charitable and non-profit organizations, she conducts Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging (DEIAB) workshops and seminars. She consults with families, educators, and health professionals.
Personal Value Statement:
“The process of aging is as old as time; approaches to aging are diverse. Since, as time passes, we all must age in diverse ways: I am privileged to share my time, skills, knowledge and talents with the NYSC board.“
Andrew Fredericks
Director
Andrew Fredericks, MBA joined the NYSC Board in 2024. Andrew brings extensive expertise in project development, commercial contracts, and strategic leadership of healthcare capital investments within the infrastructure, real estate, and construction sectors. With a strong background in managing complex multi-stakeholder initiatives Andrew contributes a wealth of experience in governance, financial oversight, and fostering collaborative decision-making. His skills in risk management and project management align with NYSC’s mission of delivering high-quality services to seniors. In his free time he enjoys pickleball and travel.
Personal Value Statement:
“Supporting seniors through NYSC is a way to create meaningful change and ensure our community thrives across generations. By fostering senior empowerment and dignity, I hope to contribute to a future where every senior can lead a rich and fulfilling life with the respect and independence they deserve.”
Candace Thomson
Executive Director
Candace Thomson is the executive director of North York Seniors Centre. Candace has devoted her almost 30-year career to working in the community sector with charitable organizations dedicated to providing services to seniors. Candace has an education background in gerontology, community recreation and non-profit management from York University, Sheridan and Humber Colleges.
Candace is an advocate of philanthropy and volunteerism. She is the chair for OASSIS (a non-profit employee group benefit plan). She also sits on the steering committee for the Central LHIN (Local Health Integration Network) Community Support Services Network.