Board Documents
Meet the Board of Directors
Anita Trusler
Chair, Board of Directors
Industry Specialization
Public Health, Community Development, Health System Planning
Professional Background
Anita is a public health professional with over 13 years’ service in the municipal sector. Her areas of expertise include community development, health system planning and partnership/collaboration. Anita’s commitment to age-friendly community planning has evolved into opportunities to support Sarnia Lambton Ontario Health Team Planning and create an Older Adult Care Pathway in partnership with local service providers.
Community Involvement
As a long-time Sarnia-Lambton resident, Anita is committed to helping create a healthy community. She is one of the founding committee members of the Bluewater International Granfondo (BIGF) and a dedicated committee member with Noelle's Gift. Anita was named to the Mayor's Honour List in 2017 by Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley for being a passionate advocate for safe cycling. In the same year she also received the Mid-Career Award from Health Promotion Canada for her contributions to the field of Health Promotion.
Additional Interests & Hobbies
Anita’s proudest achievement to date is her family. When she’s not working, she loves to spend time biking, hiking and exploring the great outdoors.
Sharon McKay
Chair, Governance & Human Resources Committee, Director of the Board
Industry Specialization
Human Resource Management and Governance, Adherence to HR compliance processes, provincial and federal legislation.
Professional Background
Sharon has over 40 years experience working in Human Resource Management. In her capacity Sharon provided guidance and leadership to senior and mid-level management on the effective and efficient management of people to maximize employee performance in service of achieving the organizations strategic objectives.
A Certified Human Resource Professional Leader (CHRL) (1987), she attended numerous Executive Education programs through Queens University, the Rotman School of Business and HRPAO. Sharon graduated with her diploma in Personnel and Administration from Centennial College. (1984)
Prior to her retirement in 2018 Sharon focused her attention on unification project between the YMCA’s across Southwestern Ontario and Western Ontario. Since her retirement, Sharon has provided HR Consulting to several local non-profit, small businesses, specializing in workplace harassment investigations.
Community Involvement
Sharon joined the Board of Directors for LEO in 2019. She chairs the HR and Governance Committee and sits on the Nomination Committee.
Additional Interests and Hobbies
Sharon likes to play golf, hang out with her four grandchildren and her dogs Bernie and Winston.
Sarah Milner
Director of the Board
Industry Specialization
Primary Care, Mental Health
Professional Background
With over 26 years of experience in healthcare, Sarah brings specialized knowledge of primary care, mental health and system navigation. As the Executive Director of Central Lambton Family Health Team in Petrolia, she has a passion for developing community partnerships and expanding services out to the county. Growing up in rural Lambton, Sarah has a solid understanding of challenges facing those in more isolated areas with limited access to resources. Sarah’s knowledge of the larger healthcare system is an asset to her role as a board member and finance committee member.
Community Involvement
Sarah has volunteered for many years on numerous committees such as the L.C.D.S. Rights Review Counsel, Community Policing and most recently the Petrolia Community Foundation. She got her start volunteering in high school as a candy stripper at C.E.E. Hospital.
Additional Interests and Hobbies
When not working, Sarah enjoys spending time with family, friends and her pets. She is a novice snow boarder who enjoys being active but would trade in the cold weather in a heartbeat for time lounging on a beach.
Hani Dajani
Chair, Finance & Risk Committee, Director of the Board
Industry Specialization
Private Equity, Humanitarian Intervention, Social Services
Professional Background
Hani has over 25 years of both national and international experience in executive management. He held positions as a Director and Managing Director of several organizations and trusts that provide humanitarian support and invest in small industry and public private partnerships focused on strengthening local economic development in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region. Prior to joining the Family Counselling Centre, Hani lead numerous international and domestic missions for both the United Nations and the Canadian Red Cross and other field-based interlocutors, providing life-saving emergency response for natural and human made disasters. In his current role as Executive Director at FCC, Hani is focusing on introducing new community-based programs, reducing dependency on ministerial funding while exploring new opportunities and establishing new diversified partnerships and synergies with organizations within the social services sector in Sarnia-Lambton.
Community Involvement
Hani is a Board member of the Rotary Club of Sarnia and holds the position of Head of the Community Services for the club. As a board member for LEO, Hani hopes to ensure the success and growth of the Age-Friendly Initiative and help in creating partnerships within the different organizations in support of our elderly community.
Additional Interests and Hobbies
Outside of the office, Hani volunteers for the Sarnia Sturgeons Football Club where his two boys have been playing since moving to Sarnia in 2020.
Private Equity, Humanitarian Intervention, Social Services
Cathy Howes
Director of the Board
Industry Specialization
Accounting, Bookkeeping, Income Tax, Financial Advice for sole proprietors, businesses, and corporations.
Professional Background
Cathy has owned and operated her own financial business since 2007 offering a wide-range of unique services based on her education and skills, including finance and accounting. Cathy also taught Finance and Accounting at Lambton College for six years. Being the chair of the Finance Committee and a Board Member at LEO allows her to contribute to a team environment to review financial policies and procedures in order to grow the organization. Working with a wide range of professional experiences and knowledge allows the committee to provide guidance and oversight to streamline health systems to prioritize older adult care.
Community Involvement
Growing up in Sarnia-Lambton, Cathy has been dedicated to community action initiatives since her teenage years, including work in suicide and prevention. For the past five years as a Board member with LEO, she has been able to provide expertise in finances which is the foundation of much organizational work and progress. Learning about social and health care system planning and advocacy for older adults was an area of growth for her she highly values.
Additional Interests and Hobbies
Cathy is a grandmother to a beautiful grandson and a mother to two successful daughters! Through her many travels, she has built empathy for the challenges people may face in their lives. This has motivated her to understand the human experience personally and professionally. Cathy also loves literature and learning.
William S. Snyder
Director of the Board
Industry Specialization
Managing industrial and commercial manufacturing and distribution businesses.
Professional Background
William began his career in mechanical design and drafting in 1950 and expanded his expertise in manufacturing, marketing, and management through continuous learning. He later pursued studies in computer sciences (2008–2013), completed the Dale Carnegie program, and is a registered professional manager with the Canadian Institute of Management. Prior to retirement, he successfully owned and operated his own business for 15 years
Community Involvement
William has been involved in various community boards and volunteered in organizations such as the Big Brothers Association, Chamber of Commerce, Library Board, Condominium Corporations, Seniors Center Foundation, Minor Hockey Executive, and also served as a coach.
Additional Interests and Hobbies
William has been happily married to his wife Judith for 70 years and they have two daughters, four grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. They both enjoy 5-pin bowling, carpet bowling, and shuffleboard. In addition, William also designed and built two personal homes and holds a private pilot license. At home, he likes to spend time on his computer and flight simulator, which he built himself.
Michelle Scott
Director of the Board
Industry Specialization
Michelle specializes in human service with a background in medical administration, bringing over 15 years of experience in healthcare and social services. With skills in advocacy, communication, and client-centred care, Michelle adds value to organizations by fostering collaborative partnerships, strengthening community connections, and ensuring vulnerable populations receive the supports they need to thrive
Professional Background
Michelle has an extensive professional background that spans both human services and medical administration. With over 15 years of experience supporting physician's, surgeons, and patients in healthcare she developed a strong foundation in organizational leadership, client service and efficient care co-ordination. Building on this expertise, she has also contributed to the human service sector through advocacy, support services and community engagement. Her ability to bridge healthcare and human service enables her to bring a holistic perspective to senior care and community-based support services.
Additional Interests and Hobbies
Outside of her professional work, Michelle enjoys spending time with her family, and friends, spending time in nature and reading. She remains committed to learning personal growth and continuously seeks new ways to contribute to the well-being of her community.
Debra McKeown
Director of the Board
Industry Specialization
Long -Term Care Nursing, Mental Health and Business Management
Professional Background
Debra comes to LEO, with over 30 years health-care experience and on-going education and experience in psychiatry, geriatrics and business and client services. She is most proud of her work as an Administrator of an Assisted Living facilty, as well as management of seniors’ housing apartments. This work involved budget development, strategic planning and government and community liaisons, as well as, human resource management. Debra has a special interest in the mental health of the senior population, as well as memory care. She has worked with Alzheimer’s clients both through employment and as a family care giver. She has work experience with CMHA, particularly in the area of group home management.
Community Involvement
As an avid spokesperson for seniors and those in need of supportive care, Debra has been part of a seniors’ resource group, community planning for Long-Term Care and the planning and building of a shelter for the homeless. Although Debra has worked in several communities in Canada, Lambton County holds a special place in her heart. She hopes to now use this past work and personal experience to help contribute to advance the care of seniors throughout Lambton County.
Additional Interests and Hobbies
Her family and grandchildren are the joy of Debra’s life, and she spends as much time as possible with them. She enjoys music, and frequently her recreational time is spent dancing with the local clogging group.
Heather Karrow
Director of the Board
Industry Specialization
Heather has extensive expertise in Senior Care, Long-Term Care, Delirium Prevention, Palliative Care, and Senior-Friendly Hospital Initiatives.
Professional Background
Heather holds a B.Sc. in Human Kinetics (Aging) from the University of Guelph, along with diplomas in Therapeutic Recreation, Long-Term Care Management, and a Volunteer Management Certificate. With over seven years in long-term care, she has worked in management, recreation therapy, volunteer coordination, and program support. Currently, she is the Elder Life Specialist at Bluewater Health, leading a Delirium Prevention Program and supporting senior-friendly hospital initiatives. She has also taught in the Recreation Therapy Program at Queen’s College and strongly advocates for seniors’ quality of life and access to services. She is dedicated to improving the lives of older adults in both supported living and healthcare settings.
Community Involvement
A recent Lambton County resident, she previously volunteered in Wellington County, teaching Chair Yoga at Marshall Gowland Manor and supporting programs at Wellington Terrace and Fergus Memorial Hospital.
Additional Interests and Hobbies
Heather enjoys time with loved ones, reading, and beach walks with her dog, Winnie. She practices and teaches yoga at Olive Tree Yogi.
Sheri Donkers
Director of the Board
Industry Specialization
Sheri specializes in Human Resources Management, Benefits & Pension Administration, Payroll, Accounting
Professional Background
Sheri is an experienced HR professional with over 20 years in industries including non-profit, manufacturing, education, and finance. She holds multiple diplomas and is currently completing her Bachelor's in HR Management & Labour Relations. Recognized as a Female Top Talent and Rising Star (2023–2025), Sheri champions inclusive workplace culture and supports employee resource groups that empower women and cultural minorities. She brings empathy, professionalism, and a passion for respectful, values-driven HR leadership.
Community Involvement
A proud resident of Lambton County, Sheri commutes to Chatham-Kent for employment, where she is a workplace champion in community partnerships, supporting, volunteering, and advocating community programs such as Outreach for Hunger, and the United Way Centraide Windsor-Essex Chatham-Kent programs; The Period Promise, Teacher’s Tote Campaign, and the Back-to-School Gift Card Campaign.
Additional Interests and Hobbies
Sheri is a proud mother of successful twin sons. She is a lifelong learner who is passionate about her professional and personal growth to support her legacy of being deeply invested in the well-being and success of our community.