Deb Comuzzi

Chair

St. Joseph's Care Group has always been a part of Deb Comuzzi's family story. Born at St. Joseph's Hospital and raised in Thunder Bay, she grew up watching her parents give their time to support the hospital and community.

Deb returned to Thunder Bay 14 years ago following a career that took her to Sudbury, Toronto, and London, Ontario. Along the way, she held leadership roles in healthcare, academia, community service, strategic planning, and philanthropy including with the Canadian Red Cross Metro District Health Council, Canadian Cancer Society, Shine Foundation, Children's Health Foundation, and Lakehead University.

Serving on SJCG's Board brings Deb's personal and professional experiences together. She is grateful for the opportunity to give back to the community she has always called home.

Bill Bradica

Vice Chair

Bill Bradica has spent more than 40 years working across Northwestern Ontario in community housing, social services and public administration. After returning to Thunder Bay following time away for university and work, his career took him throughout the region, giving him a broad understanding of its communities and the people who call them home.

Bill's connection to St. Joseph's Care Group goes back to childhood. Born at St. Joseph's Hospital and raised in Thunder Bay, he grew up knowing the organization through his mother, who worked at the hospital as a Registered Practical Nurse.

Bill is a Chartered Professional Accountant and brings extensive experience in strategic planning, government relations, financial management and board governance to the SJCG Board, with a particular interest in mental health and addictions services. Bill retired as the CEO of the TBDSSAB in 2024.

Susan Fraser

Past Chair

Susan Fraser has always believed that volunteering and assisting others is an important part of life.

Originally from Thunder Bay, Susan built her professional career with the Ontario Public Service, working throughout Northwestern Ontario and collaborating closely with municipal governments on finance, governance, and administration. She also brings extensive board experience, including serving as Chair of the Board of Directors of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. Her leadership experience includes governance and accountability, strategic planning, and fiscal sustainability.

For Susan, serving on SJCG's Board means recognizing the importance of every part of the care journey. She chose SJCG because of the breadth of services it provides, meeting the needs of people at various stages of life and supporting them as their needs change.

Ben Raison

Treasurer

For Ben Raison, Northwestern Ontario is more than a place on a map. It is home.

As a business owner, Ben has worked with rural and remote communities and First Nations, gaining insight into the region's unique challenges and opportunities. He brings more than a decade of experience in electrical engineering, infrastructure development, and project management. Throughout his career, Ben has built strong partnerships with First Nations, government agencies and private-sector organizations to deliver complex infrastructure and community development projects.

That experience, along with his connection to the region, led Ben to SJCG's Board. He believes it is not difficult to find someone whose life has been positively impacted by SJCG, and values the organization's role in supporting people through its broad range of services.

Barbara Jarvela

Representative of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie

Thunder Bay has been home to Barbara Jarvela from the very beginning. Born at St. Joseph's Hospital, she has spent her life connected to the community.

Barbara's role on SJCG's Board is as the Representative of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie. She is drawn to the Sisters' longstanding tradition of ministry, dating back to 1884, and their commitment to serving all who require healing, without distinction, and responding to unmet needs.

Barbara believes in the importance of justice and integrity, and in giving back to the community through volunteer service and works of charity. Her service on SJCG's Board reflects her commitment to carrying these values forward in support of the organization and the people it serves.

David Pierce

Designate of the Catholic Health Sponsors of Ontario

For David Pierce, public service has always been about contributing to the place where he lives and the people around him.

Born and raised in Fort Frances and now residing in Thunder Bay, Northwestern Ontario is where he has built his life and career. David is a lawyer by profession whose area of practice intersects with mental health and substance use. Having worked as both a defence lawyer and a prosecutor, he has seen firsthand the impact these challenges can have on individuals and the community. His experience has included seeing tragic outcomes, but also some uplifting stories of recovery.

David chose to serve on SJCG's Board because SJCG is part of the fabric of Thunder Bay. Its services have touched the lives of people throughout the community, either directly or through someone they know. As Thunder Bay is his adopted home, David wanted to be part of an organization that is so closely connected to the community.

Bishop Alan Campeau

Roman Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Thunder Bay

Bishop Alan Campeau came to Northwestern Ontario in 1995 expecting to stay for one year. Today, Thunder Bay is still home.

Ordained to the Roman Catholic priesthood in 1990 and having served in the Diocese of London, Bishop Campeau came to Thunder Bay to assist with parish ministry. In December 2024, he was appointed the sixth Bishop of the Diocese of Thunder Bay and was ordained in February 2025.

Bishop Campeau brings a Catholic healthcare perspective grounded in the dignity of every person and a commitment to the care and wellbeing of all. His experience has reinforced the importance of listening, compassion, and sound judgment, particularly when supporting people who are sick, aging, or facing difficult circumstances. He values SJCG's commitment to listening to the people it serves and learning from their experiences.

Marc DeGagne

Representative of St. Joseph's Foundation of Thunder Bay Board of Directors

The importance of healthcare close to home is something Marc DeGagne understands firsthand after seeing many loved ones receive care at SJCG. Marc saw the respect and dignity they were shown, an experience that stayed with him and helped shape his decision to serve on SJCG's Board.

Having lived in Northwestern Ontario his entire life, Marc has a deep connection to the region and continues to expand his understanding of the unique needs and realities of its diverse communities. He believes that accessible, high-quality healthcare is essential to the health and well-being of the region and recognizes the important role SJCG plays in advancing this goal. He is committed to supporting SJCG and strategizing how we can continue to improve access to care for people across NWO.

An insurance broker by profession, Marc brings experience in leadership, strategic planning, governance, and business operations. His board experience includes the United Way, St. Joseph's Foundation of Thunder Bay, and the Ontario Emerging Broker Council, along with coaching and other volunteer work in the community.

Northern Superior Regional Chief (NSRC) Melvin Hardy

A Representative of the Anishinabek Nation

NSRC Melvin Hardy represents the Northern Superior Region. He is a veteran of the Canadian Army; his service shaped his work ethic, dedication, and commitment to serving his community and the Anishinabek Nation.

With a lifelong interest in and passion for social advocacy for Indigenous Peoples, RDGC Chief Hardy volunteers his time to raise awareness of social issues, Residential Schools, and Child Welfare. He serves as the Representative of the Anishinabek Nation on SJCG's Board.

RDGC Chief Hardy's Dodem (Clan) is Mukwa (Bear), and his name, "Zhoongizi," means "strong one for the people" in Anishinaabemowin.

Stacey Livitski

Client & Family Partner

Stacey Livitski's connection with St. Joseph's Care Group began at age seven, when she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Wanting to give back to the organization that has been part of her journey, Stacey has volunteered with SJCG since 2009. She currently serves as Co-Chair of the Client & Family Partner Program, which brings together people with lived experience and staff to improve programs and services and advance people-centred care.

Originally from the Toronto area, Stacey has called Thunder Bay home for most of her life. A Developmental Services Worker by trade, she has also volunteered with Diabetes Canada at the provincial and federal levels, as well as with Camp Gitchigomee.

Stacey's personal and professional experiences have given her a deep appreciation for the diverse circumstances people may face. She brings this lived experience to her role on the Board, offering a unique perspective to ensuring that the voices and experiences of clients and their families are considered in the Board's work.

Regina Mandamin

Director

Regina Mandamin is an Odawa-Anishinaabe Kwe of the Caribou Clan from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory on Manitoulin Island.

Born and raised in Thunder Bay, Regina grew up watching her late mother serve Anishinaabe peoples and communities in the region. Regina began volunteering as a young person with organizations including the Regional Multicultural Youth Centre, Ontario Native Women's Association, and the Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre.

Today, Regina brings more than 20 years of professional experience in Indigenous policy and relations, together with extensive experience in research and policy analysis, strategic planning and design, negotiation and dispute resolution, and in bridging Indigenous ways of knowing with western concepts to inform responsive decision-making. As a family member of a client of SJCG, Regina was inspired to serve on the Board to ensure that Indigenous voices are represented at leadership tables, helping to drive meaningful systemic change in a way that is inclusive of and responsive to the needs of Indigenous Peoples.

Fhara Pottinger

Director

Originally from Canada's west coast, Fhara Pottinger is a lawyer, business owner, and community volunteer who has made Thunder Bay her home.

Fhara's connection to SJCG grew through visits to SJCG locations with her clients, where she saw firsthand the care and respect staff showed to people living and receiving care there. These experiences reinforced her belief that supporting older adults and those who are ill is an important responsibility, grounded in compassion and dignity.

In addition to serving on SJCG's Board, Fhara is a member of the Rotary Club of Thunder Bay (Fort William). Her professional experience includes family law, corporate and commercial law, and wills and estates. Fhara is committed to fostering an environment where people of different faiths, people of colour, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and Indigenous Peoples feel welcomed and valued. For Fhara, embracing these differences is an important part of building a strong and caring community.

Emily Phippard

Director

Biography coming soon

Jordan Hudyma

Director

Jordan Hudyma is a public affairs professional with experience in government relations, stakeholder engagement, communications, and policy strategy. His work includes leading campaigns and engagement initiatives, supporting policy priorities and funding opportunities, and building relationships with government, healthcare partners, and the broader community.

Jordan brings governance experience through his service on the boards of the Thunder Bay Public Library and the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO), including strategic decision-making, policy development, regulatory oversight, and quality assurance.

Jordan chose to serve on SJCG's Board because of his belief in the importance of accessible, high-quality healthcare and the vital role that community organizations play in supporting Northwestern Ontario. He is particularly interested in helping organizations listen to the communities they serve and build strong, accountable relationships with their partners.

Janine Black

President & CEO

Biography coming soon

Dr. Peter de Bakker

Chief of Staff

Biography coming soon

Carolyn Freitag

Chief Nursing Executive

Biography coming soon

Dr. Sonja Lubbers

President of Professional Staff Association

Biography coming soon