Becoming a Board Member

What does it mean to be a Board Member?

As a member of the Alzheimer Society of Durham Region's Board of Directors, you play an important role in guiding the ASDR’s future and helping ensure people living with dementia, their care partners, and families continue to receive the support they need.

Currently, there are 11,843 persons living with dementia in Durham Region, and that number is expected to double by 2030. While there is currently no cure, our vision is to live in a community where no one experiences dementia alone. Working alongside a dedicated team of staff, volunteers, and community leaders, you will contribute your skills, perspectives, and experience to support informed decision-making, strengthen our impact, and help advance our mission across Durham Region.

As a Board Member, you will:

• Help guide the strategic direction of the organization
• Ensure strong governance, accountability, and financial stewardship
• Serve as an ambassador for ASDR within the community
• Support fundraising efforts and help build awareness of our mission and impact
• Participate in board meetings and contribute to meaningful discussion and decision-making
• Bring your unique skills, experiences, and perspectives to the table

You may be a great fit if:

• You believe everyone deserves dignity, inclusion, and compassionate support
• You want to make a meaningful difference in your community
• You enjoy thoughtful discussion and working collaboratively with others
• You are willing to ask questions, share ideas, and contribute your expertise
• You are committed to helping build a community where no one experiences dementia alone

Why Our Board Members Serve

“You don’t need to have every answer to make a meaningful contribution. You need curiosity, a willingness to listen and a commitment to your community. Over five years on the ASDR Board, I’ve seen how people with different experiences can challenge one another’s thinking and make better decisions together. Serving has given me a place to put my skills to work for something I care about — and a deeper understanding of what our community can accomplish when people choose to get involved.”  — Board Member

“I’m proud to serve on the Board of Directors of the Alzheimer Society Durham Region, an organization that makes a meaningful difference in the lives of people living with dementia and the families and caregivers who support them. If you’re interested in using your expertise to make a difference, this is a great opportunity to contribute to an important cause while supporting the strategic direction and long-term success of an essential community organization.”  — Board Member

Board of Directors 2026-2027

Heidi L. Campbell

Heidi L. Campbell serves as Chair of the Board for the Alzheimer Society of Durham Region. In this role, she provides leadership in governance, advocacy, and strategic oversight, supporting the organization’s mission to serve individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. She is committed to strengthening accountability, fostering collaboration, and advancing meaningful impact within the community.

Heidi is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and Licensed Public Accountant, currently serving as Manager, National Assurance Standards at BDO Canada LLP. She brings a decade of experience in audit and assurance, with a focus on not-for-profit organizations, along with strengths in financial reporting, risk assessment, and governance.

In addition to her professional and board leadership roles, Heidi lectures part-time at Ontario Tech University in the areas of accounting and audit. She is also an active mentor to aspiring CPAs, reflecting her commitment to education and the development of future professionals.

Ruth Cummings

Ruth Cummings is a Chartered Professional Accountant with KPMG in Toronto. She has over 30 years of experience in public accounting, specializing in income tax for private companies and is also dedicated to tax matters pertaining to charities and not-for-profit organizations. Her family has personal experience dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and she is dedicated to enhancing the support and resources that the ASDR provides to patients and their families. Ruth joined the Board of Directors in September 2023.    

Kara Wright

Kara Wright completed her Bachelor of Science at Queen's University then went on to graduate with her Doctor of Pharmacy from University of Waterloo in 2017. Kara is presently pursuing her Master of Health Science in Health Administration at University of Toronto Institute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation. Most of Kara's career has been spent as a pharmacist in community and primary care settings. Over the past year, Kara has shifted her focus towards management and leadership.

She is presently the Executive Director at North Durham Family Health Team. Kara is thankful for the support the Alzheimer's Society provided to her family members when impacted by dementia and is grateful for the opportunity to volunteer as a member of the Board. Kara joined the Board of Directors in September 2024.

Kay Peterson

Kay Peterson is a retired Telecommunications professional who enjoyed more than 40 years in the industry. Early in her career, her roles spanned a variety of management operations positions giving her a broad perspective of many aspects of the business. In later years, she carried her PMP project management certification with pride as she led global IT deployments for enterprise clients and provided leadership in client service. Today Kay is volunteering at the Alzheimer Society with heartfelt gratitude for the support that she and her family received during her mother’s brief journey with dementia. Kay joined the Board of Directors in January 2023.

Carlo Molinaro

Carlo is an accomplished leader with 20+ years of experience driving customer-centred service transformations across the public and private sectors. He holds certifications in Project Management (PMP) and Change Management (Prosci) and brings expertise in governance, strategy, and continuous improvement to deliver sustainable results.

After returning to Durham Region to support a family member as a caregiver, Carlo became deeply engaged in the community through volunteering with the Alzheimer Society and serving as Family Council Chair at a local long-term care home. His lived experience, combined with his professional background, shapes his commitment to service design, accessibility, and continuous improvement, helping ensure services are easier to navigate. Carlo joined the Board of Directors in September 2025.

Dave Wheeler

Dave Wheeler is a passionate advocate for mental health, and a trusted advisor to CMHA Durham, and serves as the Board Chair of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Durham. Dave effectively develops strong relationships with stakeholders, while ensuring the appropriate processes are in place to monitor and measure the organization’s performance and efficacy outcomes. He has brought his empathetic and effective approach to professional and organizational advancement to roles at several notable companies, including his current position as senior manager of sales and operations at one of Canada’s leading financial institutions.

Dave’s expertise is backed by a Master of Business Administration from Queens University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from York University. Dave joined the Alzheimer’s Board of Directors in September 2025 and is grateful for the opportunity to volunteer as a member of the Board. Beyond his professional endeavors, Dave enjoys travelling, golf, hockey, baseball, running, and coaching sports.

Liz Freedman

Liz Freedman is an accomplished human resource professional with extensive experience across both the private and public sectors. Currently, she supports York University's Markham Campus, where she contributes to strategic HR initiatives.. A long-time resident of Durham Region, Liz has lived there with her family for over two decades. She brings valuable governance experience from her time on the board of the Durham Community Health Centre and is passionate about leveraging these insights to support Alzheimer Society Durham Region. Inspired by her mother’s journey with Alzheimer’s, Liz is looking forward to being involved with the Alzheimer Society Durham, and advocate for awareness and support families affected by the disease. Liz joined the Board of Directors in September 2025.

Alan Wong

Alan is a seasoned executive with more than 20 years of leadership experience across the financial services and technology sectors. Throughout his career, he has held senior roles focused on information technology, governance, and organizational and process improvement.

A long-time Durham Region resident, Alan lives with his wife and two sons. He has always believed in giving back to his community and is grateful for the opportunity to contribute his expertise as a member of the Board of Directors of the Alzheimer Society of Durham Region.

Alan joined the Board of Directors in September 2026.

Nicole Welch

Dr. Nicole Welch is the General Manager of Seniors Services and Long-Term Care for the City of Toronto. Nicole holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from McMaster University, a Master of Science in Nursing from McGill University, and a PhD in Applied Psychology and Human Development from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto.

Nicole began her career in health care as a Registered Nurse at Brampton Memorial Hospital and Mount Sinai Hospital before joining Toronto Public Health in 2001. Over more than two decades of public service, Nicole has held progressive leadership roles, including Public Health Nurse, Supervisor, Manager, Associate Director, Director of Community Health and Well-Being, and Chief Nursing Officer. In 2024, Nicole joined Toronto Children's Services as a District Director and, in 2025, was appointed General Manager of Seniors Services and Long-Term Care for the City of Toronto.

Throughout her career dedicated to public service, Nicole has been a strong advocate for health equity, community well-being, and the development of healthy workplaces. She is passionate about mentoring and empowering staff, students, and emerging leaders and has participated in numerous leadership and mentorship initiatives.

Beyond her professional responsibilities, Nicole served as Vice-Chair and Director of the Durham Community Health Centre Board of Directors from 2020 to 2026. Nicole is also a proud mother of two young men, an avid walker and rider, a movie enthusiast, and someone who enjoys exploring new places through travel. She joined the ASDR Board of Directors in September 2026.