Bridget is a results-driven professional with extensive experience in health-care management, and a solid background in business. Regarded for her integrity, vision and consultative-style, she has become a trusted partner in the community-based health-care sector to lead delivery of integrated programming and services to children and youth with disabilities and special needs, with a focus on accountability, organizational performance and change management.
Bridget holds undergraduate degrees in clinical social work and political science, and a Master’s degree in public policy and policy analysis. She was also among the first graduates of the Advanced Health Leadership Program at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management, and is a member in good standing of the Canadian Council of Health Leaders (CCHL).
Bridget’s longstanding relationship with ErinoakKids began as a health care consultant in 1996, after achieving successes in the business sector, and while pursuing her master’s degree. She formally joined the organization in 1999, as its inaugural Coordinator of Continuous Quality Improvement, Risk and Utilization Management.
In the years to follow, during a period of rapid organizational growth, Bridget assumed roles of increasing breadth and complexity, working as an integral part of its leadership team to provide vision and organization-wide leadership. Her extensive portfolio included business development, implementation of new programs, development of strategy and the creation of frameworks for change and innovation.
In 2006, Bridget was named Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. After a national search to replace the incumbent (retiring) Senior Executive, she assumed the position of President & CEO in 2008.
Under Bridget’s stewardship, ErinoakKids has grown to become Ontario’s largest CTC, serving over 24,000 children and families each year. Her advocacy was instrumental to garnering approval for three purpose-built sites, opened in 2018, to better meet the needs of children and youth with disabilities. Concurrently, during those busy years, the organization deconstructed and reconstructed its service delivery model and management structure to remove barriers, streamline efficiencies and ensure availability of a fully integrated continuum of services to its growing client base.
Bridget is deeply passionate about the organization she leads, and the children and families ErinoakKids is privileged to serve. An active volunteer in her community, she is known as a consensus builder who is committed to enhancing community partnerships and collaborative efforts in the pursuit of best outcomes for current and future generations of children and youth with disabilities and special needs, and their families.
Alison joined ErinoakKids in 2018 to provide leadership for the Information Systems portfolio, with responsibility for strategic and operational management of the organization’s information technology. In 2019 she added Corporate Support Services to her portfolio.
Alison has more than 18 years of experience with, and knowledge of, integrated systems, data quality, and health information systems. She is a graduate of the University of Toronto and has completed courses in LEAN methodology with the Institute for Health Care Improvement. Recognized for her strategic aptitude, passion for excellence and strong team-building skills, Alison seeks to create authentic partnerships to support the delivery of integrated systems in advancing client care at ErinoakKids.
Prior to joining ErinoakKids, Alison worked at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital managing their clinical information systems, where she helped implement a fully electronic patient record
Pauline began her career with ErinoakKids in 2002, as the first Training Specialist in Ontario approved to support the Autism Initiative for Central West Region. Since then, Pauline has taken on a number of progressively senior roles. In July 2013, Pauline was appointed to the newly created role of Vice President, Autism Services, overseeing all Autism Services streams, and providing leadership to the Central West Regional Autism Services Program in Ontario.
In April 2023 Pauline took on an interim role as Vice President, Sustainability Planning, to align the work of ErinoakKids for a sustainable future. Pauline is a forward thinking collaborator, advancing ErinoakKids partnerships and enhancing services to children exponentially.
Prior to joining ErinoakKids, Pauline worked as a Learning and Development Consultant with the Ministry of Community and Social Services. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts from the University of Western Ontario and a Master of Education from University of Toronto. She has also completed a Certificate in Clinical Leadership from Schulich School of Business at York University.
Nicole began her career at ErinoakKids in 2011 as Human Resources Manager, became Director, Human Resources in 2020, and was promoted to Vice President, Human Resources in 2021. Nicole provides strategic direction and leadership to Human Resources, Payroll, Learning and Development, the Longo Family Resource Centres, and Health, Safety and Disability Management.
Nicole has more than twenty years of Human Resources experience across the healthcare, not-for-profit, and retail sectors. Prior to joining ErinoakKids, Nicole worked as the Director of Human Resources for the Tim Horton Foundation Camps. Nicole holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Guelph, a Masters of Education degree from Brock University with a specialization in adult education, and a Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) designation from the Human Resources Professionals Association.
Outside of ErinoakKids, Nicole is an avid distance runner and dedicated to healthy, active living. Nicole has been a yoga and Pilates teacher for many years, and has recently expanded her practice to include mindfulness meditation. The lessons learned from this work have shaped Nicole’s calm and focused leadership style.
Danny Sirmis joined ErinoakKids in January of 2017 to lead the Finance department. He is a seasoned Chartered Accountant who has more than twenty years of experience providing financial and administrative leadership for organizations in both the public and the private sectors.
Prior to joining ErinoakKids, Danny held many senior level positions such as Business Manager & Comptroller, Manager of Operations, Senior Fiscal Policy & Planning Consultant, and Chief Financial Officer. Most recently, Danny was the Director of Finance at Peel Children’s Aid Society.
Danny holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Commerce from the University of Toronto, and has acquired his professional designation as a Chartered Professional Accountant/Chartered Accountant. He values a strategic and creative approach to financial services through relentless execution of strategy, innovation and continuous improvement of business processes and investing in the development of employees leading to extraordinary results.
Jessica joined ErinoakKids in 2021 as the Director of Finance, managing the finance department’s operations, strategic direction, and continuous improvement efforts. She is passionate about working for an organization that is deeply rooted in the community and has a positive impact on the lives of children and families served.
Prior to joining ErinoakKids, Jessica worked as the Director of Finance at a community-based healthcare agency and has more than 10 years experience in both external and internal audit in the not-for-profit sector. She possesses strong business acumen with experience in leadership, strategic planning, performance measurement, and budgeting.
Jessica holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University, where she graduated with honours. She also holds both a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Professional Accountant designation.
Leona Hollingsworth joined ErinoakKids as Director, Communications in April 2022 to lead an energetic and passionate communications team responsible for telling the ErinoakKids' story. Leona has more than 18 years of progressive experience in the public and private sectors, having been fortunate enough to learn from experts in corporate communications, strategic communications planning, health communications, crisis and issues response, media and stakeholder relations and community engagement.
Leona holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from Carleton University. With an interest in work that contributes positively to the life and betterment of her community, Leona believes strongly in the power of the stories of the families we serve and in the vision, mission and values of ErinoakKids.
Lindsay Jacks joined ErinoakKids in 2014 as the Manager, Decision Support, where she has advanced the team's technical and analytical skills and expanded the use of business intelligence and automation across the organization. Lindsay has a passion for data and the power it holds to provide information and insights resulting in informed, data-driven decisions. In 2020, Lindsay’s team expanded to include Business Analytics and in 2021, Lindsay was promoted to the position of Director, Analytics, Quality and Digital Health with a goal to advance ErinoakKids’ Digital Health strategy. As part of Corporate Support Services, Lindsay has the privilege of collaborating with colleagues across the organization with a shared goal of creating systems and processes that support the exceptional service delivery provided to our clients and families at ErinoakKids.
Prior to joining ErinoakKids, Lindsay worked as a Biostatistician at world renowned cancer research hospitals in both Canada and the United States. She has also led a team of analysts at the provincial level, working on Ontario's Access to Care wait time strategy.
Lindsay holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics & Statistics from McMaster University and a Master of Science degree in Biostatistics from the University of Toronto. She also holds a designation of Associate Statistician from the Statistical Society of Canada.
Bridget joined ErinoakKids in 2005 as a Speech Language Pathologist and served in various supervisory roles until becoming Clinical Operations Manager for Autism Services in 2013, Manager of Business Development in 2019, and Director, Autism Services in 2020.
Bridget obtained a Bachelor’s degree in English and later graduated from the University of Buffalo with a Master of Arts degree in Communicative Disorders and Sciences.
As Clinical Operations Manager for Autism Services, Bridget led the Early Intervention Demonstration at ErinoakKids, along with other projects and initiatives. Bridget also helped develop and launch ErinoakKids fee-for-service Autism Services.
Don joined ErinoakKids in 2004 as Facilities Supervisor and Facilities Manager before becoming Director, Facilities in 2020 to lead the facilities department and manage facility operations.
With more than 25 years of experience in facilities management, Don has provided his expertise to many strategic initiatives at ErinoakKids, most recently overseeing various phases of the construction of ErinoakKids three new buildings. His passion for ErinoakKids’ values is evident to all who encounter him.
Don holds a Maintenance Management designation from the Building Owners and Managers Institute and a Facilities Maintenance Mechanics certification from the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.
Kristi joined the ErinoakKids family in 1996 as a Speech-Language Pathologist and supported the implementation of the Preschool Speech and Language Program. Over the years, Kristi has taken on a number of leadership roles at ErinoakKids and has been at the forefront of collaborative initiatives with school boards, hospitals, and regional providers. In 2020, Kristi was promoted to Director, Clinical Services.
Kristi is a passionate leader who inspires her team as they implement inter-professional, evidence-based services that have meaningful outcomes for the clients and families ErinoakKids serves. Kristi has a Masters degree in Clinical Science, S-LP, from Western University and has been recognized for her award winning, community based, integrated models of care. Her broad knowledge, which spans neonatal follow-up to transition to adult services has made her a valuable contributor to countless initiatives and projects
Kristi is committed to supporting the best possible outcomes for children and youth, and looks forward to continuing her journey in clinical innovation at ErinoakKids.
As Psychology Lead, Archana provides clinical oversight to ErinoakKids autism services and supports the implementation of best practices and the development of strategic planning. Archana played a significant role in the inception of the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Diagnostic Hub at ErinoakKids, which provides ongoing clinical support to the diagnostic team.
Archana joined ErinoakKids in 2005 as Clinical Coordinator where she supervised senior therapists providing behavioural intervention for clients. This experience led to her position as Psychometrist, where she joined a team that conducted eligibility screenings and psychological assessments.
Archana holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Mysore, India. Outside of work, she enjoys the great Canadian outdoors, camping, and long walks with her dog, Laika.
