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The ErinoakKids Leadership Team

Compassionate, dedicated and experienced staff and volunteers are at the heart of the success of ErinoakKids.

Our Board of Directors and Leadership Team provide accountable governance, and skilled and responsive stewardship that is key to the ongoing effectiveness, innovation and success of our organization in its service to the children and families of Peel, Halton and Dufferin County.

Chris Hartley - President and CEO

Chris is an energetic leader with extensive experience in community health, a record of accomplishment in building successful partnerships and a passion for working with children and families. Chris holds an undergraduate degree in early childhood education, a certification in adult education and an MA in leadership. She has always worked with children, youth and adults of varying abilities and believes very strongly in the mission, vision and values of ErinoakKids.

Chris’ longstanding relationship with ErinoakKids began with in 2004, when she joined the organization to launch the Central West School Support Program, Autism Services. Over the years, Chris assumed roles of increasing responsibility and complexity at ErinoakKids. Serving as Vice President, Clinical Services for 12 years, she provided thoughtful, measured leadership during a time of rapid growth, redevelopment and transformational change.

After a term as Executive Director, Our Kids Network, Chris returned to ErinoakKids in 2022 as a Senior Project Consultant, supporting critical projects such as expansion of respite services and the implementation of the Smart Start Hub at ErinoakKids. 

In April 2024, the ErinoakKids Board of Directors named Chris the President and CEO, leading a committed and dedicated Senior Management Team deeply passionate about the children and youth ErinoakKids has the privilege to serve.  

Alison Cocking - Vice President, Information Systems & Corporate Support Services

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

Kristi Morgan - Vice President, Clinical Services

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 2023, Kristi was named Vice President, 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.

Nicole Patton - Vice President, People and Culture

Nicole began her career at ErinoakKids in 2011 as Human Resources Manager, became Director, Human Resources in 2020, and was promoted to Vice President 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 Hortons 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 - Vice President, Finance & Facilities

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.

Renae Addis - Director, Development

Renae joined ErinoakKids in 2023 as the Director of Development, managing the fundraising and development department’s operations, strategy and direction. She comes to ErinoakKids with more than 15 years of experience in the non-profit sector and 10 years in the corporate sector. Over two decades, Renae has gained experience in fundraising, communications and community investment, and has designed and implemented leading-edge fundraising and community investment plans for both corporate and non-profit organizations.

During her tenure as Executive Director of Peel Children’s Aid Foundation, Renae’s expertise and determination led to the implementation of new fundraising strategies and programs to support vulnerable children, youth and families in Peel Region. 

Renae holds a Bachelors in Communications from the University of Toronto. She also possesses a post graduate degree in Public Relations and Corporate Communications at Sheridan College and a certificate in Corporate Social Responsibility from the University of Toronto.

Jessica Badia - Director, Finance

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 -  Director, Communications

Leona Hollingsworth joined ErinoakKids as Director, Communications in April 2022 to lead a 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 - Director, Analytics, Quality & Digital Health 

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.

Don Milan - Director, Facilities

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.