St. Patrick’s Home of Ottawa abides by a vision to provide residents with the highest quality of care, within a welcoming home, where everyone feels supported and cared for.

The Foundation is honoured to work alongside the Home, and with the community to support this vision.

Our Team

Meg Friedman
Executive Director

Meg was raised on George Street in Waterloo, and is the youngest of eight Kirby siblings. As a youngster, she pursued gymnastics and dance, and later became very involved in campus life at Brock University. Meg moved to Ottawa in 1996 to continue her to work in revenue development and communications. Meg loves to write and tell stories that bring an organization and its people to life. She also enjoys connecting people with causes that are meaningful to them. Meg is happiest when spending time with her children, family and friends, or enjoying the great outdoors, especially on a sunny day.

(613) 731-4660 ext 350
MegFriedman@stpats.ca

Breanne Case
Development Coordinator

Breanne joined the staff of St. Patrick’s Home in 2011 as a Recreologist. She loved planning events and activities for the residents, and the opportunity to interact with them on a daily basis. In this role, Breanne saw first-hand the important role that community donations played in providing staff with the resources they need to do their jobs with excellence and to enrich home life. In 2016, she joined the Foundation team to support its signature events and annual campaigns. Breanne is happiest when she is at home, playing with her son, and discovering new activities together.

(613) 731-4660 ext 353
BreanneCase@stpats.ca

Eden Hailemariam
Community Engagement Coordinator

Eden was first introduced to St. Patrick’s Home at a young age through her mother who was, and still is, a Recreologist at the Home. Throughout her childhood, Eden would frequent the ‘old Home’ where she has many fond memories. Years later, while attending Algonquin College, Eden discovered her interest in the non-profit sector, which she would pursue once completing her degree. It is very nostalgic and fulfilling for Eden to now be working at St. Patrick’s Home. Eden is passionate about the environment and is happiest when she is exploring outdoors with friends.

(613) 731-4660 ext 352
EdenHailemariam@stpats.ca

Board of Directors

Board of Directors provides the highest quality of governance, guidance and direction and its members serve as ambassadors for the tremendous care provided to the seniors of St. Patrick’s Home of Ottawa.

Trevor Johnson, Chair

As a retired aviation executive, and now as a small business owner, Trevor Johnson became involved with St Patrick’s Home of Ottawa Foundation because he wanted to give back to a Home that reminded him of the Home in Winnipeg where his Mom spent her final days. The opportunity to give back, pay tribute to my Mom, raise money to support priority programs at St. Pat’s and make a difference to residents’ care and their daily life is what motivates him as the new Chair of the Foundation’s Board of Directors.

Kathy McVean, Director

Kathy was employed with OCSB as an educator for more than 30 years. She supported children with learning disabilities, developmental delays, and autism.

Kathy is passionate about providing exceptional care to residents in long-term care. Before joining the Board of Directors of the Foundation, Kathy was a member of the Home’s Board where she served on the Mission and Ethics Committee, the Planning and Evaluation Committee, the Corporate Development Committee, and was the Catholic Health Sponsors of Ontario designate. Today, Kathy continues to volunteer with the Pastoral Care team at St. Pat’s.

Pam Turenne, Director

Pam Turenne is an Account Executive at CyberArk Canada. She helps Canadian Security Leaders understand the importance of Privilege Access Security Programs. Pam has 20+ years of IT and security experience with world-class software companies including CyberArk, VMware, and Quest Software.  She believes in the power of positive thinking and has seen first-hand how it spreads and creates positivity in a workplace.  

Pam’s mother was a resident of St. Patrick’s Home from 2007 to 2017. During these years, Pam spent a great deal of time at St. Pat’s, caring for her mother, and developing dear friendships with staff, residents and their families.

Mark Lalonde, Director

Mark has 30 years of financial services and investment experience. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst and Senior Portfolio Manager at TD Wealth Private Investment Counsel. Mark is actively focused on providing comprehensive wealth management solutions to individuals and families, estates & trusts, charitable and business organizations. Mark has a thorough understanding of investment management, estate and financial planning.

He is a current member and Past-President of the Ottawa CFA Society. Mark is also the past Chair of the Board for the local charity Children at Risk. In his spare time, Mark enjoys spending time with his wife and two children as well as playing pickleball, volleyball, cycling and skiing.

Laila Abdallah, Director

Laila knows that a fulfilling life is realized through acts of love and service.  As a young girl, after her siblings left home to start their own families, Laila became active in her mother’s kitchen and loved to prepare food to share with others. 

She moved from Amman, Jordan to Ottawa at 20 years of age and completed a degree in Computer Science and a diploma in E-Commerce and Web Development. This led to a career in banking. Today she is Manager, Cash Management with TD Commercial Banking. Laila has participated in TD’s Visible Minority and World Skills Community Mentorship Program and is eager to contribute to the wellbeing of the residents at St. Pat’s.

Elyse Gauntsmith, Director

Elyse is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA). Prior to her current employment at BMO Nesbitt Burns as an Investment Associate, Elyse worked as a Manager at Ernst & Young (EY). More recently, Elyse has pursued her Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, having completed level 2 in 2023.

Outside of work, Elyse is most passionate about staying active, traveling, and reading. Despite a busy schedule, Elyse will always find time to prioritize a workout class and will never miss her book club meetings. Elyse strives to visit at least one new country a year, with her favourites to-date being Switzerland and Montenegro.

Jackson McCully, Director

Jackson is a Chartered Professional Accountant and Senior Tax Accountant at Baker Tilly LLP. Currently enrolled in the In-Depth Tax Program, he is eager to establish his career as an up-and-coming tax professional. He is continuously learning and looking for new ways to use his knowledge to better his community. Jackson was born and raised in Brantford, Ontario, and spent several years working and studying across Southern Ontario. In 2022, Jackson moved to Ottawa upon completion of his Masters of Accountancy at Brock University. Jackson believes in life-long learning, community involvement, and quality care.

Katherine Abbott, Director

Katherine Abbott is a public servant currently working at Transport Canada as the Director of Strategic Planning and Integration. Katherine has been recognized for her project delivery and organizational skills.

Katherine has more than 25 years experience with the Government of Canada having worked in numerous, diverse roles and positions at Infrastructure Canada, Industry Canada, and Agriculture Canada.

In her spare time, Katherine enjoys culinary pursuits, outdoor activities, and spending time with her family.  She also serves as a volunteer with Girl Guides of Canada.

Katherine holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (Hons.) and a Master of Arts degree in Public Policy and Administration.

Katherine is looking forward to contributing to the fund-raising efforts of foundation to better support the residents at St Patrick’s Home of Ottawa.

Lorne Wilkson, Director

Lorne has been involved in health care for over 40 years with experience in finance, planning, operations, and administration. Moving frequently over the course of his career he has lived in many cities across the country from the east to the west coasts. Along the way he became a member of the Canadian College of Health Leaders and through the assistance of St. Pat’s allowing him to do one of the program’s practicums, he completed a Bachelor of Social Work.

 

A believer in being involved with the community, he helps the Nepean Minor Hockey Association and the West Barrhaven Community Association. A volunteer for several years with St. Pat’s he has taken on this new role to continue to support its mission

Joshua Vickery, Director

Bio coming soon.

If you are interested in supporting St. Patrick’s Home Foundation, joining a committee or the Board of Directors, please contact us at foundation@stpats.ca.

Address

St. Patrick’s Home of Ottawa Foundation 
2865 Riverside Drive
Ottawa Ontario K1V 8N5

 

Charitable Registration #88897 0399 RR0001