Meet our Current Board of Directors

Julie Davis ~ Board Chair  (also member of Finance and Personnel Committee and Board Executive Committee)
Julie Davis joined the Five Counties Children’s Centre Board in 2016 and is Board Chair and a member of the Finance and Personnel Committee and the Board Executive Committee. Julie’s career has spanned the for-profit, public and charitable sectors. Currently, as Vice President External Relations and Advancement at Trent University, she is responsible for philanthropy, advancement services, community relations, indigenous relations, alumni affairs, and the campus master plan. Prior to Trent she was President and CEO of the Peterborough Regional Health Centre Foundation where she led two major fundraising campaigns. Her work in the charitable sector was preceded by a career in marketing and senior leadership in the packaged goods sector at Quaker Oats and Unilever Canada.

Tony Doyle ~ Board Vice-Chair and Chair of Board Executive Committee
Tony Doyle was introduced to Five Counties Children’s Centre in 2014, shortly after his son was born with a range of challenges. He is forever thankful for the professional and compassionate care that the Five Counties team provided to his son, who is now thriving, and family.

Tony is a highly successful post-secondary education leader with extensive background in academic program delivery, communications, and community and government relations, including helping to secure millions of dollars in funding for priority projects. Currently, he is Executive Dean of the Durham College Faculty of Science, Engineering and Information Technology.

Finally, Tony feels fortunate to have served on a number of different community boards and committees over the course of his career.

Ziyad Sidawi ~ Board Treasurer, Chair of the Finance and Personnel Committee and Member of the Board Executive Committee
Ziyad is a Bachelor of Commerce graduate of Concordia University’s John Molson School. He is a Senior Financial Analyst with Part Time CFO Services. He brings a passion for results and a work ethic second to none.

Galen Eagle ~ Board Secretary and Chair of the Communication and Government Relations Committee
Galen Eagle joined the Five Counties Children’s Centre Board in 2020 and is a member of the Board Executive Committee and Chair of the Communications and Government Relations Committee. In his day job, Galen is Communications Manager at the PVNC Catholic District School Board, a position he has held since 2015. Before his move to school public relations, Galen was the Communications Manager for the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, and prior to that he was a multi-media journalist for nearly 10 years. Galen has a journalism degree from Carleton University.

In addition to serving Five Counties, Galen is an active volunteer. He is currently vice-president of the Canadian Association of Communicators in Education (CACE) and has served communication roles on local election campaigns at both the federal and municipal level.

Isabelle Keeley ~ Director, Chair of Programs, Service and Advisory Committee and Member of Board Executive Committee
Isabelle joined the Five Counties Children’s Centre Board in 2021 and is Chair of the Program, Service and Advisory Committee.

Isabelle is a graduate from Cornwall General Hospital with a Nursing Diploma and management experience in the nursing arena and has an education background in clinical research as a Clinical Research Professional with 12 years experience in the pharmaceutical industry, responsible for overseeing assigned clinical trials and to identify and report fraud and misconduct at all levels.

Isabelle has worked locally in Peterborough, parts of Ontario, and the United States and held a volunteer position as a Registered Nurse with Canadian International Development Association Jamaica Self-Help Development (Establishment of Outpatient Clinics in Jamaica).

Kristy Hook ~ Director, Member of Programs, Service and Advisory Committee
Kristy’s association with Five Counties Children’s Centre began in 2005 when her eldest daughter was born with a cleft palate. FCCC provided assistance in the early days with infant feeding and later with extensive speech therapy.

The early part of Kristy’s career was as a financial planner with TD Canada Trust. Later as a practicing midwife, Kristy was a founding partner of Community Care Midwives. With the start of her family, Kristy chose to leave her midwifery practice due to the extensive on-call hours related to the profession and joined Lett Architects in the capacity of Administrative Principal.

Kristy has participated in a wide range of community volunteer opportunities earning a Port Hope Civic Award in 2013. Professionally, Kristy sat for several years on the Executive Committee of the Association of Ontario Midwives both as Treasurer and Vice President. She spent two years as a Community Member and one year as a Director of the Board for Northumberland Hills Hospital in Cobourg finishing in June 2017.

Judith Anne Armstrong Binette ~ Director, Member of Programs, Service and Advisory Committee

Judith is a graduate of the University of Ottawa Medicine and Family Medicine Programs. She achieved fellowship in the College of Family Medicine in 2005. Judith has served on various boards and committees including the St. Peter’s Secondary School Parent Teacher Council, French Immersion Committee for the Peterborough, Victoria, Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board and the Kawartha Youth Orchestra. She also served as Primary Care Lead for Peterborough City and County of the Central East Local Health Integration Network. She served as chair of The Peterborough Clinic Executive, co-chair and founder of the Primary Care Focus Group and a member of the Governance Committee for the Peterborough Ontario Health Team. Judith is a strong believer in cultural sensitivity and gender sensitivity haven taken part in Indigenous Cultural Sensitivity Training, a Blanket Ceremony and Gender Sensitivity Training.

She retired from her Primary Care Practice in 2020 and has since worked with Peterborough Regional Health Centre and Peterborough Public Health for Covid-19 vaccination. She enjoys helping out with her 7 grandchildren. She was drawn to Five Counties Children’s Centre as an Aunt of a gifted young man with special needs and the Nana of premature twins who use the services of Five Counties.

Kevin Kirkpatrick ~ Director, Member of Finance and Personnel Committee

Kevin Kirkpatrick is an executive and physician recruiting professional that has worked with the Peterborough Regional Health Centre and now with the City and County.  His focus is on building health care teams to meet community needs.  As a former Five Counties board member this is an opportunity for him to return to an organization he holds in high regard.  As a parent of two daughters, Kevin volunteers his time towards causes that affect children.

Rennie Lowes ~ Director, Member of the Communications and Government Relations Committee
Rennie has been a realtor in Peterborough since 2003 and is the Past President of the Peterborough and Kawartha Association of Realtors (PKAR). During his time at PKAR, Rennie held the position of Chair of Finance, Technology, Professional Standards, and was a member of several other committees. He has vast experience setting budgets and in strategic planning. Prior to being a realtor, Rennie was a Project Manager for software companies with clients that ranged from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. In his professional work, Rennie has excelled at dealing with varied clientele with a wide range of needs and concerns and believes that his ability to listen to others will serve him well on the Board of Five Counties. He enjoys being involved in organizations such as Five Counties that provide services and benefits to their stakeholders and clients. His desire is to serve, contribute his expertise and to leave the Board of Directors in good shape for his successor.

Sacha Lai-Svirk ~ Director, Vice-Chair of Communications and Government Relations Committee 
Sacha joined the Five Counties Children’s Centre Board in 2022 and is Vice-Chair of the Communications and Government Relations Committee and Strategic Planning Committee. Sacha is Partner and VP of People & Technology at Outpost379, one of the country’s most accomplished and respected health and wellness advertising agency. Sacha draws from more than 30 years of experience in healthcare and digital advertising. As an agency partner and member of the senior leadership team Sacha is a key contributor in helping shape agency strategy, talent integration and organizational culture. In addition to serving Five Counties, Sacha also serves on the board of directors for the Downtown Business Improvement Area, acting Chair for the DBIA Marketing Committee, Fleming’s Program Advisory Committee and often volunteers for The Peterborough Humane Society fostering kittens. Born in Jamaica, Sacha has also called Indiana and Kitchener-Waterloo home. In the summer you will find her paddle boarding along the beautiful shores of Chemong Lake.

Hugh Parker ~ Director, Member of the Finance and Personnel Committee
Hugh is a graduate of the University of Toronto (Trinity College), Yale University and Western University and he settled in Port Hope to practice law. He practiced general law until joining the staff of the Northumberland Children’s Aid Society as in-house Legal Counsel. Hugh retired in 2007 and has significant experience as a volunteer on the Board of Directors for numerous organizations including Architectural Conservancy of Ontario, Northumberland Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Port Hope and District Hospital, Community Living West Northumberland.

Jennifer Stover ~ Director, Member of the Finance and Personnel Committee

Jennifer Stover is the CIO, CFO, Senior Director of Corporate Services with Peterborough County.  In this role she is responsible for Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Geographic Information Systems, and Communications.  Jennifer is a CPA and has a H.B.Com. As a toddler, Jennifer’s son was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.  Having benefitted directly from the types of services that Five Counties Children’s Centre offers, she was happy to volunteer her services.  In addition to Director, Jennifer also sits on the Finance and Personnel Committee.

Julie Selby ~ Director and Member of Program, Service and Advisory Committee

Julie Selby is a Superintendent of Learning with the Peterborough, Victoria, Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board. She identifies as a white settler committed to her journey toward Truth and Reconciliation, privileged to work and learn on the traditional and treaty territory of the Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg. An innovative instructional leader and relationship builder, Julie has enjoyed many opportunities to collaborate with members of several board committees to foster a culture of excellence. Julie holds a Master’s of International Education: School Leadership, a Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Arts, specialists in Special Education and Reading and is currently studying at Osgoode Hall to obtain her Education Law certification. Julie is the proud and devoted mother of two sons – Jakob and Andrew, who are the light of her life. She is an outdoor enthusiast who may often be found on the trails surrounding her home, and is also an avid gardener and cook. Julie serves as Lector at her parish of Immaculate Conception, and is a passionate advocate for those most vulnerable in our community through her support of One Roof, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Food for Kids and Porch Pirates.

Julie’s previous connection to Five Counties Children’s Centre was as a school administrator, where she worked in partnership with staff to serve students and families to ensure optimal growth and development. Julie is excited to continue her partnership with Five Counties by contributing her expertise in service as a member of the Board.

Charlene Press ~ Director, Member of the Finance and Personnel Committee

Charlene joined the Five Counties Children’s Centre Board in 2023 and is a member of the Finance and Personnel Committee. Charlene is a retired senior executive from Nestlé with international experience working across multiple functions including HR, sales, marketing and finance. She was the Senior Vice President of HR for Nestlé in Canada, then led a Global HR project, People Analytics and Organization Design based in Switzerland.  In addition to serving Five Counties, Charlene also serves on the board of directors and sings in the Peterborough Singers Choir.  She enjoys supporting organizations which align with her passions and interests.  Five Counties is no exception, as she knows from experience with her eldest grandchild the importance of these organizations in helping children with special needs and development challenges.

Board – Community Committee Members

Sandy Robinson ~ Program and Services Advisory Committee

Kristin Jones ~ Finance and Personnel Committee

Erica Richmond ~ Communications and Government Relations Committee