About Us
Saugeen Shores Hospital Foundation advances healthcare close to home by bringing our community together to invest in regional care. We raise funds to support healthcare priorities at Brightshores Southampton Hospital and the Regional Health System, strengthening care through vital medical equipment, facility upgrades, technological advancements, infrastructure improvements, and continuing education for care teams. In collaboration with Brightshores Health System and our sister foundations, we help advance coordinated healthcare initiatives that serve communities across Grey and Bruce counties.
Saugeen Shores Hospital Foundation is a registered charity, #88959 9825 RR001
Our Board of Directors
John Harding
Chair
John Harding
John is an accomplished marketing and communications executive with more than 30 years of experience spanning corporate communications, public affairs, and government relations. Most recently, John served as Managing Director and Global Head of the Client and Marketing Strategy Group at RBC Capital Markets, where he led the firm’s global brand and marketing communications from 2003 to 2024. Deeply committed to community service, he has served on the board of the Nature Conservancy of Canada, co-founded the Gran Fondo Lake Huron in support of rural healthcare, and was Vice President of the Southampton Residents’ Association.
Justin Reinhart
SecretaryTreasurer
Justin Reinhart
Martha Bennett
Director
Martha Bennett
Martha is our Board Chair and a passionate advocate for local healthcare. With over 35 years of experience as a Sonographer at Brightshores, she continues to share her expertise while working part-time in retirement. Dedicated to community service, Martha is also a proud Chambette, embodying her commitment to supporting local initiatives. Her leadership and dedication make her an invaluable part of our Foundation.
Cindy Brannan
Director
Cindy Brannan
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Sue Caley
Director
Sue Caley
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Ryan Campbell
Director
Ryan Campbell
Ryan was born at Saugeen Memorial Hospital and has worked in the Emergency department for the last two decades. His wife Mary serves on the local fire department together they keep busy raising three children in Port Elgin. Being 6th generation Bruce County, Ryan is honoured to be on the Foundation board helping ensure we all have quality healthcare here at home.
Kathryn Forsythe
Director
Kathryn Forsythe
Kathryn is an experienced allied health professional having been employed as a Registered Dietitian for 30 years in hospital, long term care, First Nations, and public health settings throughout Grey and Bruce Counties.
Originally from Kitchener, Kathryn spent every summer in Southampton and has lived here for more than 30 years with her husband John while raising their two sons, Thomas and William
Her maternal family history has long-standing ties to Southampton, beginning with her great – great – grandparents (George and Elizabeth Robinson) coming up first by horse and buggy, then by train, and finally by car from London, Ontario to spend the summers here.  Kathryn’s mother, Jane (Winchester) Kramer, taught swimming between the old docks in the 1940’s as her summer job, and is famously remembered for rowing the lighthouse keeper to the island and then swimming back to shore alone.
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Alison Jones
Director
Alison Jones
Alison Jones is proud to call Southampton, Ontario home. With extensive experience in human resources and organizational effectiveness, Alison is known for her strategic mindset and people-first approach. Her work focuses on driving continuous improvement and fostering environments where individuals and teams can thrive. As a parent raising her family in Southampton, Alison cares about strengthening local resources and giving back to the community.
Dan Miller
Director
Dan Miller
Dan is currently the Manager of Talent Acquisition at Bruce Power, where he oversees all internal and external recruitment efforts, the student development program, and the Indigenous Employment Program. His work plays a key role in shaping the organization’s workforce strategy and supporting meaningful career pathways for students, new graduates, and underrepresented communities. Dan collaborates across departments and with external partners to attract and retain top talent.
He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Nipissing University, where he was captain of the Varsity Men’s Volleyball team. Dan has also completed several professional certifications, including a Lean Green Belt, a Certificate in Organizational Development from Queen’s University, and advanced certification in SuccessFinder assessments.
Ahsan Muhammad
Director
Ahsan Muhammad
Professionally, Ahsan is a technical leader in the power generation sector, where he oversees a team of 16 engineers in the projects and design space. He brings expertise in managing complex initiatives, fostering collaboration, and guiding teams toward achieving meaningful outcomes. His leadership style is rooted in mentorship, accountability, and a focus on long-term impact.
With his combined background in engineering leadership and community service, Ahsan offers a unique perspective to board governance. He is particularly passionate about ensuring organizations in the education and healthcare sectors deliver excellence, expand access, and continue to strengthen the well-being of the communities they serve.
Cathy O’Hagan
Director
Cathy O’Hagan
Originally, from London Ontario, I have proudly called Southampton home for over 37 years.
I hold a BA in Honours Sociology from the University of Western Ontario, and I’m an active member of St. John’s Anglican Church in Port Elgin and have acted in the role of Warden for 6 years.
Currently, I serve as the Indigenous Relations and Communications Officer at E.S. Fox Limited, where I’ve worked for the past 19 years. In this role, I focus on building meaningful partnerships with Indigenous communities and promoting responsible corporate citizenship locally.
Since May 2024, I have served as a Board Member with the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation, supporting initiatives that strengthen local healthcare.
I value collaboration, community connection, and contributing to long-term, positive change—both in my professional role and volunteer work.
Krystal Walser
Director
Krystal Walser
Krystal Walser joined our board in the summer and has been a welcome and enthusiastic addition. As an Account Executive at Bayshore Broadcasting, she brings valuable marketing knowledge and expertise to our team. Her passion for communication and community engagement makes her an asset to our organization, helping us expand our reach and impact.
Our Foundation Staff
Tracy Murray
Executive Director
Tracy Murray
I’m proud to serve as Executive Director of the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation. With over 15 years of experience in healthcare and community-based organizations, I’m passionate about creating real, lasting impact in our local communities and across the region that Brightshores Health System serves.
I love bringing fresh ideas to the table; whether it’s modernizing our events, launching creative fundraising campaigns, or building new partnerships. It’s incredibly rewarding to see how, when we all work together; businesses, donors, service clubs and volunteers, we can ensure people in our region have access to the exceptional care they deserve.
Every day, I’m inspired by the generosity and spirit of this community, and I’m grateful to play a role in supporting the future of local healthcare.
Contact Tracy at 226-903-1114
Email: tmurray@brightshores.ca
Heather Mehlenbacher
Accounting office Admin
Heather Mehlenbacher
Heather joined the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation in 2021, bringing over 25 years of experience in bookkeeping and a passion for volunteering and fundraising. Heather relocated to Saugeen Shores full time in 2018 and was eager to get involved in the community.
Beyond her accounting skills, Heather has a deep passion for volunteering and fundraising within her community. Her journey began with raising funds for a new hospital in her local area, and since then, she has remained committed to making a positive impact. Her dedication to both numbers and nonprofit work makes her a vital part of our team.
Contact Heather at 519-797-3230 x3230
Email: hmehlenbacher@brightshores.ca
Jenny Scongack
Community Engagement
Coordinator
Jenny Scongack
Born at Southampton Hospital and raised just around the corner, Jenny Scongack has a deep connection to healthcare in Saugeen Shores. She began her career in London as a crisis counsellor before returning home, where she spent 15 years supporting students and families with the Bluewater District School Board.
Since 2019, Jenny has been a dedicated volunteer with Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO), helping develop a framework to engage persons with lived experience in shaping care and programs. She also serves as Auction Coordinator for POGO’s signature event.
In 2022, Jenny and her husband co-chaired the Bring Tom to Town campaign for the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation, helping the community raise $3 million in just 10 months.
Today, Jenny works part-time with the Saugeen Shores Hospital Foundation, helping connect community support to the equipment, technology, and care that patients rely on close to home.
Contact Jenny
Email: jscongack@brightshores.ca
Willard VanderPloeg
Charitable Giving Office
Willard VanderPloeg
As our Charitable Giving Advisor, Willard promotes legacy giving and assists donors in planning Will bequests and other special gifts in support of Brightshores Health System Foundations in Meaford, Markdale, Owen Sound, Southampton, Wiarton and Lion’s Head.
He has more than 30 years’ experience in the charitable sector and in estate and gift planning. Willard has a BA in Business Administration from McMaster University and Redeemer College. He is a long time member of the Canadian Association of Gift Planners.
If you have been thinking about making a special gift to support your Hospital, Willard is available to help you.
Contact Willard at 519-376-2121 x2736
Email: wvanderploeg@brightshores.ca
Ann Ford
President & CEO
Brightshores Health System
Ann Ford
Ann has spent much of her career in executive healthcare leadership and has experience with large project development and implementation working with provincial, healthcare partners and community stakeholders within both urban and rural communities. In addition to her BSc. Microbiology, Ann holds a Masters of Health Administration of the University of Colorado and is a graduate of the Advanced Health Care Leadership Program at Rotman School of Business, University of Toronto.
Melissa Wnuk
Manager – Saugeen Shores Site
Brightshores Health System
Melissa Wnuk
