Board of Directors

James Eastwood is a partner at Eastwood, O’Reilly Law Offices (practicing in association), in Brockville.  

James obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Toronto, after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (with distinction) from Carleton University. His law practice is focused on family law and employment law.  He has represented clients in multiple levels of court, including the Ontario Court of Appeal, and he has appeared before a number of administrative tribunals.

James spent much of the past 25 years coaching kids’ sports but has now transitioned to Board work, having gained experience in this area by providing legal services for a variety of boards of directors during his legal career.

Eleanor Newman is a recently retired educator who served in senior leadership roles in District School Boards, the Ontario Ministry of Education, and the Eastern Ontario Staff Development Network. She holds a Master of Education from Queen’s University, a Master of Arts in Canadian Studies from Carleton University, and certification as an Ontario Teacher, Principal, and Supervisory Officer.

Eleanor is trained in the Carver’s Policy Governance model and is recognized for her innovative thinking, her ability to inspire and to develop the capacity of others, and her skill at building consensus for moving forward.

Eleanor is an Honorary Life Member of the Ontario Music Educator Association and member/treasurer of the Brockville Community Choir.

Jim Cooper is the President, and Chief Operating Officer of Brockville manufacturer, Canarm Ltd. He began with the organization in 1978 and took over as president in 2007. Since then, Canarm has become a national leader. For the last 10 years (achieving Platinum level), Canarm has been named one of Canada's Best Managed Companies.

Jim is well known for his passion for helping his community. In June 2017, Jim received an honorary diploma from St. Lawrence College. In 2013, he was named Citizen of the Year by the Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce, which recognized the extensive volunteer work he has done within Brockville and surrounding areas. Jim had served on the Brockville YMCA Board from 2005 to 2012 and as Board Chair from 2010 to 2012. Jim is a former Chair of the Student Advisory Council for Loyalist College's Business Sales and Marketing program in Belleville.

Jim is a longtime supporter of BGH. He co-chairs the Friends of Palliative Care annual golf tournament fundraiser. In 29 years, over $4 million dollars has been raised by this single-day event. From 2015 to 2017, he sat as a Director on the Brockville and District Hospital Foundation's Board. He is proud to be an active member of BGH’s Board of Directors, serving as Chair from 2017 to 2021, and again in 2022.

Kali Conboy has been a professor at St. Lawrence College in the School of Nursing, since 2017. She has experience teaching in the practical nursing program in the classroom and laboratory settings. She teaches primarily in second year focusing on nursing sciences, helping students to develop critical thinking skills to provide nursing interventions for individuals experiencing challenges to health. Additionally, Kali works as a Critical Care nurse with Kingston Health Sciences- Kingston General site, on a casual basis.

Kali holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from St Lawrence College, Laurentian University collaborative nursing program and a Master of Nursing-Teaching Focus from Athabasca University.

Kali has experience in a variety of leadership roles, providing expertise to grow and develop the practical nursing program. She developed and implemented high-fidelity simulations for the program, which are now in use across all semesters.

Connie Cote is an accomplished senior executive with over 20 years of experience in developing strategic national initiatives to advance health policy and health research. A relationship builder, she has worked to establish key partnerships with government, health professionals, researchers, academia, and policy makers.

Connie is an active committee and board member to various non-profit organizations, including the Resilience Healthcare Coalition Steering Committee, and is past Chair of Advocacy and Government Relations for the Menopause Foundation of Canada.

In her current role as Chief Executive Officer for Health Charities Coalition of Canada, Connie has provided leadership and strategic direction to the coalition’s Board of Directors and ad-hock task forces.

Connie holds a Master of Human Systems Intervention and Bachelor of Arts on Applied Human Sciences from Concordia University. She has a Micro-credential Certificate in Modern Board and Advanced Board Governance from Conestoga College and Capacity Canada.

In her spare time, Connie enjoys travelling with her two daughters and during the winter months, is an avid curler.

Jim Elsasser is an innovative senior executive within the manufacturing industry. For over 24 years, he has worked with Burnbrae Farms Limited as Senior Director of Engineering and Technical Services. In this role, Jim has led day-to-day operations as well as multiple large-scale capital and technical projects. Most notably, this has included the construction and startup of three new processing facilities. He is well known for creating a positive workplace through inspiring trust, teamwork, and accountability.  

Jim is an active community volunteer with a passion for helping others. He currently sits on the Board of Directors for Brockville Country Club (curling and golf) as Honorary Secretary and as Curling Chair.

Jim lives in Lyn with Lori, his wife, where they have raised two grown children. 

Sarah Hamm is a communications strategist with over 20 years of experience across private, public and not-for-profit sectors. She has an extensive background in designing and implementing communication campaigns for small- and large-scale business transformation initiatives.

Currently, Sarah works for an international not-for-profit that helps people affected by humanitarian crises. She is leading the communication efforts for a global initiative that is strengthening the organization’s operations and enterprise systems in over 40 countries. Early in her career, Sarah worked at the Embassy of Canada in Washington, DC, for the Weston family and at Hudson’s Bay Company, as well as the City of New York Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment.

Born at Brockville General Hospital and raised in Maitland, Sarah is happy to be back in the Brockville area where she lives with her husband, Jeffrey. 

Jeremy Hobbs is the Superintendent of Human Resources, Facilities and Information Technology for the Upper Canada District School Board, which encompasses 27,000 students, 4,000 faculty and staff at 90 schools. Jeremy’s portfolio includes responsibility for a combined operating and capital budget of over $100M along with almost 300 staff across his three departments.

Having started his career as a teacher, Jeremy worked on IT strategy in Ottawa-Carleton and Peel District School Boards and then moved to the UCDSB in 2004. In addition to his work in public education, Jeremy is involved with the community, having served on the Board of the Brockville and Area YMCA as Vice Chair, the Upper Canada Swim Club as President, the Brockville General Hospital Redevelopment Subcommittee and the St. Lawrence College Board of Governors.

Jennifer O’Reilly is a partner and lawyer at Eastwood O’Reilly Law Offices (practicing in association) in Brockville, with over a decade of experience in family and child protection law. Her work also includes wills and powers of attorney, supporting individuals and families through complex and sensitive legal matters.

She also acts as counsel for children through the Office of the Children’s Lawyer and serves as an agent for the Family Responsibility Office and Legal Aid Ontario.

Jennifer is an active leader in the legal community, currently serving as President of the Leeds and Grenville Law Association. She holds a Juris Doctor from Queen’s University and an Honours Bachelor of Social Science from the University of Ottawa and is committed to community service through past board and committee involvement in the Brockville area.

Brianna Sudnik is a collaborative and people-focused change management leader with more than 12 years of experience helping organizations navigate complex transformation with clarity and confidence. In her role as Senior Advisor, Organizational Development & Change at the Canadian Medical Association, Brianna advises leaders through periods of transition and helps design practical, human-centred approaches to change.

Her expertise spans change strategy and execution, stakeholder engagement, organizational readiness, communication planning, leadership development, and the creation of change networks that build resilience and sustain adoption.

Brianna holds a Bachelor of Education in Adult Education from Brock University and certifications in PROSCI Change Management and Organizational Development.

Lisa Taylor is a seasoned executive with over 40 years of experience across the public, private, and non-profit sectors, including more than 15 years in post-secondary education. Most recently, she served as Executive Director of Georgian College’s Owen Sound Campus, where she led strategic initiatives, strengthened community partnerships, and supported program and infrastructure development.

Previously, Lisa held the role of Vice President, Finance and Administration at New Brunswick Community College, providing leadership across finance, IT, facilities, and risk management, and supporting Board audit and governance functions. Earlier in her career, she held academic leadership roles at Algonquin College and built a strong foundation in finance through senior roles in industry and public accounting.

A Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA), Lisa holds a Bachelor of Administrative Studies from York University and a postgraduate certificate in Higher Education Management from the University of Bath. She brings a strong commitment to governance and community service, with past board and audit committee roles including the Financial and Consumer Services Commission of New Brunswick and the Upper Canada District School Board.

As an Acting Sergeant with the Brockville Police Service, Jeff has held a variety of operational and leadership roles, earning the respect of colleagues through his collaborative approach, sound judgment, and commitment to excellence. His experience has equipped him to lead effectively in challenging situations while remaining focused on supporting both his team and the community he serves.

Beyond his professional responsibilities, Jeff is deeply involved in community initiatives and volunteer organizations. He has proudly supported Special Olympics, the Brockville Police Association, local fundraising efforts, and youth-focused programs, consistently giving back through mentorship, volunteerism, and community engagement. Whether leading by example or lending a helping hand, Jeff believes in building strong relationships and creating opportunities that positively impact others.

His leadership is defined not only by experience, but by compassion, accountability, and a sincere commitment to helping people. Jeff's dedication to service extends far beyond his profession, reflecting his belief that strong communities are built through trust, collaboration, and a willingness to give back.

Brian Van Mierlo is a retired Chartered Professional Accountant, who has operated an accounting practice for the past 25 years.

Previously, Brian was a commercial account manager with the Bank of Montreal, and Chief Financial Officer in the manufacturing, commercial properties and hospitality industries.  Currently, Brian serves as the treasurer for the Brockville and Community Living Association.

Brian has been a long-serving community volunteer. His board and volunteer experience has included Family and Children’s services of Leeds and Grenville, Big Brothers, Rotary Club of Brockville, and the Brockville Soccer Club. 

Julie joined Brockville General Hospital in 2017 as Senior Vice President, Chief Nurse Executive and Chief Operating Officer. She now serves as the President and CEO. Previous positions have been in both community and tertiary, academic health care organizations.

Julie has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Carleton University, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Honours Degree from York University and a Master of Health Sciences Degree from the University of Toronto. She is certified in Advanced System Leadership from the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management Executive Program and is a Fellow in The Ivy Academy Community Shift Executive Leadership Program. Julie has successfully completed the Advanced Good Governance certification through The College Centre of Board Excellence. She is an active member of the College of Nurses of Ontario and has an Adjunct Academic appointment in the Queen's University School of Nursing.

Julie has received recognition awards from Kingston Health Sciences Centre including the Team Award for Leadership with the Emergency Department Information System Implementation project and Team Award for Care for her efforts introducing the Inter-professional Collaborative Practice Model. She was nominated to the Canadian College of Health Leaders for a National Nursing Leadership Award.

Julie was appointed to the St. Lawrence College Board of Governors in September 2018 and is currently Vice-Chair.  She is also a member of the Board of Directors at St. Vincent de Paul in Kingston.

Reg has a Bachelor of Arts Degree, a Diploma in Nursing (Valedictorian, Brockville General Hospital Award, and Academic Council Medal Award), a Critical Care Nursing Diploma (with distinction), completed the Advanced System Leadership Program from the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management Executives Program, and a Master of Business Administration Degree (with distinction). He is an active member in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario.

Dr Manning joined Brockville General Hospital in April 2025 as Chief of Staff.

Dr. Manning is a Cardiac Anesthesiologist and Critical Care Physician. He completed medical school and Anesthesiology residency training at Memorial University and is fellowship-trained at the University of Ottawa. In line with pursuing medical leadership as part of his career, Dr Manning obtained the Global Executive Master of Business Administration for Healthcare and Life Sciences at Rotman School of Management (University of Toronto). He has practiced clinically with NL Health Services in St. John’s, Newfoundland, and the University of Ottawa Heart Institute in Ottawa, Ontario.

Dr. Manning has also served rural and remote communities in Newfoundland and Labrador as Senior Medical Director in that province’s provincial health authority. He has also been involved with leadership in other organizations as Chair of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee for the Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society (CAS) and is a member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee at the World Federation of Societies of Anesthesiologists (WFSA).

Dr. Avril Lusty works as a urologist at Brockville General. She completed medical school at the Queen's University, residency in Urology at Queen's University, and a uro-oncology fellowship at the University of Ottawa. She also has interests in surgical teaching, completing a masters in Health Professions Education, and diplomas in simulation training and health education scholars program.

She enjoys teaching at Queens University as an adjunct assistant professor for the Department of Urology. She looks forward to representing the medical staff at Brockville General.