Board Members
Norfolk General Hospital
Our Board of Directors oversees the activities at Norfolk General Hospital (NGH). The Board is made up of business leaders and community members who are committed to making sure NGH remains a leader in patient care and provides you and your family with high-quality, safe care.
We are always seeking passionate people who want to serve our community by providing leadership to the hospital. If you are interested in becoming a member of our Board, please contact Charlene Charles, Coordinator of Board Affairs.
PETER KRAUSE, Chair
Peter Krause has been a member of the Norfolk General Hospital Board of Directors since 2018 and is proud to serve as the new Board Chair. With more than 40 years of leadership experience, he brings expertise in governance, planning, and building strong partnerships. Peter has also served on the Norfolk Hospital Nursing Home Board and has held leadership roles with several conservation organizations. Passionate about education and lifelong learning, he has taught at Conestoga College and supported adult literacy locally. Peter is committed to strengthening healthcare and ensuring the hospital continues to meet the needs of our community.
ROBERT WHITENECT, Vice-Chair
Robert has extensive Board experience as he served as Board Chair at West Lincoln Memorial Hospital (WLMH) in Grimsby and thereafter as President and Board Chair of the WLMH Foundation. He currently also serves as Treasurer of the Board at Lighthouse Festival Theatre.
Robert has a Bachelor degree in Administrative Studies from Brock University and an MBA from Niagara University, NY.
After a 40-year career in business, the last 30 as CFO/Controller at a major floral distribution company, Robert and his wife Judy recently retired to Port Dover where Judy was born and raised. An avid skier, Robert is also active in recreational baseball, golf and hockey.
RICHARD GELBARD, 2nd Vice-Chair
A career Commercial/Industrial Insurance Specialist since 1980, Richard is a Senior Account Executive with HIROC (Healthcare Insurance Reciprocal of Canada). Richard has held various positions in the Insurance Industry such as Broker, Underwriter, Market/Product Development, and Premium Financing.
Along with the designation of Fellow Chartered Insurance Professional (FCIP), he has trained in the French Culinary Arts. Richard joined the NGH Board because he believes his background would be an excellent resource for Board Governance and to ensure our community continues to have a successfully run hospital.
DAVE WILLIAMS, Treasurer
Dave grew up in Simcoe and now resides in Port Dover. Now retired, he worked in sales & management with IBM as well as at Deloitte Consulting and the Attorney General’s Office. Dave’s mother, now deceased, was a long-time member of NGH Auxiliary.
LYNDA CLELLAND
As a Registered Nurse with 30-plus years of experience, Lynda has been a part of a health care system that has faced many changes and challenges. Lynda’s primary focus and passions have been education and research – both in academia, hospital and then the private sector. As a clinical research manager, in pharma Lynda worked in collaboration with key option leaders and global teams in the conduct and management of multiple clinical trials with a diverse portfolio.
Born in Montreal and raised in Guelph Lynda moved to Hamilton for school and career opportunities. Wanting to live in a smaller community she relocated to Simcoe in 2004. Lynda currently works remotely, as a research consultant for a Rheumatologist providing support in the development and maintenance of a busy clinical trial program.
Lynda is a passionate gardener and enjoys being on the golf course.
As a new board member, Lynda is looking forward this chapter in her life. Since moving to Simcoe, Lynda has observed first-hand the growth and potential of the community.
ELIZABETH GEORGE
Elizabeth George is a community-driven tech leader who thrives on connection, creativity, and inclusion. With a Master’s in Computer Engineering, she taught future technologists for over a decade, before making the leap from classroom to boardroom. She now serves as Technical Director at auticon Canada, where she supports autistic adults on their tech journey, helping create more inclusive and empowering workplaces.
Outside of her professional roles, Elizabeth plays an active leadership role in the Norfolk Malayali Association—not only organizing cultural programs but also building community networks, and creating a sense of belonging through collaboration and advocacy. She was recently awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of her meaningful contributions to community and inclusion. Known for her love of dogs, curiosity for trying new things (pickleball, paddle boating, etc.), and her healthy dose of nerdiness, Elizabeth is proud to support NGH’s mission of delivering compassionate, high-quality care to the community she calls home.
TOM LEWIS
Tom’s career was in Aviation Management, most recently as a Senior Vice President with the Emirates Group in Dubai; during this time, he was involved in operations, organizational structure, people and financial management. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport.
Before returning to Canada in 2019, he was Chair of a Town Council in the U.K. and also served as a Trustee/Director of a charity directed to the welfare of elderly and disadvantaged people.
Since 2020 he has lived just outside Simcoe.
PAUL MACKO
Paul brings over 40 years of senior leadership experience in the coatings and chemicals industry. He believes that his leadership experience and philosophy of continuous improvement will allow him to make a positive contribution to the NGH Board.
Paul is driven by a strong belief in giving back to his local community. His past volunteer roles include serving as a board member of Scitech Windsor, a driver for Meals on Wheels Peterborough, and a long-serving member of the Ajax Rotary Club.
Paul and his wife, Debbie, recently moved to Port Dover and he is a current member of the Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise.
In his spare time, Paul enjoys travel, theatre and various sports like golf and pickleball.
CORY MCCULLOUGH
Cory is a Norfolk resident living in Waterford who has a strong passion for community, Healthcare and local Agriculture.
Cory brings over 16 years experience working with a leading Global Technology Company, and a leading Insurance Company with a strong focus on overall Security, Risk and Governance, in a Corporate Facility / Real Estate Teams. Cory looks forward to giving back to a great place and community.
JIM MULHERON
Jim has served on the Board of Directors at Norfolk General Hospital since May 2016. His professional career has been almost exclusively in the commercial bank lending and capital equipment leasing sector, with an emphasis on institutional health care. Outside the finance sector, Jim’s interests include Tai Chi, kayaking, travel and classic cars. He has been a resident in Port Dover since September, 2013.
STEPHANIE PONGRACZ-CLARYSSE
Stephanie Pongracz-Clarysse brings extensive governance knowledge to the role of Board Chair. She has been an esteemed member of the Board of Directors since 2017 and has held various leadership positions, including 1st Vice Chair since 2020. She previously served as Chair of the Norfolk Hospital Nursing Home Board of Directors in 2019.
In addition to her extensive board experience, Stephanie’s professional background is in healthcare and, as an experienced public health leader, adds significant value to her position. She has worked in various municipalities over her career and currently serves as a Director of Public Health.
Stephanie grew up on a farm in rural Langton. Both her family and her husband’s family have a long history of farming in Norfolk County.
Stephanie possesses a comprehensive educational background, including Bachelor of Science undergraduate degrees with an emphasis in Environmental Health, Occupational Health and Safety, Human Biology, and Psychology. She also possesses a Master of Public Administration graduate degree.
Ex-Officio Members
Todd Stepanuik, President and CEO
Dr. Robin Martin-Godelie, Chief of Staff
Kim Mullins, VP Clinical & CNE
Dr. Mark Miller, President – Professional Staff Association
Strategic Plan
In 2018, the Board of Directors undertook a strategic planning process. After consulting with stakeholders across the community, a 5-year Strategic Plan was developed that reflects the collective vision for the future course of Norfolk General and its role within an increasingly complex and dynamic health care landscape.
The full report can be viewed here
