Northwood Foundation Board

The Northwood Foundation Board is a volunteer board that oversees the Foundation’s projects and initiatives. They help to determine the best way to use the funds we raise.

Board Members:

  • Robert Patzelt, Board Chair
  • Carla Bunch
  • John Rahey
  • Rosemarie Sampson
  • Nancy Margeson
  • Myrtle Corkum
  • Alison McCrea
  • Faye LeBlanc, Managing Director of the Northwood Foundation
  • Janet Simm, President & CEO of Northwood
  • Reinhard Jerabek, CFO & COO of Northwood

ROBERT PATZELT – Board Chair

Robert Patzelt, Q.C., ICD.D. is a business executive with over 25 years’ extensive experience in all facets of organizational leadership and business development. He is an award-winning speaker, strong and effective communicator and skilled negotiator with recognized expertise in law, risk management and corporate governance. He has been a respected Board Director for multiple organizations and a leader and/or supporter of a number of major initiatives in a variety of corporate, not-for-profit and non-governmental agencies including some undergoing major transformational change.

Robert was awarded both the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals for his contributions to Canada.  He has held leadership positions and been recognized for his contributions at the provincial and national level in a number of organizations including Scouts Canada, the Canadian Bar Association, Canadian Corporate Counsel Association and the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters.

Carla Bunch

CARLA BUNCH 

Carla Bunch is a successful banker with over 25+ years of experience in management and leadership & development. Previous to her current position as manager of Scotiabank, Lower Sackville, she was a Scotiabank district manager for Southwest Nova Scotia as well as Newfoundland & Labrador. Carla’s passion is developing and coaching talent.

Because of Carla’s belief in giving back to her community, she sits on both the boards of the Sackville Business Association and the Northwood Foundation.

Rosemarie Sampson

DR. ROSEMARIE SAMPSON

Dr. Rosemarie Sampson is a retired Psychology Professor and Dean of Professional Studies at Mount Saint Vincent University.  She ended her career as Senior Associate in University Advancement where she established the Gift Planning program.

An active volunteer over the years, her first involvement with Northwood was serving on the Steering Committee to establish the Northwood Long Term Care facility in Bedford, now Ivany Place.

Currently, she is a member of the Northwood Foundation Board, the St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica Foundation Board, Mount Saint Vincent University Board of Governors and is Secretary-Treasurer for the Canadian Learning Trust– a charity dedicated to encouraging and promoting lifelong learning and education for all Canadians. She sits on the Fundraising Committee for Saint Ignatius Church in Bedford and is secretary to her Condo Board.

She is a recipient of the Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada for her community service and received from Mount Saint Vincent University’s Anniversary Award which recognized her volunteering at the Mount post-retirement.

NANCY MARGESON

A seasoned fundraising professional with over 50 years’ experience in the healthcare sector. A proven track record in raising friends – and funds.

Nancy is thrilled to be a part of helping shape the profile of the Northwood Foundation to better represent the growing aging demographic in Nova Scotia. She has had the privilege to be part of the following organizations in both executive roles: VG Hospital Foundation, QEII Foundation, South Shore Regional Hospital Foundation, Breast Cancer Atlantic.

A sports enthusiast at heart, Nancy has proudly served volunteer positions at Sports Nova Scotia; NS Ladies Golf Association and Curling Association of Nova Scotia.

MYRTLE G. CORKUM

As a professional fundraiser Myrtle Corkum has been instrumental in raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for mental health in Nova Scotia. 

Myrtle has also been actively involved as a volunteer in the community, most notably as Chair of the National Board of Directors and International Director for Girl Guides of Canada, and International Director from 2006 to 2009. Myrtle was awarded the organization’s highest honour – the Golden Maple Leaf – and is an Honourary Life Member of Girl Guides of Canada.

Locally, Myrtle has served on the Boards of Recreation Nova Scotia, Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia, Recreation Council on Disability in Nova Scotia, Women Active Association of Nova Scotia, and is a Past President of the Nova Scotia Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals where she was honoured as Outstanding Professional Fundraiser of the year in 2005. Myrtle has also been honoured with the Halifax YWCA Women of Distinction Award as well as the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal.

JOHN RAHEY

A native of North Sydney, Nova Scotia, John began his career in the financial industry over 35 years ago, first with a major Canadian bank where he became one of the youngest Branch Managers before moving on to start his own practice Wealth Creation Made Simple where he has spent the past 30 years working as an independent Senior Financial Consultant.

John has been a long-time member of the Northwood community. He previously served three terms as a director on Northwood’s board while also serving on various other committees. John was also a key member involved in the site selection and capital campaign to build Ivany Place.

John enjoys giving back, he has been an active volunteer with the Turkey Club for the past 9 years and Salvation Army’s Feast of Christmas for over 25 years. John was also a past President of a Community Service Club and has been a long-time supporter of Dreams Take Flight, which allows financially disadvantaged children to go to Disney World. In his spare time, John enjoys cooking, sailing, golf, and traveling with his wife Janette. John and his wife Janette call Bedford home.

ALISON McCREA

Alison McCrea joins the Northwood Foundation Board with over 20 years of experience in Customer Care Management, Event and Team Management and Sales Direction in the family business, Armour Group Limited. Alison has also previously organized, managed and overseen such grand Nova Scotian events as The Halifax Buskers Festival and Tall Ship Festival, and has also managed one of Halifax’s most distinct historic landmarks, Historic Properties.

Ms. McCrea has a passion for communication and advocacy particularly with the fundamental need in our community for senior care and women’s health and safety. She has volunteered with many local organizations including Mental Health Foundation, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada, Metro Turning Point, Hope Cottage, IWK, and Adsum for Women and Children, where she also served on the board in 2009/2010. Other board experience includes Sacred Heart School of Halifax.

When not devoting her time to the success and support of organizations like Bryony House, NSSPCA, and Hope For Wildlife, Alison can be found honing her green thumb, singing on stage in voice recitals and playing with her two dogs Madi and Roscoe.