RHRA is governed by a nine-person Board of Directors, including four members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council and five members elected through a nomination process by the Board. The Minister for Seniors and Accessibility designates a Chair of the Board from among the Directors. The Board consists of a mix of retirement home industry representatives, consumers, business representatives, government and government organizations.
ALEX YUAN – CHAIR
Board Chair | Serving since: December 2021 | Current 3-Year Term ends February 2028
Alex Yuan founded a successful medical software development company in 1982. He has served on numerous non-profit boards, including as Vice-Chair of Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care in 1995 and as the founder of the Sport for Kids charitable foundation in 1997. Alex has been appointed to key positions such as the Ontario Job and Investment Board and the Ontario Medical Association’s Ontario Medical Student Bursary Fund Committee. He also served as a Team Richmond Hill Business Ambassador. Alex has received several honours and awards, including the Outstanding Business Achievement award from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, the Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the ACCE, recognition from the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond and Platinum Jubilee Awards, the King Charles III Coronation Medal and the Toronto Police Services John Herra Award, among others. Presently, Alex serves as member at the Toronto Police Services Chinese Community Consultative Committee, Council member at the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers and Board member at the Education Quality and Accountability Office.
CHRISTINE OZIMEK – VICE-CHAIR
Board Vice-Chair | Serving since: December 2021 | Current 3-Year Term ends December 2027
Christine Ozimek is a business executive and director with over 30 years of leadership experience. Formerly CEO of a group of retirement homes and long-term care homes, Christine spent 25 years as an innovative leader with a focus on the core values of people, community and dignity. Christine advises a variety of companies which have included an early phase private company specialized in neurorehabilitation, where she served as Chair of the Board. An active supporter of the True Patriot Love Foundation, in 2019 she was a member of their first all-women’s expedition team snowshoeing 100 km across the Arctic Circle on Baffin Island to raise funds in support of veterans and military families. Christine holds an International MBA from the Schulich School of Business and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Windsor. She is a holder of the Institute of Corporate Directors Director designation. She is bilingual (English and French).
JONATHAN BOULAKIA
Board Member | Serving since: December 2019 | Current 6-Year Term ends December 2025
Jonathan Boulakia is Chief Investment Officer and Chief Legal Officer of Chartwell Retirement Residences, Canada’s largest owner/operator of retirement residences. He is responsible for all acquisitions and development at Chartwell, as well as all legal and governance matters. Jonathan is also Chartwell’s Corporate Secretary and has oversight of Chartwell’s privacy office and insurance department. Prior to joining Chartwell in 2008, Jonathan practiced corporate law at Torys LLP, focusing on corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions. Jonathan attended McGill University for undergraduate studies in science, has an LL.B. from the University of Ottawa Common Law Program, has completed the Canadian Securities Course and holds an ICD.D. designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors. Jonathan’s community involvement includes serving on the board of The Chartwell Foundation and having served on the Board and as Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committee of the National Youth Orchestra of Canada. Jonathan is fluent in English and French. Jonathan served as the Vice-Chair of RHRA’s Board of Directors until December 2022.
CARMINE DOMANICO
Board Member | Serving since: August 2023 | Current 3-Year Term ends August 2026
Carmine Domanico is Senior Manager, Human Resources (HR) for GEON Performance Solutions in Canada and Asia. Previously, he served as President and CEO of Cristal International and Executive Vice-President of Atticus Management. He also held senior HR roles with CIBC and Nortel Networks. A member of the ICD GTA Chapter Executive Committee and the ICD Not-For-Profit Peer Forum Committee, Carmine is also Vice President and Director of the Research Centre for the Older Worker. His previous professional governance roles include: Board Chair of the Central West Local Health Integration Network (LHIN); Board Chair of the Central West Community Care access Centre (CCAC); Vice-Chair Policy and Director on the Brampton Board of Trade; President of the Toronto Human Resources Professionals Association; President of Mohawk College Alumni Association; Vice Chair of Mohawk College Foundation; editorial team member of Benefits Canada and Health Policy Forum. Carmine’s expertise includes strategic planning, compensation and incentive pay and benefits design, performance management programs, executive assessment, coaching, board effectiveness and governance and talent leadership strategies. Carmine completed the Directors Education Program at the University of Toronto and received the Institute of Corporate Directors Designation, ICD.D. With an Executive MBA from Rotman School of Business, Carmine also completed the Electronics Engineering Technology Program at Mohawk College where he received the Electronics Technologist of Year Award and was recognized as one of Mohawk College’s Incredible 40 at 40.
BARBARA KIELEY
Board Member | Serving since: December 2021 | Current 3-Year Term ends December 2026
Barbara Kieley is a respected C-Suite level business advisor and retired partner from Ernst & Young. She brings deep experience in digital innovation and business transformation and substantive corporate governance experience in the health/long-term care, social services and information technology sectors. Barbara is presently the Past Board Chair for Ontario 211 Services (the 24/7 provincial gateway to community, social, non-clinical health and related services) and a Member of the federal Departmental Advisory Committee for the Public Health Agency of Canada and Shared Services Canada (the federal government provider of information technology services). In the past, Barbara was the Board Chair for Bruyere Continuing Care, the Audit Committee Chair for Arnprior Regional Health, a Board Founding Member of the National Digital Research Infrastructure Organization and a Director for the Information Technology Association of Canada. Barbara has degrees in Biology, Mathematics and Computer Science and holds the ICD.D designation. She is the recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for her accomplishments to advance the information technology industry in Canada.
LEAH LEVESQUE
Board Member | Serving since: January 2024 | Current 3-Year Term ends December 2026
Leah Levesque is a health care executive with over 15 years of senior leadership experience with a strong focus on seniors. Most recently as the President and CEO of Arnprior Regional Health, Leah’s key accomplishments included establishing a new strategic plan, opening a new long term care home of 96 beds and leading the organization to earn its second consecutive exemplary status accreditation. Leah has significant Board experience which includes serving on the Board of the Alzheimer’s Society – Ottawa and Renfrew County Chapter for seven years, of which she served as Vice Chair for two years. From her decades of leadership and nursing experience, focus on long term care and community-based programs for seniors, and experience working in rural communities, Leah brings a broad appreciation of the challenges and opportunities that exist in smaller communities and the resources and support that seniors require. Leah holds an ICD.D designation from the Rotman School of Management, a Master of Health Science in Health Administration from the University of Toronto, and a Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing from the University of Ottawa.
ANIL MATHUR
Board Member | Serving since: June 2021 | Current 2.5 Year Term ends December 2026
Anil Mathur is a thought leader with deep expertise in governance, audit and risk management. As CIBC’s Senior Vice-President & Chief Auditor for almost a decade, Anil was a member of the Operating Committee charged with oversight of CIBC’s global operations. He is an industry speaker and publisher on risk, controls and audit. Anil also served as Senior Vice-President of Corporate Services, with responsibility for strategic sourcing and stewardship of CIBC’s real estate portfolio globally. Anil is actively involved in the not-for-profit sector, with a focus on healthcare, environment and social enterprise. He serves on a number of not-for-profit boards, and he is also Vice-Chair of the Province of Ontario’s Central Services Sector Audit Committee.
VALA MONESTIME BELTER
Board Member | Serving since: July 2020 | Current 3-Year Term ends July 2026
Vala Monestime Belter has diverse experience in Ontario’s long-term care sector, having worked as Director of Resident Care, Administrator, LTC Homes Inspector and LTC Consultant. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Bachelor of Arts, and a Master of Science. She has served in an executive capacity on numerous boards including the Ontario Long Term Care Association, Ontario Northland, TVOntario, Nipissing Timiskaming Parry Sound District Health Council, Hôpital Mattawa Hospital, Mattawa District Chamber of Commerce, and she co-founded the Mattawa Child Care Centre and Mattawa Area Youth Golf Association. Vala served as cabinet member for the North Bay Regional Health Centre Foundation MRI Campaign and fundraising committee member of One Kids Place. Presently, she is a Director with the Nipissing East Community Futures Development Corporation; and is Mattawa Wellness and Life Enrichment Chair, a non-profit organization supporting physical, social and economic wellness programs. Vala was presented the Ontario Bicentennial Medal, the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for contribution to her community. Vala is bilingual (French and English).
JOE VACCARO
Board Member | Serving since: December 2024 | Current 3-Year Term ends December 2027
Joe Vaccaro brings a wealth of experience in construction, business, advocacy, and public policy to the RHRA Board. As an advisor for RIOS Canada, he applies his expertise to improve outcomes in the housing and development sectors. His early work in his family’s residential framing business provided him with a practical understanding of the construction industry’s challenges, informing later roles in policy and association leadership.
Joe served as the CEO of the Ontario Home Builders’ Association (OHBA) where he demonstrated his ability to balance industry needs with regulatory requirements, significantly impacting Ontario’s housing policy by advocating for increased housing supply, affordability, and choice. His political and leadership experience includes serving and advising Ontario government ministers on economic development, trade, and government services.
Joe’s personal journey caring for his Nonna G (grandmother) and navigating the retirement home system has profoundly shaped his commitment to public service. This experience has given him a profound understanding of the challenges families face and reinforced his dedication to improving quality care and transparency within the retirement home system. Outside of his professional work, Joe remains actively involved in his community as a volunteer coach, referee, and President of his local soccer club.