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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Paulette Soper

Chair
Paulette joined the Board of My Friend’s House in June 2021 after moving permanently to the family weekend chalet in The Blue Mountains. She brings almost 40 years of business experience, first as an IT professional and the latter half of her career as an HR executive. Paulette has lived and worked across Canada and the United States and supported non-North American geographies for most of her career. Paulette believes the opportunity to travel and work globally has provided first-hand exposure to different cultures, people and situations. She believes her career success was strengthened by a deep appreciation for diversity in all forms. Paulette is blessed with a large “mergers & acquisitions” family together with her partner, Greg. They share 6 daughters, a son, and a growing gaggle of grandchildren. Together they enjoy golfing, skiing, hiking, and traveling. Paulette is looking forward to the opportunity to support My Friend’s House in the meaningful and important work they do in our community.

Jennifer Hearn

Vice Chair
Jennifer joined the Board of My Friend’s House in June 2023 and has been a seasonal resident for many decades, enjoying skiing at Blue Mountain with her family while growing up. Currently, she resides in Clarksburg with her husband and together they have a beautiful, blended family consisting of five adult children. Jenn currently holds the position of Vice President of Resource Development at Habitat for Humanity Canada. In her role, she oversees all national fundraising activities and works closely with the 46 local Habitats, as well as providing oversight for Canada's support of Habitat's global projects. Before joining Habitat, Jenn worked on the corporate development team at the CAMH Foundation, where she successfully managed corporate partnerships, cause marketing initiatives, and played a pivotal role in organizing their annual peer-to-peer fundraising event. Approximately nine years ago, she transitioned to the non-profit sector, following a successful career in business development and marketing. During that time, she held various roles on both the client and agency sides, working for esteemed organizations such as Geometry Global, Grip Limited, Mosaic, Panasonic, and Motorola. Jenn is driven by a deep passion for giving back, as evidenced by her extensive experience. She is enthusiastic about assisting My Friend's House in achieving their mission and looks forward to making a positive impact within the organization.

Bob Martin

Treasurer
Bob joined the Board of My Friend’s House in June 2022. In 2016, Bob first became aware of the critical role that My Friend’s House provides by giving an opportunity to move forward for women and children who are subject to domestic abuse and violence. At that time, he and his wife made the organization a beneficiary of an event they held and they have been supporters ever since. Collingwood has been the primary residence for Bob since his retirement in 2013, having loved the area and everything it has to offer with family since childhood. Bob is also a volunteer driver for Red Cross clients in the area, temporarily curtailed through COVID restrictions. Subsequent to retirement, he also joined the Board of a Toronto sports club that suffered a catastrophic fire in 2017. Bob was Vice President and President of that club through the period of the fire and the rebuild. Professionally, Bob was a partner in a major accounting firm, specializing in business valuations and litigation support, providing expert witness testimony in court on related financial matters. He has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Queen’s University (now the Smith School of Business) and he is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) and a Chartered Business Valuator (retired).

Kenny MacDonald

Secretary
Kenny grew up in Wasaga Beach where he lived until moving to Toronto in 2010 to study Justice Studies at the University of Guelph-Humber. For the last 12 years he has worked for the Ministry of the Attorney General’s Criminal Law Division, spending the majority of his career working on Intimate Partner & Sexual Violence Prosecutions for the Downtown Toronto Crown Attorney’s Office. For the last 3 years he has worked as the Case Management Coordinator of the Toronto Downtown East Justice Centre, a hybrid justice-and-health-centre that accelerates access to justice and critical wraparound services to prevent high-needs individuals at the intersection of poverty, homelessness, mental health and addictions from cycling through the criminal justice system. He also sits on the Board of Directors for Simcoe Muskoka Child, Youth & Family Services and on his free time volunteers with the Georgian Triangle Humane Society, MS Canada and Second Harvest, Canada’s largest food rescue organization. Kenny recently moved back to Wasaga Beach and joined the Board of Directors for My Friend’s House in August of 2024.

Nancy Prenevost

Member
Nancy joined the Board of My Friends' House in June 2021. Nancy is inspired by the vital work that My Friend's House does in providing support to the women and children of the Georgian Triangle and looks forward to making a contribution to the organization. Nancy has been a seasonal resident of Collingwood for over 20 years when she and her husband and 2 sons would visit to ski and play golf and as of 2020 have become permanent residents. Nancy practised law for over 30 years and recently retired from Oxford Properties Group where she was the Head of Legal Affairs and Operational Compliance. Nancy is a Governor of George Brown College and has participated in leadership roles including President, of Toronto CREW an organization dedicated to the success of women in commercial real estate. Nancy has an ICD.D from Rotman School of Management and a CEC (certified Executive Coach) designation from Royal Roads University. In her free time Nancy enjoys golf, travel, hiking and entreating family and friends.

Sherri Coburn

Member
Sherri joined the Board of My Friend’s House in June 2023. Sherri has been a seasonal resident for over 15 years and now resides in Clarksburg full-time. Sherri brings over 30 years of experience working with organizations of various sizes within the high-tech, manufacturing, consumer products, real estate and consulting sectors. Sherri has a broad background in Information Technologies, Supply Chain, Finance, HR, Risk Management and Privacy. She has worked across Canada, and the United States and internationally; this provided her with the opportunity to experience many different cultures and environments. She holds an undergraduate degree from Wilfred Laurier and an MBA in Information Technology. Sherri believes in collaboration and getting to a better place by including people that bring different viewpoints and experiences. In her personal world, Sherri’s focus is on family, friends and keeping it simple. She, her husband and their three girls love the outdoors and regularly take advantage of the many things that Collingwood has to offer – downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, swimming, biking and hiking (often with their fluffy four-legged family members).

Rick Pettit

Member
Rick joined the Board of My Friend’s House in June 2023. He and his wife, Karen, have been long time supporters of MFH, having recognized long ago that, as the population in our area and societal pressures grow, there is an ever increasing need for the services and support that MFH provides for women and children that are subjected to domestic violence. The Pettits moved to the area full-time in 2009, having previously been Winter weekenders since 1985. Rick served on the Board/Advisory Committee of the Heart & Stroke Foundation (Ontario) for six years. He also served on the Board of one of our private ski clubs as Treasurer and President. Rick has his FCPA/FCA designation and was a partner for many years in a major public accounting firm, practicing in the insolvency and restructuring area, which provided significant hands-on experience in dealing with and operating a wide range of businesses. He is a graduate of McMaster University and the University of Windsor and obtained his Certified Director Designation (ICD.D – retired) and served on a public company Board. Rick is looking forward to contributing to the success of MFH in meeting our community’s needs.

Mary Ferguson

Member
Mary joined the board of My Friend’s House upon retiring and moving to Collingwood after decades of visiting the community with her family on weekends. She brings more than 35 years of experience as a journalist, communications director and public relations consultant. She worked as a communications leader in public health, the Ontario government, the Canadian Red Cross and a public relations agency. She is a volunteer director for the Collingwood Cycling Club and serves on the Communications Advisory Committee for the Town of Blue Mountain. She coaches with the Special Olympics Alpine team and enjoys membership in the Collingwood Curling Club, Toronto Ski Club and the Georgian Triangle Hikers. Mary is married and has two adult children. “I am always impressed with the level of support and respect My Friend’s House has earned in the South Georgian Bay area. It is an extremely professional organization that provides a vital service to our community.”

Mary Ruby

Past Chair
Mary joined the Board of My Friend’s House in June, 2021. Mary has been a weekend seasonal resident and avid skier in the Collingwood area for her entire life and has enjoyed introducing her husband and 2 daughters to all that the area has to offer. Mary brings to the Board over 30 years of experience in various legal, governance and executive roles. She recently retired as Chief Administrative Officer of IMAX Corporation, a global entertainment technology company where, over the course of her career, she held various leadership positions including legal, HR, Board secretary and governance, real estate and facilities oversight. Prior to IMAX, Mary worked for a large Toronto law firm in the corporate securities law area. She holds an LLB from Dalhousie University and an ICD.D. from Rotman. Mary has served on several not for profit boards in Toronto and Collingwood and is excited to join the talented and dedicated team who support MFH’s vision and mission.

Cheryl Altman

Member
Cheryl joined the Board of My Friends House in September 2025. Cheryl, along with her husband Dave, son and daughter came to Collingwood 15 years ago, quickly realizing the beauty of the four seasons and became permanent residents in 2021. She believes strongly that everyone can make a difference in creating a more open and respectful world, in their own personal way. She initiated a fundraising and awareness campaign for a nursing home during COVID to improve the environment for the residents, creating a safe outdoor space to get people out of isolation. Prior to COVID, she oversaw the volunteer pool for an organization providing temporary meals and a place to sleep during the winter months. Locally she will take up the cause for many charities close to her heart by fundraising, participating in events and cheerleading the charity. Cheryl brings with her 35+ years of experience across a variety of senior roles in the airline and banking industries. Her skill is in understanding business problems, defining processes to bring about solutions and facilitating the discussions necessary to see strong outcomes. She holds a Business degree from McGill University and an MBA from Ivey Business School. Cheryl enjoys hiking (with her beautiful dog Milo), kayaking, skiing, and as a retiree, increased travel with her husband.

Crystal Bell

Member
Crystal joined the Board of My Friend’s House in September 2025, bringing over 30 years of experience in social services and health care. She holds a Master of Social Work and has a strong background in intimate partner violence, mental health and addictions, and child welfare. Crystal has worked in both community-based and acute care settings and currently serves as Executive Director of Outpatient Services at EHN Canada. She is committed to anti-oppressive, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive care, with a focus on supporting women and children impacted by violence and systemic barriers. Passionate about advocacy and systemic change, Crystal works to create safe, inclusive spaces where all individuals can thrive. Crystal has been a resident of the Georgian Triangle for over 30 years and is deeply connected to the community. In her free time, she enjoys time with her family, travel, and the outdoors.

Join our Board of Directors

My Friend’s House is seeking dynamic, forward-thinking leaders to add value in the following areas:

Health/Social Services/Public Housing

Finance/Investment

Government Relations/Advocacy

Fundraising/Capital Campaign

Become part of a dedicated and engaged team.

 As a member of our skill‐based Board of Directors, you will enjoy a culture of shared responsibility and an opportunity to add to the perspectives of other volunteer board members.

You will share in the development and implementation of our strategic plan, monitor our performance, assess risk, and ensure sustainable operations.

My Friend’s House is committed to ensuring our Board reflects the communities we serve. Our recruitment process strives to target leaders with diverse backgrounds and experiences, including ethnicity, gender, age, geography, and cultural background.

My Friend’s House is a non-profit agency offering support for abused women and children living in the Georgian Triangle of Ontario through the provision of shelter, outreach, transition, and children’s services. Since opening in 1991, My Friend’s House has helped thousands of women access the safety and support they need to rebuild their lives. For more information please visit: www.myfriendshouse.ca

If you are interested, and live/work in South Georgian Bay (Clearview, Wasaga Beach, Collingwood, The Blue Mountains, Thornbury, or Meaford), please fill out the Expression of Interest form (PDF) here.

For more details and expectations for the role, please see our Board Expectations PDF here.

For any further questions, please contact Paulette Soper, Board Chair (selection@myfriendshouse.ca