Stepping inside the Northumberland Hills Hospital, it doesn't take long for patients and visitors to discover the wide array of state-of-the-art equipment that is available to our local communities. From an MRI, to a CT scanner to trauma stretchers and more, new technology offers exciting new possibilities... read more
Meet the CommitteeBoard of Directors
The Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation is a dedicated team of enthusiastic volunteers and staff who are passionately committed to improving health care and the quality of life in our communities.
Shared Purpose
To inspire generous giving to support exceptional patient care at Northumberland Hills Hospital.
Our Values
Collaboration * Accountability * Integrity * Respect * Responsiveness
We do this by:
- Building and managing a comprehensive fund development program designed to secure more gift revenue, more cost effectively each fiscal year
- Identifying, attracting and retaining more donors through effective cultivation and stewardship
- Building NHH healthcare service capabilities by engaging in strategic and imaginative grant-making
- Spreading our messages in thoughtful and inspiring ways to both external and internal stakeholders by all means possible, through collaborative communications and marketing efforts
- Attracting committed volunteers, practicing effective governance and demonstrating accountability in all of our activities
Message from Gavin Ivory, NHH Foundation Board Chair
If there is anything the pandemic taught us, it is that we must never take access to healthcare for granted.
NHH Foundation plays a key role in ensuring NHH is well prepared to care for our community. Though our provincial government provides funding for the operational costs of running a hospital, the medical and equipment technology required in providing care typically relies on community donations. This is where the Foundation comes in – to lead fundraising efforts to ensure we all continue to have access to the latest technology to support exceptional care, close to home.
As we face the future with a clearer understanding of the human and financial costs of running a hospital, our community’s ongoing support for NHH is now more important than ever before.
Since 2002, you have helped us raise more than $83 million for our Hospital – thank you. Your contributions support a lot of good healthcare for you, and for those you care about. In addition to donations, endowment contributions, and bequests, our community continuously supports numerous successful fundraising events, which celebrate our collective strength and provide the opportunity to have fun while supporting an important cause.
Demands for equipping the hospital to the highest standards will continue, but the future will also invite Northumberland’s residents to consider ways to more broadly support our residents’ wellbeing, such as mental health, remote health, and Indigenous health.
I have no doubt that we will meet this challenge. It’s been almost twenty years since I became a member of the welcoming, engaged Northumberland Hills community, eventually joining the NHH Foundation Board in 2017. I am honoured to serve as Chair and am grateful to work with a terrific team which has accomplished so much for our hospital. I feel fortune to serve alongside my fellow NHH Foundation Board members who together, possess an elevated level of guidance and are responsible for long-term success of the Foundation.
Of course, success also depends in large measure on the capabilities of the Foundation staff, led by Rhonda Cunningham and supported by Jen Gilmer, Megan Fluxgold, Wendy Bridgman, and Chelsea Wolf. I cannot overemphasize how fortunate we are to have this exceptional group of people supporting our Foundation.
I hope you will continue to stand with us and to support the Hospital that supports your good health in any way possible.
Gavin Ivory
Chair
Gavin joined the Board of Directors in 2017 in the role of Treasurer. He is well suited to this task after almost 40 years in the financial industry, retiring in 2017 from Beutel, Goodman and Company Ltd., where he managed global equities. Previously he served in a variety of asset management and financial analysis roles with McLeod Young Weir Ltd.,... read more
Carrie Low
Vice-Chair
Carrie is a real estate and estate planning lawyer with her own practice in downtown Cobourg. She previously practised at Blakes in Toronto and for 17 years, was in-house counsel at Royal Bank. Carrie and her family - husband Brian Porter, and their two daughters, Lily and Amelia - are active in many community organizations in Northumberland County.... read more
Ian MacVicar
Treasurer
Ian is originally from Toronto, and is a graduate of the Smith School of Business at Queens University. During a successful 40 year career, largely on Bay St in Toronto, Ian initially focussed on financial services, earning a CPA designation and working as an Investment Banker. Much of the last 30 years Ian has spent in the private equity and venture... read more
Rhonda Cunningham
FAHP, Board Secretary & Chief Executive Officer
Rhonda joined the Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation as a member of a small staff team in September 1995 and was appointed as the Executive Director in 1997, followed by her appointment to CEO in 2022. To date (2024), she has helped raise close to $83 million in support of Northumberland Hills Hospital, including three successful capital campaigns... read more
Michael McAllister
Northumberland Hills Hospital Board Representative
Michael McAllister is a Chartered Professional Accountant. Michael joined the Board as a Community Committee volunteer in June of 2015. In that role, Michael sat on both the Finance and Audit, and the Quality and Safety Committees, and attended many board meetings as an observer. He was appointed as a director in June 2017 and continues his service on... read more
Rhonda Cunningham
Chief Executive Officer
Rhonda joined the Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation as a member of a small staff team in September 1995 and was appointed as the Executive Director in 1997, followed by her appointment to CEO in 2022. To date (2024), she has helped raise over $83 million in support of Northumberland Hills Hospital, including three successful capital campaigns... read more
Wendy Bridgman
Office and Data Coordinator
Wendy joined the Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation in July 2002 as the Executive Assistant. With over 25 years’ experience, Wendy provides front desk reception with her main responsibility to ensure donation receipts and thank you letters are issued in a timely fashion. Financial reporting and providing support to the Foundation staff team round... read more
Jennifer Gilmer
Manager, Communications and Philanthropy
Jennifer Gilmer joined the Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation in September 2019. She coordinates the Foundation’s media relations program and is responsible for creating and distributing both internal and external communications pieces for a variety of audiences across both digital and print platforms. She is driven to inspire the community to... read more
Katie Ito
Communications and Special Events Coordinator
Katie Ito joined the Foundation in November 2025 as the Communications and Special Events Coordinator. Katie supports the planning, development, and delivery of print, digital, social and multimedia communications to build both internal and external awareness of the Foundation, special events and key projects. Katie also assists in the events and community... read more
Courtney Ker
Interim Events Specialist
Courtney Ker joined the Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation in March 2025 as the Interim Events Specialist. She is an experienced Events Specialist with expertise in event coordination, marketing, and community engagement. Skilled in logistics, sponsorships, and social media, she excels at creating impactful events and fostering community connections.... read more