Board of Directors

Executive

Rachel Egan, Chair

Rachel Egan joined the Alzheimer Society of York Region as a board member in September 2016. Rachel is the Chair of the board and is a member of both the Fund Development and Communications and Quality Safety and Performance Committees.

Rachel joins the board with more than 18 years of consumer package goods experience in sales, marketing and organization development. Rachel held a variety of roles focused on development, efficiency and effective growth. Rachel is a King's College, University of Western Ontario graduate.

Rachel resides with her husband and three children in Aurora.

Kathleen Jinkerson, Secretary

Kathleen Jinkerson joined the Alzheimer Society of York Region board of directors in late 2018.

She is a recognized thought leader on people, culture and total rewards. She works with organizations globally and locally to help them optimize their HR strategies and practices to help them achieve their goals through their people.

Kathleen is an active Board member for various volunteer boards, including The Alzheimer's Society of York Region and The Centre of Learning & Development. She also advises corporate boards on HR governance, strategies, and practices.

As a  board member for the last five years, she very much values the hard work of staff and volunteers delivering exceptional programs and supports to clients and caregivers.

Adrian Cobbald, Treasurer

Adrian is the Senior Vice-President Finance at the New market Group. he has over 30 years of experience providing financial leadership to public and private companies in Canada and the UK. A longtime volunteer in the region, Adrian also gives his time to the Aurora Minor Hockey Association and the Cassels and Adjoining Lakes Association.

Adrian knows first hand the challenges of living with dementia. His mother was diagnosed with dementia and the family cared for her at home until her passing in 2020.

Adrian is the chair of the Audit and Risk Committee.

Caroline Petrova – Secretary

Caroline Petrova, principal at Pivot Point Consulting, is a senior business leader and HR professional with more than 18 years of experience in helping people and organizations maximize their potential.

Caroline is a certified Leadership and Personal Coach trained by Co-active Training Institute, certified by the International Coach Federation and is a Certified Dare to Lead™ Facilitator. Caroline’s strengths lie in connecting individuals and teams to their full potential by empowering them to take courageous action in their lives.

Caroline has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Alzheimer Society of York Region since 2018 and is the Human Resources Committee Chair. She joined the Board to help York Region residents impacted by dementia as she is passionate about making a difference by giving back locally.

Caroline is an avid hockey mom and loves to travel. She was raised and lives in King City with her husband and two sons.

Members at Large

Michelle Frauley

Michelle has over 3 decades of nursing experience, including: family medicine, palliative and end-of-life care, women’s health, complex long-term care, operating room, and community nursing. Her experience has taught her that providing quality healthcare is built from a foundation of care and compassion.

Michelle lives and owns her private homecare business in King City. She founded Hospall Private Homecare in 2013 with the belief that she could lead an amazing group of caregivers to support residents of King and surrounding areas. Michelle has experience showing that interactive caregiving is a method of caring for seniors that promotes physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being. She is highly respected by patients and colleagues and has been nominated 3 times for the Toronto Star Florence Nightingale Award for Ontario nurses.

In 2016, Michelle received an award from the International Nurses Association as a Worldwide Leader in Healthcare for her overall achievements with Hospall and in her prior position at King City Medical Associates. Michelle believes in using her experience to support and better her community. She volunteers with the King City Food Bank and has volunteered with the local flu clinic. Throughout the pandemic, Michelle worked with King Township as a care coordinator for the local vaccine centre and supported local COVID testing initiatives. 

Michelle is currently the President of the King Chamber of Commerce and has previously held other executive positions. In 2022 Michelle was named Citizen of the Year for King Township. Michelle is a member of Accreditation Canada, Home Care Ontario and the Canadian Home Care Association.

Roxana Kobuta, MBA, BHSc

Roxana Kobuta is a senior consultant at a pre-design and facility programming firm in the healthcare, academic, library and research sectors. Her experience spans both healthcare and laboratory environments, with a focus on strategic planning and operational initiatives. Roxana's interest in joining the AS York Board of Directors is to make a difference in the lives of patients and their families amidst the growing population that battles this disease. Roxana is a graduate of McMaster University (MBA, Healthcare Management, and HBSc.).

Leela D’Cruz

Leela D'Cruz is excited to join the Alzheimer’s Society of York Region Board of Directors.  Leela has over 20 years of experience working with patient associations, and experience in both strategic planning and operational excellence in the not-for-profit space.    With two parents that suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, she has seen the negative impact that this terrible disease can have not only those afflicted but also their family and friends.  She looks forward to working with such a dedicated organization to make a difference in the lives of those impacted by dementia. 

Michael Polisuk

Michael Polisuk is a Barrister & Solicitor based in York Region who practises family law.

He has resided in York Region for over 30 years and has been an active Board Member of the Alzheimer Society since September 2023.

Jennifer Smith

Jennifer has a degree in English and Psychology, as well as a Bachelor of Education. She has taught Primary Junior students in Ontario and in London, England. In 2018 Jennifer retired from teaching Kindergarten in Aurora. Since then, she has enjoyed volunteering for Alzheimer’s York Region and is a member of the Board of Directors and the Fund Development and Communication Committee. Because Jennifer’s mother lived and passed away with Alzheimer’s Disease, she is committed to helping this organization continue to offer assistance and excellent programs to those living with the challenges of dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease.

Jennifer loves to volunteer in the community and works in three different roles for Southlake Regional Health Centre. She has also been a member of the Youth Justice Committee for seven years, participating in restorative justice conferences to help youth offenders in York Region.

Jennifer has lived in Aurora for over thirty years where she and her husband have raised their three children. In her spare time, she enjoys travelling, baking, time at the cottage kayaking, paddle boarding and golfing, as well as skiing and snowshoeing through the winter. 

Robin Taylor-Smith 

Robin Taylor-Smith is one of the principals at PromotionalMarketing.ca in Aurora, a family-owned business with a legacy upwards of 40 years. With a strong business background, Robin has served on the Aurora Chamber of Commerce Board for an extended period, including a term as President. She also enjoys working for the City of Richmond Hill, Sports Hall of Fame, on their initiatives.

Robin is a dedicated community leader with a passion for giving back. Her extensive volunteering experience includes organizations such as Southlake Hospital, The Optimist Club of Aurora, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Aurora Chamber of Commerce, and the Terry Fox Run, among others. Her involvement and contributions reflect her values of service, compassion, and active participation in initiatives that support and uplift others.

Robin's commitment to supporting Alzheimer's Society of York Region (ASYR) demonstrates her dedication to a significant cause that provides vital resources and support to the community.

Robin has been recognized with several prestigious awards, including Ontario's 2016 Leading Women Building Communities award, the 2017 Portraits of Giving award, among others.