About Us

Nick Foligno is the Honorary Chair of NEO Kids Foundation. Nick currently plays for the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks. Previously he played for the Ottawa Senators and the OHL’s Sudbury Wolves. Nick is director of the Janis Foligno Foundation, which was created in honour of his mother and seeks to provide support to local charities who are committed to finding a cure for cancer. In 2013, his daughter Milana was born with a rare heart condition and understands the stress and fear of having a sick child, and the impact it has on a family. Having dealt with NEO Kids first-hand, Nick believes that there is a need to better serve children and young patients in the North. Nick and his wife Janelle have three children – Milana, Landon and Hudson.

Rick has a degree in Civil Engineering from Queen’s University, and has been involved in the family business since 1995. Rick is the co-owner of O C P Construction Supplies Inc. Most important in Rick’s life are his wife and children, and it is this love for family that drives him to serve with NEO Kids Foundation. He fully believes that keeping families at home (or at least closer to home) will make their children’s health challenges that much more manageable.

Michael Macnamara is a barrister, solicitor and notary at Desmarais, Keenan LLP. He received his BA from Carleton University followed by his Juris Doctor from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. Michael is a champion for Greater Sudbury and its role as a medical services provider and treatment hub of Northern Ontario. He is a strong believer that a community’s geographic location should not in itself be a barrier to quality care. In addition to serving on the NEO Kids Foundation Board he sits on several other community associations and not-for-profits.

Alyson Laking is the Executive Manager for the Laking Group of Companies. Alyson obtained her H.BSc from the University of Guelph in 2006. After graduating, she returned to Sudbury and began working full time at the family business. In addition to NEO Kids, Alyson holds a board position with Cinefest Sudbury. Alyson and her husband Matthew have two children, Connor and William.

Matthew is a partner with Stratum Advisory Group Inc., a boutique tax and insurance planning firm. A two time academic All-Canadian, Matthew completed his business degree at the Fred C. Manning School of Business, Acadia University. In addition to his appointment as Treasurer of NEO Kids, Matthew holds a board position at the Idylwylde Golf and Country Club where he was appointed Long Range Planning and Corporate Restructuring Chair. Matthew holds the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation. He is married to Jenna, and they have three children: Norah, Tommy and Jack.

Richard Spadafora is CFO of Mansour Group. Richard holds an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree from Laurentian University and received his designation as a Certified General Accountant in March 2007 and as a Chartered Accountant in November 2007. Having witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by families who are required to seek treatment outside of Northern Ontario, he is passionate about ensuring that children from Northeastern Ontario have access to quality healthcare in the North. Richard is also actively involved in coaching in local minor hockey and minor baseball.

Sherri Koren (Sherri K) is the Program Director and morning show host at HOT 93-5. She is an active member in the Sudbury community and is passionate about fundraising events. She is eager to bring her fundraising experience to the NEO Kids Board. Sherri has just graduated from the Organizational Management at Cambrian College and continues advocate for plasma donations at Canadian Blood Services Sudbury.

Mike Commito is the Director of Applied Research & Innovation at Cambrian College. He holds a PhD in History from McMaster University. Outside of his work at Cambrian, Mike writes about hockey and is the author of three books. He lives in Sudbury with wife, Chantal, and two daughters, Zoe and Sophia.

 Stephanie Dales is the Director, Finance and Administration at BESTECH Canada Limited, a multi-disciplinary engineering firm, where she is responsible for the oversight of financial, HR and operational matters. Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Queen’s University and received her CPA, CA designation in 2012. Stephanie is married to Behn and has two young boys, Nash and Teddy. 

 Pamela Therrien joined Petryna Advertising as CEO in 2019, bringing with her more than 20 years’ professional experience in marketing, advertising, not-for-profit, charitable and private sector business. Before joining Petryna Advertising, she was Vice President of the Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce, Marketing Specialist at Science North, Development Officer at SickKids Foundation and previously worked for several major international advertising agencies, such as BBDO Toronto and Leo Burnett. Pam loves managing the creative process, and has worked with clients such as P&G, Zeller’s, Pizza Hut, Smucker’s, Sears, GlaxoSmithKline, and Dairy Queen. While at Petryna Advertising, Pam has developed marketing strategies and managed creative development for clients such as Future North, M.I.C Canadian Eatery & Whisky Pub, GOVA Transit, Collège Boréal, Science North, and Ionic Mechatronics – just to name a few. 

Pam holds an Honours Bachelor of Commerce from Laurentian University and a post graduate diploma in Marketing Management from Sheridan College. 

Pat Sevean moved to Sudbury in 2016 with her husband Lyn to be closer to their multi-generational family. Pat is a retired Professor Emeritus from Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Pat spent 40 years in health care as a registered nurse, educator and researcher. Pat has served on several boards including the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (2013-2016). In 2014, both Pat and her husband survived kidney cancer. Since then, Pat has joined the Board of Kidney Cancer Canada and volunteers as a Patient and Family Advisor for Cancer Care Ontario. Pat recognizes the importance of community support to ensure patients in northern Ontario receive the best possible care.

David McNeil, PhD – President and Chief Executive Officer of Health Sciences North

David McNeil is a Sudbury native and most recently, he served as the President and CEO of Brant Community Healthcare System. Prior to this role, he was the Chief Nursing Executive and Senior Vice President, Patient Services and Digital Transformation at Health Sciences North.

David has a PhD in Rural and Northern Health from Laurentian University, a Masters in Health Administration from the University of Ottawa, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Laurentian University.

His experience includes working as a front-line nurse in Attawapiskat and the former Laurentian Hospital and Network North. He has worked as a Nursing Educator, Quality Coordinator / Professional Practice Consultant and Clinical Director of the Medical Program, Corporate Director of Planning and Environmental Services, and as a Part-Time Professor at Cambrian College.

He has served as President and Chair for the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario, a Board Member of the Canadian Nurses Association and as Chair of the Cambrian College Board of Governors.

Anthony Keating is an award-winning Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) who has served in fundraising leadership roles over the past 14 years with Cystic Fibrosis Canada, Kids Help Phone, Seneca College and the Boys and Girls Clubs of St. John’s, Newfoundland. Most recently, he served as Campaign Director, Major Gifts, at The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation in Toronto where he successfully co-led a $50 million research campaign to completion a year ahead of schedule, and was also responsible for raising millions of dollars for Malignant Hematology priorities. In 2010, he received the “New to Fundraising Professional of the Year” award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). Anthony is an active community member who has volunteered with the Boys and Girls Clubs of St. John’s, the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Canadian Merit Scholarship Foundation, and is currently a Director with the Roberta Bondar Foundation.

In Anthony’s role he will oversee each of the three Foundations, and the Volunteer Association. He will also supervise HSN’s Volunteer Services and serve on the senior leadership teams of HSN and HSNRI, ensuring a strong alignment with health care needs in Northeastern Ontario.