Jonathan is the Director, Business Affairs and Financial Management & Emergency Social Services at the Regional Municipality of Durham. He is a motivated, results-driven transformational leader with over 20 years of progressive experience in program administration and delivery in municipal government, accompanied by over 10 years of not-for-profit executive and Board governance experience. In addition to possessing several years of progressive experience in business administration and transformational leadership, Jonathan has a master’s degree in Public Administration from Western University with a focus on local government, along with a CPA designation. When asked what inspired him to join the Board, he said, “As a father of two young children and a community coaching volunteer, I understand the importance of ‘every child and youth living life at their full potential.’ Seeing the expansion underway with the new facility is exciting for our communities. I am thrilled to serve on the Board to make it happen.”

Catherine is a Special Education Resource Teacher (SERT) with Durham District School Board, where she fell in love with inclusive education early on in her career. Through various roles, including teaching adaptive swimming lessons, lifeguarding and her eventual teaching roles, inclusivity has been a lifelong focus.  She believes that the grit and resiliency that children display daily (in her work) is inspiring, “I think one of the most critical things you can do as a human being is to build relationships.  If you are fortunate enough to build a trusting relationship with a child, then you have won the lottery.” Catherine looks forward to ensuring the organizational focus remains on its exemplary service delivery, noting she’s fortunate to see its “excellence in action” as part of her job. “My goal for this year would be to ensure we are ambassadors for Grandview, and planning for the future in a way that is fiscally responsible and client-centred.” Catherine enjoys spending time with her two children, husband and dogs at their cottage.

Leisa is the Manager of Volunteer & Community Relations, Oshawa Senior Community Centres 55+. She is a seasoned communications strategist. As a parent of a daughter with exceptional needs, Leisa brings a deep understanding of the challenges families face when accessing services and support. She believes that all children are deserving of the brightest future possible, adding, “I am excited to contribute my skills and expertise to Grandview Kids during such an extraordinary period of development and growth.” In her free time, Leisa enjoys cheering on her daughter and bonus kids in their many adventures, alongside her husband and labradoodle.

Robyn Jacobson is a Chartered Mediator and works as a Conflict Management Consultant, focusing on the education sector. Her background is Law, University teaching and management, and she holds the degrees of B.Com, LLB, LLM, PhD. Robyn has served on several not-for-profit boards, the most recent being Trent University, where she was honoured for her service by being named Governor Emeritus. Robyn, and her husband Bradley, were first introduced to Grandview over 10 years ago when they decided that the proceeds from the McHappy Day fundraising from their McDonald’s in Ajax would go to Grandview Kids; they love Grandview and are in awe of the amazing work done for so many children in Durham. Robyn is probably best known at Grandview as the mother/caregiver of Tulip, the Mini Therapy Horse, and now looks forward to contributing in a different way as a director.

Bernadette Santiago is a seasoned investigator and adjudicator with extensive experience in professional regulation, public accountability, and governance. She currently serves on adjudicative and oversight bodies including the Ontario College of Teachers Registration Appeals Committee, the Town of Ajax Committee of Adjustment, and the Ombudsman Association’s Validation Committee (UK). In 2025, she was appointed Co-Lead of the Community of Practice: Conduct with the Canadian Network of Agencies for Regulation (CNAR), a national forum focused on best practices in complaints, investigations, and professional discipline.
Bernadette also brings leadership experience as Chair of the Durham Catholic Children’s Foundation, where she champions student support, fundraising, and good governance. She is bilingual in English and French and is known for her equity-focused, collaborative approach to decision-making.

Bernadette holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies from York University – Glendon College, along with specialized training in health law, regulatory investigations, and administrative justice. Based in Ajax, she is proud to support Grandview Kids in its mission to provide exceptional care and inclusive services to children and youth across Durham Region.

Lindsay is the Director, External Relations and Partnerships at Ontario Tech University. She supports the university’s community and corporate relations activities. She started her career at Ontario Tech in the Office of Research Services where she supported the university research mandate. Prior to Ontario Tech, Lindsay had a variety of roles within the provincial government. A long-time resident of Durham Region, Lindsay serves on boards and committees for a number of local organizations. She is thrilled to support Grandview Kids at this exciting time in the organization’s evolution. When asked what inspired her to join the Board, she said, “[To] learn more about the organization I have been supporting as a community member for the last two years, support the organization’s research and innovation mandate and, in the process, give back to my community.

Ashif is currently Director, Planning and Resource Management at the Ontario Ministry of Finance. He is an accomplished executive with over 20 years of experience in Director roles within the Ontario Public Service and the broader public sector. His various roles include Deputy Registrar General for Ontario, Director of Business and Fiscal Planning with the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General, and Director of Strategic Business Services with Tribunals Ontario. Ashif started his career as a nurse and has held progressive executive roles in various Ontario hospitals and regional health entities prior to joining the Ontario Public Service. With a career spanning almost 25 years, Ashif has built a reputation as a solutions-focused executive with extensive leadership experience in corporate services, process improvement and change management. He is known as a collaborative, authentic leader dedicated to creating inclusive work environments. Ashif resides in Whitby with his wife and two daughters. His older daughter has exceptional needs and has been a client of Grandview Kids.

Sarah Klein is the Deputy CAO for the Town of Whitby, where she oversees Inter-Government Relations, Corporate Strategic Planning, and oversees key portfolios including Economic Development, Sustainability and Climate Change, Culture, Tourism, Events, and Downtowns. With over 30 years in municipal government, she has played a central role in Whitby’s transformation, securing major grants, leading the Town’s successful hospital proposal, and advancing initiatives that support vulnerable residents. Sarah holds a Master’s in Public Policy, Administration and Law from York University, an Honours Biochemistry degree from Trent University, and a Bachelor of Education from Queen’s University. When asked why she is excited to serve on the Board, Sarah said, “Grandview’s work changes lives. I’m honoured to contribute my experience and passion to help ensure every child and youth has the opportunity to thrive.”