Staff

Your Gratitude Team

Gail Brescia
Gail Brescia, CFRE
President & CEO
T(807) 768-4402
  • Provides strategic leadership and vision to advance the Foundation's mission.
  • Oversees donor engagement to grow community support and impact.
  • Guides governance and operations with accountability and best practices.
  • Serves as a chief ambassador strengthening regional relationships.
Sandy Vellinga
Sandy Vellinga
Executive Assistant
T(807) 768-4440
  • Manages donor relations and administration with timely acknowledgements.
  • Supports leadership operations with executive-level coordination.
  • Responds to inquiries with helpful, courteous support.
  • Maintains confidential records and governance documentation.
Paul Wolfe
Paul Wolfe
Senior Philanthropy Associate
T(807) 768-4450
  • Builds relationships with major and legacy donors to inspire long-term support.
  • Fosters partnerships that advance philanthropic initiatives and programs.
Jaclyn Woods
Jaclyn Woods
Philanthropy Associate
T(807) 768-4404
  • Leads annual giving initiatives to grow support and donor engagement.
  • Plans fundraising events that drive participation and revenue.
Governance

Board of Directors

St. Joseph's Foundation is seeking individuals interested in serving as volunteer Directors. This is a meaningful way to give back to our community and support the work of St. Joseph's Care Group.

To express interest, please email sandra.vellinga@tbh.net.

Directors Only
Board Portal
Steve McCauley
Chair of the Board
Gail Brescia
Secretary-Treasurer
Trevor Caddo
Director
Kelsee Fischer
Director
Therese Lim
Director
Wendy Piccinin
Director
Brian Walmark
Director
Marc Degagne
Vice Chair
Vacant
Past Chair
Laurie Clarke
Director
Sharon Hollinsworth
Director
Brent Mandryk
Director
Nathan Wainwright
Director
Deb Comuzzi
Director
Representative, SJCG Board

Ex Officio

Janine Black
President & CEO, St. Joseph's Care Group

Honourary Directors

John Atwood
Tom Beck
Sharron Owen
A Living Mission

From a courageous act of compassion

Founded in France in 1650, the Sisters of St. Joseph arrived in Thunder Bay in 1881, responding to the needs of a growing frontier community. What began as teaching and parish support quickly became hands-on care for the sick and injured, leading to the opening of St. Joseph's Hospital in 1884.

A Legacy of Compassion and Giving

Inspired by the mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie, St. Joseph's Foundation of Thunder Bay was established in 1983 to carry forward a long tradition of community generosity and care. Building on earlier grassroots fundraising efforts that helped create St. Joseph's Heritage in the late 1970s, the Foundation formalized a shared commitment to ensuring compassionate, dignified care for generations to come. Today, thanks to the extraordinary support of donors, more than $28 million has been raised to advance this mission—strengthening healthcare and community services across our region and honouring the values that first brought the Sisters to serve those most in need.