Leadership and Governance
Discover Our Mission & Meet Our Team
At Home Hospice Association, we're committed to making compassionate end-of-life care accessible to everyone, regardless of age, background, or where they call home. Together with our team, volunteers, and community partners, we provide personalized support, education, and resources that help people navigate life's final journey with dignity and care.
Mission, Vision & Values
About Us
At Home Hospice Association (HHA), we believe in:
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Providing high-quality end-of-life care in a holistic, culturally sensitive manner.
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Normalizing death through education to professionals, children, families and communities.
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Supporting the dying, their loved ones, and those who care for them in grief and bereavement.
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Creating a future where we will have forever changed end-of-life care for the better.
Mission, Vision & Values
Our Mission
Home Hospice Association (HHA) is a Canadian registered charity that aims to support the dying and their loved ones by increasing access to holistic care, personalized support, and practical resources.
Together with our dedicated team of HHA-trained Death Doulas and volunteers, our mission is to ensure that anyone facing death - of any age, at any time, under any roof - receives compassionate, inclusive and culturally sensitive care.
Through our innovative programs, educational trainings, direct support and community partnerships, we are able to raise awareness of the need for compassionate and inclusive end-of-life care, and promote a culture of empathy, understanding, and open dialogue about dying and death
Mission, Vision & Values
Our Vision
Our vision at HHA is to transform the experience of purely medicalized end-of-life care by making compassionate and personalized support accessible to anyone and everyone, regardless of where they call home.
We envision a world where every person facing death has the kind of care and community support they need to die with dignity, respect, and comfort.
As the leading organization in death education and end-of-life community outreach, we are continually striving to enhance the quality of both living and dying in communities across Canada.
Mission, Vision & Values
Our Values
Humanness
When we medicalize dying, our human need for connection (physical, emotional and spiritual) often goes unmet. By putting humanness at the core of how we work, we prioritize meeting others where they're at - with respect, a non-judgemental attitude, and an open heart and mind.
Choice
We firmly believe that anyone facing their own mortality should have a choice of resources and approaches to care and support, including dying wherever they call home. In this way, they can reach the end of their life with compassion that is founded in culturally sensitive human connection.
Knowledge
Our comprehensive death education programs equip communities, agencies and caregivers (professional, familial, and volunteer) with the knowledge to support those facing death, as well as their loved ones, along an entire journey of dying, death, grief and loss.
Community
We passionately believe that, just as it takes a village to raise a child, a village is equally necessary (maybe even more so) at the end of life. We also recognize that community isn't just about geography, but also includes social, cultural and spiritual affiliation. Focusing on helping members of all communities become more comfortable with their own mortality is the first step. We consciously incorporate different perspectives, interests and cultures into our program development and try to remain sensitive to unique cultural challenges and needs. We also consistently develop leadership capacity both within our organization and the communities we serve.
Collaboration
Meeting the needs of the 84% of people in Canada who don't have equitable access to end-of-life care requires a genuine dedication to relationship- and capacity-building. We are committed to freely sharing our programs, resources and funding with other Canadian registered charities and government agencies, and to making our support and expertise available to all our community partners. None of us can do this work alone.
Meet Leadership and Governance
Our Board
Board Executive
Glen Burkholder
HHA Co-Founder, Board Chair
Glen is a co-founder of Home Hospice Association and has been a funeral director since 1986. Originally from the Niagara Region, he moved to Toronto in 2012. He is a member of the Niagara District Funeral Service Association and currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Toronto District Funeral Directors Inc. and the Ontario Funeral Service Association. In February 2023, Glen joined the team of McKersie & Early Funeral Home in Milton, Ontario. Glen is especially passionate about HHA’s continued education and training mission, and is deeply involved in the development and facilitation of the Death Doula and Infant and Pregnancy Loss Doula certificate programs. A proud father of two, Glen is committed to family and community. He has volunteered with Daval Hospice, Stamford Lions Club, Big Brothers Association of Niagara Falls, Niagara Falls Historical Museum Cemetery Tours, Niagara Falls Block Parent Association and the Knights of Columbus. Glen also enjoys getting his hands dirty with home repairs and renovations, and some of his favorite things to do include photography, the outdoors and enjoying a country drive on his motorcycle.
Jeanne O'Kell
HHA Co-founder
Jeanne O'Kell is a co-founder of Home Hospice Association and a retired palliative care nurse with more than 34 years of experience in end-of-life care. A longtime colleague of HHA CEO Tracey Robertson, Jeanne helped bring the vision of compassionate, community-based hospice support "under any roof" to life alongside Tracey Robertson and Glen Burkholder. In HHA's early years, Jeanne played a key role in developing volunteer-led Day Hospice Programs that provided communities with "a day off from illness" while supporting both individuals and their caregivers. She helped lay the foundation for an organization that has since grown into a national leader in community-based, non-medical end-of-life care. Although now retired from day-to-day involvement, Jeanne remains deeply connected to HHA's mission and is proud to see the organization continue to grow. She still smiles when she remembers HHA's beginnings on a dock, where the first logo was sketched on the back of a pizza box and a shared vision began to take shape.
Pam Keetch
Board Secretary
Pam is an advocate for animal welfare and has volunteered extensively with dog rescue services. In the fall of 2017, she was inspired by the work of the Bello Project in providing unique home-based hospice and support services for pet owners, and joined Home Hospice Association. In addition to sitting on HHA’s Board of Directors, Pam is now the Program Manager for The Bello Project, the Chapter Champion for the Eastern Ontario Region and a member of the Team Engagement working group.
Charles Parchem
Treasurer
Charles joins the Board of Directors of Home Hospice Association (HHA) with a deep commitment to compassionate end-of-life care. He is currently working as a Funeral Director Intern in the heart of Toronto. Charles has extensive lived and work experience in the 2SLGBTQ community and has been a strong advocate for equality and equity for his community which includes those that have been impacted by trauma from HIV/AIDS and currently the overdose epidemic. He brings Non Profit board experience and specific training to assist a diverse population. Charles is passionate about ensuring access to holistic support for individuals and families facing death. having witnessed the impact of compassionate care firsthand, Charles is dedicated to advancing HHA's mission. Charles is eager to contribute to HHA's efforts in expanding access to Death Doula support, innovative programs, and community partnerships.
Our Board
Directors
Lisa Bonneville
Director
Lisa is a death doula and hospice and bereavement counsellor, as well as a facilitator for HHA’s Death Doula and MAiD and the Death Doula Certificate Programs. She believes that communication plays a huge role in preparing for end-of-life as well as the grief that follows. She’ll talk to anyone, anywhere, anytime about dying, death and everything in between. Most of Lisa’s experience is in residential hospice but she has also worked in long-term care, funeral homes and had the privilege of caring for palliative Catholic Nuns. Many people have had a hand in supporting and guiding her along the way to where she is today, and she does her best to pass on this wisdom and knowledge in her own teaching.
Francine Kelly
Director
Francine started at HHA as a placement student from Humber College in September 2020 and ended up staying on with the Moonlit Memory Walk Team. Before coming to Canada, she worked at the University Hospital of the West Indies for 18+ years in client care relations, medical records & statistics, and advocacy. During these years, she supported many patients and relatives who received a life-altering/limiting diagnosis. A self-identified lifelong learner, Francine has a Social Service Diploma, a BBA, an MBA, and an LLQP certificate. Her goals include making a significant impact in social policies and pursuing more studies in counseling psychology. Francine served as a peer mentor at Humber College for three consecutive semesters from 2020-2021 and enjoyed helping her peers navigate their way through various challenges as they sought to further their learning. Francine is deeply committed to her spirituality, family and good friends. She is married to Peter and they have a young daughter Haley, whom they adore. Francine enjoys supporting others through trying times, especially the most vulnerable among us. She believes time and care are the most selfless gifts we can give each other. HHA’s mission resonates with her as she agrees that whenever possible we should all have a say in how we die.
Gail Malcolm
Director
Having worked in the social service/nonprofit sector, Gail has always found meaning and purpose in supporting others as they travel through life's various joys and challenges. The significant loss and grief she has experienced in her own life has further motivated her to walk alongside her clients during their most difficult journeys. Passionate about service and community-building, Gail has been involved in Boards from the National and Provincial level to many local associations. She volunteers with several organizations in her community, including Sakura House Hospice, and is a keen believer in the value of mentorship. Gail has a great passion for her family. Married almost 50 years to Bill, they have raised three children and a bonus child - all very compassionate individuals who have blessed them with nine grandchildren. Gail strongly believes that life's final journey can be one of caring, dignity and meaning, and it is her hope that through HHA’s work, communities across Canada will become increasingly aware and knowledgeable about the important support services that Death Doulas can provide.
Stephanie Byfield
Director
Stephanie is a Death Doula and a Grief Recovery Method Specialist who specializes in end-of-life care and grief coaching for those who are dying and the people who care about them. Stephanie is able to help people let go of their past, so that they can heal in the present and move forward from unresolved issues. As a Registered Canadian Reflexology Therapist, a Reiki practitioner, with a BSc in Health Sciences, Stephanie has developed programs and services for all ages, and abilities. She believes that everyone has the right to live their best life regardless of their current situation. Her focus is on helping others to achieve optimal wellness through holistic modalities that can complement any lifestyle. Stephanie became a Death Doula in 2022. After the death of her dad, she realized that the healthcare system lacks resources regarding grief, death and dying. Since then, Stephanie facilitates Death Cafes for HHA and other community organizations, has provided grief-related workshops, and is launching a grief retreat in Fall 2024. Being a part of the HHA team has provided Stephanie with knowledge and insight that has helped others through their dying and grief journey.
Donna Lawrence
Director
Donna is a Palliative Pain and Symptom Management Nurse Consultant with a deep-rooted commitment to improving the quality of life for the elderly population. She embarked on her nursing journey first as a PSW and then as a nursing student at the University of Manitoba, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN). This foundational education equipped her with the essential skills and knowledge needed to excel in the profession. Her thirst for knowledge and desire to make a meaningful impact led her to further her education, and she subsequently completed her Master of Nursing degree at Athabasca University. Donna's career trajectory has been marked by a profound passion for the geriatric community. With years of experience working in Long-Term Care (LTC) facilities as a PSW, an RN, a Nurse Educator and a Director of Care, she has gained invaluable insights into the unique challenges and healthcare needs faced by older adults. Her expertise in pain and symptom management through her work in hospice and continuing education/competency courses, has enabled her to enhance the comfort and well-being of countless seniors, making her a reliable resource in the field. Donna believes that every individual deserves dignity and compassion during the trajectory of their disease and their end-of-life journey. Her commitment to this specialized area of Nursing has not only provided solace to patients but also support to their families during the most challenging times. Donna's unwavering dedication to improving the lives of the elderly and her passion for hospice palliative care makes her continue to lead by example, inspiring others to follow in her footsteps and make a difference in the lives of those they serve.
Emily O'Kell
Director
Emily has dedicated her educational career to the study of human rights and has developed a strong understanding of the critical role intersectionality plays in the human experience, from the start of life to the end. Emily also works within local government, ensuring residents can access resources readily and equitably. She believes that in life, and in death, everyone deserves to be heard, feel comforted and have their bodily autonomy respected. Emily’s mother Jeanne, an end-of-life nurse and care advocate, played a large role in raising her to be aware of the intricacies and details - both the painful and the beautiful - of end-of-life care. Emily appreciates being able to apply her experience and passion for advocacy to HHA’s mission and efforts.
Our Team
Leadership
Jordan Cleland
Facilitator Coordinator
Jordan is a death doula, breath guide, social worker, and researcher who finds great joy in supporting people on their unique life paths. In both her professional and personal pursuits, she nurtures authentic connections and navigates through experiences with intention.Her practice is person-centered, rooted in knowing that people have the answers they seek within themselves, and she offers tools to support the revealing of those answers together. Her most poignant daily contemplation is that she too will die; and so, she asks how to live life in alignment with what’s important to her. She works with lightness and a deep humility for every individual's journey of life and death.
Cari Ferguson
Infant & Pregnancy Loss Support Program, Death Doula Certificate Program
Cari is a mental health clinician. She recently completed a Master of Psychospiritual Studies (MPS) degree and holds a certificate in thanatology. Outside of her clinical work, Cari oversees HHA’s professional development programs and serves as the death doula and infant and pregnancy loss support candidate advisor. Cari is a passionate death and grief educator whose work is centred primarily around education, awareness, grief counselling, and spiritual care. She is dedicated to embracing and normalizing the difficult conversations we need to have about dying, death, grief, and caring for those on a grief journey. You can learn more about her at www.strongwinds.ca.
Precilla Garcia
Intern Coordinator
With her passion for fostering learning opportunities and community engagement, Precilla coordinates our student placement program at HHA. From liaising with colleges to conducting interviews to providing comprehensive onboarding and guidance, Precilla ensures that our interns embark on their HHA journey with confidence and enthusiasm. While her primary focus revolves around internship coordination, Precilla wears many hats at HHA. She also manages our LinkedIn profile and plays a pivotal role in promoting our Free Education initiatives. Precilla's expertise in graphic design and video production, coupled with her keen interest in analytics, makes her an especially popular member of our team and a great asset to our marketing efforts. Beyond her role at HHA, Precilla does freelance marketing and works with kids as an early childhood educator, embodying her unwavering commitment to nurturing growth and learning in every facet of her life.
Jen Gillean
Pathway Coordinator
Jen is HHA’s Perinatal Program Manager, a Certified Childbirth Mentor, Birth & Bereavement Doula, and Yoga Therapist. She leads and coordinates the Infant & Pregnancy Loss Support Training and facilitates a variety of peer based groups to support those navigating grief with Métis Nation of Ontario, HHA and Birth Trauma Connections. Her work focuses on supporting individuals and families navigating fertility challenges, pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and loss. She is particularly interested in trauma-informed and somatic approaches to care with a focus on nervous system regulation, grief support, birth & pelvic trauma recovery, as well as intimacy after birth.
Pam Keetch
Bello Project Program Manager & Volunteer Engagement Team
Pam is an advocate for animal welfare and has volunteered extensively with dog rescue services. In the fall of 2017, she was inspired by the work of the Bello Project in providing unique home-based hospice and support services for pet owners, and joined Home Hospice Association. In addition to coordinating our volunteers and managing the Bello Project, Pam sits on HHA’s Board of Directors and is the Chapter Champion for the Eastern Ontario Region.
Tracey Robertson
HHA Co-Founder & CEO
Driven by a profound commitment to ensuring everyone has access to quality end-of-life care, Tracey co-founded Home Hospice Association with a mission to address two critical questions: If 69% of people wish to die at home, why can’t they? And if 84% lack access to comprehensive hospice care, what can be done about it? Tracey’s dedication to making a good death possible for everyone began as a volunteer event coordinator at Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice in Hamilton, where she discovered her passion for end-of-life care. After 12 years of raising funds and awareness, including establishing a community hospice association in the Niagara Region, she realized that most communities could not afford residential hospices. This insight, combined with inspiration from national hospice models in the U.S., led her to envision a national, not-for-profit organization for Canada dedicated to providing equitable and compassionate end-of-life care and support. As HHA's first CEO, Tracey serves as the organization’s key ambassador, passionately sharing its vision and mission with communities across the country.
James Baddeley
LinkedIn Ambassador
James is a Death Doula Candidate, community advocate, and creator focused on compassionate presence and meaningful connection. With over two decades of experience serving the public, James felt called toward more heart-centered work focused on emotional, spiritual, and end-of-life support. His personal experiences with death, illness, healing, and spiritual growth inspired him to pursue the Death Doula course through Home Hospice Association's Certificate Program. As an HHA Ambassador, James actively supports community outreach and education initiatives through networking, advocacy, and social media engagement. He is especially passionate about creating spaces where people don't feel alone and more connected through compassion, presence, and understanding.
Callista English
Human Resources & Leadership Team
Jen is HHA’s Perinatal Program Manager, a Certified Childbirth Mentor, Birth & Bereavement Doula, and Yoga Therapist. She leads and coordinates the Infant & Pregnancy Loss Support Training and facilitates a variety of peer based groups to support those navigating grief with Métis Nation of Ontario, HHA and Birth Trauma Connections. Her work focuses on supporting individuals and families navigating fertility challenges, pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and loss. She is particularly interested in trauma-informed and somatic approaches to care with a focus on nervous system regulation, grief support, birth & pelvic trauma recovery, as well as intimacy after birth.
Mustafa Khaja
Salesforce Task Specialist
Mustafa is currently a student at Durham College, where he majored in Human Resource Management with Honours. This September, he will begin studying Data Analytics for Business Decision Making. Passionate about technology, science, and business, Mustafa enjoys leading teams through effective collaboration. He is highly valued by his HHA colleagues for both his technical expertise and positive attitude. Mustafa has contributed to HHA's activities in various ways, including creating donation reports, developing email templates, acknowledging donor contributions, and integrating participant data into Salesforce. He is also responsible for training team members on using OneDrive for volunteer record-keeping, creating and updating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and preparing job descriptions for various roles. In his spare time, he enjoys watching sports, spending time with friends, and reading.
Alaina Nippak
HOPP Team Lead
Alaina is a compassionate and community-focused social work professional with a strong passion for mental health, pediatric care and supporting children, youth, and families. She recently completed her Bachelor of Social Work and will be beginning her Master of Social Work this fall, continuing her commitment to advocacy, care, and community well-being. As the HOPP Team Lead at Home Hospice Association, Alaina plays an active role in supporting initiatives that foster accessibility and community engagement. She is also involved in the revitalization of CANDY Cafe programming and resources. Through this work, she contributes to outreach efforts, program development, and collaborative initiatives aimed at improving community care. Alaina is dedicated to ongoing growth and learning and is passionate about contributing to organizations that value compassion, inclusivity, and people-centered care.
Taylor Welsh
Compassion in Action Lead
Taylor Welsh is a Social Service Worker graduate from Humber Polytechnic, currently pursuing Business Administration – Accounting. She brings a unique blend of frontline social service experience and administrative expertise, with a strong foundation in supporting children and youth on the autism spectrum. Taylor is the Compassion in Action Lead at Home Hospice Association, advanced from an internship into a leadership role supporting compassionate care initiatives, community engagement, and advocacy. She continues to work as an Office Assistant, strengthening her skills in organization, coordination, and operations. Passionate about impact and efficiency, Taylor is focused on bridging social services and business practices to support inclusive, person-centered care and stronger community outcomes.