Mike McDonald - President
Position: President, McDonald Organizational Health Inc.

For Mike McDonald, being on the board is a way of helping to give sick kids what they need, “and what they need the most is to be with their families.”

The father of three, who says “my main focus is kids,” coaches soccer and hockey and relaxes with fishing. President of an employee benefits company, he joined the board in 2005 and became its President in April 2009.

“What I enjoy most about board membership is the cause itself. It’s an all-encompassing way to help kids.”

Mary Johnson - Vice President
Position: Principal Hamilton Wentworth District School Board (Retired)

Mary Johnson says it’s satisfying to work on a team searching for solutions.

The retired school principal began her involvement with the House seven years ago as a volunteer. “It was a good fit for me. I have spent my whole career working with children and families.”

She now spends lots of time with grandchildren, as well as pursuing reading, music and travel. A former Rotarian, she still takes part in some of the organization’s events.

‘The board has huge financial responsibilities in managing the money that people donate, in fundraising and reaching out to other communities. It’s a very diverse board. Everybody comes with different skills. Every decision we make is in the best interest of the House. It is rewarding to know that children are close to their families.”  

Rosie Sardo - Treasurer
Position: Senior Manager, Assurance and Advisory, Deloitte & Touche

The dedication of donors and volunteers is one of the things Rosie Sardo loves most.

A board member for two years and its treasurer, Rosie is employed with the accounting firm Deloitte.
“Seeing how the House helps families and children get through hard times,” makes board membership very satisfying.

Mary Drummond
Position: formerly Chief People Officer for McDonald's Restaurants of Canada (Retired)

Mary Anne Drummond gets satisfaction from working with her fellow board members to ensure they’re collectively following through on the vision of Ronald McDonald House.

‘The people staying at the House are in serious situations. We have to be cognizant of their needs and emotions, the more personal aspects of helping families in need.”

Mary Anne, who was named one of the100 most powerful women in Canada in 2003, was a Senior Vice-President and Chief People Officer of McDonald’s restaurants until she retired in 2006. She now enjoys a place up north and joins friends for fitness and golf.

She has served for three years on the Board, adding that being on the board of a non-profit organization means, “coming at things from a different perspective.”

John Moseley-Williams
Position: Owner/Operator, McDonald's Restaurants, Elmira

John Moseley-Williams describes the Ronald McDonald House board as "a totally committed board" with an attitude of "what else can we do for the families" "It is a very genuine desire to help the families".

Kids and family are close to John & wife Lynda's hearts with his three daughters, sons-in-laws and ten grandkids.  John and Lynda enjoy travelling, cottage life and entertaining.  John worked for IBM prior to becoming a McDonald's Restaurant Owner/Operator twenty years ago.  John has been a Board member for just over two years.

Terry Anderson
Position: Account Executive, Pearson Dunn Insurance

Kathryn McFarlane
Position: Communications Consultant; former CEO, Curriculum Services Canada

Kathryn McFarlane loves hearing the heart-warming stories of families who have stayed at the House. “They constantly validate why you’re on the board.”

Commencing her term in November 2009, Kathryn brought diverse experience. Most recently she was Executive Director of a Pan-Canadian standards agency, started her career four decades ago as a teach, was the national head of public relations for Canada Trust, and held senior positions at TV Ontario in production, marketing and teacher education.

“What’s really important to me is inclusiveness, ensuring that it’s incorporated into board decisions so we can respond to the needs of children and families regardless of differences like socio-economic level, origins or belief systems.”

Kathryn is a communications consultant, volunteers in cancer support, is the chair of an official board for two Muskoka churches, a licensed lay preacher and proud new grandmother.

David Millen - Vice President
Position: Executive Vice President & General Manager, Powerbev Inc.

David Millen recognizes the immediate, tangible results of the board’s efforts.

“You are helping people when they need it the most, at one of the worst times in their lives.

“I think it is one of the most noble charities in terms of its impact on people’s lives. Illness attacks everyone and the House helps everyone, regardless of economic status.”

David, who came on the board in November 2008, has spent his career in the Canadian packaging industry, working with Frito-Lay, Cadbury Schweppes and now Power Bev. He enjoys golf, hockey and rugby in his time off and spending time with his wife Tina, and children Jackson, age six and Olivia, age four.

Dr. Peter Fitzgerald
Position: President, McMaster Children’s Hospital

Dr. Peter Fitzgerald sees his participation on the Ronald McDonald House board as, “an opportunity for the board and McMaster Children’s Hospital to work toward a common goal, to do a community-based service.”

Dr. Fitzgerald, who joined the board this past spring, is a pediatric general surgeon who has spent his medical career at the hospital and is now its president. In his free time, he enjoys his family and plays “bad golf.”

He says patients at the hospital are, “a very vulnerable group,” and it’s a stressful time for their families.

“The board has a big responsibility to provide a nurturing, supportive environment for the families of these children, some of whom are in hospital for more than a year.”

Robert DeWitte
Position: Director, Strategie Initiatives, Thermo Fisher Scientific

Marianne Simpson-Hood
Position: Senior Director, CIBC Commercial Banking

Glen Steeves
Position: McDonald's Restaurants Owner/Operator

Following Glen's graduation from McMaster University, he was soon named as one of Canada's Top 40 businessmen under age 40 by Financial Post Magazine. In his employment at McDonald’s Corporation, he was invited to assemble an international team, recruit and develop the local Russian team and lead and organize the first McDonald’s in Russia. He was promoted to oversee and accelerate McDonald’s expansion throughout Russia, and later was given additional responsibility for other major markets in Europe including the UK, Germany, Austria, Holland and the Nordic countries and was named Chief Operating Officer of McDonald's Europe in 2005.

After 18 years in Europe, Glen and his family returned home to Canada in July of 2007. He currently owns and operates 9 McDonald’s restaurants in Hamilton. Glen is member of the board of the Ronald McDonald House in Hamilton, an Executive in Residence at the Degroote School of Business and member of the Campaign Cabinet for McMaster University.