Board of Directors
REACH Niagara is overseen and guided by a knowledgeable Board of Directors that is committed to helping make Niagara a more supportive place for all.
Frank Ruberto
Chair
Frank currently works as the Executive Director of the Niagara Medical Group, Portage Medical and Welland McMaster Family Health Teams. As a health care executive in the Niagara Region, Frank sees firsthand the benefits that REACH provides to the community. In addition to serving on the board for REACH Niagara, Frank also serves as the Board Chair for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Niagara. Frank lives in Niagara Falls and in his spare time enjoys practicing and teaching yoga.
Gillian Dilts
Vice Chair
Gillian (she/her/hers) has worked for Niagara Region Public Health for the past 15 years, starting her career as a Public Health Inspector. After working on the frontline for seven years, she transitioned to a team leader role, specializing in infection prevention and control. In 2020, Gill moved into a leadership role in Environmental Health, focusing on quality assurance and continuous quality improvement. Gill has a bachelor of applied science degree, majoring in Public Health and Safety from Toronto Metropolitan University, a bachelor of science degree, majoring in Health Studies and a master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Waterloo. Born and raised in Niagara, Gill is passionate about public health, her community, and improving health equity amongst marginalized and vulnerable populations. Gill loves an adventure and can be found hiking, biking, and running across the region or spending time with her French Bulldog.
Neil Cosby
Director
Neil is a seasoned Senior Human Resources professional with experience across a variety of industries in the private sector and non-profit sector as well as unionized workplaces, . His background includes systems review, development and re-design in recruitment/talent acquisition, training/organizational development, health & safety/wellness, labour and employee relations and performance management. As well as consulting to business on a variety of HR areas, Neil is a former Adjunct Professor at Niagara College and Humber College where he teaches HR in the respective institutions’ School of Business. Prior to a career in HR, Neil worked in the social services sector as a front-line worker and manager working with homeless populations and youth.
Amanda Fyfe
Treasurer
Amanda Fyfe is a Chartered Professional Accountant with over 20 years’ experience both practicing and teaching accounting. Amanda spent the first 13 years of her career at the Niagara Health System before moving into teaching accounting at local colleges. Currently, Amanda is a Manager of Program Financial Support at the Niagara Region overseeing Public Health, Emergency Services and Community Services, which encompasses the Homelessness and Social Assistance programs, Long Term Care Homes and Childcare sector. Amanda was born and raised in Niagara, is passionate about her community, and is continually engaged in finding ways to support marginalized and vulnerable populations. As the treasurer of the Board, Amanda is excited to leverage her financial expertise to support REACH Niagara in achieving its community oriented goals.
Shannon McHugh
Secretary
Shannon McHugh is a licensed lawyer and dedicated diversity, equity, and inclusion professional rooted in social justice with a proven track record of integrating equity, belonging, and inclusive practices into every project she leads. With experience spanning client service and project management, Shannon brings a legal mind and an equity-focused heart to everything she does. She champions initiatives that amplify marginalized voices, dismantle systemic barriers, and foster psychologically safe team environments. Known for her empathetic leadership and strategic thinking, Shannon is passionate about advancing diversity-driven solutions and creating organizational cultures grounded in justice, care, and accountability. Outside of her professional life, Shannon is a proud mom who finds joy in the everyday moments of parenthood. In her spare time, she loves getting lost in romance and fiction novels, always making space for stories that inspire, escape, or challenge perspectives.
Brendon Nicholson
Director
Brendon Nicholson is a passionate advocate for housing as a human right and the pursuit of reducing and ending chronic homelessness. With a background in hospitality, he has been working in homelessness services in Niagara region for almost 15 years, starting in a frontline position in a homeless shelter, launching and growing a successful social enterprise, managing shelter operations, and most recently, working in various capacities in Community Services at the Region of Niagara. Brendon is a strategic, system-level thinker who is always looking for opportunities to improve the community we call home.Brendon lives in St. Catharines with his wife of 17 years and their three children.
Sara Collyer
Director
With over 20 years of dedicated leadership in the charitable sector, Sara Collyer brings a deeply personal and lived experience to her role. As a full-time, cross-generational caregiver, she has honed empathy, resilience, and a well-timed dose of humour, qualities that influence both her personal and professional life. Sara is committed to trauma-informed, mindful leadership that places emotional well-being and psychological safety at its core, and she has a proven track record in strategic planning, accreditation, fundraising, and stakeholder engagement; consistently delivering transformative projects that integrate services, foster collaboration, and create lasting impact. Her passion for creating inclusive, compassionate communities has driven her to take initiative and bring about meaningful change, and in her personal life she can be found gardening, cheering on “The Badgers,” going to farm markets, entertaining grandchildren, and tapping into her creativity.
Robert Richardson
Director
Robert Richardson has served with the Niagara Regional Police for 22 years. Originally from Saskatchewan, he earned a degree in Psychology from the University of Saskatchewan before moving to Niagara. For the past five years, he has been stationed in St. Catharines, where he has witnessed firsthand the impact of the mental health, opioid, and housing crises on the city’s most vulnerable residents. His work often brings him into contact with individuals facing challenges caused by limited access to medical, mental health, and addictions care. Through collaboration with community agencies and shelters, Rob came to recognize the vital work of REACH Niagara in supporting those most in need. He brings experience as a board member with other community organizations and is eager to share his knowledge while continuing to advocate for vulnerable populations through his role with REACH Niagara.
Saleemeh Abdolzahraei
Director
Saleemeh Abdolzahraei is Senior Manager, External Communications at the Ontario Long Term Care Association, where she works with long-term care homes, government, and partners to support seniors and their care teams across Ontario. With experience spanning hospitals, long-term care, primary care, and provincial health organizations, Sal has held roles with Ontario Health and Niagara Health focused on strategic communications, planning, stakeholder engagement, and organizational change. She holds a Master of Health Science in Health Administration from the University of Toronto. After making St. Catharines home, Sal joined the REACH Niagara Board of Directors as a way to connect with her neighbours and community. Her work is focused on bringing people together, breaking down silos, and finding better ways for organizations and systems to work together in service of those who need support most. Outside of work, Sal is a lifelong learner who enjoys trying new hobbies, from pottery and kickboxing to beach volleyball, and gardening.
Graeme Dargavel
Director
Graeme Dargavel (he/him) is a senior social-profit leader with ten years of fundraising and communications experience and a Master of Arts Leadership from the University of Guelph. Prior to beginning his career at United Way Niagara and later St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton Foundation, Graeme became a certified Sommelier. His professional hospitality background in Niagara’s wine industry has helped shape how he builds community relationships that create meaningful, long-term impact. In his current role as Director of Development & Communications at Gillian’s Place, Graeme works alongside a highly skilled and compassionate team who work tirelessly to support folks and families affected by gender-based violence. Under Graeme’s leadership, annual fundraising at Gillian’s Place has grown significantly and the $10 million Build a Safer Future capital campaign has become fully funded. In his spare time, Graeme enjoys spending time with, cooking for, and laughing with his husband, family, friends, horses and dogs. Graeme has a passion for supporting organizations helping Niagara’s most vulnerable and is excited to join the Board of Directors at REACH Niagara.