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.
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.
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.
Ashleigh Doyle
Director
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.
Francine Geikie
Secretary
Fran retired from the Niagara Health System/McMaster University after more than thirty years of service. She was a founding member and inaugural regional teaching campus Administrator of the McMaster Medical School in Niagara. She is the co-founder of REACH, Niagara. Fran continues to volunteer in the Niagara Community currently focusing her efforts on REACH Niagara and Hospice Niagara.
Talia Storm
Director
Talia Storm is a passionate advocate committed to improving lives through her work in the non-profit sector. After leaving Niagara to earn a degree in International Development from York University, Talia relocated to Montreal to create tools and curriculum to further the prevention of HIV. In 2013, Talia returned to the region and accepted a front-line position in the StreetWorks program at Positive Living Niagara providing active opioid users and their networks training in overdose prevention. Talia is currently the Director of StreetWorks Services at Positive Living Niagara, and oversees comprehensive harm reduction work for the agency. She credits her roots in volunteering for helping shape her career path and currently practices her own form of radical self-care as a volunteer leader for the oldest Girl Guide unit in North America.
Sarah Farquharson
Director
Sarah graduated from McMaster University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science, and Mohawk College in 2018 with a Diploma in Protection, Security, and Investigation. She then received her Bachelor of Laws with First Class Honours from City, University of London in 2021. While in London, Sarah acted as a law school student representative and a mentor for first-year students in the law program. She was awarded second place in the City University Varsity Moot in her second year. Sarah started working at Daniel & Partners LLP in 2022 as a summer student. After completing her articles with the firm, Sarah was called to the Ontario Bar in 2023. Sarah returned to the firm as an associate lawyer following her call to the bar, practicing general litigation, and is now looking to specialize in commercial and construction litigation. Sarah is looking forward to helping others through her role with REACH. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys running, playing pickleball, and travelling. During her undergraduate degree, Sarah played Varsity Rugby for the McMaster Women’s Rugby Team.