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.
Talia Storm
Secretary
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.
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.
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.
Shannon McHugh
Director
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.