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Board of Directors
The Vaughan Community Health Centre is overseen by a volunteer board of directors made up of 15 local residents. This board holds the ultimate responsibility for the VCHC and is fully accountable for the delivery of its programs and services. Guided by the board’s leadership, experience, and expertise, the Centre continues to advance towards its vision of fostering a healthy community in the City of Vaughan.
Isabel Araya (Executive Director)
Isabel Araya is the Executive Director of the Vaughan Community Health Centre, a role she has held since 2008. With a wealth of experience in healthcare management, Isabel has been instrumental in guiding the Centre towards its mission of promoting a healthy community in Vaughan. Before joining VCHC, Isabel served as the Executive Director at Stonegate Community Health Centre from 2007 to 2008, following her tenure as the Programs and Services Manager there from 2000 to 2007.
Isabel holds a Master’s degree in Education and Counselling from the University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (1994-1996) and a Psychology degree from Universidad Santo Tomás (1979-1984). Her comprehensive skill set includes expertise in research, teaching, public speaking, strategic planning, budgeting, healthcare management, nonprofit leadership, organizational leadership, human resources, and fundraising.
Isabel’s leadership and dedication continue to drive the Vaughan Community Health Centre towards achieving its vision of a healthier community.
Sunder Singh
Sunder Singh is the Board Chair of the Vaughan Community Health Centre and the Executive Director of the Elspeth Heyworth Centre for Women, a non-profit charitable organization that has been at the forefront of providing essential services to newcomers, immigrants, and refugees. The organization is deeply committed to assisting women, families, and seniors with settlement, employment, and various social services.
A passionate advocate for social justice, Sunder initiated the “Reduce Abuse” program to support women facing domestic violence, earning her the Mayor’s Community Safety Award and the Ministry of Attorney General’s Victim Services Award of Distinction. Her personal experience as an immigrant from the South Asian subcontinent, where she moved with her family 48 years ago, has shaped her identity as a champion for vulnerable groups and immigrants.
Sunder is also the founder of the award-winning social enterprise, RivInt Interpretation and Translation Services. This enterprise, which operates under the Elspeth Heyworth Centre for Women, provides critical interpretation and translation services across the Greater Toronto Area through major hospitals, health centers, and legal aid agencies. With a network of 850 trained and certified interpreters who speak 112 languages and dialects, RivInt has been recognized by the Social Enterprise Council of Canada as one of the outstanding social enterprises in the country.
In addition to her work with the Elspeth Heyworth Centre, Sunder served as a Local & Regional Councillor for the City of Vaughan from June 2017, where she contributed her leadership for 1.5 years. Her dedication to community service has been widely recognized, earning her numerous accolades, including the Pioneer for Change Award (2019), the Vital People Award (2005), and the United Way GTA’s Leaders of Today Award (2007). She has also been honored with the 2012 Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal and the 2016 Leading Women Building Communities Award for her outstanding contributions to improving the lives of girls and women in Ontario.
Sylvia Starosta
Sylvia Starosta is a dedicated professional currently serving as a Case Manager at the Vaughan Community Health Centre. With extensive experience in the healthcare and social services sectors, Sylvia has held key positions throughout her career, including Program Manager for the ACT Team at CMHA – York Region and Program Director at Rexdale Community Health Centre.
Sylvia’s academic background is rooted in her studies at McGill University, where she earned a degree in Occupational Therapy (1979-1983), followed by a Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) from the University of Toronto (1989-1991).
Her skill set is comprehensive and includes Organizational Leadership, Team Leadership, Clinical Research, Case Management, and Social Services, making her a valuable asset to the Vaughan Community Health Centre and the broader community she serves. Sylvia’s expertise and commitment continue to support the Centre’s mission of delivering high-quality care and services to the Vaughan community.
Sandra Parker
Sandra Parker is a highly experienced and dedicated healthcare professional and nursing educator, currently serving as the Provincial Nurse Manager with the Office of the Chief Coroner. In this role, Sandra leads a team of Coroner Investigators and Regional Death Investigation Administrators, providing critical support in death investigations across the province.
Sandra brings a wealth of knowledge to her work, having held several senior leadership positions where she managed projects, operations, and educational initiatives. Her extensive experience includes collaborating with multidisciplinary experts, stakeholders, and representatives from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
Sandra has played a pivotal role in the development and implementation of significant organizational projects, such as QuinC, the electronic case management system at the Office of the Chief Coroner, and the Ambulatory Referral Management System. She was also key in organizing and delivering Ontario’s first National Paediatric Conference. Her contributions to the field have been recognized through her presentations and publications, which have garnered national and international attention.
Academically, Sandra holds a Master of Arts in Education from Central Michigan University, a Project Management Certificate from Humber College, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Ryerson University, and a Diploma in Nursing from St. Clair College in Ontario, Canada.
Sandra is also deeply committed to her community, serving on the Board of Directors for the Vaughan Community Health Centre, where her leadership and expertise continue to benefit the community she serves.
Saba Merchant MD, FRCPC
Dr. Saba Merchant is a highly respected pediatrician and the Owner and Director of Maple Kidz Clinic, where she has been practicing General Pediatrics in Vaughan since 2004. With a deep commitment to child health, Dr. Merchant also collaborates with the Children’s Treatment Network of Simcoe-York in the area of Developmental Pediatrics and holds a faculty position in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Toronto.
Dr. Merchant has an extensive background in healthcare leadership and community service. She maintained hospital privileges and was on call at Mackenzie Health (now Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital) for seven years. Additionally, she served as a Peer Assessor with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario from 2015 to 2021. Currently, she is a Director on the Board of Vaughan Community Health Centre, where she also holds the position of Secretary on the Executive Committee.
Her leadership extended to the Ontario Medical Association (OMA), where she chaired the COVID-19 Working Group (Pediatric Section) from June 2021 to June 2022, and subsequently served as Chair of the Pediatric Section of the OMA from July 2022 to April 2024.
Dr. Merchant completed her Pediatric Residency at the Hospital for Sick Children in 2004, after graduating from medical school at the University of Amravati in India in 1994. She resides in Vaughan with her husband and daughter, where she continues to make significant contributions to the health and well-being of the community.
Daniel J. Ferman, CPA, CA, CFP
Daniel J. Ferman is a seasoned financial professional and currently serves as the Board Chair at the Vaughan Community Health Centre. He is also a Partner and the GTA Private Enterprise Real Estate Leader at KPMG Canada. Based in Vaughan, ON, Daniel has been with KPMG since 2015, where he has held various leadership roles, including Audit Senior Manager and Private Enterprise Advisor.
Daniel earned his Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting from the Schulich School of Business at York University. Throughout his career, he has developed a comprehensive skill set that includes Strategic Planning, Accounting, Taxation, Auditing, and expertise in Non-profits. His experience extends to fundraising, public speaking, budgeting, event planning, and research, making him a valuable asset in both the corporate and non-profit sectors.
As Board Chair at the Vaughan Community Health Centre, Daniel’s leadership and strategic insights are instrumental in guiding the organization towards its mission of delivering high-quality care and services to the community.
Ina Gutium, MBA
Ina Gutium serves as the Board Chair for the Vaughan Community Health Centre, bringing a wealth of experience in human resources, organizational development, and corporate services. Ina joined the Ontario Trillium Foundation in July 2016 as its first Chief Talent Officer and currently holds the position of Vice-President, Talent and Corporate Services. In this role, she is responsible for enhancing corporate organizational processes and infrastructure, overseeing areas such as human resources, finance, information technology, travel, and facilities management, as well as managing the Foundation’s budget allocation.
Before her tenure at OTF, Ina was the Director of Human Resources and Organizational Development at Unison Health and Community Services. There, she played a pivotal role in building the human resources and organizational development functions from the ground up and was instrumental in the successful integration of York Community Services and New Heights Community Health Centres into Unison. Her efforts were key in unifying two organizations with distinct cultures, fostering a strong and cohesive work environment.
Ina’s background also includes founding an international non-governmental organization in Moldova focused on promoting grassroots democracy. She holds an MBA with a specialization in Human Resources from Grenoble Graduate School of Business in France, is a Certified Human Resources Leader, and has completed an Organizational Development Certificate Program from the Institute of Organizational Development.
In addition to her role at Vaughan Community Health Centre, Ina has also served on the Board of Kids Come First, further demonstrating her commitment to community service and leadership.
Marsha Barnes
Marsha Barnes is a seasoned leader in the healthcare sector, currently serving as the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors at the Vaughan Community Health Centre. She brings a wealth of experience from her various leadership roles in both healthcare organizations and community service.
Marsha has an extensive background in the healthcare industry, including her current role as a Board Member of the Cottage Country Family Health Team, a position she has held since October 2023. She previously served nearly two years as a Board Member for Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare, from June 2021 to April 2023, where she played a key role in enhancing healthcare services in the region. Marsha has also been actively involved with the Rotary Club of Gravenhurst, where she served as Membership Chair from June 2020 to March 2022 and continues to contribute as Secretary since February 2022.
In addition to her community service, Marsha was the Board Chair for Self Directed Care Ontario from September 2017 to August 2018 and served on the Canadian Red Cross Community Advisory Committee from October 2016 to October 2019. She also brings valuable experience from her professional role at Embar Associates.
Marsha’s academic background includes studies at the University of Toronto, which has further equipped her with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in her various leadership roles.
Ashmani Boodnarine
Ashmani Boodnarine is a dedicated legal professional and a valued member of the Board of Directors at the Vaughan Community Health Centre. She is the founder and principal lawyer at Boodnarine Law Firm, where she specializes in providing comprehensive legal services to her clients with a focus on excellence and integrity.
Ashmani’s academic background includes a legal education from York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School, one of Canada’s leading law schools, where she gained the knowledge and skills that have shaped her successful legal career.
In addition to her work at Boodnarine Law Firm, Ashmani brings her legal expertise and commitment to community service to her role on the Board of Directors at the Vaughan Community Health Centre. Her contributions help guide the Centre’s mission to provide high-quality health services to the Vaughan community.
Ashmani’s blend of legal acumen and community dedication makes her an integral part of our Centre’s leadership team, working to improve health outcomes and access to care for all residents.
