Our Board

Sandra Carlton is a highly respected senior executive with extensive experience in strategic planning, organizational development and change management within the health-care sector. She brings to the Providence Village Board an impressive track record and dedication to improving health-care delivery and a passion for fostering safe, patient-centred care, coupled with her strategic vision and strong business acumen.

Sandra’s 35-year career highlights include significant roles at Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) and Providence Care in Kingston, Ontario. Most recently, Sandra served as Executive Vice President, People Services & Chief Human Resources Officer at KHSC, where she played a key role in driving human resource and patient care initiatives. Her tenure at KHSC reflects her commitment to fostering a culture of high performance and accountability among nearly 7,000 staff members.

Sandra also served in various roles at Providence Care, including as Vice President, Mission, Values and People, where she contributed to the organization’s reputation as southeastern Ontario’s premier provider of specialized mental health, rehabilitation and long-term care services. Her leadership helped shape Providence Care’s mission of delivering compassionate, quality care within a faith-based framework, supported by more than 1,700 dedicated employees.

A recognized expert in organizational wellness, performance management, project management and transition leadership, Sandra is known for her collaborative approach and her ability to engage management and medical staff effectively. Sandra was awarded the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award for Leadership from the Catholic Health Alliance of Canada for her passion, education and leadership in Canadian Catholic health.

With more than 30 years of experience in strategic planning, research, communications, marketing, media management and facilitation, Rob’s career began after his formal education at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario (Commerce), where he concentrated on applied mathematics/statistics, research, and marketing. He followed that with two years working as Executive Assistant to the Minister of Community and Social Services and then two years as an award-winning newspaper editor.

He also managed four CHUM Group radio stations; owned (and sold) his marketing strategy, research and communications consulting firm; served as a school board’s manager of administrative services and communications, and is a former part-time instructor specializing in marketing and public relations at St. Lawrence College.

For the past couple of decades, Rob has been actively involved as a consultant on scores of strategic planning, public consultation and marketing communications projects. He is also busy as a facilitator — in a typical year he would lead more than 100 focus group or planning sessions, public meetings and workshops.

Rob has been active in many leadership roles in his community, serving as former chair of the Queen’s Family Health Team Advisory Board and the Imagine Kingston Roundtable. He is currently Chair of the Community Foundation for Kingston & Area, a former member of the Residential Hospice Kingston Campaign Cabinet as well as the smart-growth group SPEAKingston. He serves as a community member on Queen’s Dept. of Family Medicine and CPCSSN data committees. Each year he offers free leadership development workshops for United Way agencies (strategic planning or marketing).

In 2016 he was inducted into the Kingston Business Hall of Fame in the mentor category.

Deanna Davies, MBA (Community Economic Development), PMP®, is a collaborative leader, educator, facilitator, and community builder with over three decades of experience in business, leadership, project management, and community economic development. Throughout her career, she has worked across post-secondary education, community development, economic development, and business sectors, helping individuals, teams, organizations, and communities navigate change, strengthen relationships, and achieve meaningful outcomes.

As the founder of Elevate3, Deanna supports organizations through leadership development, facilitation, stakeholder engagement, project leadership, and the human side of change. Her work is grounded in the belief that strong leadership begins with strong relationships and that lasting impact is created through collaboration, emotional intelligence, and community connection.

A certified Project Management Professional (PMP®) with an MBA in Community Economic Development and a Prosci Certification in Change Management, Deanna is passionate about helping leaders and teams build capacity, foster resilience, and create positive change. She is known for her ability to bring people together, simplify complexity, and create engaging learning and dialogue experiences that inspire action.

Jenna joined the Providence Village Board of Directors in November 2025.

Jenna serves as City Solicitor for the City of Kingston, where she provides strategic legal and governance advice to City Council and senior leadership, and oversees the City’s Legal Services, Insurance and Risk Management, and Office of the City Clerk departments. With more than a decade of experience in municipal law and commercial real estate and leasing, she brings a strong understanding of policy, development, and risk management to the Providence Village Board of Directors.

Prior to joining the City of Kingston, Jenna practiced with Daoust Vukovich LLP, a leading Toronto firm specializing in commercial real estate law. Over the course of her career, she has developed an impressive portfolio of experience with large, multi-use development projects, complex lease negotiations, and community partnerships.

Jenna brings not only strong legal and governance expertise but also a demonstrated commitment to community service. She is a member of the BGC South East Board of Directors and an active volunteer with several local youth sports organizations.

John Paterson is a Chartered Professional Accountant with experience in public accounting since 2017. He currently serves as Manager, Assurance and Taxation with Withey Addison LLP in Kingston and previously worked with Wilkinson & Company LLP. John brings extensive knowledge of accounting and assurance standards, taxation, and financial oversight, and provides leadership and mentorship to a team of junior accountants. He has also contributed his financial expertise in the charitable sector, including with Community Foundation for Kingston & Area and two church congregations, reflecting his commitment to community service and faith-based organizations.

John has expressed his deep appreciation for the Village’s mission and strategic focus on financial sustainability, stability and governance. He would bring valuable financial acumen and fiduciary oversight to the Board, supporting the organization’s Long-Range Financial Plan and its obligations as a charitable organization.

Julie Tompkins is an accomplished executive with more than 30 years of experience in strategic communications and corporate services. Throughout her distinguished career at Empire Life, Julie held several senior roles, most recently, Vice-President of Corporate Services and Chief Communications Officer, and was instrumental in shaping strategic planning and overseeing complex operations across facilities management, community investment, and communication services.

Beyond her professional achievements, Julie is committed to community development and wellbeing. She has actively engaged in various volunteer roles, contributing her expertise to organizations such as Pathways to Education Canada, the St. Lawrence College Foundation, H’art Centre, the University Hospitals Kingston Foundation, and the Downtown Kingston Board of Management, among others. Julie’s impressive career and dedication to enhancing the community has been recognized through her nomination by St. Lawrence College for the Ontario Premier’s Award for Outstanding College Graduates.

Julie brings extensive strategic leadership and communication expertise and a passion for community development to the Providence Village Board, enhancing its capacity to grow and serve the community.

Martin L. Skolnick joined the Board of Providence Village in the fall of 2024, bringing a wealth of experience in property development, leasing, valuation, and property management. As a board member, Martin is committed to driving sustainable growth for Providence Village while fostering inclusive community engagement. His distinguished career reflects a dedication to improving the communities he serves, demonstrated by his active participation on numerous boards, committees and organizations.

Currently, Martin serves as Broker & Vice President at Rockwell Commercial Real Estate, where he is widely recognized as a leader in sales and leasing across the region. He is also President of King’s Town Development Corporation, a boutique firm specializing in commercial and residential property development. Among his notable accomplishments are the successful completion of high-profile projects such as The Frontenac Club, Princess Court, and Royal Artillery Park, as well as ongoing work on the transformative Union Park Kingston development (formerly the Prison for Women site). Throughout his more than 36-year career, Martin has built a reputation grounded in honesty, integrity, strategic creativity, and hard work, garnering respect in local and national markets.

In addition to his professional achievements, Martin has a long history of leadership roles in many community organizations. These include serving as Governor of the Kingston General Hospital (KGH), where he served on both the Resources Committee and the KGH Foundation Board of Directors and Finance Committee. He also served as Treasurer for the Canadian Cancer Society, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington; Treasurer for The Waterways Community; and as a member of the Kingston City Council’s Mayor’s Task Force on Housing. Martin also played a key role in planning and construction of the Large Venue Entertainment Centre (LVEC), now known as Slush Puppie Place. His leadership in these roles has driven significant community development and fostered strong partnerships with local organizations.

Martin’s combination of professional expertise and community-focused leadership make him a valuable asset to the Providence Village Board, as the organization continues to grow and evolve.

Nate is a Shareholder and Director with the Doornekamp Group of Companies, a well-established development firm in Kingston and eastern Ontario. He leads development projects from land acquisition through planning, approvals, financing, construction, and long-term operational strategy. He approaches planning and development decisions through a values-based lens, with a focus on long-term outcomes, financial sustainability, and responsible management—an approach that aligns closely with Providence Village’s mission- and values-driven work.

A lifelong member of the Kingston community, Nate is familiar with the Sisters’ legacy of compassionate care. He admires the thoughtful transition and evolution of the Motherhouse and property in a way that honours the Sisters’ longstanding commitment to service and community care. He is motivated to contribute his professional experience to support the Village’s continued growth and development. Nate’s professional and hands-on experience in planning, public engagement, and property and construction management provides practical insight to governance and planning initiatives, particularly in relation to capital projects and ongoing land development at Providence Village.

Robin Saunders, BSc, PMP, is a senior healthcare IT consultant with over 25 years of project management and information systems experience leading complex digital and clinical transformation initiatives across Canada. A former CIO and Director of Information Management & Technology, at Providence Care, in Kingston, Robin has spent much of her career in Ontario and the last 15 years in Kingston. Robin’s previous contributions on the board of St. Lawrence College and her certificate in Advanced Good Governance, complement her extensive executive leadership experience

Robin Saunders’ experience positions her to contribute effectively as a Board Governor for Providence Village by bringing a strong governance, stewardship, and community-focused perspective to board oversight. Her extensive leadership across complex, multi-organization healthcare initiatives equips her to support the Board in ensuring effective governance structures, accountability, and strategic alignment with the Village’s mission of integrated, compassionate care. Drawing on her background as a CIO and senior project executive, she offers expertise in risk oversight, resource stewardship, and system-wide transformation—supporting informed decision-making and long-term sustainability in alignment with Providence Village values.

Robin’s experience advising executive teams and governance bodies strengthens her ability to contribute at the board level, providing thoughtful oversight of organisational readiness, performance, and transformation initiatives. She brings a collaborative and inclusive approach, fostering engagement across diverse stakeholders and ensuring decisions reflect the needs of the broader community. Grounded in compassion, integrity, and collaboration, her leadership supports the Board in advancing Providence Village’s vision of a welcoming, integrated environment that promotes wellbeing, belonging, and high-quality care.