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Foundation Board of Directors

Adrian Horwood, Co-Chair

Adrian Horwood joined the Bethell Hospice Foundation Board in December 2020. He has lived in Caledon since 2000 when he and his wife built their rural home. He became a big fan of the work of Bethell Hospice after his wife passed away.

Adrian’s interest in public good developed during his long executive career. While woking in national and global roles at some of Canada’s largest enterprises in technology (Nortel, Celestica) and banking (CIBC, National Bank), he volunteered for campaign and board of director roles in not-for-profit organizations, including the United Way of Peel, Headwaters Arts and WE Charities.

After his corporate career, he decided to work in the charitable sector and was Vice President Development at Luminato, the Toronto Festival of Arts and Creativity, and Vice President Corporate Partnerships at SickKids Foundation. Through Redoaks Management Consulting Inc., he continues to consult in strategy and fundraising.

Bonnie Klaassen, Co-Chair

Originally from Toronto, Bonnie Klaassen has made the gradual transition from visiting Caledon on weekends to making Caledon her family’s permanent home. Bonnie is a lawyer with over 22 years of experience, and has operated her own legal practice providing virtual in-house services to businesses for the past seven years. Her clients range from owner-managed businesses to larger public companies in a variety of industries, including industrial equipment manufacturers, professional service providers, charities, technology companies, publishers and financial institutions.

Bonnie has previously served on the Boards of other Canadian registered charities, and spent a year volunteering for a Canadian NGO in Uganda. She was thrilled to have the opportunity to join the Board of Bethell Hospice Foundation, and become more active in her new community. When not practicing law, she can be found taking advantage of the numerous trails in the Caledon area, and chasing after her dogs.

Bonnie has been a Director on the Bethell Hospice Foundation Board since 2019.

Brenda Clark, Director

Brenda Clark joined the Bethell Hospice Foundation Board in October 2022. She has lived in Bolton for over 30 years and has been engaged in the community for many years.

Brenda is honoured to join the Bethell Hospice Foundation Board and contribute to and support this wonderful, caring community.

Brenda spent most of her career in Financial Services (CIBC) in areas of Product Management, Marketing, Technology transformation, Industry relations, Payments and Innovation at Management and Executive levels.

Her past board experience includes: Payments Canada, Digital Identity and Authentication Council of Canada and more recently Caledon Public Library Board. She completed her Board Training through Women’s Executive Network.

Now retired, Brenda splits her time between Caledon and the Parry Sound area, where she is likely to be either golfing, snow shoeing, hiking, kayaking, painting, or playing the piano.

Kris Cochrane, Director

Kris Cochrane joined the Bethell Hospice Foundation Board in October 2024, inspired by a deep belief in the power of compassionate care. With over 20 years experience in the marketing communications and print industry, Kris supports clients across healthcare, retail, energy, finance, and more—always with a focus on building lasting relationships and delivering meaningful impact.

Before his current role at DCM and apart from his over 20 years of experience in the industry, Kris spent five years in the financial services sector, helping individuals and families make informed decisions about their futures.

Kris grew up in Brampton and, nearly a decade ago, chose to plant roots in Orangeville with his wife Stephanie, their two boys, and three beloved dogs. Since then, they’ve embraced everything about the community—giving back, staying connected, and finding joy in the everyday. Kris also plays with the Sandhill Pipes & Drums Band, a proud tradition in Dufferin County that honours heritage and brings people together through music.

For Kris, joining Bethell Hospice Foundation is about more than service—it’s about honouring life, love, and community when it matters most.

Barb Di Marco CHRP, CHRL
Director

Barb has spent most of her career working in Management positions with Community Living, and non-profit organizations that provide services to people with disabilities.

As an HR Professional over the last 15 years, she brings a wide variety of experience in all aspects of Human Resources. In her latest position before retiring, she worked as an HR Regional Manager with a focus on Labour Relations and is certified in Conducting Workplace Investigations. She looks forward to complementing the Bethell Hospice Foundation board with this combination of skill and insight. Barb has lived in Erin for the last 13 years and enjoys the quiet serenity of country living.

Alan Frittenburg, Director

Al has rejoined the Bethell Foundation Board having served previously between 2015-2020 and he looks forward to continuing his volunteer efforts to support a facility which means so much to him and his family.

A Caledon resident for over 35 years, Al initially moved to the area from Mississauga after graduating with a Seneca College diploma in Criminology/Law Enforcement followed by a degree in Psychology from The University of Waterloo. A plan to head toward the legal profession was then sidelined by a ‘short term’ position with a supplier of raw materials for the food industry. This led to the creation of his business, The Ingredient Company, which operated in Mississauga for over 25 years. The company was sold to a Dutch conglomerate in 2014.

Since that time Al has and continues to work on volunteer projects with Habitat for Humanity in countries such as Cambodia, the Philippines, Nepal, Nicaragua, and Portugal. He also served on the Foundation Board of Headwaters Health Care Centre between 2020-2023.

Al’s son, wife, and three grandchildren live in the Hockley area and his daughter, and her husband reside in Calgary, Alberta. Al and his lovely wife Melissa spend their time between their home in NW Caledon and their second home in Southampton, Ontario.

Amanpreet Grewal, Director

Amanpreet joined the Bethell Hospice Foundation board in 2024. He graduated from Ontario Tech University in 2019 and later pursued his CPA designation.

Amanpreet loves giving back to the community in any shape or form. He is a huge Oilers fan and has been playing hockey since the age of 8.

He currently works for the federal government as a Senior Policy Analyst. Amanpreet has worked for accounting firms, the banking industry and the transportation industry.

Besides work, Amanpreet loves being outdoors and being as active as possible.

Bonnie Ledson, Director

Bonnie recently joined the Foundation board after many years of actively supporting Bethell Hospice. She comes to us with vast board experience. Bonnie sat on both the Foundation Board and the Board of Directors at Headwaters Health Care Centre along with Chairing Meals on Wheels and being part of several community boards over the years.

She, along with her committee, spearheaded the ‘Diamond in the Hills’ Fashion Show and luncheon and over seven years they raised over $1M in support of Bethell Hospice.

Bonnie ended her 37-year career in education as Principal at Williams Parkway Public School in Peel, a grade six to eight intermediate school in Bramalea. Her life has been centred around the love of children and community. She is the proud mother of three and of eight grandchildren along with two great grandchildren. Bonnie brings knowledge, energy, and a forthright manner to our Foundation Board.

Jamie Mitchell, Director

Jamie joined the Board for Bethell Foundation in early 2023 and is looking forward to the opportunity to volunteer with an organization that fulfills an important role for the community he grew up in.

After growing up in Brampton, Jamie obtained a Bachelor of Commerce from Ryerson University, qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2004 and as a Chartered Business Valuator in 2009. Having spent his entire professional career with MacGillivray Brampton, his current role is Audit & Assurance Partner dealing with many owner-managed and not-for-profit organizations. As a CBV he also provides value-added expertise in business valuations, purchases and sales of businesses and financing for businesses.

Jamie and his wife Donna now reside in nearby Halton Hills with their three kids and two Beagles.

Dale Neilly, Director

Dale joined the Bethell Foundation Board in June 2021. He welcomes the opportunity to give back to Bethell and the community after personally experiencing the need and quality of care they provided. His wife Pam, an RN, passed away at Bethell in 2017.

Dale has enjoyed a lengthy career in the world of Telecom and IT. A graduate of Western University, he joined the new and emerging data communications sales side of Bell Canada. From there he went to Gulf Canada, Petro Canada and Nortel, where he joined the Major Accounts Sales Group looking after large retail and banking customers globally. While at Nortel, he developed and delivered sales skills programs that took him all over the world. His career includes executive sales roles at Radiant Communication, Oracle and, later, as a consultant for a variety of start-up companies.

Dale has been active in local theatre and choir groups for years and also a long time executive BOD member of the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame. He has resided in Caledon Village for 26 years.

Rebekah Rabe, Director

Rebekah Rabe was born and raised on her family farm in rural Ontario with her six siblings. While education and work moved her to the city, her roots quickly drew her back to small community life. Rebekah and her husband have resided in Alton for over 11 years, where they relish the small town charm and sense of community. Having worked with Scotia Wealth Management for over 20 years and with The Sharpe Way Group specifically since 2007, Rebekah has been constantly exposed to the meaning of giving back to the community. In 2009, Rebekah became Co-Chair of the ScotiaMcLeod Brampton Charity Committee and thrived in that role for over 8 years. She has been actively involved in numerous charitable activities, from organizing events in support of Coast to Coast Against Cancer, Sick Kids, Special Needs Adult Program Services Organization, to heading up food drives and adopt-a-family programs in the community.

Rebekah was introduced to Bethell Hospice through a colleague and since then has volunteered at many Hockley Valley Galas. As a new Foundation Board member, Rebekah is very excited about the journey ahead. Having lost a close family member to breast cancer, Rebekah has seen firsthand how important and meaningful the work at Bethell is to residents and family members.

In her spare time, Rebekah enjoys boating the pristine waters of beautiful Georgian Bay and hiking around the Caledon area with her trusty Golden Doodle, Hank.

Elizabeth Birnie, Honourary Patron

Elizabeth was a Hospice Palliative Care Nurse with the Victorian Order of Nurses in the Caledon area for 14 years, before starting her own nursing business taking on clients who wished to be supported in end-of-life care at home.

Together with her mother, Lorna Bethell, Elizabeth was instrumental in the building of the Bethell Hospice Residence in Inglewood. Through her nursing career in palliative care, Elizabeth saw firsthand how much a residential hospice would benefit the community. With her mother and many other passionate people in the larger community, Elizabeth raised over $7,000,000 to build Bethell Hospice, from 2005 until the residence opened in 2010. She served on the residence’s Building & Design Committee, and then as Chair of the Bethell Hospice Foundation Board from 2011 to 2013.

In 2012, Bethell Hospice Foundation created the Elizabeth Birnie Leadership Award to honour Elizabeth for her outstanding commitment, ongoing support and contribution. Her leadership and vision is a true inspiration, and deeply valued.

Now retired, Elizabeth continues her involvement with Bethell Hospice as a Kitchen Volunteer, cooking and serving meals to residents and their families.

Photos of Past Foundation Boards