Rural Frontenac Community Services is currently governed by a seven member Board of Directors. The board is a diverse group with a broad range of skills and experience who provide vision, strategic leadership, and accountability to the organization. Board members are elected at the Annual General Meeting each year and meet ten times per year.

   

Susan Irwin- Chair

In her work as a lawyer, Susan realized that many of her clients could benefit from RFCS programs and services, resulting in a strong and lasting working relationship.  In 2022, after 40 plus years of legal practice, 30 of which were in Central Frontenac, Susan retired but remains a member of the Law Society of Ontario. She also remains committed to community service. 

Susan is currently serving as a municipal councillor for Central Frontenac Township and in addition to her current role as Chair of the Board of Directors of RFCS, Susan also serves as a Director of the Board of the Sharbot Lake Family Health Team.

Geoff Michie- Treasurer

Geoff joined the Board of Rural Frontenac Community Services in the spring of 2023 and was elected to the position of Secretary Treasurer during the 2023 Annual General Meeting. He is a member of several committees.  Geoff thoroughly enjoys the opportunity to work alongside a number of talented and dedicated individuals to provide the vast number of services that the organization provides. This allows him to use his past work experience gained through over 40 years in management positions in the financial sector. 

Geoff first came to Central Frontenac in 1971 when his parents purchased cottage property, and met his wife Linda who was born and raised south of Arden. Linda and Geoff purchased their first property in 1977, built a cottage and raised their children as seasonal residents on Horseshoe Lake. Through Linda’s heritage, family roots go back into the 1800’s. 
 
When Geoff retired in 2019, he was seeking an opportunity to give back to the community and when approached to join the Board, it proved to be an excellent fit. 

Steve Magee- Past Chair

Steve was self employed for 20 years in the private sector and worked for 20 years with the Upper Grand District School Board in Guelph Ontario.  

He has had many roles including: Science Teacher, Head of Science Department, Academic Director, Special Ed. teacher, Head of Special Education Department., and Vice Principal in a variety of schools. 

He has also been involved with Adult Learning and lead the e-Learning program.   

Steve has volunteered with Rural Frontenac Community Services for about 10 years.  He has headed the policy committee, stood as chairperson, and is now a member at large. 

Linda Chappel- Past Chair

Linda moved to Mississippi Station in 1981 with her husband and two children and had a therapeutic foster home. She worked as an assistant with the nursery school in Sharbot Lake and also for RFCS in what is now the outreach program. 

In 1986, Linda was hired part time as the Library Educational Assistant at Sharbot Lake Public School that developed into a full time position.  She worked with individuals and small groups helping with reading skills and remained until her retirement in 2012.   

Linda was active in the Women’s Institute in Mississippi Station and the FLAGS group supporting the local firemen.  In addition, she was a board member of  Connections Adult Learning in Sharbot Lake and became a RFCS board member in the late 1990s, serving as Board Chair from 2010 to 2019.  Linda received the Honorary Life Membership in 2007 and  Volunteer of the year in 2015. She is also a member of the North and Central Housing Committee.   

Meredith Stratton

Meredith brings 30 years experience in Human Resources in a wide range of industries, including pharmaceuticals, healthcare and life sciences, payroll, finance, distribution, and transportation.   Throughout her career as an HR practitioner, Meredith partnered with the executive teams to develop and evolve their organization through building trust, transparency, honesty and integrity.  She advocated a common-sense approach to developing systems and nurturing people.
After retiring and moving to the Frontenac region with her family, she was seeking a way to contribute to the community and, in the fall of 2023, joined the Board of Directors for the Rural Frontenac Community Services.  Meredith now serves on the policy committee, the 50th anniversary celebration planning committee, and serves as a member of the board. She continues to be amazed at the incredible array of services provided to the people of rural Frontenac and at the dedication and hard work of those who work for this organization.
Outside of the board, Meredith enjoys gardening, kayaking, hiking, caring for her chickens, and spending time with her family.

Amanda Neadow

With 28 years of experience in Global Trade Compliance, Amanda brings a strong foundation in governance and strategic oversight to the board.  

Her involvement as a committee member of the Sharbot Lake Farmers Market, where she served as co-chair of the revitalizing committee, gave her firsthand insight into the diverse needs of a community. Under her leadership, the market was successfully rebuilt and continues to grow as a vital part of the local area. 

 Amanda’s previous role as a board member with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lanark County further strengthened her dedication to community service and governance.   Deeply rooted in Rural Frontenac, where Amanda runs her family farm and shares a strong family connection as the granddaughter of Don Morrow, a founding member of the “Communication Group,” which played a pivotal role in the inception of RFCS. 

Shaunis Sakell

Shaunis Sakell is passionate about strengthening rural communities and supporting the people who live and work in them. She currently works as a Business Advisor with Frontenac Business Services, helping local entrepreneurs and small businesses grow and succeed.

Shaunis previously served on the Board of Directors for Frontenac Business Services before transitioning into a staff role, where she continues to support economic and community development across the region.

A resident of Frontenac County, Shaunis also operates a small farm and enjoys the rural lifestyle that makes the region such a special place to live and work. Her connection to the community, combined with her professional experience supporting small businesses, brings a practical and collaborative perspective to the Board.

She is proud to serve on the Rural Frontenac Community Services Board and contribute to an organization that provides essential support and resources to residents across rural Frontenac.

Dr. Aws Almufleh

Dr. Almufleh is a cardiologist/advanced heart failure specialist at Kingston Health Sciences Centre and an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Queen’s University, where he is dedicated to improving access to high-quality cardiovascular care for patients across Southeastern Ontario. He serves as the Physician Lead of the Heart Function Clinic, a multidisciplinary team that cares for patients living with heart failure and other complex cardiovascular conditions.

In addition to his clinical work, Aws is actively involved in research, education, and health system innovation focused on strengthening care pathways and improving how patients navigate the healthcare system. His work includes collaborations across Ontario aimed at expanding access to specialized cardiovascular services, particularly for patients living in rural and underserved communities.

Aws joined the Board of Rural Frontenac Community Services to support the organization’s mission of strengthening health and social supports for residents across rural Frontenac. He is particularly interested in initiatives that help older adults remain independent, improve access to care close to home, and foster stronger connections within rural communities.

Outside of his professional work, Aws enjoys spending time exploring the lakes and trails of the Frontenac region and values the opportunity to contribute to the community he is proud to serve