Governance

Ross Wiseman E.C.N.L., is an experienced public-sector leader with more than three decades of high-impact work experience across government, statutory bodies, and public institutions. He brings extensive experience in Board governance, fiduciary oversight, public accountability, and strategic stewardship. He is recognized for exercising independent judgement and results-driven decision making in complex and politically sensitive environments. Ross has a proven record of ethical leadership, strong risk management, fulfilling statutory responsibilities, and long-term organizational sustainability.

Since retiring, he has remained actively engaged in public policy, most recently serving on the Newfoundland and Labrador Health Accord Task Force, where he contributed to system-wide reform and long-term health transformation. Prior to his retirement, Ross had successful careers in banking, health system administration, and provincial politics. As a Cabinet Minister, he held several portfolios, including Health and Community Services and Finance. He has a long history of community volunteerism, including as a school board trustee, Board chair, minor hockey coach and executive member, and a leader in scouting.

Michelle Baikie is currently a grade four teacher in Sheshatshiu Innu School, Sheshatshiu, NL. She graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology with her Bachelor of Science in Medical Photographic Communications in 1994. Michelle then pursued her Bachelor of Education (Elementary) degree from Memorial University in 2003, her Master of Education (Literacy) from Mount Saint Vincent University in 2007, and her Master of Philosophy (Educational Research) from the University of Cambridge in 2010.

Her career has included positions as cultural consultant and counsellor, school administrator, ophthalmic photographer at the Toronto Hospital – Western Division, and as a telemedicine coordinator for the Labrador-Grenfell Health Authority. Michelle is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (England).

Michelle has volunteered on numerous boards and committees, including the Grenfell Foundation, Them Days, the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, and the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association (Happy Valley-Goose Bay Chapter). She has been a re-appointed member of the Memorial University Board of Regents where she serves as vice-chair of the Governance Committee. Michelle is also a member of the Board of Directors for The Rooms Corporation and a board member on the Engineers and Geoscientists Disciplinary Panel.  She was also the former chair of the Governance Committee with Labrador-Grenfell Health Authority.

Michelle is a Nunatsiavut beneficiary and a Labrador Inuk educator and photographer who loves to do photography during her spare time. From 2017 to 2021, Michelle was a town councillor for Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay. She served as chair of the Finance, Administration and Policy Committee; member of the Municipal Services Committee; member of the Community Services and Recreational Special Events Committee; and member of the Economic Development and Public Engagement Committee.

Dr. Catherine Bradbury began her career in family medicine where she served her patients for 30 years. A keen interest in the management and administration of public health systems led her to obtain a Diploma in Health Service Management from the Canadian Hospital Association. With the completion of her MBA (honours), Dr. Bradbury migrated towards medical administration, spending 25 years as a medical consultant and associate deputy minister with the Department of Health and Community Services.

Dr. Bradbury is respected as a credible voice in decision making, and has an extensive background in negotiations, mediation, and arbitration. She has served on the Atlantic Provinces’ peer review program of physicians, the Disciplinary Committee of the NL College of Physicians and Surgeons and has been a provincial representative on several national committees including the National Medical Consultants Committee, Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health, and Government of British Columbia’s representative for a physician arbitration process. Dr. Bradbury also has experience with health-care government having served as a trustee of the Board at Eastern Health from 2020-2023.

In her free time, Dr. Bradbury enjoys quilting, reading, hiking, and practicing/teaching Pilates.

Ed Goudie is a retired administrator with the Government of Canada. He began his career after becoming a certified electronic technologist at the College of the North Atlantic in St. John’s.

Throughout his 32 plus years with the federal government, Ed held several positions, starting as a technologist with the Canadian Coast Guard, then as maintenance foreman. He later became station manager and rounded off his career as coordinator of operations for the LORAN-C System. During Ed’s time with the Coast Guard, he also spent 12 years as part-owner of a pharmacy.

Ed is a committed volunteer in his home community and has served on the local school board, as board member with the College of the North Atlantic and was a member of the St. Anthony town council. He was also involved in various rural development projects in the community, volunteered with Grenfell Memorial Co-op, and the Grenfell Historical Society and dedicated 27 years to the International Grenfell Association.

Ed has resided in St. Anthony since 1971 with his wife, Betty Jean, where his time is spent enjoying family, travelling and volunteer work. He has three children and five wonderful grandchildren.

Beverly Griffiths graduated from Memorial University’s School of Nursing in 1985 and has been involved with the Newfoundland and Labrador health system for almost 40 years at local, regional, provincial and national levels. She has held progressive management and senior executive positions for more than 25 years. 

In 2018, Beverly retired from the Department of Health and Community Services after six years as chief nurse for the province, a position which provided leadership, strategic advice and nursing expertise on a wide range of complex policy, planning and delivery issues for nursing within the overall health-care system. After her retirement, Beverly worked part time as a resident care manager in long term care, manager of vaccine clinics in St. John’s and surrounding areas during the pandemic and provided consulting services to a private health care agency.   

Happily retired, Beverly enjoys spending her time as a volunteer with The Rooms, Canada Games 2025 and other fundraising charities for children and persons with cancer. 

Tara Laing has over 25 years of professional communications experience in areas such as strategic planning, issues and crisis communications management and stakeholder relations. She holds a senior leadership role at Marine Atlantic as Director of Corporate Communications and leads the team responsible for the strategic development, planning and execution of employee and external communications for the federal crown corporation. Prior to joining Marine Atlantic in 2002, Tara held various public relations positions within the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Her service included roles in Executive Council, Mines and Energy, Tourism Culture and Recreation, and Industry.

Tara holds a Bachelor of Public Relations degree from Mount Saint Vincent University, a Bachelor of Arts and a Certificate in Public Administration from Memorial University, and a Project Management Professional (PMP) designation. Tara joined the Board of Trustees for the Eastern Regional Health Authority in 2017 and also held the position of chair of the Quality Assurance Committee responsible for overseeing the quality of care provided throughout the organization, including patient and staff safety. She also volunteered with Waypoints, a not-for-profit multiservice agency offering a variety of programs to youth and families at risk including residential, youth employment, outreach, and family support in a variety of roles on their Board of Directors including chair, vice-chair, and member.

Tara lives in St. John’s with her husband, Brian, her daughters and dog, Loki. She enjoys spending time outdoors and is developing a keen interest in gardening.

Dr. Francine Lemire is a graduate of both McGill University and Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN). After graduation, she worked as a comprehensive family doctor in Corner Brook for 23 years.  

During that time, she served as Western Health Regional Chief of Family Practice (1999-2002) and Emergency Medicine (1998-2002); was the inaugural director of MUN’s Clinical Skills Assessment and Training Program (1997-2003); served as vice president of Medical Services for the 1999 Canada Winter Games (1994-1999); and served on the Board of the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC, 1995-2001) (President 1998-1999), and its Newfoundland and Labrador Chapter (1988-1991).  

Dr. Lemire took on executive leadership positions with the CFPC (2003-2022), first as director of membership, later as executive director of professional affairs, and finally as executive director and CEO of the CFPC and its foundation, the Foundation for Advancing Family Medicine, until September 2022.  She is currently on the boards of three other not-for-profit organizations dedicated to improving standards of education and strengthen health and health care.  

She is a past paralympian (1988, cross-country skiing) and became a member of the Order of Canada in December 2023. She is married and has three stepchildren and three grandchildren. She loves cross country skiing, swimming, canoeing, and connecting with family, friends and colleagues. 

In 2003, David Oxford began working as a social worker in child protection, foster care, adoptions, youth corrections, and childcare. In 2023, he began instructing at the College of the North Atlantic within their Mental Health and Addiction program in Grand Falls-Windsor where he continues to work.

In addition to his work as a social worker and instructor, he serves the community as a Commissioner with the NL Human Rights Commission, Board member with Violence Prevention South and Central, involved since 2019 in the planning/implementation of the Central Music Festival each year, and a member of the Grand Falls-Windsor Lions Club. Previously, he served as trustee with Central Health from 2019 to 2023; with the Nova Central School District from 2009 to 2012; and as chairperson of the Dover and Area Community Family Coalition from 2008 to 2012.

David is the second youngest of 11 children and is happily married to his wife, Natasha, and the proud father of two children, Noah and Faith, plus grandparent to Hudson.

Retired Justice David Peddle served over 44 years on the bench, the longest sitting judge in Newfoundland and Labrador history. His tenure included 33 years on the Provincial Court of Newfoundland and Labrador and 10 years on the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador. He also served as a Deputy Judge of the Territorial Court in the Northwest Territories.

David holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Memorial University and a Bachelor of Law degree from Dalhousie University. He is past president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Court Judges Association, past director of the Canadian Association of Provincial Court Judges Association, past member of the Judicia Council of the Provincial Court and is a current member of the Central Regional Implementation for Family Justice Services.

His other volunteer activities include past president of the Gander Rotary Club, past co-chair of the Gander Academy 4-way Test Initiative, founding president of YWCA Gander Branch (Defunct), founding president of Victorian Order of Nurses (VON) Gander Branch (defunct), key organizer for the establishment of the Kiwanis club in Gander and director of the Gander and area SPCA.

David resides in Gander.

Goronwy Price moved to Churchill Falls as a young child in August 1967 and was fortunate to witness the construction of the Churchill Falls Generating Station, the world’s leading hydroelectric project of the day.  

He graduated from Memorial University in 1988 with a degree in Education and Physical Education and went to work with the provincial government as a recreation and sport consultant for the Labrador region, based in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. In 1996, Goronwy was promoted to the role of Labrador’s regional director for the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation where he established regional operations. Through these roles, he was fortunate to visit and work with residents from all communities in Labrador region. 

In 2007, Goronwy shifted focus and became the CEO of the Goose Bay Airport Corporation where he managed and negotiated the transfer of land and facilities from the Department of National Defence to the airport corporation; completed a major upgrade and expansion of the main civilian air terminal; and managed the ever-changing challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.  

After working for 35 years in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, in 2023 Goronwy returned to Churchill Falls and took on his current role of senior manager for site services. 

A dedicated volunteer, Goronwy has contributed over 25 years to the education system at both the provincial and national level. Most recently, he served as the chair of the Board of Trustee’s for the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District. He also chairs the board of the Labrador Group Home, a facility that takes care of children in need. 

In the sporting realm, Goronwy has taken four fencing teams to the Canada Winter Games as provincial coach and continues to stay active playing squash and pickleball. 

Goronwy and his wife, Corenia, have three daughters, Candice (Pablo), Kathleen (Simon) and Tara (Zac) and six grandchildren; Polaire, Zaxon, Njik, Mia, Portage and Benjamin and will soon welcome a seventh! 

David Thornhill has over 28 years of experience in the IT industry. In his current role as Senior Vice-President, Group IT with Inmarsat, David leads a global IT team that delivers strategic and innovative solutions for Inmarsat internally and for its international customer base.  Prior to joining Inmarsat, David worked with Bell Aliant and Xwave where he established and led an ERP consulting practice and was the Managing Director for Xwave Ireland before returning to St. John’s to join Stratos/Inmarsat.

David holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Master of Business Administration from Memorial University.  He has also achieved the ICD.D designation through the Institute of Corporate Directors.  David is an executive member of the ICD Newfoundland Chapter and a previous Board member of the Newfoundland and Labrador Centre of Health Information.

David is a Grand Bank native and now resides in Torbay with his wife, Pamela, and daughter, Mackenzie.

A graduate of the University of Edinburgh Medical School, Dr. Carney trained as an adult psychiatrist, sub-specialising in Liaison Psychiatry, in Oxford. As a resident, he discovered a passion for clinical epidemiology and medical education. He completed a Master of Public Health at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and began his academic career as a clinical lecturer in the University of Oxford Department of Psychiatry.

Dr. Carney has previously held academic and governmental leadership positions across the United Kingdom (UK) and Australia, driving improvements in policy, workforce planning, curriculum design, student experience, and research impact. This included serving as dean of Medical Education and vice-dean International in the Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine at King’s College London. As deputy national director of the UK Foundation Programme, he co-developed the two-year programme which is now followed by all medical graduates in the UK and Malta immediately following graduation and prior to entering residency.

In Australia, Dr. Carney served as dean of the Medical School at The University of Queensland (UQ) in Australia for nine years. During this time, he led a major reform of the MD Curriculum at UQ, growing Indigenous student enrolments and enhancing student well-being and support. He partnered with the Queensland Government and regional universities to establish innovative medical pathways, which enable high school graduates to undertake the entirety of their pre-medical education, MD program and residency training in three regions in Southern Queensland, in addition to the Brisbane-based program. Dr. Carney also led UQ’s long-standing medical program partnership with the Ochsner Health System in Louisiana (USA), which recently celebrated its 1,000^th UQ-Ochsner MD graduate.

Dr. Stuart Carney joined Memorial University as dean of the Faculty of Medicine on January 1, 2026.