SickKids Foundation announces new Board appointments

TORONTO, July 16, 2012 /CNW/ - John Francis, Chair of SickKids Foundation's Board of Directors, is pleased to announce the following appointments of five new directors effective June 12, 2012:

Jordan Bitove is a partner at LarchHill Investments Inc., a private equity group in Toronto which invests in small- to medium-sized businesses. Formerly, Mr. Bitove was the President and CEO of Vision Companies, an industry leader in creating experiential marketing experiences such as Canada's Walk of Fame, the Formula 1 Grand Prix Ball Series and Hockey House at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Mr. Bitove also contributed significantly to the startup of the Toronto Raptors Basketball Club, the first NBA franchise awarded outside of the United States.

Dr. Amy Kaiser is a psychotherapist providing counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy at a private clinic in Toronto and is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medical Genetics and Microbiology at the University of Toronto. Dr. Kaiser holds an undergraduate degree from McGill University, a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology from Columbia University and a PhD in Public Health Sciences from the University of Toronto.

Nancy McCain serves as a volunteer with several organizations, including in her role as Chair of The Arts Scholarship Fund, director of the Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery where she is past President and member of the Board of Governors at Acadia University. Previously, Ms. McCain was Chair of the Canadian Art Foundation and a member of the boards of Arts for Children of Toronto and AMREF (African Medical and Research Foundation). Ms. McCain earned her Master's degree at New York University.

Irit Shay is a co-owner of Royal de Versailles Jewellers Inc. along with her husband. Through their company, which has become Canada's leading high-end jeweller, Ms. Shay has made significant contributions to several arts, education and health care organizations both as a volunteer leader and as a sponsor. Ms. Shay has organized a number of events in support of hospitals in the Toronto area and various international initiatives.

Walied Soliman is a Partner at Norton Rose Canada LLP in Toronto, where he is Co-Chair of the Special Situations Team focusing on Canada's leading shareholder activist and defense mandates and complex reorganization transactions. In addition, his practice focuses on public and private mergers and acquisitions and financings, corporate governance and structured products. Mr. Soliman has been named to Lexpert Magazine's Top 40 Under 40 lawyers in Canada. Mr. Soliman holds an LL.B from Osgoode Hall Law School.

"We are proud to welcome these new members to our Board of Directors and we look forward to the leadership and advice they will provide the SickKids community as we embark on the next stage of our five-year strategic plan," said Ted Garrard, President and CEO, SickKids Foundation. "Volunteer board appointments can be a significant investment of time and we are so grateful these professionals have agreed to lend us their support and expertise."

About SickKids Foundation
Established in 1972, SickKids Foundation raises funds on behalf of The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and is the largest charitable funder of child health research, learning and care in Canada. Philanthropy is a critical source of funding for SickKids -- one of the world's foremost paediatric health-care institutions. For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2012, SickKids Foundation made an investment of $61.3 million in children's health, a direct result of community and corporate support. For more information, please visit www.sickkidsfoundation.com.

Sandra Chiovitti
Media Relations
SickKids Foundation
416-813-8292
[email protected]