CHEO seeks volunteers to join board committees

Oct. 2, 2026, Ottawa, Ont. - CHEO, the leading provider of specialized pediatric health services in the region, is currently recruiting volunteers to join its Board Committees. 

CHEO’s Board of Directors is responsible for the overall governance of the organization - its members set the organization’s strategic priorities and ensure they’re met; they provide ongoing oversight of the quality of care provided; and ensure financial resources are managed appropriately. The Board carries out its work directly and through the following Standing Committees: Governance, Audit and Finance, Quality and Safety, Connected Care and Joint Board Redevelopment Oversight Committees.   

CHEO is committed to ensuring that its Board and Board committees better reflect the diversity of the children, youth, families and communities we serve. As part of this commitment, priority will be given to members of communities that have historically been underrepresented in governance and decision-making. For example, Indigenous, Black, 2SLGBTQIA+, racialized community members, newcomers,  persons with disabilities and people who have a history of involvement with Children’s Aid Societies as youth. This approach helps bring diverse lived experiences and perspectives into CHEO’s governance and decision-making.

Committee Membership Opportunity:

Board Committees are chaired by a Board Director and include several representatives from the Board itself.  These Committees also include up to 3 Community Member representatives.

At this time, we have community member vacancies on the Audit and Finance Committee, Connected Care Committee and Quality and Safety Committee. 

Community Members are voting members of Board Committees and contribute to Committee recommendations to the Board for approval.

CHEO is seeking applicants for five Committee seats as follows:

• Quality and Safety Committee (one seat)
• Connected Care Committee (one seat) 
• Finance and Audit Committee (three seats)

We are seeking people who can bring a range of professional, cultural, geographic and lived experiences to Committee discussions. Ideal candidates will have a passion for CHEO’s mission and may bring a knowledge of health care, public policy, child and youth issues, community leadership, equity, quality and safety, finance, or other relevant areas.

Candidates must be available to attend five Committee meetings per year and dedicate a few hours each month to reviewing meeting materials in advance. Community Member terms are one-year and may be renewed for up to six years.

Why join a CHEO Board Committee?

In this role, you will help shape CHEO’s governance discussions by bringing your skills, experiences, and perspectives to decisions that affect children, youth, families, and communities across the region.  If you come from a community that has historically been underrepresented in health-care leadership and decision-making, your knowledge, skills, lived experience and community perspectives can bring important insights to CHEO’s governance.

As a Board Committee member, you will have an opportunity to influence meaningful discussions, contribute to decisions that shape CHEO’s future, build relationships with other community and organizational leaders, and help identify perspectives or barriers that may otherwise be overlooked. While you are not expected to speak on behalf of an entire community, you will help CHEO make better, more inclusive decisions for the diverse children, youth, families and communities we serve.

Application Process:

Interested applicants should email their application to CHEO’s Governance Coordinator, Shannon Watson, at swatson@cheo.on.ca by Oct. 16, 2026.

Applications should identify the Committee of interest and include a letter of interest and resume outlining relevant experience, qualifications and any governance roles previously held.

Applicants are also encouraged to highlight the lived, professional, cultural, geographic or other perspectives they would bring to CHEO’s Board Committees.

Support and Accommodations:

Community Members will be supported to participate meaningfully in committee discussions and will have access to the following resources:

• Orientation and training to help new members understand CHEO’s governance structure and committee processes
• Mentorship and guidance from experienced committee members and CHEO staff
• Support with meeting preparation, including assistance in navigating materials and understanding key items for discussion as needed
• Opportunities to debrief after meetings and ask follow-up questions
• Access to support from CHEO’s Indigeneity, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity,  Accessibility and Social Justice (I-IDEAS) team, as appropriate

Virtual participation is available to help support broad, accessible participation from community members.