Foundation Staff

Meet Our Staff

Amy McKinnon, CEO, CFRE

Amy loves a puzzle, a crisp diet coke and supporting her community. With more than 20 years of experience working in fundraising she was excited to return home in 2017 as CEO of the Brightshores Health System Owen Sound Foundation.

She grew up in Amberly (where Highway 21 is always closed!) and is now comfortably settled outside of Wiarton where her “large” rescue dog Bailey can zoom around the yard. Amy and her husband James curl in the winter and lawn bowl in the summer.

She leads the Owen Sound Foundation team, collaborates with Brightshores Partner Foundations and appreciates every donor who supports local healthcare!

Contact Amy

Chris Doyle, Philanthropy Officer, CFRE

Outside of the office you can usually find Chris pushing his daughter on the swing, spending time at the family cottage, or enjoying a good book. He’s fiercely attached to his coffee, his beard and his family. Chris jumped out of a plane before he ever landed in one and had an open air conversation more than 50ft underwater (you should ask him how!).

Chris looks after many aspects of the Foundation’s communications including: direct mail, Support Report, email newsletter, social media and more.

Feel free to reach out to him – he’d love to hear about why you support local healthcare!

Contact Chris

Shelby Jacques, Foundation Associate

Shelby is all about celebrating generosity at Brightshores Foundation. She helps donors feel truly appreciated – through thoughtful events, personalized communication and meaningful recognition. Her work ensures every act of generosity is met with genuine gratitude bringing stewardship strategies to life. 

Born and raised in Grey Bruce, Shelby is a proud mother to her son and loves spending time with family and friends. When she’s not busy chasing around her son, she can be found cycling, playing golf or attending country music concerts.  

Contact Shelby

Taralyn Golbeck, Foundation Associate

Taralyn brings energy and heart to her role at Brightshores Foundation, where she oversees lotteries, events, sponsorship, and community fundraisers — working hand-in-hand with the dedicated sponsors, volunteers and donors who make it all possible.

When she’s not rallying support for healthcare, Taralyn is usually packing a suitcase. A seasoned traveler, she’s explored Greece, the United Kingdom, Italy (twice, because once wasn’t enough!), Cuba, Mexico, France, the Netherlands, Croatia, and Scotland—and she’s always dreaming of the next destination.

Blending her love of community with a spirit of adventure, Taralyn is always seeking new ways to support local healthcare.

Contact Taralyn

Nicole Bishop, Foundation Associate

Nicole has been to the peak of not one but two active volcanoes and will go to any height to help donors, volunteers, community members and Board members.

You can usually find her at the campfire with her dog Murphy. Although she’s lived in several other provinces and countries she always finds her way back to Grey-Bruce where she grew up.

She oversees all administrative and receipting needs, manages the hospital family programs (vendors, clothing, 50/50, payroll donations), and is often that first point of contact from the front desk. The next time you call it will probably be Nicole’s voice you hear first!

Contact Nicole

Willard VanderPloeg, Charitable Giving Advisor

Willard is now working as Charitable Giving Advisor to promote legacy giving and assist donors in planning Will bequests and other special gifts in support of Brightshores Health System Foundations in Markdale, Meaford, Owen Sound, Southampton, Wiarton and Lion’s Head.  Willard worked as Development Officer for the Owen Sound Foundation from 2002 through 2017, raising funds through the Foundation’s planned and major gifts programs and maintains its Caring for Tomorrow Endowment Fund. Willard has more than 25 years experience in the charitable sector and in estate & gift planning. He is a long time member of the Canadian Association of Gift Planners.

Contact Willard