CCHL Leadership Integration Forum
JUNE 15, 2025 – Edmonton, AB
Meet Our Speakers
Dr. Jodi Abbot
President and CEO
University Hospital Foundation
Dr. Jodi Abbott, President & CEO of the University Hospital Foundation, has brought together the right people to tackle some of the world’s biggest health challenges. Prior to this, Jodi led the transformation of NorQuest College resulting in a remarkable doubling of the student population. Dr. Abbott was also Senior VP Quality Performance Improvement with Alberta Health Services.
Dr. Abbott is committed to community development as former Chair of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board, where she spearheaded Growth Plan progress alongside 13 Regional Mayors. Dr. Abbott is Vice Chair of Alberta Innovates.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Dr. Abbott is a World and Olympic figure skating judge. Jodi recently received the Order of Canada for her leadership in Alberta’s healthcare and college systems, and for her mentoring of young athletes in the field of figure skating.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jodi-abbott-250a8026/
Jodi Younger, CHE
Vice-President, Patient Care, Quality, Facilities & Capital Planning
St. Joseph’s Health Care London
Jodi Younger, CHE, (she/her) is the Vice President, Patient Care & Quality at St. Joseph’s Health Care London. In this role, she is accountable for the overall management and direction in the delivery of 2 regional specialized mental health care facilities in southwestern ON. As well, as the executive lead for the organization’s corporate quality, strategy and clinical decision support, Jodi works collaboratively with other leaders to advance safe, effective and impactful care across the organization. Jodi also has accountability for Redevelopment, Capital Planning & Facilities Management for all sites at St. Joseph’s. With over 30 years of experience, she joined St Joseph’s London in May 2017.
Jodi is a Certified Health Executive (CHE) and holds a master’s degree in educational psychology from the University of Waterloo, as well as a master’s degree in health administration from Université de Montréal. Jodi is registered with The College of Psychologists of Ontario (Psychological Associate) and a graduate of the Rotman School of Management Advanced Health Leadership Program. Jodi is particularly passionate about system level strategic change: co-chairing the provincial MH&A Center of Excellence Planning & Performance table and more locally, co-chairing the Strategy and Accountability table leading the London Health + Homelessness, Whole of Community response. Jodi also chairs the Southwest Ontario Chapter of the CCHL.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodiyounger/
Biju Mathai
Interim Director of Strategic Organizational and Leadership Development
St. Joseph’s Health Care London
Biju Mathai is the Interim Director of Strategic Organizational and Leadership Development at St. Joseph’s Health Care London. In this role, he has recently led key initiatives including the development of the organization’s new strategic plan, the refresh of its Mission, Vision, and Values, and the advancement of leadership development programs.
Prior to this, Biju served as Manager of the Regional Geriatric Program of Southwestern Ontario, where he championed quality improvement and system-level collaboration to support older adults and their caregivers. With over a decade of experience in tertiary healthcare, Biju brings a diverse background that spans clinical social work, information technology, project management, and operational leadership.
He holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Toronto and a Master of Business Administration from McMaster University.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/biju-mathai/
Brenda Lammi
Senior VP, Professional and Leadership Development
Canadian College of Health Leaders
Since 2013, Brenda and the Professional and Leadership Development team have been instrumental at the Canadian College of Health Leaders, expanding programs and partnerships nationwide to integrate LEADS along with leadership development and integration initiatives across all provinces. Under her leadership, the Certified Health Executive (CHE) credential and Fellowship designation programs were refreshed, resulting in record uptake and surpassing registration expectations. Brenda spearheaded the creation of the CCHL Circle, an exclusive networking and leadership platform for members. She and the Professional and Leadership team have fostered numerous academic and employer alliances, building collaborative relationships that promote health leadership and lifelong learning.
Previously, Brenda held a cross-departmental associate faculty role for twelve years at McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Business and School of Rehabilitation Science in their Master of Health Management program. Prior to her tenure at the Canadian College of Health Leaders, she held various roles at the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists, culminating in her position as Director of Policy and Standards. Her responsibilities included federal representation and oversight of the national exam certification process for occupational therapy professionals. Brenda’s healthcare career began as an occupational therapist in an acute care regional health center, followed by pediatric occupational therapy in rural community care.
Dr. Jaason Geerts, BA, BEd, MTS, MPhil, PhD (Cambridge)
Vice-President, Research and Leadership Development
Canadian College of Health Leaders
Dr. Jaason Geerts is the Vice-President of Research and Leadership Development at the Canadian College of Health Leaders (CCHL) and an associate at the Centre for International Human Resource Management (CIHRM) at the University of Cambridge Judge Business School.
Jaason completed his PhD at the University of Cambridge on leadership for professionals after a teaching degree and two Master’s from the University of Toronto and Cambridge respectively.
Along with being a TEDx speaker and giving keynote addresses at several prominent conferences, Jaason’s work has been featured in international peer-reviewed journals, including BMJ journals, the Globe and Mail, CBC national news, CTV news, and local radio, as well as globally through the International Hospital Federation (IHF).
The model of leadership in a crisis that Jaason created is the theoretical foundation for a recent successful CIHR research grant valued at $450,000 and he participated as an invited international expert advisor for a World Health Organization (WHO) symposium on health system recovery.
Jaason is also a program director and instructor at the Telfer School of Management (University of Ottawa) and the Schulich School of Business (York University).
Jaason is also a qualified teacher and was nominated for the Toronto Star’s Teacher of the Year.