Steph Ouellet, MBA, CHE, is an accomplished bilingual executive with more than 25 years of leadership experience spanning healthcare management, digital innovation, and organizational transformation. His career has been defined by a consistent focus on ethical leadership, strategic empowerment, and the advancement of person-centred models of care.
Steph’s career trajectory reflects a deliberate integration of technology, management, and health system transformation. With a foundation in Management Information Systems and an MBA from the Ivey Business School, he progressed through senior roles in acute care hospitals, family health teams, shared service organizations, and digital health networks. He also founded Sailing Stone Solutions, advising healthcare clients across Canada on digital transformation, capacity building, and the integration of emerging technologies, including generative AI.
In 2024, Steph was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Alzheimer Society Southwest Partners, a leading regional non-profit organization serving individuals living with dementia and their care partners in Southwestern Ontario. Under his leadership, the organization is strengthening partnerships, embedding diversity, and ensuring long-term sustainability through strong financial stewardship and federated collaboration. Throughout his career, Steph has guided organizations through periods of complex change: implementing enterprise-wide IT systems, restructuring operations, and leading strategic planning processes. Today, his role as CEO of a community-based organization dedicated to dementia care has reaffirmed his belief in collaborative, values-driven leadership that prioritizes both impact and inclusion.
“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
A belief that guides Steph's career, highlighting the central role of empathy and connection in creating meaningful change in healthcare.
Recognized as a Certified Health Executive, Steph has contributed extensively to national health leadership dialogue. He has served as co-chair of the National Rural and Northern Health Care Conference and has been a frequent presenter on the adoption of generative AI in supporting innovation within healthcare systems. His leadership consistently emphasizes the alignment of modernization with compassion and inclusivity. His engagement with the Southwestern Ontario Chapter of the Canadian College of Health Leaders underscores his commitment to mentorship, peer learning, and community dialogue. Steph views local chapter participation as a critical avenue for fostering resilient leadership networks in a period of rapid change.
To aspiring health leaders, his advice is clear: “Be curious, be humble, and be intentional. The College provides access to an incredible network—use it. Attend events, volunteer, and connect with leaders you admire. And don’t underestimate the value of leading from where you are; you don’t need a title to influence meaningful change.”
In recognition of his contributions, Steph was selected by the Southwestern Ontario Chapter as the 2025 Chapter Award for Distinguished Service recipient. He describes the honour as a reflection of the community that inspires him, expressing gratitude for the community of leaders who challenge and elevate each other to create a more compassionate healthcare system.
