Independent Board Director

Brightshores Research Institute | August 2025

Position Description: Independent Board Director Charitable Not-for-Profit Corporation | Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (ONCA)

Overview Brightshores Research Institute is an independent, charitable not-for-profit organization incorporated in Ontario. Our mission is to advance healthcare through research and innovation dedicated to meet the distinct needs of rural communities across Canada. We are seeking two experienced and mission-aligned individuals to join our Board of Directors as Independent Directors with expertise in government relations, fundraising/philanthropy, and/or health systems research.

Role Purpose The Independent Directors will contribute to the Board’s collective responsibility for the strategic oversight and stewardship of the Institute, with a particular focus on supporting government engagement and funding, donor / philanthropic fundraising, and health systems research leadership. The ideal candidate brings a strong track record in leadership in government relations, fundraising strategy, or health systems research.

Key Responsibilities
• Provide strategic oversight of the Institute’s government relations, philanthropic, and

research engagement strategies.
• Contribute specialized insight into:

 Shaping and supporting public policy and community engagement strategies and providing guidance on related risks and opportunities.

 Developing strategies for philanthropic partnerships and donor stewardship.  Navigating funding opportunities in health research environments.  Driving impact through strategic policy, fundraising, and research alignment.

• Advise on the development and review of policies and pursuit strategies related to government, philanthropy, or research that enable future scale and leveraging relationships within their networks.

• Ensure compliance with fiduciary, regulatory, and legal obligations under ONCA and CRA requirements for charitable organizations.

• Support the organization’s fundraising and funding strategies through insight into stakeholder dynamics (e.g. industry, government and philanthropic).

• Serve in an independent governance capacity, not affiliated with Brightshores Health System or any operational partner.

• Uphold the Institute’s code of conduct and conflict of interest policies including disclosure of any real or perceived conflicts and acting independently in all deliberations.

Brightshores Research Institute | August 2025 2

• Serve on an appropriate Board Committee based on expertise and contribute to its oversight responsibilities including the oversight of public policy or research initiatives, and fundraising strategy effectiveness to the Board for approval.

• Promote accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement in public engagement, philanthropic development, or research strategy.

Ideal Qualifications
• Proven leadership experience in government relations, philanthropic development,

or health systems research within a not-for-profit, public, healthcare, or research- driven organization.

• Experience establishing foundational policy, engagement, or research frameworks from the ground up.

• Entrepreneurial mindset with demonstrated ability to advance external relations, donor engagement, or research oversight in scaling or resource-constrained organizations.

• Familiarity with governance structures that support strategic influence and institutional trust.

• Knowledge of government and/or philanthropic funding sources and influence strategies.

• Advanced degree or equivalent experience in public policy, philanthropy, or health research is preferred.

• Experience serving on boards, particularly within the not-for-profit, charitable, health, or research sectors, is preferred.

Commitment
• Board Directors serve an initial two or three-year term, which may be renewed as

per the organization’s by-laws.
• Estimated commitment of 4–6 virtual board meetings per year, with additional time

for virtual committee participation and occasional in-person or strategic planning sessions.

• This is a volunteer position in accordance with ONCA and CRA rules for charitable organizations.

To Apply or Nominate a Candidate Please contact Neil MacLean, Executive Director by email (nmaclean@brightshores.ca) with an expression of interest, resume and cover letter, or nomination. Brightshores Research Institute is committed to equity and encourages applications from individuals who reflect the diversity of rural communities across Canada. We thank all applicants and nominees for their interest, however only those under consideration for the role will be contacted.

mailto:nmaclean@brightshores.ca

• Position Description: Independent Board Director
• Overview
• Role Purpose
• Key Responsibilities
• Ideal Qualifications
• Commitment
• To Apply or Nominate a Candidate