Board of Directors

Rupa Mehra, Teach and Guidance Counsellor
Chair

Rupa’s connection to Hearth Place started almost 25 years ago when she was a teacher at McLaughlin CVI. She had a very rewarding career as a Guidance/University Counsellor in Durham, TDSB and a variety of independent schools. Rupa is now semi retired and has more time to dedicate to causes that are important to her. Cancer has always been in her life, through various family members, and when she returned to Durham, she wanted to become more involved. Her career as a Counsellor helped her understand the importance of having support for all family members going through the journey of cancer, be it themselves or their loved ones.  Hearth Place offers such a place and she looks forward to being contributing member of a wonderful community.

Robert Alexander, Lawyer
Past-Chair

Hearth Place was the dream of Robert’s wife, Carolyn, who died of breast cancer before Hearth Place opened its doors. However, her enthusiasm inspired those involved to continue her efforts and today we have a vibrant and comforting Centre, where we can all learn to live with cancer. Currently, Robert is honored to be serving as Past-Chairman of the Board, in association with a diverse and experienced Board of Directors, and a very dedicated staff.

Megan Hanzal, CPA, CA
Treasurer

Megan’s life has been touched by cancer, and she has had multiple family members and friends impacted by this life-changing illness. Megan is a Principal, Audit and Assurance with CPA Canada and the Auditing and Assurance Standard Board. Before her current role, Megan worked for 15 years at Baker Tilly. Megan has experience providing accounting and assurance services to not-for-profit organizations and privately held businesses in various industries.

Megan graduated from the University of Windsor in 2007 with an honours bachelor of commerce degree and obtained her Chartered Accountant designation in 2009. She joined the BT KDN team in 2013.  Megan and her family live in Whitby. She enjoys playing soccer and running.

Trallee Fanara, CFP, Wealth & Investment Advisor, Financial Planner: Fanara Wealth Management Group of RBC Dominion Securities

Trallee has been a supporter of Hearth Place for many years, and joined the board in the fall of 2010. She is a lifelong resident of the Durham Region, and with a twenty plus year career in financial services extends support to the community and Hearth Place members providing expert advice and guidance on the protection, growth and transition of wealth and financial planning issues. She is an advocate for strong social and community values, and is pleased to be affiliated with Hearth Place in providing services to the community.

Fran Konorowski, RN

Fran moved to the Durham region in 1977, and settled in Whitby in 1980.  A nurse for over 40 years, she worked in Coronary Care, Emergency, Inpatient Surgery and Pediatrics before beginning her career in Oncology and Palliative Care.  Prior to her retirement in 2017, Fran held a number of positions in Oncology/Palliative Care – both front-line and management – at Markham Stouffville Hospital, Lakeridge Health/Durham Region Cancer Centre and The Scarborough Hospital.

Noël Coppins, Real Estate Agent, RE/MAX Jazz. Inc.

Noel Coppins was born and raised in Oshawa and represents the third generation of her family to proudly call Oshawa home. Noel has been in the local real estate industry since 1989. In 2009 Noel and her husband Dave opened RE/MAX Jazz Inc. in Oshawa. Over the past seven years the company has tripled in growth and has been awarded the RE/MAX broker/owner of the year for Ontario and Atlantic Canada in 2011, and in 2012, the RE/MAX broker/owner of the year for all of Canada.  Noel is a keynote speaker with The Day of Hope and Leadership, founder of WEEMAX Children’s Charities, co-creator of the annual Glitz for Gehrig’s fundraising event for ALS and mother of two boys, Boston and Hunter.

Nancy Harper, Human Resources Manager, GWL Realty Advisors

Nancy is a Human Resources Manager with GWL Realty Advisors, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Canada Life Assurance Company. A twenty year resident of Whitby, Nancy was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and was a grateful client of Hearth Place from diagnosis through treatment and recovery.  The amazing people and programs, as well as friendships made at the centre, were major factors in her positive outcome. Nancy is proud to have the opportunity to contribute to Hearth Place as a member of the Board of Directors.