News

VON Canada President and CEO Jo-Anne Poirier has announced her intention to leave the organization at the end of 2026. Jo-Anne joined VON in 2014, following many years as a leader in both the public and private sectors. 

Here, Jo-Anne looks back at some of the highlights and hurdles of leading Canada’s longest-standing home and community care organization through a time of continual change, growth and unprecedented challenges.

What initially drew you to the home and community care sector and VON?

I have always been committed to the community, and I had worked in several community-related positions, whether in the municipal sector or running a social housing corporation. I have also participated on several health-related boards, and this heightened my interest in public and community health. When I saw the opening for the position at VON, it aligned with my interests in contributing to the community on a national level linked to health care. The uniqueness of health care provided in people's homes and in the community was of great interest to me due to its importance at such a critical time.

What has kept you motivated over the years?

What has kept me motivated is working with staff and volunteers to best care for our clients. And what has nourished my soul is going to see some of the programs and doing ride-alongs with a nurse or a personal support worker. Those are the experiences that remind you of why you do what you do. And certainly for me, my job has entailed bringing this lens to advocating for improvements in funding and looking for ways to improve how the sector is viewed as part of the overall healthcare system. Knowing that folks want to be cared for at home and in their communities has been a tremendous motivator for me over the years. 

What has been the most challenging aspect of leading in this sector? 

People want to age with dignity and at home, and although the funding for health care is a large part of every provincial budget, there's never enough. What is going to continue to be challenging is the fact that the population is aging and there's a greater need than ever for home and community care. Sharing the healthcare spending pie is a challenge for funders, and also for the staff that lead these organizations. We would all love to do more, and it can never be enough, so we try to make the best of the funding we receive. 

What has been most rewarding?

What's been the most rewarding has been seeing the impact on people's lives and the quality of life that is enhanced through our programs, and the rapport that's built between our frontline staff and the clients that they serve.

What are you most proud of?

I'm proud of the team and what we've done together—staff, volunteers, donors—and the impact it's had in the community. And I'm also proud of the fact that we've been able to implement a digital health strategy that's leading to an electronic health record, and that we were able to successfully fundraise for such an important and groundbreaking initiative. 

With the implementation of VON Connect now complete, what is your perspective on how this milestone reflects VON’s long-term vision?

This paves the way for our long-term vision. Technology is going to play an increasing role in health care, in home and community care, and this paves the way nicely for us to be able to be a good partner and to have the proper technology and the technological knowledge to facilitate the changes we need to make in order to serve more people. There will never be a replacement for the personal care we provide, but technology can assist in the routine aspects of our care so we can focus on the people. 

Can you speak to the impact donor support has had on the organization’s ability to provide care and innovate for the future? 

Donor support has been invaluable. Being a registered charity, we could not have accomplished what we have without donors, foundations and grants, because there are finite resources. Knowing that we have donor support for programs, services and technology gives us hope for the future and really allows us to provide the best possible services that we can, particularly in situations where donor dollars subsidize access to services for people who don't have the ability to pay.

What would you say to donors about the role they can continue to play in shaping the future of care? 

The role of the donor is increasingly important, as government funding is limited. We were very grateful for the $10 million in donor support that we received for our VON Connect project. As we look at other medical technology advancements, we'll be relying on donors to share our vision with us and help pave the way for the future.

Can you share your perspective on the importance of VON's various partnerships formed under your leadership? 

We’re in the people business, and all the key stakeholders are critical to having us help our clients successfully. Whether it's the government, our sectoral partners or other community partners, it's critical to be a collaborative partner. So, whether it is sharing information about best practices or advocating for policy changes with government or partnering for the delivery of specific services, I'm proud of the work that we've been able to do together. I think we have a reputation for being a good collaborative partner, sitting at many tables providing advice and expertise, and operating from a position of strength as a key contributor to the sector.

What will you miss most about the organization?  

The people. We have braved many obstacles, many challenges, and we've celebrated many successes together. Because it's such a personal business that we're in, helping people, you forge strong ties. That is certainly the part that I will miss the most, seeing the impact and working alongside people for whom this is a vocation, not just a job. And feeling that pride that we can accomplish so much together.

What advice would you offer to your successor on day one?

To do a lot of listening, and to engage and consult and learn from colleagues and from clients, and really be tuned into what's most important. There is complexity in the home and community care sector, particularly in the way it is funded, and there’s a need for more awareness. Leading in this sector, and at VON specifically, requires an understanding of who we are and where we need to go, along with the perseverance to forge a clear path forward. Trust the team around you to help you find clarity—VON is well-positioned to continue to innovate and do great things. 

You've described your next chapter as rewiring. What does this mean to you?

I will continue to coach and mentor, and do some consulting, and sit on several boards of directors linked to the causes that I hold dear. My work in the community is extremely important to me, and that's something that I will continue to do. And also, this rewiring includes spending time with my family and pursuing my love for travelling. There are three essential elements in my mind: a sense of purpose, intellectual stimulation and ongoing learning and a need to feel socially connected. 

Do you have bucket list places that you want to get to?

I'm working on a bucket list. I was talking to my husband about that recently. I love Europe, but I also want to see more of my own country, because the times I've been able to travel across Canada have been mostly work-related, so I haven't had a chance to tour, and I'm looking forward to knowing more about my own country.

Is there anything else that you want to add?

I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to lead such a great organization and work with the incredible people that I've met along the way, and I'm proud of what we've accomplished together. There's still lots yet to do, but I think that the work we've done together for the last 13 years has positioned the organization well to continue growing and thriving in the future. We have an ambitious but exciting strategic plan and a very supportive board of directors and a very competent leadership team. I'm optimistic and confident that the organization will continue to contribute in a significant way.