The Holland College Foundation recently welcomed three new directors to its board: Barbara E. Smith, Dr. Katherine Ellis Ghiz, and John Horrelt.

Barbara E. Smith, K.C. is a partner at Stewart McKelvey working primarily in the areas of corporate-commercial law, commercial and residential real estate and wills, estates and succession planning. She is also a registered trademark agent (Canada).

Smith received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) in 1987 and her Law Degree from Dalhousie University in 1991. She was called to the PEI Bar in 1992 and received her Queen’s Counsel designation in 2007.

Smith is a long-time volunteer in the community, and was the 116th President of the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce. She is also a past-chair of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation, and has also served on the Board of the Canadian Cancer Society – PEI Division.  She is an active member of the Law Society of Prince Edward Island and currently is the Secretary Treasurer of the Board of Governors of the Law Foundation of Prince Edward Island. 

Dr. Katherine Ellis Ghiz is a physician at the QEH, where she currently practices Hospitalist Medicine. Since joining the QEH in 2008, she has practiced Emergency Medicine and has been the Hospitalist Departmental Head. She is currently on the faculty of Family Medicine at Dalhousie University.

Ellis Ghiz graduated from Dalhousie Medical School in 2005, graduating among the top three in her class. She completed her undergraduate studies at UPEI with a Major in Biology and Minor in Chemistry, receiving the Governor General’s award at graduation. While pursuing her undergraduate and post-graduate studies, she was an All-Star basketball player at both UPEI and Dalhousie, receiving many accolades, including being a top-10 Academic All-Canadian.

Ellis Ghiz is a volunteer for several youth sports in Charlottetown. She has volunteered with the Athletic Advisory Board at UPEI and, during her medical training, volunteered with a hospital in Thailand.

John Horrelt is a graduate of Saint Mary’s University. He started his career in the Island’s corporate sector, serving as Vice President of MF Schurman Company Ltd. for 22 years. He then ventured out as an entrepreneur with interests in commercial and residential real estate, small business management services, and retail.

Horrelt is an active and dedicated community volunteer, with wide-ranging interests that encompass health, housing, vulnerable populations, education, and amateur sport. He has contributed his expertise to these sectors through years of service on boards, committees, and fundraising campaigns. He served on the PEI cabinet for the Ronald McDonald House campaign as well as the campaign cabinet for UPEI’s Inspire campaign. He was a board member for the PEI division of the Canadian Mental Health Association for 18 years and continues as a volunteer today. He also serves as chair of the newly-formed PEI Alliance for Mental Well Being, and president of The Adventure Group, where he has been an active volunteer for almost 25 years.

“We are so pleased to welcome Barb, Kate, and John to the Holland College Foundation Board,” said Board Chair Kent Scales. “The Holland College Foundation plays a critical role in the advancement of Holland College and the success of its students.  We have every confidence our new directors will contribute significantly to our work.”

The appointment of Smith, Ellis Ghiz, and Horrelt coincides with the retirement of Holland College Foundation board members Trisha Mossey, Jason Aspin, and Everett Roche. Other members of the board are Jeff Squires (Vice-Chair), Kati McCarvill (Secretary/Treasurer), Adam Balderston, Alanna Taylor, Peter McLaughlin, Barry Sheen, Mark Ledwell, Ray Keenan, Dr. Alexander (Sandy) MacDonald, and Executive Director Jo-Ann Campbell-Boutilier (ex-officio).

In this picture (L-R): Barbara E. Smith, K.C.; John Horrelt; and Dr. Katherine Ellis Ghiz.