Board of Directors
The Board of Directors provides oversight and governance of the operations at Holland Christian Homes as it seeks to bring the Strategic Plan to life. The four strategic directions as outlined in the current Strategic Plan are: Creating a Centre of Excellence, Strengthening Communications, Building our Health and Human Resources, and Investing in our Infrastructure.
The Board works to protect the Christian nature of Holland Christian Homes, honouring the Dutch Heritage, never losing sight of the core values as outlined in our Statement of Faith.
The work of the Board in overseeing the operations of HCH is structured through committees, which include: Executive, Care, Finance, Governance, Nominating, Building & Facilities, and Development committees.
Call for Directors:
The Board would like to hear from anyone who shares our passion for HCH, loves God, and would be interested in bringing their unique skills, experience, and time to the role as Board Member. We are particularly looking for individuals with experience in: nursing/clinical work, ethics/ethical decision making, pastoral care, facilities management, human resources, finance, governance, and general management.
Directors serve terms of up to 3 years and are eligible for re-election to a maximum of two consecutive 3-year terms.
If you would like more information about being a member of the HCH Board, please email nominations@hch.ca.
Meet our Board of Directors
Case Geleynse – Chair
Case has over 40 years of experience working in a major international company and owning and operating several small businesses.
He has been involved in marketing, operations and corporate strategies and brings his management experience to his role at Holland Christian Homes.
Case has volunteered in his church for many years serving as elder and chair of the Finance committee.
Charles Sjaarda – Vice Chair
After attending TDCH and receiving an Honours Diploma from the Toronto School of Experimental Education, Charles studied business for two years at the University of Toronto.
Charles is self-employed as a construction consultant and project manager after having operated a construction and renovation firm for 25 years. Charles has served previously on the boards at Rexdale Alliance Church, Timothy Christian School, and TDCH. Previously, he has served on the board at Holland Christian Homes as chair of the Governance Committee and chair of the Nominating Committee.
Charles re-joined the Board in 2024.
Brad VanLaare – Treasurer
Brad currently works for Carlton Cards in the role of Vice President for Canada.
Brad is passionate about giving back within the Christian community having served on numerous boards (including Chair) at both John Knox Christian School (6 years) and TD Christian (4 years). In addition to Christian education, Brad has also served on Church Council at Crosspoint CRC (in roles of Deacon (3 years) and Chair (3 years)).
Brad joined the Board in 2024.
Greg Riedstra – Secretary
Greg is an entrepreneur who owns and manages several residential apartment buildings. After graduating from Business Marketing and Accounting, Greg owned or helped manage a variety of businesses from agriculture to healthcare communications and entertainment. Greg has been honoured to be an international speaker and judge in the arena of Chinchilla farming as well as a COO of Canada’s largest hospital Entertainment and Communications company. He has served on a variety of industry and volunteer boards.
Greg and his wife Deb are members of CrossPoint CRC Brampton, where they have attended since childhood. There, Greg has served in various committees, multiple terms as Deacon Chair, and chair of Council. Greg is an active volunteer and chair of the Board of Encore Thrift Store which supports John Knox Christian School, Brampton.
Keith Ambtman – Director
Keith in an entrepreneur who owns and has operated several small and medium sized companies.
Keith has served on the Board over the past 35 years, in several capacities, including Chair and Vice Chair. Keith was Chair of the Development committee that was instrumental in the development and construction of Providence, King and Peace Towers, as well as Grace Manor and the new Faith Manor.
Jessica Miedema – Director
Jessica has been a practicing solicitor since 2006 and holds an Honours BA from McMaster University and a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University.
Jessica has also served for many years on the board of directors of the Lighthouse. In addition to volunteer positions at her church, Jessica has also completed an assortment of pro bono projects for various charities.
Pastor Hank Bylstra – Director
Pastor Hank Bylstra served at HCH for 18 years as part of the Pastoral Team and blessed the community greatly during his time here.
Pastor Hank joined the Board in 2022.
Donna Wood – Director
Donna has spent her career at the bedside as a respiratory therapist in various roles in both community, outpatient, and tertiary care settings. She hopes to bring this knowledge to the board.
Donna joined the board on 2023.
Walter Broos – Director
Walter Broos is a seasoned real estate developer with 40 years of experience. His career has been marked by tying together business acumen with principles of reliability, integrity, and stability. Walter attributes his success to the Christian principles of God’s wisdom which have served as his foundation in business. As the founder of Broos Properties, a full-service real estate development company, Walter has built a reliable reputation and has executed high quality development projects. His enduring commitment to faith, family, and excellence are evident in the commercial and residential subdivisions developed by Broos Properties throughout Southwest Ontario.
Walter joined the Board in 2023.
Bob Fraser – Director
After graduating with a Bachelor of Math degree at University of Waterloo, Bob devoted himself to a 37-year career in IT holding many technical, management and executive roles at Prudential Insurance and IBM Canada.
Bob and his wife Yvonne live in Peace Tower and are enjoying participating in the weekly coffee socials and other activities offered. Bob also continues to serve at his church as Chair of the Nominating Team and supporting Small Group Ministry.
Bob joined the Board in 2024.
James (“Jim”) deWeerd – Director
Jim has over 30 years’ experience in IT Service Delivery and Supplier Management. He currently holds a Senior Supplier Manager position with Jones Lang Lasalle, where he manages contract performance and compliance for over 300 global suppliers under contract for RBC. He has a genuine passion for implementing industry best-practices that match the speed of business.
Jim is an active member and volunteer of Hope City Church in Brampton. His prior Board / governance experience includes serving as President for the Brampton riding of the Reformed Party of Canada (2002) and serving on church council(s) (including as Treasurer).
Julie Avolio – Director
Julie is a Registered Nurse committed to patient advocacy and health promotion. With a professional background spanning 25 years, her expertise extends across bedside, coordinator, and clinical research roles.
Julie has been an integral part of Rexdale Alliance Church since 1998 contributing her time and skills in diverse capacities, from nursery care to youth group involvement, marriage mentoring as well as serving on the pastoral search committee.
Julie joined the Board in 2024.