Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority Appoints Sonia Isaac-Mann as Chief Executive Officer and President
Sioux Lookout, ON
May 23, 2023
The Board of Directors of the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority (SLFNHA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Sonia Isaac-Mann as Chief Executive Officer and President (CEO) effective Monday, June 26, 2023.
Sonia Isaac-Mann is from Listuguj Mi’gmaq First Nation in Quebec. Sonia holds a Master of Science degree in Medical Sciences – Public Health Sciences with a focus on Population Health from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Alberta. She also holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Bishop’s University. She has previously served as the Vice President of Community Health and Wellness, Programs and Services at the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) in British Columbia (BC). The FNHA is the health and wellness partner to over 200 diverse First Nations communities and citizens across BC.
As a key member of the senior leadership team at FNHA, Sonia led Community Health and Wellness Services through a community-oriented approach to delivering services and programs. A critical function of her role was to provide professional health and wellness advice to BC First Nations, First Nation Health Service Organizations, Health Directors and Regional Directors.
Sonia has worked in First Nations health for over 20 years and has extensive community, regional and national experience. She advocates for culturally appropriate health policies that lead to better programs and health service delivery for First Nations. Before joining the FNHA in 2015, Sonia worked with the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) in Ottawa for over ten years in several roles, including the Associate Director of Health.
Most recently, Sonia played a lead role in supporting the negotiations for the renewal of the FNHA governance and funding agreement of $8.2 Billion. Sonia has experience with numerous boards and committees, including the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC), the Canadian Institute for Health Research (CIHR), Canadian Northern and Remote Health Network – Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement (CFHI) and Thunderbird Partnership Foundation.
“I am very humbled and honoured to join the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority (SLFNHA) as the new President and CEO,” said incoming CEO Sonia Isaac-Mann. “I look forward to building relationships with the First Nations people of the region and focusing on developing innovative health solutions to meet community members’ needs. I practice collaborative leadership, and I am excited to work in partnership with the SLFNHA Board and staff to continue building on an already strong team serving the people of Sioux Lookout region.”
The CEO will report to the SLFNHA Board of Directors and will manage and direct the business and affairs of SLFNHA within the operational mandate in the best interest of SLFNHA communities.
“We are confident that Sonia has the capacity to impact health systems in keeping with First Nations values.” said Howard Meshake, SLFNHA Board Chair. “I would like to thank the SLFNHA Hiring Committee, who dedicated many hours to the search process. Sonia set herself apart and was selected from a group of passionate and engaged candidates.”
SLFNHA engaged in a robust and rigorous search process coast to coast, supporting the SLFNHA Hiring Committee in the search process was Barbara Lockhart from SmartHire Human Capital Solutions.
SLFNHA would like to thank James Morris as he enters retirement for his dedication, commitment, and contributions to the role for more than twenty years in the service of First Nations health care in Northern Ontario. “I look forward to working with Sonia and to introduce her to the Sioux Lookout region,” said James Morris, outgoing CEO SLFNHA.
For more information please contact:
Nick Sherman
Communications Manager
807-356-4684
communications@slfnha.com
