Our leadership
The people behind Revera carry a shared vision and passion: advocating for older adults in senior living and working to improve their lives.
Meet our leadership
Thomas G Wellner
President and Chief Executive Officer
Thomas Wellner is President and CEO of Revera. Since joining Revera in early 2014, Mr. Wellner has led the organization through transformational changes, developing the company’s strategic direction to grow, innovate and lead in the sector. He has worked with a number of strategic partners in Canada, the U.S. and the U.K. to grow Revera’s portfolio to more than 500 properties internationally. The beginnings of his career at Eli Lilly, where he held a variety of global operational and leadership roles, have been followed by years of global experience in biotech, pharmaceuticals and health care services, having previously lead a number of organizations including LifeLabs, CML HealthCare and Therapure Biopharma. Mr. Wellner holds an Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Life Sciences from Queen’s University and has completed the ICD Directors Education Program at Rotman School of Management as well as executive education through Harvard Business School. He sits on the Boards of a number of public and private companies.
Patricia (Trish) Barbato
Senior Vice President, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships
Trish Barbato provides strategic leadership for Revera in the area of innovation, one of the company’s core strategic priorities, and oversees the Information Technology functions. She has extensive experience in private, public and non-profit sectors of the health system, and previously served as Senior Vice President of Revera Home Health from 2010 to 2015. But before joining Revera in 2010, Ms. Barbato was President and CEO of COTA Health (mental health and rehabilitation services). She was Vice President, Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer of Providence Healthcare, and Managing Director of Bayshore Healthcare. Ms. Barbato defines success as "exceeding resident expectations", keeping employees deeply engaged and being open to new ideas. She is a Chartered Professional Accountant Fellow, holds an Economics degree from the University of Waterloo and is a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee award recipient.
Cathie Brow
Senior Vice President, Human Resources & Communications
Before joining Revera in 2008, Cathie Brow held managerial and executive positions in the health care and hospitality sectors. That included leadership roles with Humber River Hospital in Toronto, and Starwood Hotels and Resorts.
Ms. Brow’s passion is helping to create respectful and rewarding workplaces, where people can reach their potential, provide great service, and meet their goals and those of the company. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Honours in Economics from York University, a Masters of Industrial Relations from University of Toronto, and a Certificate in Best Practices in Leadership from Harvard Business School.
Ms. Brow’s passion is helping to create respectful and rewarding workplaces, where people can reach their potential, provide great service, and meet their goals and those of the company. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Honours in Economics from York University, a Masters of Industrial Relations from University of Toronto, and a Certificate in Best Practices in Leadership from Harvard Business School.
Frank Cerrone
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Mr. Cerrone joined Revera in 1998. As a corporate & commercial lawyer, he has extensive experience in the health care sector, specializing in mergers and acquisitions. He was previously the Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Retirement Residences Real Estate Investment Trust. At Revera, he serves as a trusted advisor with respect to all legal matters.
After pursuing a double major in English and Philosophy at the University of Toronto, Mr. Cerrone graduated with his Juris Doctor (JD/LLB) from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1985 and was called to the bar in Ontario in 1987. Mr. Cerrone graduated with a Global Professional Master of Laws (GPLLM) from the Faculty of Law, University of Toronto, in 2014.
After pursuing a double major in English and Philosophy at the University of Toronto, Mr. Cerrone graduated with his Juris Doctor (JD/LLB) from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1985 and was called to the bar in Ontario in 1987. Mr. Cerrone graduated with a Global Professional Master of Laws (GPLLM) from the Faculty of Law, University of Toronto, in 2014.
Dr. Rhonda Collins
Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Rhonda Collins brings passion and expertise in memory care, dementia, falls prevention and clinical quality improvement to the role of Chief Medical Officer – a first for the seniors living sector in Canada.
Dr. Collins is a family physician with a certificate of added competence in Care of the Elderly from the College of Family Physicians of Canada. She has been lead physician for the Outpatient Primary Care Memory Clinic at Shaver Hotel Dieu Health and Rehabilitation Centre in St. Catharines, and Medical Director and attending physician for several long term care homes in the Niagara Region. She regularly consults on neuropsychiatric behaviours of dementia for the Niagara Seniors Mental Health Outreach program. She is Associate Clinical Professor with the Department of Family Medicine at McMaster University School of Medicine where she developed and leads a Care of the Elderly rotation for family medicine residents.
Dr. Collins is a family physician with a certificate of added competence in Care of the Elderly from the College of Family Physicians of Canada. She has been lead physician for the Outpatient Primary Care Memory Clinic at Shaver Hotel Dieu Health and Rehabilitation Centre in St. Catharines, and Medical Director and attending physician for several long term care homes in the Niagara Region. She regularly consults on neuropsychiatric behaviours of dementia for the Niagara Seniors Mental Health Outreach program. She is Associate Clinical Professor with the Department of Family Medicine at McMaster University School of Medicine where she developed and leads a Care of the Elderly rotation for family medicine residents.
Francis Gagnon
Senior Vice President, Retirement Living
Francis Gagnon brings more than 25 years of leadership experience, including ten years in the retirement living sector, to his position as Revera’s Senior Vice President of Retirement Living.
Francis has extensive experience in the senior living sector, and has led national teams focused on sales, marketing and all aspects of the resident experience, from food and beverage to health and wellness to operational procedures and customer service. His sales, marketing and business development expertise was honed through senior management roles at a number of major consumer brands, including Multibar Foods, Pepsi-Cola, Kimberly-Clark and Heinz Canada. He was most recently the Senior Vice-President, Strategic Operations at Chartwell Seniors Housing, and held senior roles with Allegro Retirement.
Francis believes that innovation, a key strategic focus for Revera, has limitless potential to help more seniors live their lives to the fullest, and to help to discover new and better ways of working. His operational priorities include achieving operational excellence, continuously earning resident satisfaction, and engaging and inspiring Revera’s talented and diverse retirement team.
Fully bilingual, Francis received his Bachelor of Business Administration at HEC Montréal/ Université du Quebec à Hull
Francis has extensive experience in the senior living sector, and has led national teams focused on sales, marketing and all aspects of the resident experience, from food and beverage to health and wellness to operational procedures and customer service. His sales, marketing and business development expertise was honed through senior management roles at a number of major consumer brands, including Multibar Foods, Pepsi-Cola, Kimberly-Clark and Heinz Canada. He was most recently the Senior Vice-President, Strategic Operations at Chartwell Seniors Housing, and held senior roles with Allegro Retirement.
Francis believes that innovation, a key strategic focus for Revera, has limitless potential to help more seniors live their lives to the fullest, and to help to discover new and better ways of working. His operational priorities include achieving operational excellence, continuously earning resident satisfaction, and engaging and inspiring Revera’s talented and diverse retirement team.
Fully bilingual, Francis received his Bachelor of Business Administration at HEC Montréal/ Université du Quebec à Hull
Wendy Gilmour
Senior Vice President, Long Term Care
Wendy Gilmour’s experience in leading private and public sector organizations has given her deep insights into the health care system, and fostered her passion for person-centred care. Her previous roles include Senior Vice President of Operations at CML Healthcare, and Vice President of Clinical Support Services at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.
Ms. Gilmour, who holds an MBA from the University of Alberta, suggests that in her area conventional measures aren’t enough. "You can’t measure compassion", she says. In leading Revera’s Long Term Care team, Ms. Gilmour focuses on providing a happy, safe and supportive environment for some 10,000 residents and staff across the country.
Ms. Gilmour, who holds an MBA from the University of Alberta, suggests that in her area conventional measures aren’t enough. "You can’t measure compassion", she says. In leading Revera’s Long Term Care team, Ms. Gilmour focuses on providing a happy, safe and supportive environment for some 10,000 residents and staff across the country.
Jim Hardy
Chief Investment Officer and CFO
Jim Hardy provides strategic oversight of Revera's investments and partnerships, and leadership to Revera’s finance teams. He helps ensure that change and growth are managed to make economic sense, while balancing the needs of Revera’s stakeholders, partners, residents, clients, and employees.
Prior to joining Revera, Mr. Hardy held senior finance positions at Public Mobile, Sprint Canada, National Bank Financial and TD Securities/TD Bank. He served on several corporate boards including Kruger Products and Sunrise Senior Living. Mr. Hardy holds a BASc in Electrical Engineering from the University of British Columbia, an MBA from the Ivey School of Business at Western University and an ICD.D from the Rotman School of Business, University of Toronto.
Prior to joining Revera, Mr. Hardy held senior finance positions at Public Mobile, Sprint Canada, National Bank Financial and TD Securities/TD Bank. He served on several corporate boards including Kruger Products and Sunrise Senior Living. Mr. Hardy holds a BASc in Electrical Engineering from the University of British Columbia, an MBA from the Ivey School of Business at Western University and an ICD.D from the Rotman School of Business, University of Toronto.
Steve Paraskevopoulos
Chief Information Officer
Steve Paraskevopoulos oversees the information technology function for Revera and is focused on finding innovative technology solutions to better serve residents and families. He has more than 20 years of leadership experience bringing technology to life at various companies such as MDS Inc., AB Sciex and Lucent Technologies. He takes a practical approach to using technology as an enabler of business success and a true driver of competitive advantage. Mr. Paraskevopoulos holds an Honours Bachelor of Science from McMaster University.
Rich Sutter
Senior Vice President, Finance
Rich Sutter leads Revera’s accounting and financial planning and analysis teams, and also has responsibility for the procurement function. Before joining Revera in 2007, he advised the company as an Associate Partner of accounting firm KPMG. After becoming familiar with Revera as a consultant, he says he was eager to join a company that makes such a difference in the lives of the people it serves.
Mr. Sutter is focused on aligning the strategic direction of finance with Revera’s operations and support functions. He says getting performance right, in terms of quality client service and the financial strength of the company, helps Revera to meet the needs of stakeholders and clients alike. Mr. Sutter graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University with an Honours Bachelor of Business Administration, and holds the designations of Chartered Accountant and Chartered Business Valuator.
Mr. Sutter is focused on aligning the strategic direction of finance with Revera’s operations and support functions. He says getting performance right, in terms of quality client service and the financial strength of the company, helps Revera to meet the needs of stakeholders and clients alike. Mr. Sutter graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University with an Honours Bachelor of Business Administration, and holds the designations of Chartered Accountant and Chartered Business Valuator.
Our mission
Our mission is to enhance lives with choices in community living, warm hospitality and compassionate care.
Our Vision
Revera’s vision is to celebrate the ageless spirit of people through service and innovation.
Celebrate: We will recognize, praise and revere each other and everyone we serve. We will celebrate people in every interaction.
Ageless spirit: Everyone is a person first, regardless of age or capabilities. We will value each individual, and nurture their mind, body and ageless spirit.
People: We will have a positive, heartfelt impact on the lives of the people we touch.
Service: We will go above and beyond to make each person feel important and appreciated. We will anticipate needs and exceed expectations. We will serve as we want to be served.
Innovation: We will be bold. We will continuously improve and expand to be innovative leaders in ways big and small.
Our Values
Our core values are the foundation of our company and set the standard for everything we do.
Respect – We champion diversity and work to help everyone feel valued.
Integrity – We step up and do the right thing, and take personal accountability for our actions.
Compassion – We attempt to see the world through the eyes of others and look for opportunities to interact with kindness. We strive to emotionally connect with residents and each other.
Excellence – We are committed to ongoing learning and development, continuous improvement and being the best at everything we do.
The Revera difference
We are the only company that has a Chief Elder Officer, 98-year-old Hazel McCallion, who provides input and guidance to help us develop programs and services that enrich the lives of older adults, a Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Rhonda Collins, who helps us exceed quality care standards across our operations, and a $20 million Innovators in Aging fund that invests in innovations that improve the aging experience.
More on the Revera difference