John Francis became the Chair of the Board of Directors at SickKids Foundation this past June. He is the founder and Managing Director of Fraser Kearney Capital Corp. and most recently was President and CEO of Trader Media Corporation, Ontario’s largest publisher of classified advertising magazines and websites.
Here, he talks about his connection to the Hospital and his vision for the Foundation over the next years.
What was your motivation to first get involved with SickKids when you joined the Board eight years ago? I wanted to get involved in an organization I thought could have an impact on the people around me – my immediate and extended family, my friends as well as the employees at my company, Trader Media Corporation. I was also keen to begin a relationship that would allow my family to give back to an important institution in our community.
What is your number one priority as you take over as Chair? My number one priority is the successful financing and completion of The Research & Learning Tower. This means connecting with our volunteers and with all the past, present and future supporters to get the story out about why this is such a transformational project for SickKids. Second, I hope to be able to continue growing the grants we are able to make to fund research and bring in new capital to the Hospital.
What did you learn about the organization when you were interim CEO? What I learned and loved was that every person who works and volunteers at the Foundation and the Hospital wears it proudly on their sleeve. I experienced, and continue to see, the immense passion for SickKids that everyone throughout the Foundation and the Hospital carries with them day-to-day. This is unlike anything you see in any other type of organization and it is truly inspiring.
Where does your passion for SickKids come from? My passion comes from my belief that every child deserves a real chance to make a great life for themselves and it starts with a healthy beginning. I don’t believe any child should be denied the opportunity to fully experience being a kid due to health challenges. I believe the work we do at SickKids can really have an impact on the lives of so many kids now and in the future.
What do you think are the big challenges the Hospital and the Foundation face in the next three years? Other than what I’ve already stated about the importance of funding, building and launching the Tower, I think the biggest challenges will continue to be the demand for care, services and research funds while we fundraise in an economic environment that is not growing like it has in the past.
What do you tell your friends about SickKids? I tell them that it’s a place that attracts and challenges the very best in paediatric care and research. I also tell them how inspiring it is for me to meet the health-care professionals and scientists who have devoted their lives to the well-being of kids. It is quite humbling when I compare their contribution to what many of us do in our business lives.
How did you spend the summer? I spent the summer at the cottage with my wife and three children, along with my nieces and nephews and my extended family.
What do you want donors to know about you? I consider it a very special privilege and very exciting to be a part of a great institution like SickKids. I get to see, first hand, how SickKids turns donations into research and better care that has an impact here and around the world.
If you could describe SickKids in one word, what would it be? DRIVEN.