About Us
Executive Leadership Team
The programs, practices and policies of The Good Samaritan Society and Good Samaritan Canada are managed by a team of top professionals who are not only extremely skilled but are passionate and dedicated to the vision, mission and values of the organization.
Dr. Katherine Chubbs,
RN BN MHS CHE DBA
President and CEO
Dr. Katherine Chubbs is the President and Chief Executive Officer of The Good Samaritan Society, Good Samaritan Canada and Good Samaritan Delta View Care Centre Ltd.
Katherine is a registered nurse by profession and has worked in a wide variety of clinical settings as a frontline nurse and manager. Katherine has completed a diploma and Bachelor of Nursing degree, a certificate program in Northern Nursing, a Master’s degree in Health Studies-Leadership and is a Certified Health Executive. Katherine holds an executive Doctoral degree in Business Administration.
Before joining Good Samaritan, Katherine’s extensive career in the healthcare field included serving as the Chief Zone Officer in the south zone for Alberta Health Services, as Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer for the Eastern Health Region in Newfoundland and Labrador, and as the Director of Professional Practice, Infection Prevention and Control, and Rural Services for Alberta Health Services.
Katherine is the former president of the Academy of Canadian Executive Nurses and the former chair of the Newfoundland and Labrador Chapter of the Canadian College of Health Leaders. She is an active volunteer for the Canadian College of Health Leaders, including acting as a national health leader mentor. In her spare time, Katherine likes to spend time in the community and can often be found helping out with various initiatives at her church, local shelters, and food kitchens.
Candice Christenson,
BSCN RN MBA CHE
Vice President and
Chief Clinical Officer
Candice began her career with The Good Samaritan Society in 2007 and she has served in various leadership roles primarily focused on operations and service delivery. Her journey in health care has been driven by a passion for quality care fostered through a collaborative approach to standardization and process improvement.
Candice is a Registered Nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Alberta, a Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Management, and an Executive Master of Business Administration degree from Athabasca University. Candice is also a Certified Health Executive (CHE) from the Canadian College of Health Leaders.
In addition to continuing care, her background in nursing includes experience in acute care and public health. Candice has over 18 years of management experience in the continuing care sector in Alberta & British Columbia.
Steve Kovacic,
Futurist CHE MBA BSC
Vice President and
Chief Innovation Officer
Steve is a visionary leader in healthcare innovation, driving transformative initiatives that enhance senior care through technology, data-driven insights, and strategic planning. As the Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer, he leads Innovation, Market Housing, Information Management and Technology, Privacy, Analytics, Capital Management and Maintenance, and Mission, Ethics, Research, and Reconciliation.
With over 20 years in healthcare leadership and 15+ years managing a competitive energy-sector business, Steve blends private and public sector expertise to optimize operations and improve care. He actively contributes to government and industry taskforces focused on IT solutions, human resources, and senior care advancements. A sought-after speaker, he presents at provincial and national conferences on technology, workforce innovation, and leadership.
Steve holds an MBA, postgraduate degrees in Environmental Health, a Bachelor’s in Physiology and Pharmacology, and multiple certifications including Futurism, Health Leadership, Environmental Health and HR. His commitment to innovation and governance extends beyond his organization through leadership roles with CPHR Alberta and the Alberta Continuing Care Association, championing best practices in senior care, technology, and workforce strategies across Canada.
Melissa Braithwaite,
B.Comm CCMP DEI (Cert)
Vice President and
Chief People Officer
Melissa brings nearly two decades of national leadership experience across diverse industries, including government, retail, manufacturing, and technology. Most recently, she served as Assistant Deputy Minister of Human Resources- Client Service Delivery for the Government of Alberta, where she led a team of over 400 professionals supporting more than 28,000 provincial employees. In this role, she successfully reduced employee turnover, increased recruitment productivity, and championed diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across the organization.
Previously, Melissa held senior HR roles at organizations such as Mama Earth Organics, Aurora Cannabis Inc., and Sofina Foods Inc., where she was instrumental in driving organizational change, enhancing employee engagement, and implementing innovative workforce strategies aligned with business objectives.
Melissa holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Business Management (Human Resources) from Toronto Metropolitan University and a Diploma in International Business Administration from Centennial College. She is certified in Change Management from PROSCI and has completed advanced diversity, equity, and inclusion training from the University of South Florida. In addition, she has completed the Indigenous Canada certificate program from the University of Alberta.
Melissa is passionate about creating inclusive, high-performing workplaces and leverages her expertise to align organizational goals with employee success and foster a culture of growth and innovation.
Liliana Levesconte,
MBA CMA CPA
Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
Liliana LeVesconte is a seasoned senior financial officer with a track record of success in the higher education industry and the broader not-for-profit sector. With extensive experience, she has consistently demonstrated her leadership expertise. Liliana excels in providing strategic directions for finance teams, capital management, payroll, and other portfolios, yielding enhanced efficiencies, superior asset management, and motivated staff. Liliana comes to Good Samaritan from the Sturgeon Public Schools Division where she has held the role of Associate Superintendent. Previous to that, she was at the University of Alberta as the Senior Financial Officer, Facilities and Operations. Liliana holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration and is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA).
Cheryl Sarazin,
RN BSCN MSN CHE
Vice President and
Chief Quality Officer
With 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry, Cheryl has demonstrated to be a dedicated and accomplished nurse leader, consistently focused on improving patient care and outcomes. Her career in nursing leadership has been driven by a passion for quality healthcare and a commitment to inspiring and leading teams toward excellence.
Throughout her career, she has held various leadership roles, including staff nursing in both rural and urban centers, Rural Acute Director, Executive Director for Quality Management, and currently, Vice President and Chief Quality Officer with Good Samaritans. In these roles, she has honed expertise in strategic planning, team management, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Believing in the power of collaboration, she has successfully implemented innovative healthcare practices that have enhanced client care and staff satisfaction.
Cheryl holds a Master of Science in Nursing with an emphasis on Leadership and Healthcare System Management and is a Certified Healthcare Executive. To further enhance her knowledge and leadership in organizational improvement strategies, she is currently enrolled in the Healthcare Excellence Canada EXTRA program. Committed to staying at the forefront of advancements in nursing and healthcare, she continually seeks opportunities for professional growth and development.
Her leadership philosophy revolves around empathy, open communication, and commitment to evidence-based practices. Dedicated to mentoring the next generation of nursing leaders, she believes that collective efforts can significantly impact the healthcare industry.
Outside of work, she enjoys reading novels across various genres, camping, hiking, and attending art events—activities that enrich their leadership perspective in the healthcare sector. With an unwavering commitment to excellence, she looks forward to continuing to make a meaningful difference in the lives of residents, families, and the broader nursing community.
