We are pleased to announce that Michele Lawford will be joining St. Joe’s as General Counsel and Chief Risk & Privacy Officer. Michele’s first day on-site will be March 4, 2024.

Michele brings 30 years of legal, risk, compliance, privacy and executive leadership experience in the corporate and health sector, both in private practice on Bay Street and within not-for-profit and charitable healthcare organizations.

Since 2017, Michele has served as General Counsel and Chief Privacy Officer at VON Canada, overseeing legal, risk, privacy, governance and compliance portfolios. Prior to this, she practiced law at a major Toronto law firm, built her own practice in the healthcare sector, providing practical, effective legal advice to health sector organizations including public health units, community health agencies, and public hospitals.

Michele has particular experience in mental health, consent and capacity, public health surveillance, privacy, and enterprise risk management. She served for several years a Vice Chair of the Health Services Appeal and Review Board, Consent and Capacity Board and the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board, and spent a year as a Special Assistant to the provincial Attorney General. 

Michele also has significant board experience, including serving as Director and Vice Chair, Kingston Health Sciences Centre and Board Chair, Kingston General Hospital Research Institute.

Michele holds a B.A. and a LL.B. from Queen’s University and an LL.M. (Health Law Specialization) from Osgoode Hall Law School.

Please join us in welcoming Michele to the St. Joe’s team.