Senior Leadership

Eric J. Vandewall, 
President & Chief Executive Officer

Eric Vandewall is President and Chief Executive Officer of Joseph Brant Hospital (JBH) in Burlington, a position he assumed in 2009.

Under Eric’s leadership several major accomplishments have been realized at JBH. An ongoing focus to continue to improve quality care, safe care, and service excellence is evident throughout the hospital. In April 2014, and in 2018, Joseph Brant Hospital received Accreditation with Exemplary Standing from Accreditation Canada.  In addition, JBH recently completed the largest redevelopment and capital expansion project in the history of the hospital. Phase 1, the Halton McMaster Family Health Centre and new parking structure was completed in the Fall of 2014. Phase 2, the redevelopment and expansion of the hospital was completed in the fall of 2018.

Prior to joining JBH, Eric served as the Senior Vice President, Trillium Health Centre, and Vice President of Planning and Corporate Services at Trillium Health Centre. Eric has held a number of other senior management positions including Director, Health Outcomes at Glaxo Welcome; Director, Health Reform Implementation Team, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care; and, Director, Health Promotion Branch, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. He has held several other senior positions at the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care over an 11 year period.

Eric is a graduate of Queen’s University and holds a master’s degree in Public Administration, Health Policy. He also has an undergraduate degree from Ryerson University in Architectural and he holds a Chartered Director designation from the Directors College, McMaster University.

Ian Preyra, M.D., M.B.A., FRCPC (EM),
Chief of Staff

Dr. Preyra was appointed to the position of Chief of Staff in July 2018. He is a graduate of Queen’s University where he received his M.D. in 1999, followed by his Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from the Schulich School of Business in 2003 and advanced leadership training at the DeGroote School of Business and the Harvard School of Public Health.

Dr. Preyra has worked as an emergency physician at William Osler Health System and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton where he was also Deputy Chief of Staff. He was a trauma team leader at Hamilton Health Sciences and is also an investigative coroner. Dr. Preyra was part of the team at St. Joe’s that implemented DoveTale, a new electronic health record system for St. Joe’s; this work brought the organization from HIMSS Level 2 to HIMSS Level 6.   

Dr. Preyra has built a strong reputation as a superb clinician and physician leader. His outstanding work ethic, great energy and passion to improve the patient care experience have allowed him to consistently enhance the delivery of high quality care in every role that he has taken on, while maintaining strong advocacy for the advancement of teaching, research and building relationships at all levels.

During Dr. Preyra’s career he has been acknowledged many times for his work as an educator, clinician and physician leader, including receiving the Governor General of Canada Medal, the William Osler Award of Excellence in Education, the Royal College of Physicians of Canada Residency Program Director of the year and the Sister Joan O’Sullivan Award.   

Dr. Preyra has also worked for many years with the Hamilton Catholic Children’s Aid Society supporting their work with children in the community and currently serves on their Board of Directors.

Leslie Motz, 
Executive Vice President, Clinical and Chief Nursing Executive 

Leslie Motz joined Joseph Brant Hospital in September 2020. She has spent the past 10 years at Lakeridge Health, most recently as the Vice President Clinical Services and Chief Nursing Executive. Leslie has extensive experience leading and fostering high-performing interdisciplinary clinical teams, driving a culture of continuous quality improvement and safety and elevating patient-centered care. Leslie is a passionate advocate for patients and families and proud member of the nursing profession.

Leslie has held a variety of progressive leadership roles in large, multi-site hospital organizations in Ontario, earning the reputation as a respected, trusted and valuable leader. A strong collaborator and strategic thinker, she has forged partnerships with other health care providers in support of an integrated regional health system.

Most recently, Leslie played a significant and instrumental role in the healthcare response to COVID-19, in addition to offering systems leadership between hospital, long term care, LHIN and public health, temporarily overseeing the management of a long-term care home, in partnership with the home’s management team and, at one point, the Canadian Armed Forces.

Leslie is a passionate advocate for patients and families and proud member of the nursing profession. She holds a Master of Business Administration and a Graduate Management Diploma from Athabasca University, a Certificate from Dorothy Wylie Nursing Leadership Institute and a Nursing Diploma from Georgian College. She is a Certified Health Care Executive and completed the Advanced Health Leadership Program at the Rotman School of Business.

Marco Terlevic, 
Executive Vice President, Corporate Administration and Chief Financial Officer 

Marco joined Joseph Brant Hospital in April, 2019 after 22 years with St. Mary’s General Hospital (SMGH). Marco is an inspiring and strategic leader with solid experience in executive leadership roles. His dedication to achieving excellence in patient care and financial stewardship contributed to wide-ranging success at SMGH.

Marco held progressively responsible positions at SMGH, including the position of Acting President and Chief Financial Officer. Marco has also held the role as Vice President, Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer and has overseen Finance and Decision Support, Engineering and Environmental Services, Purchasing and Materials Management.

Marco graduated with highest honours from Davenport University, Michigan with a BBA, Governance/Leadership. Marco is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and a Certified Management Accountant (CMA). As well, Marco has received his Lean Healthcare Certificate (Yellow Belt) from the Institute of Industrial Engineers.  

Leah Martuscelli,
Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO)

Leah joined Joseph Brant Hospital in 2018. She is a visionary and passionate leader with a diverse background in Human Resources and Organizational Development operations and strategy. 

Leah has worked for a number of Ontario hospitals, including Southlake Regional Health Centre as Director, Human Resources and Privacy and MacKenzie Health as Director, Organizational Effectiveness. 

As an experienced healthcare leader and trained Social Worker, she works with individuals and departments to enhance personal, team, and organizational performance by guiding them through multidimensional conversations, practices and processes.  

She is committed to ensuring strong external partnerships to ensure the organization models best practices and maintains a competitive edge for staff retention, recruitment and quality of work life.  

She has been credited with spearheading the development and adoption of leading Human Resources practices and is an acknowledged thought leader and skilled conference presenter in the areas of Workforce Planning, Talent Management, Employee Engagement and Change Management. Leah has also served as a college instructor in Labour Relations.

Leah holds a Master of Industrial Relations from Queen’s University and an Honours Bachelor of Social Work from Western University. She has achieved a Certificate in Adult Education and is a Certified Health Executive.

Ashley Davidson, Foundation President & CEO

Ashley joined the Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation in 2012 and has held progressively senior roles, serving as Chief Development Officer since 2019 before being appointed President & CEO in February 2024.

A dynamic and inspiring leader, Ashley takes the helm at a pivotal time for JBHF, and will provide leadership of the For All Minds campaign for the Redevelopment & Expansion of the Mental Health & Addictions unit at the Joseph Brant Hospital.

Ashley is deeply committed to ensuring our community has access to the very best healthcare, close to home, and is passionate about inspiring philanthropy for our hospital to thrive.

Prior to coming to JBHF, Ashley spent eight years as a professional fundraiser for Trillium Health Partners Foundation in Mississauga, and for the Gardiner Museum in Toronto.

Ashley has held the Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) designation since 2020, and is a Board member with the Association of Fundraising Professionals Golden Horseshoe Chapter. She a graduate of Western University, completed a Bachelor of Arts in the Faculty of Information and Media Studies at Western University and holds a Post-Graduate Certificate in Marketing Management from Sheridan College.