Pinecrest Team

Michelle Spencer

CEO & District Administrator

I was born in Winnipeg, MB and returned to my parent’s hometown in 1988. This is when I was officially introduced to District of Kenora Home for the Aged. My mother worked for our Community Support Services program, which provided me with the opportunity to spend many hours volunteering with the seniors from our community and the residents within Pinecrest Home.

After completing my post-secondary education in Human Resources, I returned to Kenora to start my career and a family of my own. I married my best friend and high school boyfriend, Todd in 2003. We have two amazing children Sam, eighteen, who has started her post-secondary education in healthcare and my son Jaxon, fifteen, who looks forward to becoming a police officer.

I started my career with Kenora District Homes in 2005, holding various roles. Throughout the years, I continued to grow and demonstrated fundamental leadership skills, which resulted in accepting the CEO & District Administrator position in July 2023.

I look forward to continuing to enrich the lives of those we serve.

Lisa Oakes

Director of Finance

I have fond memories of my childhood growing up on a small hobby farm in Lac Du Bonnet, Manitoba with my parents and brother.

With passion for the lake life, my spouse Darcy and I found a way to make Kenora our home and moved here in 2011. We have been together for over 14 years and we absolutely fell in love with the area.

After getting settled in Kenora, I found my way back to the work I love. Inspired by my mother’s lifelong commitment to compassionate care, with 44 years in the healthcare environment, I have integrated those values into my own professional journey. After working 6 years in the regional healthcare system in Manitoba and now over 6 years at the District of Kenora Home for the Aged; I have cultured the lessons of empathy, patience, and dedication, shaping my approach to creating meaningful and supportive environments for our seniors.

My relaxations outside of work are fishing, gardening and winter escapes when I am not spending time with family, friends or our two cats.

Ashley Hoffmeister

Director of Human Resources

I was born and raised in Kenora, and after leaving for a brief period of time for post secondary education, realized that being near my family is what matters most to me.

I’ve had a very diverse career starting out in IT, and transitioning into leadership roles, where I found a passion for system transformation, quality improvement, and strategic human resources.  I’ve worked in various healthcare streams over the past 16 years.

I met my husband Matt in 2004 and got married in 2008.  We welcomed our son Decklan into our family in 2009 and our daughter Annika in 2013.  We are a very active family, spending as much time as we can doing outdoor activities in all seasons.  In my spare time, you can find me lifting weights, or cheering my children on (loudly) at whatever sport they are participating in.

I’m excited to be part of a compassionate team who is dedicated to family and resident care.

Sheri Grafham

Director of Care for Pinecrest Home

My passion for nursing started in Long Term Care where I worked as a personal support worker. I went on to graduate as a Registered Nurse in 2004.

I worked in many nursing areas at Lake of the Woods District Hospital for 17 years.

Throughout my career, I was able to nurse in other areas such as Public Health, recovery post dental, Kenora Jail, Kenora Midwives, teaching and the Northwest Local Health Integration System. In 2015, I started into Leadership.

I have been married since 2005 to my husband Dan, who opts out of family photos, and we have three children—my sweet Averie who is in her third year of nursing; my energetic, hockey loving son Tallen, who is graduating this year; and my free spirited, caring, singing-since-she-could-talk, daughter Blayklee, who is 13.

We value our family time where you can find us at a hockey arena, attending concerts or on Lake of the Woods at our family camp.

I am happy to be part of a team where we will work hard to ensure that we maintain resident-centred care perpetuating compassion, dignity and respect throughout their final journey in life.

Rob Bergman & Brittney Carlson

Assistant Director of Care / IPAC Lead & BSO Social Worker / Admission Lead

Rob and Brittney were married in 2013 and share two beautiful boys together. Layne is 11 and Hudson is 7. Both spent many years at Lake of the Woods District Hospital, Rob as a Nursing Supervisor and Brittney as the Social Worker for Acute Psychiatry. They spend all their free time with their boys camping, on the lake, and flying to far-off destinations to explore. They both recently found their passion in working with older adults and could not be happier to be part of the Pinecrest team.

Tannis Sveinsson

Environmental Services Manager

Born and raised in Kenora and have worked in LTC since 1985.

In 2005 I joined the Pinecrest family and have the privilege of working with a caring team that provides services and support through the Environmental Services department. My mother worked in LTC as a nurse for over 40 years and I am sure that my passion for working with seniors was moulded by her.

I have been married for over 30 years and we have one son. When I am not working, my enjoyments include family gatherings, boating in the summer, crafting, reading and travelling in the winter.

I consider it an honour to work in LTC. I hope that I make a difference in the lives we serve.

Rod McMillan

Food Service and Nutrition Manager

I’m a native of the Dryden and Kenora area who found my passion for food and hospitality early on. After graduating from Red River College, I honed my culinary skills in Winnipeg’s vibrant restaurant scene, developing a deep love for the craft. In 2006, I returned to Kenora, a place close to my heart, and discovered my calling at the District of Kenora Home for the Aged.

Over the years, my culinary journey led me to the role of Food Services Supervisor in 2020, where I work closely with a dedicated Dietary Team to create delectable and nutritious meals for our cherished residents. Outside of work, I’m happily married to my wife, Stephanie, and we have two daughters and a son.

In my free time, I enjoy building miniatures and reading. I’m grateful for the journey my life has been so far and look forward to the adventures that await.

Theresa Wilson

Program Services Supervisor

I have been a Registered Professional ‘Recreation Therapist’ with Therapeutic Recreation Ontario for nearly 25 years now. I started out my career in pediatrics / youth; working at the Children’s Treatment Centre in Thunder Bay for 8 years. I met my husband Dale in 2007; and we married in 2008.

Dale was born and raised in Kenora and I totally understand now why he said he never wanted to leave Kenora. Together, Dale and I have a very creative daughter named Sophia and we enjoy living our winters in Keewatin and our summers on Lake of the Woods.

Upon coming to Kenora I worked for KACL and did some Recreation Therapy private practice / consulting for a number of years; again with the pediatrics / youth population. In 2016 after a personal family experience with Long Term Care, I was encouraged to trial my Recreation Therapy skills with a different population; being those living in LTC. I fell in love instantly I really felt like I had met my calling working in LTC. I worked as a Recreation Therapy Lead for approximately 4 years expanding my scope of practice and knowledge base of interventions / modalities as applied to the LTC population. In 2020 (just when COVID hit) I was looking for a greater professional challenge. I worked at Wiigwas Elder and Senior Care as a Program Manager for 3 years; further learning new skills and broadening my horizons. In April of 2023 I got an unexpected opportunity to come back to Pinecrest in a different role. I am so thrilled to be back at Pinecrest in the supporting role of Program Services Supervisor to the Activation Department; it is my passion to enrich people’s lives in LTC through the medium of Recreation Therapy.

Adam Gray

IT Manager

Born and raised in Kenora, only leaving to attend post-secondary at Lakehead University, I have always enjoyed living in Kenora and the small town atmosphere that comes with it. I met my wife Jenn in Thunder Bay at university and we have raised two amazing daughters. I have been working in the technical support service industry for almost 19 years as a Communications Technician with KMTS/Bell and for the last 11 years as an IT Administrator. My spare time includes stepping away from the computer screens to enjoy adventures with my wife and kids camping, hiking, enjoying the lake and turning wrenches on various vehicles and projects.

What brings a smile to my face and motivates me daily, is knowing that when I am doing a good job it makes my colleagues jobs easier and more enjoyable.