With its largest-ever fundraising campaign set to wrap up soon, Suzanne Bone felt the time was right to step away from The Foundation of Guelph General Hospital. The longtime CEO of the hospital's fundraising arm is set to retire at the end of March.
“It’s a bittersweet decision because I love what I do and I love the people that I do it with, but 31 years is a long time,” she told GuelphToday. “It’s a privilege to be able to do this work.
“I will always have the hospital and the foundation in my heart.”
Bone first arrived at Guelph General Hospital in 1991 to take part in a six-month placement needed to complete her Masters in Health Administration. During that time a fundraising role became available and she was offered an opportunity to stay, which she accepted.
She recently submitted her retirement notice to the hospital board, with a six-month lead to allow time to wrap up the Together We Care campaign and time to find her successor.
“It just felt like a good juncture for me to hand over the reins to somebody else who can position the foundation for what’s next,” said Bone. “This was the right time.”
A search committee will soon be formed to find a new chief executive officer, notes a news release from the hospital board.
“The board is so grateful for Suzanne’s leadership over these past three decades. She is an exceptional leader with a track record for delivering on results year over year – results that help the amazing hospital team to provide the highest quality care and experience,” said board chair Alicia Robertson in the release. “Her dedication to our hospital and our community will be a treasured legacy with a continued impact.”
Through the years Bone has helped raise more than $86 million to buy needed hospital equipment and cover capital costs not paid for by the provincial government, which largely covers operational expenses only.
The current campaign is a $34 million fundraising endeavour that aims to cover the cost of expanding the hospital’s emergency department, mental health services and a special care nursery, along with various pieces of equipment and technology.
It feels “incredible” to see those efforts bearing fruit, Bone said, explaining $14 million in equipment has already been bought as a result.
“We’ve had such incredible support from our community, our donors who have been with us for years and also a great number of new donors who have been inspired by the projects that we’re going to be able to make possible,” she said. “That equipment is helping caregivers save lives and improve health every single day.”
Though fundraising techniques have changed through the years – from the types of events to ways people donate and the adoption of social media and other technology – but community support for the hospital has remained strong.
“Bottom line, it’s about someone wanting to make a difference in their community,” said Bone. “Every dollar that we spend on patient care equipment comes from a donor.”
Following retirement, Bone plans to take some time to “recharge and reflect” before taking on some consulting work and volunteer opportunities, as well as travel with her husband Steve Friesen, who retired a few years ago.
