Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare Board of Directors 2024-25
Chris Gallant
Chris has spent nearly two decades living and studying in Germany, gaining invaluable international experience and perspectives. He completed his post-secondary education in Rimouski, Quebec, attended college, and earned his Bachelor of Arts (Honors) at Mercy College in New York, USA.
Throughout his career, Chris has served as an executive and business consultant in multiple countries, including Switzerland, The Bahamas, Brazil, The British Virgin Islands, Canada, the United States, and Germany. His extensive executive experience spans project funding, the prepaid financial card industry, software development, and the launch of technology start-ups.
As the Chief Operating Officer of HumanBios GmbH in São Paulo, Brazil, Chris successfully managed teams of software developers across various countries, spearheading the development of innovative digital wallet technology. Additionally, as the Chief Executive Officer of Standard Transactions Worldwide in the British Virgin Islands, he provided strategic leadership, establishing the organization as one of the pioneering debit card providers in the digital currency space. Chris has also collaborated with MasterCard Miami on a gold-backed prepaid card and with RSA on developing security systems for online banking. He was the entrepreneurial force behind one of Canada’s first online shopping malls, a venture that was eventually acquired by a publicly listed company.
Currently residing in Tilbury, Ontario, Canada, Chris works as a mortgage broker specializing in commercial funding, assisting numerous local businesses in securing the capital necessary for expansion and development. As a seasoned business consultant, he has worked with clients in England, the United Arab Emirates, and Spain, with a primary focus on operations and development.
Chris serves on several boards, including the Victorian Order of Nurses (VON) in Chatham. He is also a member of one public board and chairs two private boards, bringing his wealth of experience and strategic insight to these organizations.
Chris is married to Krista and has two daughters and one grandson. His daughter Cynthia resides in Cork, Ireland, with her husband Keith and their son Oliver. His other daughter, Melinda, lives in Kingston, Ontario.
Meet the Board
HDGH: What motivated you to join HDGH’s Board of Directors?
CG: Several years ago, we lost my mother-in-law to cancer. During the year we spent going back and forth to the hospital with my mother-in-law, I saw the stress on our hospital staff, the lack of equipment and means of communication that was needed, and so I thought that my financial background and my years of living and travelling in different countries would be an asset to a hospital board should I be elected.
HDGH: What do you believe are the most prominent health needs in our community?
CG: As we continue to battle the pandemic, I believe that it has become increasingly apparent that mental health is one of the greatest challenges facing our community. In my opinion, stress is the number one killer, as it can take a devastating toll on both your physical and mental health. Mental health has been disregarded for too long. The present pandemic has opened our eyes to this challenge, and I appreciate that fact that we at Hotel Dieu Grace Healthcare, take mental health very seriously,
HDGH: As a member of the Board, how does the board ensure a healthy, equitable community?
CG:First and foremost, we are an open book. We are transparent and we allow the public to view and join our meetings. We invite anyone to apply to join our board. We do not discriminate, we do not judge, we are united in our goal to create a board that represents all members of our community. We listen, we ask, and we support the community we live in. Not only do we have a board, but we also have sub-committees that address different sectors.