Boyden Assists Kerry’s Place Autism Services with CEO Search
May 27, 2026 – Boyden has recruited Normandie Wragg as the new president and CEO of Kerry’s Place Autism Services in Ontario. The appointment follows the previously announced retirement of CEO Susan VanDeVelde-Coke at the end of June. The search was led by partners Jim Stonehouse and Pamela Colquhoun, and Kathy Luu, senior associate. “Normandie is a highly accomplished, values-driven executive with a strong record of leading organizations through growth, change and complexity,” said Jan Stewart, chair of the board of directors, Kerry’s Place.
“She brings strategic depth, operational discipline, and a deep commitment to person-centered service,” added Paula Allen, vice chair and incoming chair of the board of directors. “The board is confident that Normandie is the right leader to guide Kerry’s Place into its next chapter and to build on the organization’s legacy of excellence, innovation and impact for the Autistic community.”
Ms. Wragg will join Kerry’s Place at a significant moment in our organization’s history, as we continues to build on more than 50 years of service and expand high-quality, evidence-based supports for Autistic children, youth, adults and families across Ontario. She brings significant executive leadership experience in complex health and social care organizations in Canada and the U.K., including leadership of large, multi-service agencies, major organizational transformation, revenue growth, technological modernization, unionized workforces, and strong engagement with boards, governments and community partners.
Ms. Wragg currently serves as CEO of the Maltby Centre in Kingston, where she has led organizational governance, strategic planning, financial stewardship and service growth across children’s mental health and Autism services. Previously, she was CEO of Nugent in the U.K., where she led the financial and cultural turnaround of one of the largest education, health and social care charities in the country.
During her career, Ms. Wragg has overseen significant operating budgets, led the integration of client-funded and ministry-funded Autism services during Ontario’s Autism Program transformation, refreshed strategic plans and values, and advanced new fundraising and growth strategies. In addition, she has significant governance experience, including currently serving on the board of Children’s Mental Health Ontario. In 2025, she was awarded the Kingston Business Award, Non-Profit category, as well as being nominated for the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards in both 2025 and 2026. In 2023, she was named to the U.K. Power Women’s “Power List”.
“I am honored to join Kerry’s Place Autism Services as chief executive officer,” said Ms. Wragg. “Kerry’s Place has an extraordinary reputation for service excellence, sector leadership and commitment to the people and families it supports. I look forward to working with the board, staff, supported individuals, families, donors, government and the broader community to build on that strong foundation and help advance an even more inclusive, responsive and sustainable future.”
Canadian Non-Profit
Kerry’s Place Autism Services is a Canadian non-profit organization that provides support programs and services for autistic children, youth, adults, and their families across Ontario. Founded in 1974, the organization offers a range of services including applied behavior analysis, employment support, transitional services, respite care, supported living, family counseling, and community-based programs.
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Boyden, headquartered in Purchase, NY, is a leadership and talent advisory firm with more than 70 offices in over 45 countries. Established in 1946, the firm continues to expand and add talent across several global regions. Boyden offers executive search, interim management and leadership consulting solutions. In the last three years, Boyden conducted over 1,000 searches in the financial officers space.
Mr. Stonehouse is a nationally recognized leader in healthcare recruitment. Over the past 20 years, he has led searches for a range of distinguished healthcare provider organizations, as well as health policy and consulting groups, life sciences and medical device firms across Canada. His breadth of expertise and commitment make him a trusted advisor in the evolving healthcare landscape. Mr. Stonehouse leads searches for senior administrative roles, with an emphasis on CEOs alongside senior executives accountable to the CEO.
Ms. Colquhoun has built a reputation as a leader in the highly specialized field of healthcare executive and physician leadership recruitment. For nearly 20 years she has worked with a range of public and private sector organizations, leading hundreds of searches nationwide, with an emphasis on diversity and inclusion. Her clients include hospitals, academic centers, regional health authorities, associations, not-for-profit and private sector healthcare organizations. Ms. Colquhoun also expertise in diversity and inclusion, spanning the LGBTQ community, seniors, women and children, faith-based organizations and other groups, placing leaders who positively impact marginalized populations.
Ms. Luu is an experienced researcher with an extensive background in public health and a passion for healthcare access and health equity. She has worked with non-profits, NGOs and healthcare professionals in these areas, honing her leadership skills and research expertise.
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
