Local Healthcare, Personal Connections
Published Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Leanne Inkster, Donation Relations Specialist and friendly face at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation.
Meet Leanne Inkster, Donation Relations Specialist at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation
Leanne Inkster, Donation Relations Specialist at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation, has helped people in one way or another her whole life.
“When I was a kid in northern BC, I was a candy striper (volunteer), and really enjoyed helping people,” Leanne said. “After I moved to Vancouver, I volunteered at retirement homes, writing letters for the residents and socializing.” Her work at McDonald's Canada also connected her with the Ronald McDonald House.
Several years ago, Leanne searched for her biological family and found many in Ontario. She chose to relocate from the West to Niagara Falls to establish a relationship with them, to be closer to her brother Kelly, and to find work in the hospitality industry. Kelly transferred to Thunder Bay, and Leanne followed a few years later.
Finding the position at the Health Sciences Foundation was a stroke of luck.
“The temp agency I applied to told me about a seasonal position at the Foundation,” Leanne said. “But when I interviewed with Lori (Sdao, Manager of Finance), she told me things had changed, and it was now a full-time position. Was I interested…?”
Leanne said she already felt extremely comfortable with Lori – and she was overwhelmed by all the ways the Foundation helps patients and families in Northwestern Ontario. (“Who wouldn't want to be a part of that?” she said.) Leanne mentioned in particular the success of the Thunder Bay 50/50, which allows people across Ontario to support healthcare here in the region.
Since joining the Foundation in November and working in the Donation Centre, she's learned more and more about the organization's impact on local healthcare.
“Almost every single day I hear back from people who come into the Donation Centre and talk about what a difference the Foundation has on healthcare here, either on their lives or someone they know,” Leanne said. “They tell us their stories, and sometimes we have a good cry. It's that personal connection.”
Leanne experienced similar stories firsthand through her father.
“My dad was diagnosed with cancer in the 1990s, and was given 48 hours to live. But he was offered experimental stem cell replacement therapy, which gave him seven more years,” Leanne said. “He had to fly all the way to Vancouver from northern BC to get treatment. We have the Cancer Centre and Tamarack House here in Northwestern Ontario. Not a lot of communities our size have these services. It helps a lot of people out – and it's all supported by the Foundation.”
Leanne said that the Foundation is also a great place to work. She clicked with the team at the Foundation right away.
“I can't say enough good things about everyone at the Foundation,” Leanne said. “Lori made me feel so welcome here. Everyone has.”
When Leanne isn't working, you might find her at the Marina or reading at the Terry Fox Monument. She used to play softball and is now an avid fan of the Border Cats. She also took in her first Thunderwolves hockey game last winter. Other than that… Leanne is open to suggestions.
“I'm relatively new to Thunder Bay, and I'm excited to make my mark here. So come by the Donation Centre in the Main Lobby of the Hospital and see me! Say hello, and tell me what I should do in the city.”