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The Cambridge Memorial Hospital is more than just counting Susan Dusick, president of the St. Mary’s General Hospital
bricks and mortar, just ask Lisa Short. Foundation, among many of her mentors.
As Executive Director of the CMH Foundation, she’s made it her mis- “She was always so supportive of me. It was nice to have someone
sion to ensure the hospital is well equipped to continue its role as a who believes in you and that’s what I try to encourage in my team.”
pivotal member of the community. But after a few years, Short decided the time was right to take an-

“This is a generous community. It’s a quiet community, but there other step and took on the role as executive director of the Cam-
are so many people who want to give,” she says, seated behind her bridge & North Dumfries Community Foundation.
desk in a small office she shares with another hospital team mem- “That was a big step. It was a way to move into a leadership role, but
ber. “They want to be part of something and that’s the fun part for it took a bit of soul searching for our family,” she says. “But I knew I
me, bringing people together to be part of something bigger.” wanted to lead.”
Short’s passion for her work stems from her own close ties to the Short remained in that position until about a year and a half ago
community. Besides being born at the CMH, she also grew up here when the job at CMH became available. And more soul searching
and is currently the fifth generation of her family to reside in the followed.
familial home in West Galt, which she shares with her husband and
two teenage children. “My kids were in a good place and my husband and I have a pretty
good balance in our life, as much as you can have,” Short says. “I
Her journey ‘back home’ has had many detours. knew I was ready for the challenge.”
“I kind of have lived my life where It’s a move she has never regret-
you keep your options opens and ted.
don’t ever close a door,” she says,
describing her career journey, “I feel like I’m home. I feel like
which included a stint as an Air I’m doing the right thing; raising
Canada flight attendant during her money in a community that I live
summer breaks while obtaining a in and raising my family in,” Short
degree at Western University. says. “I felt the same way about
the Community Foundation.”
“It was quite a rigorous process,”
Short says. “But they hired me And despite the ongoing delays
back summer after summer.” surrounding CMH’s long-awaited
$187-million patient care expan-
The experience gave her the sion, Short says the community
chance to literally see the world remains committed to the proj-
before marrying her husband, Pe- ect.
ter, and starting a family.
“A lot of people don’t know that one hundred per cent of the funds
The couple found themselves managing a Tim Hortons Children’s needed for hospital equipment is raised in the community,” she
Foundation camp near Parry Sound after Peter, a horticulturist and says.
teacher, excelled while working at a Tim Hortons camp near St.
George. In terms of the delays, Short says the public has a good understand-
ing of the situation.
She said part of their work at the camp near Parry Sound revolved
around increasing activity at the facility during the winter months. “I feel the people get it,” she says. “They realize it’s not easy to bring
this to the community. It’s a big project, with lots of moving parts.”
The experience proved invaluable for Short since part of the job in-
volved fundraising and building relationships with business leaders Short does admit the situation can be frustrating.
in hopes of garnering more support for the camp. “I’m frustrated for the staff. I’m frustrated for the community be-
“It was my first time where I actually dipped my toes into the non- cause we deserve the very best and we deserve it now.”
profit world,” she says. But she remains very optimistic as the project moves forward and
credits the support she has received both professionally, and per-
The family decided to make the move back to Cambridge in 2008. sonally, on a strong network of relationships she has fostered over
the years.
“We thought it would be easier to raise the kids here, closer to fam-
ily.” “I don’t know what I would do without those close friendships,”
Short says.
After moving into the family house in Galt, which they initially
shared with her grandmother, Short used her new skills to land a When it comes to providing support to others, she says she encour-
position at Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region. After several years of ages people to accept the fact there will be ups and downs.
learning how the non-profit world worked, she joined the team at
St. Mary’s General Hospital in Kitchener as a development officer. “I think there are ebbs and flows and sometimes you just have to
listen to that until life gives you a little jolt,” Short says. “You have to
“I had a lot of opportunity there to do all sorts of things,” she says, be kind to yourself.”
www.cambridgechamber.com 27
Winter 2019