Board of Directors
Muscular Dystrophy Canada is fortunate to benefit from the expertise of our Board of Directors. Board members come from across Canada and bring with them their skills and proficiencies as businesspeople, fundraisers and researchers, and their personal knowledge of neuromuscular disorders.
Chair of the Board of Directors
Chair of the Executive Committee
Chair, Walk for Muscular Dystrophy National Committee
Member of the Board since: 2005
Profession: Litigation Partner; Bryan & Company LLP
Education Credentials: B.A.; L.L.B.
I am involved with Muscular Dystrophy Canada because "at the age of three, my nephew Garrett was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. He is now 25 years of age and remains passionate about finding a cure for others diagnosed with this terrible disease. Garrett is the reason why I have such passion for Muscular Dystrophy Canada."
Vice-Chair of the Board
Chair of Marketing and Communications Committee
Member of the Board since: 2005
Profession: Vice President – Services Operations Bell Business Markets, Bell Canada
Education Credentials: Professional Engineer
I am involved with Muscular Dystrophy Canada because "about eight years ago, I had the chance to meet with Kevin Harrison who was in his wheelchair. When I saw the courage of this young man working hard for Muscular Dystrophy Canada, I immediately decided that I would do my part as well. In various roles, I try to help as much as I can."
Vice-Chair of the Board
Chair of Services and Advocacy Committee
Member of the Board since: 2008
Profession: Assistant Deputy Minister, Infrastructure Canada
Education Credentials: B.A. Communications
I am involved with Muscular Dystrophy Canada because “I have a neuromuscular disorder and I want to make a difference.”
Co-Treasurer of the Board
Co-Chair of Finance and Audit Sub-committee
Member of the Board since: Rejoined 2009
Profession: Lawyer and Labour Arbitrator
Education Credentials: B.A./LL.L
I am involved with Muscular Dystrophy Canada because “I originally became involved because a friend of mine, John Hermann, who was the Executive Director at the time, asked me to sit on the personnel committee, which had a vacancy. It was not long before I realized the value of Muscular Dystrophy Canada and the work it was doing. The rest is history.”
Secretary/Co-Treasurer of the Board
Co-Chair of Finance and Audit Sub-committee
Member of the Board since: 2009
Profession: Civil Servant
I am involved with Muscular Dystrophy Canada because “It is the fire service’s charity of choice and my experience with everyone I have met whether they be those with neuromuscular disorders, volunteers or staff has given me the encouragement to do what I can to ‘make muscles move.’”
Past Chair of the Board of Directors
Chair of the Pension and Investment Sub Committee
Member of the Board since: 2005
Profession: Vice President Business Development, Multos International
Education Credentials: MSC. Economics; Université de Montréal
I am involved with Muscular Dystrophy Canada because "Muscular Dystrophy Canada provides me the opportunity to support people with neuromuscular disorders and their families in our quest for a cure and better living conditions for all people affected by these disorders. Our son Vincent directly benefits from the effort of Muscular Dystrophy Canada."
Chair of Human Resources Committee
Member of the Board since: 2007
Profession: Management Consultant
Education Credentials: Bachelor of Arts
I am involved with Muscular Dystrophy Canada because "I believe this disease does not get the visibility nor the funding it should and I want to be part of bringing muscular dystrophy to the forefront of public awareness. I am amazed at the strength and commitment of people affected with the disease and their families and I want to be part of making others aware of this amazing group of people."
Chair of Chapter Relations Committee
Member of the Board since: 2010
Profession: Teacher, Senior Instructional Designer – Online training
Education Credentials: Bachelor of Arts - Psychology and Geography, Carleton University; B.Ed. Nipissing
I am involved with Muscular Dystrophy Canada because “I have seen first-hand the help and hope it brings to families through peer support, funding for equipment, and research. I have had a life-long connection with the organization, in my youth through my father’s involvement as a firefighter and more recently since my son Alex was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in 2003.”
Member of the Board since: 2011
Profession: Senior Vice President and General Manager of Deeley Harley-Davidson® Canada
I am involved with Muscular Dystrophy Canada because “I continue to be truly inspired by the remarkable courage and resilience of so many of the individuals and their families that I have met who are living with neuromuscular disorders and I wanted to do more to ensure they get all the support they need and to help raise awareness of this terrible disease.”
Member of the Board since: 2011
Profession: Professor in McGill's Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, and an Associate Member of the Biology Department
Education Credentials: PhD in Biochemistry
I am involved with Muscular Dystrophy Canada because “I have been very impressed with all the people throughout the organization, and the impact they are having both on funding research on neuromuscular conditions and on delivering important services to people affected by these conditions.”
Past Chair of National Fire Fighter Relations Committee
Member of the Board since: 2009
Profession: Fire Fighter
Education Credentials: BSc
I am involved with Muscular Dystrophy Canada because “it is a tradition within the fire service, and together we can make a difference in people's lives.”
Chair of National Fire Fighter Relations Committee
Member of the Board since: 2011
Profession: Career Fire Fighter
Education Credentials: Grade 13
I am involved with Muscular Dystrophy Canada because “I am a Fire Fighter and that's what we do, help people! We'll be there until Muscular Dystrophy Canada’s fire is out!!!”
Member of the Board since: 2007
Profession: Physician - Psychiatry
Education Credentials: Bachelor of Science, Cell Biology and Genetics, UBC 2000; Doctor of Medicine, Queen’s University 2005; Psychiatry Residency training, Dalhousie University 2010
I am involved with Muscular Dystrophy Canada because "I became involved with Muscular Dystrophy Canada as a client when I was diagnosed with Facioscapulohumeral Dystrophy at age 12. I continue to be involved today because of my interest in health care and my unique position to understand patients from both a personal and professional perspective."
Member of the Board since: 2008
Profession: Edmonton Fire Fighter since 1992
- 1st VP of Edmonton Fire Fighters Union Local 209
- Chair for Edmonton Fire Fighters Muscular Dystrophy Committee
Education Credentials: Grade 12, Graduate of Edmonton Fire Rescue Officer Qualifying Program.
I am involved with Muscular Dystrophy Canada because "we as Fire Fighters help those in need everyday, both on and off the job. This is our Fire Fighter Charity and we need to continue to help raise funds and awareness until there is a cure. Supporting the families is an important part of why I am involved. They are the true Heroes! Getting to know the families has helped me to become a better person and allows me to reach out to other Firefighters educating them about muscular dystrophy. Being involved with Muscular Dystrophy Canada is the right thing to do."
Chair, Governance & Mandate Committee
Member of the Board since: 2001
Profession: Career Fire Fighter, Richmond Hill Fire Department
Education Credentials: Grade 12
I am involved with Muscular Dystrophy Canada because "being a Fire Fighter, I am keeping up the tradition of raising funds for Muscular Dystrophy Canada. Also, I continue the legacy of my younger brother who passed away due to Duchenne muscular dystrophy in 1983."
Member of the Board since: 2011
Profession: Vice President, Internal Audit at CGI
Education Credentials: BBA, CGA, ICD.D
I am involved with Muscular Dystrophy Canada because “seven years ago, I had the chance to meet Kevin Harrison and other courageous people who inspired me to get involved in helping Muscular Dystrophy Canada make a difference.”
Member of the Board since: 2011
Profession: Occupational Therapist
Education Credentials: BscOT, OT(C), OTRegNB, C/NDT
I am involved with Muscular Dystrophy Canada because “children with neuromuscular disorders have always held a special place in my heart – first when I was a camp counselor at an Easter Seals camp in New Brunswick, and now through my 12 years as an Occupational Therapist at the Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation. The positive impact of Muscular Dystrophy Canada is one which can be clearly seen through the support, education, research and funding provided to children, their families and teams of health care professionals. The feedback shared by families who have been involved with Muscular Dystrophy Canada has motivated me to become a more active member of this organization, so that I too can work to better the quality of life for individuals with Neuromuscular Disorders across our country.”
Chair of Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee
Member of the Board since: 2007
Profession: Professor and Head, Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba
Education Credentials: Ph.D.
I am involved with Muscular Dystrophy Canada because "as a scientist, my research has focused on investigating the molecular basis of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). Our current focus is SMN gene regulation and biomarker studies for human SMA clinical trials. In addition, I have been active in implementing DNA-based tests of muscular dystrophies in diagnostic laboratories."
