About usMeet our board of directors Meet our board of directors Parkinson Canada Board of Directors Parkinson Canada is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Board members represent a cross-section of industries, geographies, experiences and skills. We acknowledge the leadership and contributions of our Officers and Directors. Officers Laura Edgar Chair More about Laura Laura Edgar is President of Laura Edgar Governance Consulting, where she works with non-profit and charitable boards of directors to build their governance knowledge and capacity through governance assessments, board training and facilitation, and strategy development. Previously, Laura was the Vice President of Board Governance at the Institute on Governance. For more than 20 years she provided advisory services related to roles, responsibilities and functioning of boards of directors, strategic planning, member engagement, and governance assessments. She also provided tailored learning programs. She has a strong professional and academic background in the governance of public purpose organizations, business management, and adult education. Laura has completed an M.A. in Economics at the University of Guelph, and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University. Michael Rothe Vice Chair & Treasurer More about Michael “My father has been living with Parkinson’s for many years and I have seen firsthand the impact it has on a person, their family and their friends. I am so pleased to work with Parkinson Canada, a national leader in the fight to find a cure and provide the resources for those living with the disease and their families. I am continually inspired by the energy and drive of the Board, the staff, the volunteers and the community of those living with Parkinson’s as they all work together towards this common cause.” Michael is the President & CEO of the Canadian Finance & Leasing Association (CFLA). With over 200 corporate members from large banks to independent finance companies, CFLA is the advocate and resource for the Canadian asset-based finance and leasing industry – which as of its most recent assessment, had financed assets in Canada valued at over $427 billion. Prior to joining the CFLA Michael practiced regulatory law for over 15 years, most recently as Director of Legal Services with the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council and for a short period held the position of Acting-Deputy Registrar. In 2014 Michael was requested by the Ontario College of Trades to conduct an in-depth review of the College’s complaints and enforcement process. The resulting report which encompassed a review of more than a dozen leading regulators provided over 50 practical recommendations and immediately reduced the College’s 14,000 file backlog by over 99%. Michael is a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University and has studied at Heidelberg University, the University of Mannheim, Moscow State University and most recently Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government. Michael received his LL.B. from the University of New Brunswick and his LL.M. along with a post-graduate diploma in Justice System Administration from Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto. Michael is a frequent speaker at both legal and industry conferences. Karen Lee Secretary, President & CEO More about Karen “My background as a scientist means that I am driven to pursue answers to often difficult or complex questions. My late grandfather lived with Parkinson’s disease. Over the years, I witnessed how he and others living with Parkinson’s overcome changes and challenges, and how friends and family rally to support them. I am inspired by your resilience and resourcefulness as individuals and as a caring Parkinson’s community.” Karen Lee holds an Honours B.Sc. degree in Cell Biology from Western University and a Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Medicine from the University of Ottawa. For the last two years, Karen has led Parkinson Canada as the President and CEO. Here, she is leading Parkinson Canada’s transformational change in impacting more people living with Parkinson’s, while building partnerships and collaboration to drive research innovation to ultimately find a cure. Prior to joining Parkinson Canada, Karen spent 12 years at the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada in a series of progressive roles. As the Vice President of Research & Managing Director, MS Research and Training Network and a valued member of the management team, Karen led significant efforts in creating a research program centred on people living with MS, making the MS Society a sector leader in focusing on patient-oriented research. She also drove nationwide discussions within the MS community, connecting MS researchers to people affected by MS in a dialogue about MS research priorities in Canada. Karen’s passion for science has benefited several communities in Canada. Karen has been recognized by the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Medicine with an Alumni Award of Distinction, as a 2019 Rising Star. Karen is also a member of YPO. In addition to her corporate experience, Karen is an avid volunteer in the non-profit healthcare community, making meaningful contributions to several organizations and initiatives. Tony Chang Treasurer & Chair, Finance, Audit and Investment Committee More about Tony Tony is determined to help find a cure for Parkinson’s and is passionate about the organization’s mission to build a support network to improve the quality of life for Canadians living with Parkinson’s. “I have experienced firsthand Parkinson’s as I watched my mother suffer with the disease for over 15 years which eventually led to her demise”. Tony has the privilege of serving on the Board of public, and private companies and mission-driven non-profit organizations in Canada, the US and Asia by providing leadership on corporate governance, business and organizational development, strategic planning, financing and growth strategies as well as serving on Advisory Board for many early staged health care and technology companies. He is the current Chair of the board for Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care, the largest charity and non-profit mission-driven healthcare organization serving seniors in Canada. He is also a board member of the Catholic Health Sponsors of Ontario. Tony is a qualified Chartered Professional Accountant and a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD). He holds a graduate degree in Mathematics and Business Administration from the University of Waterloo. Sharon Broughton Chair, Governance and Nominating Committee More about Sharon Sharon Broughton is a non-profit leader with more than 25 years of experience in senior roles in the charitable sector, nationally and provincially. She has been the CEO of Prince’s Trust Canada since 2018, a national charity focused on creating a sustainable future for Canada, where young people and communities thrive. Sharon will retire from this role on September 30, to begin a new chapter as a coach and consultant. She will continue to serve as an Instructor with the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies’ Non Profit Leadership for Impact Certificate program, where she is also a member of the Certificate creation and renewal team. Sharon has previously served as Kids Help Phone’s President and CEO, as CEO of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, Executive Director of Crossroads International, and Director of Organizational Development at the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Across these roles, she has led significant developments in strategy, innovation, governance and partnerships, including leading the process for Kids Help Phone to become accredited within the Imagine Canada Standards Program. Sharon is bilingual, and holds an M.Ed in Adult Education from the OISE/UT with a focus on workplace learning and change, as well as a Certificate in Non-Profit Management from Ryerson. She is a fellow of the Community Shift program at the Ivey School of Business and a graduate of the “Strategic Perspectives in Non-Profit Management” program at Harvard Business School. Sharon serves on the Board of the Excellence in Literacy Foundation. Previous volunteer roles include serving as special advisor to the Amanda Todd Legacy, a member of the Ontario Non-profit Network’s Decent Work Advisory Committee, a volunteer writer of leadership-related book reviews for The Charity Report Literary Hub, a past Board member of AFP Greater Toronto Chapter and a former member of the Imagine Canada Advisory Council. Michael Thompson Chair, Human Resources Committee More about Michael Michael is a seasoned Financial Industry executive who’s seen as a strategic and agile leader with a track record of thought leadership and getting things done across multiple functions, lines of business and organizations. He’s currently operating as the Vice President of Business Architecture, Innovation and Delivery for TD Insurance. He provides a pragmatic approach with an infusion of community motivation that will help Parkinson Canada thrive through change. Because Michael’s father lives with Parkinson’s, he shares our commitment to improving quality of life today while working towards a future without Parkinson’s. Michael has over 10 years of experience with diversity and inclusion initiatives and has the passion and hands-on experience to help Parkinson Canada connect with people living with Parkinson’s across the country. Throughout his career, he has fine-tuned an ability to create impact through influence – exactly what is needed to guide Parkinson Canada’s efforts to become the charity of choice for all Canadians impacted by Parkinson’s. Michael is happily married with 2 young sons and resides in Oakville, Ontario. Directors Dr. Antonio P. Strafella Learn more “As a neurologist and movement disorder specialist, I have seen many times how Parkinson’s disease affects the quality of life of patients and their families. I hope through my clinical contribution and research experience to have a significant impact in reducing their suffering and make a difference in their quality of life” Dr. Strafella is a Krembil-Rossy Chair in Movement Disorders and Neuroimaging, Professor in the Dept. of Medicine (Division of Neurology) at the Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto. He is a Senior Scientist in the Krembil Brain Institute at the University Health Network, and a Scientist in the Brain Health Imaging Centre at CAMH (Centre for Addiction Mental Health). He is also a faculty member of the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Toronto. Dr. Strafella is the Chair of the Neuroimaging Study Group of the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society and serves on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS). The focus of his research is on Parkinson’s disease and atypical parkinsonism using advanced neuroimaging technology and novel PET radio ligands. He is using a number of PET tracers and novel radio-ligands combined with MRI techniques to investigate the pathophysiology of motor, cognitive and behavioural symptoms in Parkinson’s disease and atypical parkinsonisms. Dr. Strafella’s research studies have been funded by several granting agencies including CIHR, CFI, Parkinson Society Canada (now Parkinson Canada), National Parkinson Foundation-US, Parkinson Disease Foundation-US (now The Parkinson’s Foundation), Tourette Syndrome Association-US, E. J. Safra Foundation, and the Canada Research Chair Program. Dr. Strafella serves on various scientific boards and a member of grant review panels at national (CIHR committees; Parkinson Canada) and international levels (Michael J. Fox Foundation, The Parkinson’s Foundation-USA; NIH and others). Doug Edmond Learn more Doug Edmond is an experienced educator with a career spanning several decades. He has taught primary school, as well as undergraduate and post-graduate courses across Canada. Doug holds a master’s degree in educational administration and foundations and a Ph.D. in Educational Administration and Foundations from the University of Alberta, where he also taught undergraduate courses. Earlier in his career, Doug served as a Research and Planning Officer for the Regina Public School Board, where he contributed to K-8 education technology initiatives. Later, he joined the Winnipeg School Division, initially as the Executive Assistant to the Chief Superintendent and then as the Director of Research, Planning, and Technology. Some of Doug’s primary interests were curriculum, policy development and research at the local level. He also possesses a love of books, which served him well while managing WSB’s Library Support Services. In addition to his professional pursuits, Doug is a father and has been actively involved in coaching team sports. He has a passion for music and has been performing and recording with his band. Doug is also engaged in the local music community, serving on the Jazz Winnipeg board of directors and participating as a music jury judge for different awards. He’s been involved in volunteer work, including a construction program with Habitat for Humanity in New Zealand. Currently, Doug is retired and performs at personal care homes as part of the Manitoba Arts Networks’ Concerts in Care program. He also serves as the CEO of UpFront Consulting Group. Robert (Bob) Klager Learn more Robert’s professional and personal experience makes him an exceptional addition to the Parkinson Canada Board of Directors. With more than 15 years of strategic communications and government relations leadership, Robert brings a wealth of policy advocacy experience and an expansive professional network spanning all levels of government that is sure to take Parkinson Canada’s advocacy efforts to new heights. When his father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2019, Robert witnessed the gaps in services like care coordination and post-diagnosis education that Canadians living with Parkinson’s experience every day. Robert’s personal ties to Parkinson’s further fuel his determination to improve the quality of life for Canadians living with Parkinson’s. Not only will Robert be effective in advising our future advocacy efforts, his experience with strategic planning and change management will support us through our continued growth as a national organization. Larry Linton Learn more Larry was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2012. He experienced firsthand the struggles of dealing with such a life-altering event and the frustrations in finding reliable post-diagnosis education for himself and his family. However, after deciding to live with it and no longer against it, Larry realized that the journey with Parkinson’s is a community event and, as Chair of the Parkinson Advisory Council (PAC) his overriding goal has been ensuring that people with Parkinson’s know where to turn when they receive a diagnosis and for support throughout the course of managing the disease. Coming from a successful 30-year career in law and 10 years of living well with Parkinson’s, Larry is prepared to impart his guidance to help propel Parkinson Canada’s mission forward. Larry has recently become an “Amazon Best Selling” author of Shaken, Not Stirred: Living with Parkinson’s Disease. His first-hand perspective on life with Parkinson’s shares learnings, life lessons and personal wisdom. He shares that being diagnosed with a chronic, progressive and incurable disease may not signal the beginning of the end but may, in fact, be the start of a more rewarding, fulfilling and meaningful life. Jeff Potts Learn more Jeff comes to the Board of Directors already familiar with Parkinson Canada from his six years volunteering on the Parkinson Canada Finance, Audit, and Investment Committee (FAIC) and is ready to further lend his talents. Jeff is well acquainted with Parkinson’s. Before his time with Parkinson Canada’s FAIC, he served on the Board of Directors for the Parkinson’s Society of Eastern Ontario. As a Chartered Professional Accountant with more than 15 years of experience raising funds and advising management teams on business and financial strategy, Jeff will complement the skillsets of the various other Directors on the Board. Living with Parkinson’s himself, Jeff is passionate about our mission to improve the quality of life for Canadians living with Parkinson’s. As the previous CEO of a communications firm, he comes equipped with the ability to advise Parkinson Canada on a wide array of business matters. Dr. George Tolomiczenko Learn more Dr. Tolomiczenko serves as the Executive Director of the Merkin Institute for Translational Research at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in Pasadena. His interdisciplinary experiences in Canada and the United States as a clinician, researcher, professor, and senior administrator inform his inclusive approach toward fostering inclusive cultures in academia and the non-profit sector promoting innovations that improve health and healthcare delivery. In Canada, in a role with the Health Systems Research Unit of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, he served on several boards including the Ontario Foundation for Mental Health and the Community Resource Consultants of Toronto to promote mental health and to address the needs of homeless/unhoused persons. Since designing and running an academic program focused on training innovators in medical technology in Los Angeles, he has maintained strong links to Canada by serving on review committees and advisory boards with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Translating research advances to improve healthcare requires navigating barriers and tailoring iteratively customized solutions to sustainably address identified healthcare needs and vexing problems. Throughout his career, Dr. Tolomiczenko has always worked with diverse sets of stakeholders to create new paths to cures and improved access to affordable, high-quality healthcare. His focus on Parkinson’s disease began while he was academically based in the Department of Neurology at USC and intensified following a family member’s diagnosis. He has contributed to efforts to build awareness and works to help find and fund technologies and therapeutics to manage symptoms, change the course of illness and, eventually, chart paths to cures. Louis Adam Learn more For the majority of his career, Louis has held the position of Executive Director for a variety of service based organizations – doing what he loves best, working with staff teams and volunteers to make the lives of those around him better.Particularly evidenced during his 18 years with MS Society’s Quebec Division, Louis championed key initiatives including Quebec’s Summit on Research – instilling hope and confidence in the event’s 550 attendees on a biennial basis. Louis’ innovative approach also propelled him to collaborate with 4 other organizations to form the advocacy group, “Neuro Partners”. Through the power of collective action, Neuro Partners lobbies the government in Quebec for drug access, housing, caregiver support and quality of life enhancements. One key highlight of his career took place 10 years ago when he and a group of people (including 3 with MS) raised $660,000 and climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro. For him, this journey truly symbolized the struggle and challenges of living with a debilitating disease and further inspires him to work toward a world free of MS. While Louis retired from the MS Society in January 2023, he continues to be a highly engaged leader, and participates actively in the division’s golf tournaments, province-wide walk and bike events and other fundraising, advocacy and awareness activities too numerable to mention. Louis has also dedicated a significant portion of his life to volunteering and currently sits on 4 non-profit boards including Health Partners QC (Partenaire-Sante) in the roles of director (2004-2009) and QC division chair (2009-2019) and has represented the MS Society at the national level of Health Partners for the past 10 years. Louis enthusiastically welcomes the new opportunity to serve on the Parkinson Canada board of directors and draws his inspiration for serving its mission and vision from his sister-in-law who was diagnosed with the disease in 2015. Meggie Javid Learn more Meggie is the Vice President of Business Operations at Clio, bringing extensive experience from high-growth technology companies across various industries. Her expertise spans data science, operations, strategy, mergers and acquisitions, and IPO readiness. A dedicated community leader, Meggie also has co-founded a successful fundraising event in Toronto that has raised over $1 million for youth homelessness. Deeply committed to supporting those affected by Parkinson’s disease, Meggie is a passionate advocate for the cause, having personally witnessed its impact on her stepfather. Meggie resides in Vancouver, British Columbia, with her husband and three children. Ross McDonald Learn more Ross is a progressive financial services executive. He is the Principal of Wiser Together Advisors, an interim executive and on-demand contractor. He was CFO and CRO a B.C. provincial credit union; and held SVP and VP roles in corporate strategy and finance with Citigroup; Salomon Brothers and Ernst & Young. Ross is honoured to support Parkinson Canada’s in its support of today’s patients and towards tomorrow’s cure. During his childhood throughout his teens and twenties, Ross’s late father and mother were Parkinson’s patients and carer respectively. Ross is a board director with Advantage BC, a sustainable finance advocacy organization. Ross has held the position of Board Chair, Board Director and Board Advisor with other organizations. Ross has an MBA from London Business School; is a Chartered Accountant; and Bachelor of Accountancy & Finance degree. Peter Nesbitt Learn more Peter Nesbitt brings over three decades of senior management and executive leadership experience, with twenty-six years spent in Asia working with BMO Capital Markets, Scotiabank, Export Development Canada, and CARE Canada. Notably, he served as a Canadian Diplomat in India and Singapore for 11 years. Peter holds an MBA from Dalhousie University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Carleton University. He is professionally accredited as an EMD Dealer Representative with Welch Capital Partners. He was a member of the Singapore Institute of Directors where he completed several board director courses. His board experience includes roles in various business councils and advisory positions. Committed to volunteerism, Peter has been involved in fundraising for Parkinson’s Canada and cancer research. His personal interests include fitness, hockey, squash, tennis, reading, and carpentry. Peter and his wife Sue have three children, all living on the west coast. Board committees Research & Clinical Advisory Committee Dr. Richard Camicioli Dr. Francesca Cicchetti Dr. Susan Fox (Chair) Dr. Galit Kleiner Dr. Martin McKeown Dr. Tiago A. Mestre Dr. Julie Nantel Yu Yan Poon Dr. Angela Roberts Dr. Justyna Sarna Dr. Vesna Sossi Dr. Antonio Strafella (Deputy Chair) Dr. Indira Subramanian Dr. George Tolomiczenko Dr. Louis-Eric Trudeau Dr. Sean Udow Bob de Wit Dr. Stephen Workman