Brain Injury Assocation of Sudbury and District MEET OUR BOARD

1. Brain Injury Assocation of Sudbury and DistrictMEET OUR BOARD AGM 2019

2. Our Directors 2019-2020 • Daniel A. J. Ross – President/Chair Dan Ross has been with the Source Rehabilitation team since 2007. With a background in Psychology and Social Services, he has over 25 years of experience providing rehabilitation consulting and case management services. He has worked on behalf of clients following motor vehicle accidents (MVA’s) and Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) injury as well as LTD. Dan has successfully completed the Brain Basics program, Neurorehabilitation Program – Level 1 & Level 2, Rehabilitation for Children with ABI, – Level 1, Neurobehavioral Disorders and Neuropsychological Assessments; Beyond Testing through Brock University in collaboration with OBIA. In addition to enjoying his time on BIASD Board, Dan is actively involved with Valley East Minor Hockey Association. • Lynda Flintoff – Vice President Lynda Flintoff has served as an active member of the BIASD Board for the past five years and is employed with Source Rehabilitation Services Inc. as a Vocational and Remediation Specialist.  She has a background in Psychology and Human Resources and has completed the OBIA Brain Basics and Rehabilitation for Children and Youth with ABI, Level 1 courses.  She has vast experience in both vocational and remediation rehabilitation having worked in both the government and private sectors and operated a successful counselling and assessment business assisting client in the WSIB and LTD sectors.  In her employ at Source Rehab, Lynda assists catastrophically impaired clientele.  With her years of experience and creative functional ability, she ensures that each client is left with meaningful activity and quality of life as they strive for greater independence.  Lynda was instrumental in establishing the BIASD Quality of Life Bursary

3. Farrell Flintoff – Treasurer Farrell has served as an active member of the BIASD (Brain Injury Association Sudbury & District) Board for over three years in the role of Treasurer and is employed with Freelandt Caldwell Reilly (FCR) LLP as a Manager. He has a background in Business Administration and Accounting and earned his Chartered Professional Accountant designation in 2015. In his employ at FCR LLP, Farrell assists various charities and not-for-profit organizations. Farrell is a sports enthusiast and in his leisure time he continues to enjoy, hockey, golf, reading and playing with his dog Sasha. • Joe-Ann Vandeligt – Past President Joe-Ann is retired after working for the Provincial Government for 32 years. She worked for the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines in various positions, specializing in providing Facilities, Accommodations and Contract Management across the province. Joe-Ann is mother and caregiver to her son who acquired a Brain Injury in August of 2004. She has been a Director on the Brain Injury Association Sudbury and District Board since May 2010 and is also a fellow lion for the Valley East Lions. Joe-Ann enjoys working with people and appreciates the fact that she is now able to do volunteer work and give back to people in the community.

4. Robert M. Durante Robert is a partner at OatleyVigmond LLP and the legal professional on the BIASD board of directors. Born and raised in Montreal, he has studied at McGill University before attending Queen’s University Faculty of Law. Robert has been a passionate advocate for seriously injured clients and for families who have lost a loved one due to negligence for over 20 years. The best part of practicing personal injury law for Robert is assisting people and making a difference in their lives. When not practicing law or volunteering for the BIASD, Robert enjoys spending time with his family, cooking generational Italian dishes, and exercising. He is a devoted fan of the Montreal Canadians, having attended two Stanley Cup parades. • Gina Kennedy, DTM Since 2006, Gina has been the Secretary to the Board, Academic Council, and Joint Senate for the Northern Ontario School of Medicine ~ governance is her game. In 2009 she stumbled on a new passion for making people laugh and public speaking in Toastmasters. She hasn’t looked back, achieving her Distinguished Toastmaster accomplishment in 2017. When she’s not volunteering you can find her with friends.  Living vicariously through herself in this adventure of life, Gina is a mother of two amazing young adults who keep her on her toes.  Things she adores: her family, friends, dogs, 3-day weekends, maple anything and of course Cape Breton! Being a person with a (dis)ability and an ABI survivor, life has taught her a few things, cherish the moments and life is way too short for bad anything - including shoes!

5. Sandra Desjardins Sandra has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Toronto and diplomas from Laurentian and Cambrian College in Home Care and Dispute Resolution. Sandra is also a Canadian Professional Consultant on Aging (CPCA) and continues to join groups and seminars that benefit the seniors in our society to increase her knowledge and her ability to help our seniors. Sandra opened Comfort Keepers in May of 2009 and helps seniors and other adults from the Greater City of Sudbury and many surrounding communities. Sandra joined the Board of the Brain Injury Association Sudbury & District earlier this year and is amazed at the experience she is gaining about the services for those with brain injuries. Sandra supports the work which the BIASD provides for its members and considers it a very worthy cause for those affected with Brain Injuries and for the caregivers of those affected. • Michelle Larose, RDH A Registered Dental Hygienist by trade, Michelle first learned of the Brain Injury Association Sudbury & District after sustaining orthopaedic and neurological injuries in a motor vehicle collision. After volunteering her time at events organized by the BIASD, she made the decision to apply to the Board of Directors. Michelle has successfully completed a variety of courses such as OBIA Brain Basics, Radiation Protection Officer Training, Self-Initiation for Dental Hygienists, Smart Serve Responsible Alcohol Beverage Service Training Program, to name a few. Michelle has a passion for research whether it be for uncovering information to discuss during support groups, career-related continuing education, or genealogy. Fun fact: Michelle has an irrational fear of Dodge vehicles.

6. Stéphannie Léveillé, M.Sc.S., Reg. CASLPO Stéphannie is a fluently bilingual speech language pathologist with Trac Group. She became a director with BIASD in November of 2017 and has volunteered her time to provide a presentation to our members during the support group for that same month. As a director, Stéphannie is dedicated to educating the public about acquired brain injury and helmet safety. She prides herself on being an advocate for those who are living with the challenges associated with brain injuries. • Catherine MacLean, CDA Catherine has been working as a Communicative Disorders Assistant (CDA) for seventeen years.  She has extensive experience providing speech and language services to both adult and pediatric populations.  She has a strong interest in and has completed considerable professional development in the area of cognitive communication and acquired brain injury. Catherine provides both individual and group programming sessions.  She services clients in the Sudbury, Espanola and Manitoulin areas.  She has a strong working relationship with children's agencies and service providers in the Sudbury and surrounding areas.  She facilitates and leads both parent and family, professional provider, and agency education; as well as public awareness education sessions. Catherine works both within the ministry and private practise.

7. Newest Member • Chad Hayes   As a registered nurse, and life-long resident of Sudbury, Chad is truly passionate about improving support and awareness for ABI, in our community. After working directly in front-line care, Chad has spent the past several years as a manager in Home and Community Care, with the North East LHIN. Chad has worked collaboratively with numerous health care partners and community agencies, across the North East, to develop programs and support individuals across the North East. Chad graduated with his BScN from Laurentian University in 2007, and is presently working on his Masters of Business Administration. Always believing in challenging himself, he enjoys travelling on mountaineering trips and other exciting adventures. He is an avid outdoors and sports enthusiast, and a life-long Chicago Blackhawks fan. In his free time, he particularly enjoys spending time with his wife and two boys.

8. On Sabbatical & OAC Representative • Bobbie-Lee Brushett– Currently on Sabbatical from Position Bobbie-Lee has served as an active Director since 2014. In her role at March Of Dimes Canada she coordinates and facilitates group services for individuals with ABI. As a board member she is actively involved event planning that include Killarney Excursion, Porketta Bingo, Halloween Escape Rooms, and the Holiday Gala. • Julie Wilson – OAC Survivor Representative Julie is a brain injury survivor from a motor vehicle collision which occurred over 14 years ago, which also claimed the life of her husband. Julie has been a long standing advocate for people with disabilities, especially for people with brain injuries. Julie has been a long standing active member and Director of the Brain Injury Association of Sudbury and District.