SCIO Board of Directors
Experience + Expertise
As a Canadian charity, Spinal Cord Injury Ontario is governed by a Board of Directors composed of dedicated volunteers who provide strategic direction within a culture of collegiality and continuous improvement. A number of our Board members have personal experience with spinal cord injury or other disabilities, bringing even deeper insights into our strategy and services. Their shared sense of purpose, positive outlook and commitment to improvement keeps our Board members active and engaged. If you haven’t met them yet, you are bound to see them at events around the province.
Nish Bandara
Nish Bandara is an IT professional with over 26 years of industry experience spanning across multiple commercial banks, software development firms and consultancy firms. At present Nish is functioning as the Senior Vice President of Delivery and Solutions Architecture for a leading software firm and manages teams across multiple North American locations
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Nish holds a bachelor’s degree in MIS from National University of Ireland, a bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering from BCS and a master’s degree in Technology and Engineering Management from University of Waterloo. He further holds the PMP designation along with multiple Advanced Diplomas.
Having been through a life altering experience with his cervical spine, Nish is passionate about helping others with similar needs and creating a support network for people with spinal injuries to thrive as contributing members of the society.
Daniel Carroll
Daniel is a co-founding partner at Hudson Wealth and Trust Planning Group with over 20 years of experience in financial analysis and planning. Most of these years were spent working directly with survivors of Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) and Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) and their families. Daniel has been a strong advocate at all levels of government for changes in the legislation regarding the financial well-being of Canadians living with disability.
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Having been involved in life-long financial planning for SCI survivors, he has a deep understanding of the difficulties and inequalities that exist in this space and works diligently to effect positive change in this area.
Daniel has been involved with SCI Ontario since 2008. He helped plan and execute several fundraising events and programs over the years and has given several seminars and webinars to help SCI survivors navigate the complex world of disability finance and taxation.
Daniel graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree, where he was named Valedictorian of his class. He is a proud husband and father and a long-serving volunteer Scout Leader, and he has worked hard to develop leadership skills in the youth of Oakville, where he lives.
Ron Duffy
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After his accident, he worked in the bush as a haul supervisor building roads, coordinating hauls, etc. and worked as service manager at a car dealership.
He is the Past VP & Manager of a local hockey organization handling budgets, planning tournaments, scheduling transportation etc.
Ron presently volunteers at the Hogarth Riverview Manor Retirement Home helping out at bingos, playing crib and socializing. He also volunteers at St. Joe’s Rehab Hospital visiting with patients, mentoring new patients and trying to setup regular monthly get togethers with local SCI clients. He is also working to establish a chapter for Tetra Society.
Eleanor Evans, Treasurer
Eleanor Evans has over 25 years work experience in leadership roles across the Financial Services industry, specializing in Operations, Information Security, Strategic Planning, Process Improvement, and Project Governance.
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As Vice-President Operations of a large financial services firm on Bay Street, she has led teams through various electronic transformation initiatives and spearheaded the implementation of Robotics Process Automation (RPA) and its Governance model.
Eleanor has a BA, LLB and MBA and has sat on a number of industry committees. In 2020, Eleanor suffered a severe spinal cord injury and was compromised from the neck down. She has first hand experience with what the SCIO has to offer and feels passionate about giving back to the organization.
Dana Francoz, Chair
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Most recently, Dana was an active member of the board of the Clarendon Foundation, seeing its eventual integration into PACE, which serves people with disabilities, allowing them to live independently.
Dana grew up with an amazing mother who, although she was in a wheelchair, gave her a real-life example of just how much can be accomplished, no matter what your physical limitations. Her mother, Marjorie Francoz, has been a peer supporter of SCI Ontario for close to 40 years.
Barbara Ibbitson
Barbara Ibbitson is currently a Partner and the Clinical Director of Wright Rehab, a company that, for 18 years, has been providing Social Work and Rehabilitation Therapy to individuals, couples and families adjusting to the aftermath of a traumatic event or injury.
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Prior to merging with Wright Rehab, Barbara owned and operated Barbara Ibbitson and Associates. Barbara is an active member of The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers and the Ontario Association of Social Workers.
Barbara has a Bachelor’s of Social Work degree from the University of Western Ontario and received her Master’s of Social Work degree from the University of Toronto. Barbara has a history of volunteer experience in many community programs and embraces opportunities to give back and be part of something that makes an impact. Barbara has lived with the effects of permanent spinal cord damage for the past 15 years. Her personal lived experience, in addition to her training and clinical background assist her in fostering resiliency and self-compassion in those she works with.
John Khan
John Khan is an entrepreneur and commercial mortgage broker with over two
decades of experience in Canadian financial services, helping investors, developers,
and business owners find solutions where others see dead ends.
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A lifelong learner, he holds a degree in Mathematics and Economics from the University of Toronto and is currently pursuing a deep study of artificial intelligence and machine learning, driven by a genuine curiosity about how technology can be put to work for people who need it most.
As a young adult, John survived a serious motor vehicle accident that resulted in a T12 burst fracture and an L1 compression fracture of the spine. He knows firsthand the uncertainty, the resilience it demands, and the difference that real support makes. That experience never left him. It brought him to the SCIO Board, and it drives him to show up for others navigating the same journey.
Alexandre LaLonde
Alexandre Lalonde is a bilingual strategic communications leader with over a decade of experience driving digital strategy, stakeholder engagement, and regulatory compliance across Canada’s healthcare sector.
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As the Communications Lead at Touchstone Institute, Alexandre specializes in transforming complex organizational insights into clear, impactful public narratives.
Throughout his career, Alexandre has led digital transformation and reputation management for public and regulatory institutions. At Humber River Hospital, Canada’s first digital hospital, he provided strategic oversight for digital platforms. He later served as the Marketing Communications Manager for the College of Family Physicians of Canada, directing public relations, media strategy, and engagement initiatives for national campaigns.
An advocate for inclusive communication, Alexandre champions bilingual community support and strict digital accessibility compliance to ensure complex health networks remain equitable, accountable, and transparent.
Christine Lelacheur
After Christine’s husband suffered a spinal cord injury from a traumatic fall in 2019, their family got involved with SCIO both receiving and giving support. Christine joined the SCIO Board of Directors in 2021.
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Joanne MacDonald
Joanne MacDonald started in the news business 38 years ago, first in radio, then transitioning to television as a story producer with Canada AM in 1983, then on to field producing for CTV National News in 1989. From there, Joanne headed to Ottawa, where she became the Bureau Manager then Deputy Ottawa Bureau Chief for CTV News. She continued to ascend the ranks, ultimately to the role of Senior Vice- President, CTV News where she oversaw day-to-day operations and strategic vision for CP24 and CTV News Toronto.
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Corina McCoy
Corina McCoy brings over 25 years of diverse experiences across a variety of sectors including healthcare, telecommunications, entertainment and gaming to the SCIO Board. She has achieved numerous firsts in the Internet industry, and has led many large scale projects, such as Electronic Medical Record Implementations and the launch of Ontario’s current province-wide Colorectal Cancer Screening Program.
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Corina is a Certified Project Manager (PMP). She holds a Bachelors of Business Administration degree from Brock University, a Masters degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and a Certificate in Social Intrapeneurship for Innovation in Health from Ashoka University. Following a life altering accident that left her a quadriplegic, she has become a strong advocate for disabled individuals, driving positive change wherever possible.
Emily McIntyre
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Jeff Preston
Jeff is Vice President at Motion LP, Canada’s leading provider of Mobility and Home Accessibility products.
He has a passion for advocacy for persons with disabilities and in 2022 Jeff was appointed to the Accessibility Standards Advisory Council by the Ontario Minister of Seniors and Accessibility. He holds an MBA from the Ivey School of Business at Western University and resides in Aurora, Ontario.
Carrie Thomas
Carrie Thomas is the Founder and CEO of Nimbus HR Solutions Group Inc., a human resources consulting firm that helps organizations build strong workplaces through strategic people practices, governance, and leadership development.
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With more than 20 years of experience across healthcare, technology, financial services, and consulting, she has advised executives and business leaders on organizational growth, workforce strategy, risk management, and culture.
Prior to founding Nimbus in 2015, Carrie held senior HR leadership roles with organizations including BlackBerry, BMO, Scotiabank, and Viable Health Group. She is known for her practical leadership style, ability to navigate complex challenges, and commitment to helping organizations achieve sustainable results.
Carrie has a deeply personal connection to the spinal cord injury community through her brother, who sustained a spinal cord injury in 2017. His resilience and determination have inspired her ongoing commitment to advocacy, fundraising, accessibility, and initiatives that promote independence, inclusion, and quality of life for individuals living with spinal cord injuries.
Karen Vigmond - Vice-Chair
Karen is a personal injury lawyer specializing in spinal cord injury litigation. Based in Barrie, Ontario, she has dedicated her career to advocating for individuals and families navigating the complexities of life-altering trauma. Since being called to the bar in 2013, Karen has represented clients across Ontario, focusing on the legal, medical, and rehabilitative hurdles unique to the spinal cord injury community.
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Her practice is informed by a deep understanding of the systemic barriers survivors face, including access to specialized equipment, home modifications, and specialized healthcare. Karen’s commitment to the community began as a teenager and evolved into a decade of formal service with SCIO. Since 2015, she has been a driving force behind the Young Professionals Board, and she now serves as Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors.
In her professional practice as a partner at Oatley Vigmond Personal Injury Lawyers, Karen provides comprehensive legal support and resources for families affected by catastrophic injuries. Her work at the firm mirrors her commitment at SCIO: bridging the gap between legal recovery and long-term community reintegration to ensure those with spinal cord injuries live with dignity and independence.
Eugene Wai
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Sarah Hicks
Sarah Hicks is a communications professional with more than 25 years’ experience. For the last fifteen years she has worked with non-profit corporations to strengthen their communications and stakeholder engagement capacity and to guide strategic planning – including the College of Family Physicians of Canada, the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer and the Canadian Children’s Literacy Foundation.
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Sarah started her career in public relations with pharmaceutical clients in Toronto, the U.S. and U.K., and then joined GlaxoSmithKline Canada. Sarah speaks English, French and German and has a BA in Social and Political History from Victoria College, University of Toronto, and a Public Relations Post Graduate Certificate from Humber College.
Sarah is deeply committed to good governance and community service and is proud to serve Spinal Cord Injury Ontario (SCIO) as Chair of the Board of Directors. She has also served as SCIO’s Vice-Chair, and Chair of both the Governance and Nominating and the Marketing and Fundraising Committees.
