MARK ABRAHAM

Mark has served on Spinal Cord Injury Ontario’s board since 2016, holding at various times the positions of Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer and Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee. Mark served as Treasurer of the Ontario Paraplegic Foundation from 2016 to 2019 and as a public committee member from 2011 to 2016.

Mark is the Director of Finance and Administration at RIBO (Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario), the provincial regulatory body for insurance brokers. A senior organizational leader, he has successfully guided both for-profit and not-for-profit businesses through phases of growth, change, and maturity. He brings a deep level of business, strategic and financial acumen to Spinal Cord Injury Ontario, with over 20 years of management, consulting, and board-level experience across a range of sectors including healthcare, education, policy research, and technology.

Mark holds a Bachelor of Mathematics from the University of Waterloo and a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in strategic management from York University’s Schulich School of Business. Mark is a Certified Corporate Financial Planning and Analysis Professional and active member of the Association of Finance Professionals.

KENT BASSETT-SPIERS

Kent served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation, a position he has held since 1999, and was appointed as the Executive Director of the Canadian Spinal Research Organization in 2014. Kent has extensive experience in developing strategic linkages and partnerships, organizational restructuring and working with the Ministry of Health on policy and system reforms. Kent is a Certified Health Care Executive with the Canadian College of Health Services Executives. He completed his undergraduate work at Schulich School of Business, York University and graduate work at the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine in the School of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation. Through his work with the Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation Kent has been involved in a number of partnership activities with the Rick Hansen Foundation and the Rick Hansen Institute including the SCI Solutions Network, Canadian Neurotrauma Research Partnership and more recently with the Best Practices Implementation Project.

DANA FRANCOZ, VICE-CHAIR

Dana Francoz has had a long career in media representing some of North America’s most iconic brands to Canadian advertisers and marketers, across every media platform – print, digital, broadcast, radio and Out of Home. Throughout her career, Dana has also been an active volunteer and board member. 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.

ELEANOR EVANS

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. 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.

OMAR HA-REDEYE

Omar Ha-Redeye is a lawyer who practices civil litigation, employment and human rights law, technology, and health law. He holds a JD from Western, and an LLM in Health Law from Osgoode Hall. Prior to becoming a lawyer, he worked in clinical healthcare, and maintains his American designation in nuclear medicine technology. Omar joined the Board in 2018 and served on the SCIO Young Professionals Board prior to that since 2015. He is a member of the Advocacy Committee and is actively involved in SCIO’s government relations and legislative strategies.

SARAH HICKS, CHAIR

Sarah Hicks is a communications professional with more than 25 years’ experience. For the last fifteen years she has been working with nonprofit corporations to strengthen their communications and stakeholder engagement capacity – including the College of Family Physicians of Canada and the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer. Sarah started her career in public relations working 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.

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. 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.

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.

She is an organizational leadership consultant and coach who has worked with hundreds of professionals and leaders from a variety of industries. She has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Alberta and MBA from Queen’s University. She is presently completing a Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology (MACP) and working towards a Registered Psychotherapist designation to help those struggling with mental health issues.

Christine lives in Toronto with her husband and two children, loves travelling, and attending concerts.

TAYLOR LINDSAY-NOEL

Taylor sustained a spinal cord injury after a gymnastics accident at the age of 14. Over the past 13 years, she has thrived and learned to adapt even with her new body and circumstances. She is passionate about helping improve the lives of all people living with an SCI. Taylor is a successful entrepreneur as the founder and owner of Cup of Té Luxurious Loose Leaf Teas, is a team player, empathetic and dedicated to positive change. As a Black Canadian living with an SCI, she brings a unique perspective to the SCIO Board of Directors.

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.

Joanne has helped shape some of Canada’s best journalists. Her leadership, news sense, and commitment to the highest news standards have contributed greatly to cementing CTV News as the powerhouse it is today. She actively contributes to the professional development of young journalists and is on the Advisory Council for her alma mater at the Ryerson School of Journalism.

EMILY McINTYRE

Currently, Emily is the Lead Researcher, Business Solutions Department for the Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work (CCRW). She holds an MA in Critical Disability Studies from York University. She has sat on a variety of committees including the Standards Council of Canada’s Accessible Tourism Working Group and was the Co-chair of the Volunteer Engagement Logistics Team for PrideHouseTO. She has been a member of the SCIO Young Professionals Board for the past four years and played a significant role in the logistics and fundraising of the annual Comedy Night event.

ALEX McKINNON, TREASURER

Alex McKinnon, CEBS is the Research Director for the United Steelworkers Union – Canadian National Office. He has been on staff with the Union for over 30+ years. In 1991, he became the first rank and file member to go into the Unions National Office Research Department and in 2013 became the first rank and file member to be promoted to the Research Director.

Mr. McKinnon serves as a pension trustee on the multi-employer Steelworkers Pension Plan, as well as Chair of the Canadian Energy and Related Industries Pension Plan (CERi). and is the Vice-Chair and past Chair and Vice-Chair of the University of Toronto Pension Plan; President of MEBCO and serves on several committees of the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario. He also serves as a Trustee of the new JSPP – the University Pension Plan (UPP).

Alex is a graduate of Sir Wilfred Laurier University with a Bachelors’ in Economics, as well as holding the CEBS designation and a variety of certifications in pension fund governance. He also volunteers as a spinal cord peer support and in 2018 was awarded the Peer Support Volunteer of the Year.

JULIE SAWCHUK, SECRETARY

Julie Sawchuk is a best-selling author, professional speaker and designated Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification (RHFAC) professional. Julie combines her experience of living with a spinal cord injury with her passion for education in order to help people make smart decisions when planning for accessibility.

After completing the construction of her own fully accessible home, Jue authored Build YOUR Space – How to create an accessible home for you, your family and your future. Julie’s home is a showcase of how accessibility is not just functional, but also beautiful. Knowing there is a need for more information about building for access, Julie has since published the online series of courses Building Without Barriers.

Julie is an Accessibility Strategist and founder of Sawchuk Accessible Solutions. She has completed the RHFAC certification of Blyth Cowbell Brewing, Ottawa International Airport, many major buildings in the City of Vaughan as well as the Fairfield Marriott Hotel in Ottawa. Julie has also planned the renovations of century-old buildings on the mainstreet of her hometown as well as newly constructed single family homes and an elementary school. Aside from educating about accessibility, Julie and her husband Thea have two teenagers and together they live on a 10 acre farm in Blyth. She takes any chance she can to get on her hand-bike on the local rail trail.

KAREN VIGMOND

Karen is a personal injury lawyer practicing in Barrie, Ontario, where she was born and raised. She was called to the bar in 2013. Karen represents clients across Ontario and over the years has represented and advocated for numerous individuals who have suffered a spinal cord injury. She has become very familiar with the life-altering effect of an SCI. She understands there are barriers for people living with a disability such as accessibility, lack of equipment and continuity of care that can prevent people having the best quality of life. Karen has participated in SCIO events since she was a teenager and has been a volunteer with SCIO since 2015 when she became the Co-Chair of the newly created Young Professionals Board. In that role, she was and has been instrumental in the development and increasing success of the annual Comedy Night event.

EUGENE WAI

Dr. Wai obtained his medical degree and completed his residency in orthopaedic surgery at the University of Toronto. During this time, he obtained a Masters of Science in Community Health (Clinical Epidemiology) and then went on to complete 2 additional fellowships in spinal surgery. Currently. Dr. Wai is the Head of the University of Ottawa Combined Adult Spinal Surgery program with over 20 years of experience as a spinal surgeon. Along with front line clinical experience with spinal cord injured patients, Dr. Wai recently led the implementation of evidence based national standards and practices into the Hospital’s Acute Spinal Cord Injury Program.

Dr. Wai is an Associate Professor in the Department of Surgery, with a cross appointment in the School Epidemiology and Public Health and has authored over 100 publications related to patient centered outcomes assessment, advanced analytics, and critical evaluation of evidence. He is a member of the Ottawa Hospital Research Ethics Board. Most recently, Dr. Wai served as an expert panelist for Provincial Evidenced Based Initiatives including Quality Based Programming and Health Quality Ontario.