CONTACT
Meet Our Team
There are many people that come together facilitate the production of this website and these podcasts. Find some information on them below.
Elaine Wiersma
Associate Professor
Elaine Wiersma is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health Sciences at Lakehead University, completing an MA and PhD from the University of Waterloo. Having spent many years working with older adults in practice and research, particularly individuals with dementia, Elaine's research aims to tell people's stories in ways that challenge stereotypes and misconceptions of older people, particularly persons with dementia. Advocacy, inclusion, and rights form the fundamental values underlying her work with people with dementia. Using critical qualitative methodologies, her research spans community and long-term care, exploring aging and dementia care, contexts of rural and northern communities, and quality of life issues.
Nick Donati
Audio Editor
Being raised with a musical background inspired me to become an audio designer. I am a graduate of Fanshawe and have had the delight of working on a variety of projects. Whether it is designing sounds and atmospheres, writing music, or editing audio files and waveforms. I enjoy it all.
Kathy Hickman
Director Education & Knowledge Translation
Kathy Hickman is the Director, Education & Knowledge Translation for the Alzheimer Society of Ontario. Over the past 20 years with the Alzheimer Society, Kathy has provided education and support for people living with dementia and their families, professional care providers and the general public as well as supported the work of local Alzheimer Society educators in Ontario. She is passionate about developing meaningful learning opportunities for all and also about making sure that the voices of people with lived experience guide this work.
Editorial Board
Mario Gregorio
Data Analyst
Mario Gregorio is a passionate advocate to create awareness, reduce stigma and educate the public about neurocognitive disorder (NCD) or dementia. In 2008 at the age of 57, he was diagnosed with vascular NCD. He is a mentor for researchers at the University of BC IDEA Lab and the Simon Fraser University DEMSCAPE MAP/SWAN accessibility initiative. He is a citizen reviewer for the Alzheimer Society Research Program (ASRP) and a patient engagement partner for Providence Health Care, Fraser Health and Coastal Health regions. He is an active public speaker to promote Lifestyle Innovations and Social Activities (LISA). He is a representative for people with hidden disability at Burnaby Accessibility Advisory Council.
Jillian McConnell
Knowledge Broker and Knowledge Mobilization Lead
Jillian McConnell serves as a Knowledge Mobilization Specialist at brainXchange, where she oversees regional, provincial, and national components of the network, which is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life and support for individuals with or at risk of brain health issues, including dementia, mental health conditions, and neurological disorders associated with aging. Throughout her career, both in her current and previous roles, Jillian has concentrated on advancing knowledge translation and exchange related to cognitive impairment and dementia, specifically as it relates to education and research. Jillian holds an Honours B.Sc. (Specialist) from the University of Toronto and is accredited by the Council for Continuing Pharmaceutical Education, with a focus on gerontology and women's health. She has also served as a trainer and coach for GPA and U-First! with previous organizations.
Lisa Loiselle
Lisa Loiselle is the former Associate Director of the Murray Alzheimer Research and Education Program (MAREP), where she spent 17 years working alongside people living with dementia and their care partners to identify, research and translate knowledge that would help them and others live well with dementia. Lisa was a founding member of ODAG, Dementia Friendly Communities Ontario, and Dementia Action Alliance Canada. Further, she was invited to be a stakeholder and was involved in the development of the National Dementia Strategy in Canada. As a co-author of the Authentic Partnership approach, Lisa has spent many years partnering with people living with dementia and advocating for their voice to be heard.
Sacha Nadeau
Sacha Nadeau is an Acadian East Coaster, originally from New Brunswick, now working at the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia. She holds a Masters in Family Studies & Gerontology with certifications in Scientist Knowledge Translation and patient-oriented research. Passionate about moving ideas and motivating change in the dementia sector, her research interests have focused primarily on long-term care, including projects related to person-centered staffing, dementia-friendly design, reducing social vulnerability, access to primary care/community supports and uptake of innovations. At the Alzheimer Society, Sacha oversees public education, research partnerships and the delivery of all Programs and Services to clients (people living with dementia, their care partners, and healthcare staff).
In her spare time, you can find her camping, baking, or snuggling her beloved big cat, Mr. Milton.
Rev. Faye Forbes
Faye was born and raised in Nova Scotia. She is the proud mother of three grown daughters. Faye lives in Windsor Junction and is an associate priest at St. Francis by the Lakes Anglican Church. She is active with the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia. She is on the Alzheimer Society of Canada Board of Directors and also their Research Committee, Board of Directors of the Nova Scotia Alzheimer Society, as well as serving on numerous other advisory and research committees, such as the NS Dementia Strategy, The Dementia Alliance of Canada, CCNA Advisory, and in conjunction with several research universities (TREC, SALTY). Faye has spoken to many groups both locally and nationally (G7 Conference). Faye considers herself an advocate for persons living with dementia. There is more to life after dementia. It does not control her life. She has a lot of living to do. As a person with Alzheimer's, she does not consider herself disabled, but differently-abled!
David Harvey
David is the founding producer of Dementia Dialogue — a project that emerged from his work in leading the public policy and program development team at the Alzheimer Society of Ontario. Previously, David had a long career with the Ontario Government developing services for the elderly and stimulating program innovation.
Ann-Marie Kungl
Ann-Marie Kungl is the Chief Executive Officer of the Alzheimer Society of Simcoe County and Certified Health Executive. She is immersed in community and public service as a City of Barrie Councillor and the Board Chair of the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit. With over 25 years in broad health system roles, her passion is supporting dementia friendly communities, public health promotion and connecting people to meaningful opportunities that build vibrant neighbourhoods. With a background in research, and an experience with caregiving for loved ones living with dementia, Ann-Marie was eager to explore how Dr. Flett's work on mattering could apply to caregiving.
Dawn Hannah
Dawn is the Manager of Education Partnerships and Outreach at the Alzheimer Society of Ontario. She was a part of the Alzheimer Society of Durham Region's Education team prior to joining the provincial office. Having worked in the healthcare industry for more than 25 years, Dawn has expertise in healthcare sales, staff, and volunteer management, and is an educator on dementia care, healthy aging, and fall prevention.
Ingrid Gagnon, Host
Ingrid Gagnon's career experiences have honed her communication skills, curiosity, empathy, and her ability to establish rapport with people from all walks of life.
Her career at Queen's University at Kingston has spanned a range of roles over two decades, including: French Language Instructor, Prospect Research & Prospect Management Coordinator in the Office of Advancement, Awards Officer & Business Analysis for the University Registrar, and Training Coordinator for new research administration systems for the entire campus. Since 2019, she has been a member of the Business Relationship Management team for Information Technology Services.
Ingrid holds an Honours Bachelor's degree in Classical Studies and a Master of Arts in French Studies from Queen's University at Kingston. She also has a journalism diploma from the Cégep de Jonquière, with a specialization in print journalism. Her media experience includes work as a newspaper reporter and radio journalist in Northern Ontario. She also worked as a freelance arts critic for The Kingston Whig-Standard while completing her studies at Queen's.
JoAnne Chalifour, Project manager
JoAnne Chalifour is a consultant with 30 years of management experience who specializes in community development, quality assurance and French-language services. With training and experience in management, JoAnne spent her career working in healthcare and French-language services. Since her transition to consulting in 2018, JoAnne has led numerous projects within healthcare systems across Canada. She is a strong project manager who has experience evaluating health and social programs and conducting quality improvement initiatives.
JoAnne possesses an in-depth understanding of French-language systems and services in Canada based on her work and volunteer involvement in the governance of French health services at the provincial and national levels. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work, a Certificate in Long-Term Care Administration and a master's degree in management and organizational development. Engaged in her community, she is a mentor to new Canadians starting their career in Canada with the Toronto Region Immigration Council and is a long-time volunteer with Kemp Care Network in Hamilton.
With her dynamic and warm personality, JoAnne fosters and maintains cooperative working relationships and she has developed an impressive network of professional contacts.
Daniel Hubert, Audio Editing
Mr. Hubert has been immersed in music since childhood. Having completed a program with a music concentration in high school, he started his university education in this field. Composer and performer, he has been recording and manipulating music and audio software for decades. He masters the steps of audio recording, from sound recording to mixing and mastering. His musical ear and his great attention to detail make him the ideal person to be responsible for the audio editing in this initiative.
In addition to his passion for music, for the past ten years Mr. Hubert has been working as a consultant, among other activities, in the health field, in addition to having held various positions in the higher education and research sector for the past twenty years. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography and a master's degree in business administration.
Lynn Jackson
Lynn Jackson began her career as a Registered Nurse .
Lynn was diagnosed with dementia in 1999. Her current interests include advocating for people with dementia and increasing awareness of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
She has spoken locally, nationally and internationally in an effort to promote better diagnosis, access to treatment and inclusiveness. Lynn has taken a particular interest in breaking the stigma surrounding a diagnosis of dementia.
She has participated in numerous Alzheimer's Disease International working groups helping its member countries become more inclusive of people with dementia.
Lynn is one of the founders of DASN International (2001) an internet based organization by and for those diagnosed with early stage dementia. (Although this group is not online anymore - it's early work proved to help change the dementia awareness landscape).
She has participated in numerous planning and advisory committees over the years. Lynn is a proud member of the Metis Nation BC with sixth generation roots stemming from the Manitoba Saulteax Nation.
Catherine-Anne
Catherine-Anne is the Dignity of Risk lead with the Frailty & Elder Care Network, with Nova Scotia Health. She worked as an OT in Geriatrics for NS Health for 14 years previous. Her experience working with older adults living with frailty and dementia both in the hospital and the community has forged her passion to improve older adult care and how we coach and support essential care partners involved. She envisions dementia care and policy development shifting towards incorporating the concept of Dignity of Risk, with less ageist and paternalistic attitudes, and more focus on risk management with the person's values and wishes at the forefront of care planning.
She has completed the Post Graduate Certificate program in Dementia Studies at the University of Stirling, and often partners with the Alzheimer Society of NS for presentations and resource development.