Our Board

Board of Directors

Chair

Ray Bisson, Manitoba

Ray has been serving on the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba Board since 2017 and has held the position of Vice-Chair and Chair since 2019. Prior to serving on the Board, Ray volunteered for several years on the Gala Fundraising Committee, including serving as Chair in 2018 and 2019.

Ray spent his career in the construction industry focusing mostly on the agricultural and industrial sectors. He held several positions over the years as an executive for a large design-build construction company including doing general management, operations and for the most part business development until his retirement in late 2020.

Outside of the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba Board, Ray also chaired boards of directors for credit union and a provincial construction-industry organization. He has also sat as a Board Member at Large for other miscellaneous boards. Ray continues to volunteer with the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba Fundraising Team to meet with potential significant donors.

Vice-Chair

Robert Piasentin, British Columbia

Robert Piasentin has been serving on the Alzheimer Society of Canada Board since 2020.

Robert Piasentin is an influential and highly accomplished leader in the legal and business world. Robert is Partner, Technology in the Vancouver office of McMillan LLP and is national Chair of the firm's technology law practice and national Co-Chair of the firm’s start-ups and emerging companies practice. Prior to his current role, Robert spent over 15 years as an in-house lawyer in Canada and the U.K., serving as General Counsel at one of the largest Canadian IT consulting firms for almost 13 years. Robert has served seven years on the Board of the Alzheimer Society of B.C., with four of those years as Chair of the Board. He also volunteers and spends time on several other community boards, including the boards of the Frontier Collective, Baseball B.C., and the Canadian Technology Law Association (Can-Tech). Robert lives in Vancouver.

Robert is a member of the Alzheimer Society of Canada Board Governance Committee.

Treasurer

Darcy Yamada, Alberta & Northwest Territories

Darcy Yamada has been serving on the Alzheimer Society of Canada Board since 2021.

Darcy is a retired Managing Director of EY-Parthenon Corporate Finance Inc., where he specialized in advising mid-market private companies on transaction strategy, mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and raising capital. 

After providing advisory services for over thirty years, Darcy is now focused on contributing his expertise in strategy, finance, risk, and governance to various Boards.

Darcy served on the Board of the Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories from 2016 to 2021, including serving as Chair of the Audit & Finance Committee (2017-2019) and as President (2019-2021). Darcy’s passion for supporting those with dementia is based on his family’s history with Alzheimer’s disease, including his mother, aunt, and uncle. Having experienced the impact on his family, Darcy sees the importance of improving the quality of life of those with dementia and their support networks.

Candace Chartier, RN, MBA, CHE, ICD.D

As a senior executive in healthcare across Canada, Candace has held different portfolios and has been responsible for leading and implementing various organizations ongoing commitments to quality and care across the health care continuum. She was responsible for ensuring strong accountability mechanisms focused on operational standards, policy and legislative changes and quality of living for the seniors and young adults. Candace brings more than two decades of experience in Ontario’s and Canada’s long-term care and senior care sectors. Her past experiences have included serving as the President and CEO of Providence Living, Chief Executive Officer of the Ontario Long Term Care Association (OLTCA) and Chair of the Canadian Association for Long Term Care (CALTC), Chief Operations Officer of Omni Quality Living, as well as her current position as CEO of Safe Haven Consulting Inc. Candace has launched CareTech Solutions Inc. which have implemented the CareFall Assessment across Ontario and Canada. This preventative, upstream assessment for seniors aging in place is crucial to supporting and maintaining both cognitive and physical health.

Candace holds the designations of a Registered Nurse, Masters of Business Administration, Certified Health Executive and a designation with the Institute of Corporate Directors.

Genevieve (Gig) Dooling

Gig Dooling is a happily retire public servant having spent over 31 years of her career with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Gig spent the majority of her career in various Leadership and Executive roles helping shape provincial policies and programs. She has held numerous Executive positions with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador - some of which include: Deputy Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour, Deputy Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services and CEO of the Labour Relations Agency.

In 2020, Gig left her position as Deputy Minister for Advanced Education, Skills and Labour to take on one of the most important and rewarding “jobs” in her life - to spend time with and to care for her sister, Regina, who was nearing the end of her journey with Young Onset Dementia.

Gig and her family had been advocates for their sister Regina for over a decade. While Regina’s journey ended in September 2021, the family continue to advocate for others who are currently on the Dementia Journey. Gig believes that raising awareness about Alzheimer’s and other forms of Dementia, and helping to educate the public, will help reduce the stigma associated with the disease.

Gig currently sits on the Minister of Seniors Advisory Council for Dementia and is also a volunteer with the NL Alzheimer’s Society.

Mark Gillis, Nova Scotia 

Based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Mark is a Partner with KBRS and Meridia Recruitment – a national Executive Search and Recruitment firm with East Coast roots. Mark spent seven years on the board of the Alzheimer’s Society of Nova Scotia before joining the ASC Board. During his tenure with ASNS, he spent three years in the Chair position and played a lead role in the recruitment and on-boarding of the CEO. Aside from his work with the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada, Mark is an active volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters, an organization he’s been working with for over eight years. In his spare time, Mark enjoys spending time with his wife, Hillary, and his two young children, Sonny and Holly.

Dan Kohl, Saskatchewan

Dan is an experienced senior management professional with more than 30 years of healthcare management expertise in long term care and seniors care. He is now retired from his previous position as Executive Director, Long Term Care Services, in the Saskatchewan Health Authority, and now works as an independent business consultant. He holds a Bachelor of Administration Degree from the University of Regina and a professional accounting designation, and was recognized nationally with a Fellowship by the Society of Management Accountants of Canada.

Dan served on the Board of the Alzheimer's Association of Saskatchewan in various capacities from 2018 to 2024, including a two-year term as President. His interest in the Alzheimer Society stems from seeing, first hand, the growth of Alzheimer’s disease for long term care residents and its impact on those served in care homes and in the community. He recognizes that this growth is challenging for families, service providers, and policy makers and wants to try and make a difference for all who are touched by the disease.

In addition to his healthcare leadership, Dan has extensive board, volunteer, and community experience, including chairperson for local community groups, University of Regina Senate representative, Hill School of Business Alumni Association, Partner Advisory Committee for AGE-WELL (Canada’s Aging and Technology Network), and volunteer for numerous sports organizations and sporting events.

Dan joined the Alzheimer Society of Canada Board of Directors in September 2024 as the Saskatchewan representative. He is currently on the ASC Finance and Audit Committee and is the ASC representative, and Chair, of the Governance Steering Committee for the Federation.

Brenda Martinussen, MA, MHM, CHE

With over 20 years of experience providing leadership to cross-program, multidisciplinary teams at regional, national and executive levels, Brenda is highly knowledgeable in the administration of publicly funded community services and healthcare environments. Currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer of the largest primary care medical clinic in Manitoba, she guides the strategic, operational and financial leadership of the organization. In prior roles, Brenda oversaw pan-Canadian projects with the Canadian Coalition for Seniors’ Mental Health and was the Chief Strategy and Growth Officer and Chief Operating Officer with a large not for profit in Manitoba.

In a volunteer capacity, Brenda currently sits on the board and two committees of Jack.org, the National Advisory Council for the Canada Volunteer Awards, the Council, Executive and Inquiry Committee of the College of Occupational Therapists of Manitoba, the Complaints Committee of the College of Pharmacists of Manitoba, and is Chair of the board of the South Interlake Regional Library. Previously, she chaired the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Winnipeg boards, was on the Alzheimer Society of Canada board and governance committee and was on the policy, governance and leadership committees with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada.

Brenda holds dual master’s degrees in Health Management and Psychology and is a Certified Health Executive. In 2024 Brenda was awarded a Distinguished Alumni Award from McMaster University for her work in the community and healthcare field. With a personal philosophy of “Be the change you want to see in the world,” Brenda’s priorities in life include her husband of 28 years, their three children, various pets and giving back to the community.

Doug Milne, Director at Large

Doug Milne is Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for the IGM Financial family of companies, which includes IG Wealth Management and Mackenzie Investments. He joined IGM in 2017 and is responsible for leading a comprehensive marketing, digital, community, event and corporate communications strategy for IGM Financial and its portfolio brands.

A Toronto native, Doug has more than 25 years of marketing experience in several industries, including retail, consumer products and financial services, and has worked in Canada, the United States and Latin America. He is a globally awarded marketer with considerable experience in channel strategy, integration, activation, digital marketing and innovation management. Previously, Doug held an executive marketing role at a major Canadian financial institution where he led the transformation of its brand.

Doug graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Applied Science and Engineering (Industrial). He is a Professional Engineer (P. Eng.), Chartered Marketer (CM) and holds the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors. He also serves as a Board Member and Chair of the Learning Committee for the Canadian Marketing Association and is a past Vice Chair of the Board for the Association of Canadian Advertisers and past corporate co-chair for the United Way and Junior Achievement programs.

Lynn Murray, Prince Edward Island

Lynn Murray has been serving on the Alzheimer Society of Canada Board since 2021 and prior thereto between 2017 and 2019.

Lynn Murray is a Partner with Key Murray Law, based out of its Charlottetown office. Her primary practice areas include civil litigation with an emphasis on personal injury, insurance defence, employment and labour law, professional regulation and administrative law. She is listed in Best Lawyers in Canada® in the practice areas of Administrative and Public Law, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Corporate and Commercial Litigation, Family Law, Insurance Law and Labour and Employment Law for 2026. Lynn was also named Best Lawyers’ 2021 Corporate and Commercial Litigation “Lawyer of the Year.”

Lynn is also recognized as a leading practitioner in the 2026 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory for Litigation, Director & Officers Liability, and Personal Injury.

In 2023, Lynn was inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers as a Fellow.

Lynn Murray has built a reputation for her legal work and community outreach. Since 1984, she has shared her insight of the law, often serving as a speaker at conferences and seminars in Prince Edward Island and outside of the province. Lynn has shared her knowledge on a variety of topics including ethics, insurance, employment and labour, Aboriginal law, litigation, and mediation. She has appeared before all levels of the court and at many administrative tribunals in Prince Edward Island.

Active both in her community and her profession, Lynn has previously served on the Board of Directors of Meritas (a worldwide network of law firms), on the Board of Governors of the University of Prince Edward Island, and as President of the Law Society of Prince Edward Island.

Luc Pinard, Quebec

Luc Pinard has been serving on the Alzheimer Society of Canada Board since 2018.

Luc retired in January 2020 after a 41-year career with CGI Inc. He was actively involved in all of CGI’s stages of development, as it grew from a very small company with a turnover of less than $1 million to become a publicly traded company eight years later. CGI has grown in the international arena as the result of several acquisitions and is today a major global player present in over 40 countries, with a turnover of almost $11 billion.

Luc has extensive and diverse professional experience. In the course of his career, he formed and led teams overseeing the implementation of enterprise resource planning, research and development, project risk management, quality management, IT functional management, information security management, innovation management, intellectual property management, and investment and internal auditing management. He further gained international experience working in Europe for several years, in both France and the U.K., and he led teams comprising people from the U.S., Europe and Asia. He also took part in several due diligence reviews in the process of major acquisitions in both the U.S. and Europe, and he participated in integration measures for those acquisitions.

Luc has successfully completed the training for and obtained the Administrateur de sociétés certifiés (ASC) designation. He has been on the Board of Directors of a regional Alzheimer Society in Quebec for 12 years and chaired that same Board for 11 years. He has been a Director on the Board of the Fédération québécoise des Sociétés Alzheimer since 2017 and has chaired that Board since 2018. He was nominated to the Board of Alzheimer Society of Canada in 2018 and has been Treasurer there since 2019.

Luc is also Chair of the Alzheimer Society of Canada Board Finance and Audit Committee.

Farhad Sethna, Director at Large

Farhad Sethna is currently the Chief Financial Officer, responsible for the Finance and IT functions, at COSTI . He brings more than twenty years of business leadership experience. He is a results-driven financial strategist and operations leader. He crafts innovative strategies and fiscal policies that drive profitable growth while effectively managing change and promoting efficiency. His business, finance, and technology expertise allows him to consistently meet corporate goals. His collaborative leadership style fosters highly motivated teams and emphasizes consensus-building, empowerment, diversity and inclusion.

Farhad's professional career has included increasingly progressive leadership roles focused on finance and corporate operations in not-for-profit organizations. His prior work experience has included the Retirement Home Regulatory Authority as Chief Corporate Services Officer and at Shepherd Village as Vice-President, Corporate Services.

Farhad has served as a Board Chair at Achev and the Alzheimer Society of Ontario, providing financial and governance oversight.

He holds an MBA from the Schulich School of Business and is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Chartered Director (C.Dir), Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL), and Certified Association Executive (CAE).

Shelley Shillington, New Brunswick

Shelley Shillington has served on the Alzheimer Society of Canada Board of Directors since 2020.

Following a distinguished 35 year career in long-term care, including leadership roles in nursing homes in the Saint John, New Brunswick, Shelley is now a Senior Consultant with Person Centred Universe. In this role, she is dedicated to sharing her knowledge and experience in dementia care with organizations, care partners, and communities across Canada through education, leadership development, and person-centred practice.

A long-time volunteer with the Alzheimer Society, she previously served on the Board of Directors of the Alzheimer Society of New Brunswick, including as Board Chair, where she worked closely with community partners to strengthen dementia awareness, education, and support.

Shelley is passionate about empowering care teams, leaders, and families with practical tools and confidence to support people living with dementia with compassion, dignity, and respect. She believes that person-centred care is built on understanding each person's unique story, strengths, and abilities, creating opportunities for meaningful connection and improved quality of life.

She continues to serve on the Alzheimer Society of Canada Board Governance Committee and remains committed to advancing the Society's mission of improving the lives of people affected by dementia.

Dr. Vanita Varma

Dr. Vanita Varma is a strategist with 20+ years of executive leadership experience in the non-profit sector in GTA. As a systems-thinker and a collaborator, her areas of expertise include strategic visioning and planning, community engagement, change management and Board governance. Most recently, she was the Director of the Centre for Innovation in Health and Wellness at Humber Polytechnic.

Vanita holds Ph.D. from the University of Toronto, specializing in leadership and policy with collaborative specialization in workplace learning and social change. Her current Board leadership roles include Board Chair of Crossroads International and a Board member and a member of the Community Impact Committee at United Way Greater Toronto. Her past Board Governance roles include Board Director and Co-Chair, Governance Committee at Alzheimer Society of Ontario (ASO) and Past Board Chair & Board Director at William Osler Health System and Board of Directors at Sheridan College. 

Her community leadership roles include being a mentor with Massey College, and OISE at University of Toronto. Vanita is passionate about contributing to organizations that are human-centric, impact-oriented, and are continuously learning to make this world inclusive for all. 

Dr. Roger Wong, Director at Large

Dr. Roger Wong is the Vice President, Medicine and Academic Affairs at the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority and a Clinical Professor in the Division of Geriatric Medicine in the University of British Columbia (UBC) Department of Medicine. He is the Former Vice Dean, Education in the UBC Faculty of Medicine, whereby he led with impact and collaborated with government and provincial health partners to expand and geographically distribute undergraduate and postgraduate medical education, including across the health professions in physical therapy, occupational therapy, midwifery, speech-language pathology, and medical genetics. He is also a Consultant Physician of the Geriatric Consultation Program at the Vancouver General Hospital and a researcher at the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute. Dr. Wong has been appointed to the Order of Canada in 2020, the country's highest civilian honour, for his contributions to the field of geriatric medicine, including the advancement of policies, education and specialized, culturally sensitive health care.

Dr. Wong is a renowned national and international leader who works tirelessly to advance academic and clinical health sciences related to geriatrics. He has been elected to the Fellowship of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, one of the highest scientific honours in the health sciences field in Canada. He has also received many prestigious awards in recognition of his exceptional national leadership in the field of older adults’ healthcare and the distinguished impact in clinical care, education, research, and public service that inspires excellence and promotes innovation while fostering a culture grounded in compassion, respect and equity. He is the recipient of the Ronald Cape Distinguished Service Award, which recognizes an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the healthcare of older adults in Canada and is the highest honour given by the Canadian Geriatrics Society. In 2024, Dr. Wong received the Don Rix Award for Physician Leadership from the Doctors of British Columbia in recognition for the outstanding lifetime achievement and significant impact on medical education, the field of geriatrics, and the health system in general.

Dr. Wong is a national leader in dementia and Alzheimer research and knowledge transfer, who is committed to advancing research excellence by providing strategic advice on research policy, priority setting, program effectiveness, knowledge translation and funding support in Canada. He is the National Chair of the Research and Knowledge Transfer and Exchange Committee of the Alzheimer Society of Canada, as well as a Board Member of its Board of Directors.

Dr. Wong has made significant contributions to medical and health professional education, including important and leading-edge educational and curricular innovations. The significant impact and track record of his service has been recognized by numerous medical education awards.

Dr. Wong has published and lectured extensively on geriatric medicine and medical education. He is also a TEDx Speaker whose talk has been curated by the TED website and viewed by international audiences around the world.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Christina Scicluna

Christina Scicluna joined the Alzheimer Society of Canada as Chief Executive Officer in January 2025, bringing nearly 20 years of progressive leadership experience in purpose-driven organizations.

Before joining the ASC, Christina served as Interim CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities Toronto. A certified Chief of Staff by the Chief of Staff Association and a Master Facilitator, Christina is skilled in collaborative, dialogue-based consultation practices informed by behavioral science. Her expertise in fostering inclusive engagement, earning trust, and driving collective action make her a highly effective leader in complex and rapidly evolving environments.

Christina’s leadership is a deeply personal and mission-driven one. Inspired by her grandmother Cesira’s journey with dementia and her own mother’s role as the primary caregiver, she brings empathy, humanity, and a strong commitment to improving the lives of those impacted by Alzheimer’s disease.