Brain Injury Canada was formed in 2004 after a groundswell of advocacy and national activity by local brain injury associations, survivors and caregivers across the country. Everyone agreed that Canadians living with the effects of acquired brain injury, their families and caregivers, required national representation to connect and advocate for needs and services.
Mission
To empower and connect the brain injury community through education, advocacy and collaboration, creating lasting positive impacts.
Vision
A better quality of life for all people affected by brain injury in Canada.
Values
In all that we do, we will:
- Foster accessibility and inclusion for people affected by brain injury.
- Promote respect, empathy and compassion for different lived experiences.
- Cultivate knowledge and information sharing with integrity.
- Demonstrate responsibility and sustainability using evidence to inform policy and guide action.
Staff
Get to know Brain Injury Canada’s team.
Michelle McDonald
Chief Executive Officer
“Brain injury is often overlooked, underfunded, and misunderstood. I feel fortunate to work with this remarkable community including people living with the effects of brain injury, their families and caregivers, and all of the people that dedicate their careers to providing healthcare, supports and services, as well as research and advocacy.”
Michelle is an accomplished non-profit professional with over two decades of experience working in the sector in both Toronto and Ottawa. She brings a wealth of knowledge to any role she undertakes and has a proven record of growth in both revenue and reach for small organizations. As Chief Executive Officer of Brain Injury Canada, she has led the organization in a new strategic direction solidifying its position as a credible information source, knowledge mobilizer and ally for those with lived experience, families, the healthcare/service provider community, as well as the medical and research community. In addition to managing day-to-day operations, she also oversees the development of all Brain Injury Canada’s education and awareness programs, as well as advocacy initiatives. Her demonstrated focus on collaboration and partnerships gives her the ability to look at the big picture, but also all the moving parts and how they fit together effectively and efficiently. She currently sits on the Executive Committee for the Canadian Traumatic Brain Injury Research Consortium, the Accessibility Advisory Committee for the Canadian Transportation Safety Agency, the Executive Committee for the Canadian Concussion Network and is Co-Chair of the Governing Council for Neurological Health Charities Canada. Past roles include Executive Director at the Brain Injury Society of Toronto and in Health Promotion at the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario. Past committee involvement includes Toronto ABI Network Planning Advisory Committee, Toronto ABI Network Concussion Task Force and Ontario Advisory Council (OAC) for the Ontario Acquired Brain Injury Community Associations.
Daniel Bourque
Director, Strategic Initiatives
“I’m excited to work with all interested parties to strengthen the brain injury sector for the benefit of those living with acquired brain injuries and their families.”
Daniel is a non-profit professional with over a decade of management, project, policy, and partnership-building experience.
As Director, Strategic Initiatives, he is working with brain injury associations across Canada to strengthen collaboration and the sector. He is also responsible for growing the policy and evaluation functions at Brain Injury Canada.
Most recently, he was Project & Policy Manager at New Brunswick’s largest animal shelter. His experience includes working as an adviser to senior government officials in complex policy environments (Veterans Affairs Canada, National Defence Canada, and New Brunswick’s Regional Development Corporation), as a non-profit management consultant, and as a volunteer program manager.
Garry Dillabough
Manager, Partnerships & Development
“Growing up with a sibling who continues to suffer the long term effects of a brain injury, I want to use my position to grow awareness and raise funds to provide desperately needed supports to survivors and their families within the Brain Injury Community.”
Garry joined the team in 2024 as Manager, Partnerships & Development, bringing with him close to a decade of relationship and community building experience.
As Manager, Partnerships & Development, Garry is focused on building and growing Brain Injury Canada by managing its existing partnerships and creating new funding opportunities to provide support and raise awareness for Brain Injury Canada and its mission. Garry began his career in sales and retention within the professional sports industry with the Ottawa Senators. He then transitioned to fundraising within the non-profit sector, working directly with donors and sponsors at the United Way East Ontario and Hospice Renfrew. Along with his work background, Garry brings several years of volunteer experience with non-profit organizations in his local community and throughout Eastern Ontario.
Rachel Newcombe
Manager, Education & Engagement
“I have family members with brain injury, and I grew up seeing how it impacts not just the individual, but the people around them. My goal is that everything we do provides more education and more awareness about brain injury, and fuels advocacy efforts of our organization, other organizations, and individuals in this space.”
Rachel joined Brain Injury Canada in 2019 as the content writer for our knowledge base resource website, and now manages the organization’s educational and engagement initiatives. This includes the planning and execution of programs such as the Foundations of Brain Injury e-course, website expansion, and Brain Injury Awareness Month campaigns. Rachel holds an honours degree from Bishop’s University in culture/media studies and journalism, and has several years of experience writing a variety of long and short-form content, as well as managing projects at all stages, using creative problem-solving to deliver informative, quality programs.
Teresa Kattackal
Policy and Knowledge Mobilization Analyst
“As someone who grew up alongside individuals living with brain injury, I have seen the ways in which brain injury impacts all facets of life. I am excited to continue to collaborate and hear the stories of individuals and groups within the brain injury community.”
Teresa joined the team in 2024 as Policy and Knowledge Mobilization Analyst. They will be working to advocate for the needs of people with brain injuries through improving policy. They hope to keep the Brain Injury Canada community informed about the resources, initiatives, and research that are relevant to people with brain injuries.
With a masters in Occupational Therapy, they worked as a case manager in outpatient psychiatry – helping patients continue to live in community, and to access mental health services and other supports. After that, they were an intervention worker in legal and immigration cases: accompanying clients to court dates, liaising with lawyers and legal clinics, and advocating for clients’ needs to be met. They care deeply about the well-being of their communities , connecting with community organizations and digging up the roots of oppression so that members of their community can be well.
Outside of work, you can find Teresa making multi-media art and stories, tending to their plants, and doing advocacy work in their local community.
Emma Chiera
Project Manager, Strategic Initiatives
“Brain injury can affect anyone at any time. I want to help ensure that individuals across the country are as prepared, protected and supported as possible if that time comes.”
Emma joined Brain Injury Canada in 2024 as Program Coordinator. She is a non-profit professional with expertise in disability rights and a passion for mental health awareness. Emma began her career working in various research roles for international development organizations, before moving on to program management in the national non-profit sector. She recently returned to academia to obtain a master’s degree from the Global Campus of Human Rights, where she wrote her thesis on the failures of the European legal system in protecting persons with disabilities in psychiatric confinement. Emma is excited to develop effective and creative programs at Brain Injury Canada to ensure that communities across the country have access to safe treatment and support.
Avery O'Neil
Program Coordinator
“I am thrilled to join the Brain Injury Canada team and contribute to its mission of advocacy for individuals living with brain injuries across the country.”
In 2024, Avery joined the dedicated Brain Injury Canada team as Program Coordinator of Partnerships and Development. She is responsible for maintaining current partnerships as well as exploring and identifying novel fundraising opportunities, both locally and nationally. Avery holds an Honours BSc in Kinesiology and is a candidate for a post-graduate diploma in Not-for-Profit Management, both granted by Western University. Through her education, she found a passion for patient advocacy and public health issues. In her spare time, Avery can be found practicing yoga or baking a sweet treat for family and friends.
More information about the organization
Brain Injury Canada’s Board of Directors are committed to the mission and values of our organization and are accountable for competent, conscientious and effective management of the organization, as well as responsible for governing the affairs of the organization within relevant legislation and regulations.
Our current Board of Directors includes:
-
- Graham Todd – Chair
- Hafeeza Bassirullah
- Tanya DiPenta
- Tamiko (Tami) Hynes
- Sonali Kohli
- Xavier Linker
- John McGowan
- Kai Olson
- Paul Rogers
- Annette Simms
- Graham Todd – Chair
Learn more about the members of the Board of Directors
Interested in applying to join our board? Read more here.
Daniel Christopher Andreae
MSW, RSW, Ed.D. LL.D(Honouris Causa). LL.D. D.Litt. O.M.C.
Dan Andreae is an award-winning and distinguished professor at both the University of Guelph Humber and the University of Waterloo. Born in Toronto, Dr. Andreae holds a doctorate in Education from the University of Toronto and through non-formal education, holds a doctorate in neuroscience. He also holds an advanced diploma in stress management and a post graduate certificate in neuropsychophysiology. He has a passion for education and a dedication to lifelong learning.
Dr. Andreae is a distinguished community leader and has served as the first Executive Director of the Alzheimer Society of Toronto building it up and later as Chair of its Patrons Council. He was given the prestigious Trailblazer Award from the Society in essence a lifetime Achievement Award. This followed a Champion of Change Award presented by Yasmin Khan.
Among many honours and awards, Dr. Andreae received the prestigious Distinguished Teaching Award from the University of Waterloo and is a two-time recipient of the Faculty of the Year Award from the University of Guelph Humber. In 2007 he received a Honourary Doctoracte of Laws and in 2011 he received the Christian Cultural Gold Medal. He was presented with the Fr. Eugene Carlisle LeBel, CSB Award for outstanding contributions to Assumption University and the community which it serves in 2014, making him only the 2nd person to hold this honour.
Dr. Andreae’s community involvement includes being the first Executive Director of the Alzheimer Society of Toronto and chair of the Patrons Council of the Society. He was the longest-serving president of the Ontario Association of Social Workers and leader of a successful 10 year campaign to secure statutory legislation recognizing social work as a profession. His dynamic leadership through three governments and seven ministers resulted in the regulation of this profession. He is the inaugural recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award in social work from the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW).
He has received the Governor General’s – Caring Canadian Award and is a recent recipient of the University Hospital Network– Medal for Leadership in Community Health. He is the Honourary Patron of Brain Injury Canada and was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award from Brain Injury Canada in 2016. Dr. Andreae is a co- founder and sponsor of The National Eating Disorder Centre (NEDIC ), at the Toronto General Hospital.
In 2024, Dr. Andreae received the Honourary Doctorate of Letters from Laurentian University. With over twenty years of professional experience in the education sector, Dr. Andreae has established himself as a highly distinguished and esteemed expert in several areas, health, neuroscience, psychology advocacy and community organization. He has committed a considerable part of his career to studying, supporting and advocating for those with brain issues, especially Alzheimer’s serving as an insightful and dynamic leader.
Dr. Andreae received The Pinnacle Award as the driving force behind youth mental health with his unwavering dedication since its inception. Set against the backdrop of a critical need for proactive promotion of mental health, Dr. Andreae’s sponsorship of Strong Minds Strong Kids (formerly The Psychology Foundation) underscores a profound commitment to fostering resilient, empowered youth across Canada.
Brain Injury Canada’s team is growing. We’re looking for people dedicated to our mission of building advocacy, awareness, and education for and on behalf of the brain injury community. Currently we work as a remote organization, with team members across Canada working together to make a difference.
We do not currently have any positions available.
Our strategic plan lays out the path the organization is planning to take in the coming years.
