About us
Brain Injury Canada (formerly The Brain Injury Association of Canada) was formed in 2002 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, Vision & Values
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Mission & Vision
The mission of Brain Injury Canada is to enhance the quality of life of individuals and families/caregivers living with brain injury in Canada.
Our vision for Canada is that all individuals and families/caregivers living with the effects of brain injury are supported, valued and engaged in their communities.
Values
At Brain Injury Canada, we firmly stand behind our values.
- We will be accountable, transparent, equitable and responsible as financial stewards and charitable recipients
- We will preserve our charitable status. We will demonstrate leadership through collaboration with organizations, industries and government
- We will provide solutions through service, education, advocacy and research, which promote equal opportunity for brain injury stakeholders
- Board of Directors
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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:
- Suzanne McKenna - Chair
- David Visser - Treasurer
- Heather Watkins - Secretary
- Kristen Bailey
- James Cohen
- Tamiko (Tami) Hynes
- Pia Lindemann Kristensen
- Mario Longo
- John McGowan
- Graham Todd
- Staff
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Michelle McDonald
Executive DirectorMichelle is an accomplished non-profit professional with 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 Executive Director of Brain Injury Canada, she has led the organization in a new strategic direction, securing a federal grant to enable BIC to better meet the needs of individuals, families and health care/service providers across the country looking for information and education related to acquired brain injury. In addition to managing day-to-day operations, she also manages 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 Disability Tax Credit Alliance, Every Canadian Counts Working Group, BC Concussion Advisory Network and is 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.
Karissa Fletcher
Program ManagerKarissa Fletcher, CAPM, is a Project Manager based in Ottawa with her husband and two children. Delighted to be part of the Brain Injury Canada team and working towards build a resource for all Canadians living with brain injury. She is always looking for new ways to improve existing workflows and building a great team culture.
Rachel Newcombe
Associate Project Manager & Content CoordinatorRachel is our content coordinator in charge of website content, and has been a part of the Brain Injury Canada staff since September 2019. In her role as associate project manager, she helps implement strategic planning and execution of ongoing projects. She also manages our social media and marketing. She has several years of writing experience in journalism, marketing, and for non-profit organizations. She graduated with honours from Bishop’s University with a degree in culture/media studies and journalism. Multiple members of her family have experienced a brain injury, and she is excited to be actively contributing to furthering education and advocacy for our organization.
- Annual reports
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Brain Injury Canada puts out an annual report each year.
- Honourary Patron
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Dan Andreae is an award winning professor, executive director, community leader and advocate, volunteer and citizen. He has been recognized in Canada and Marquis Whos Who has named him as Whos Who in the World.Dan has a compelling interest in the brain and as the first Executive Director of the Alzheimer Society and later Chair of it’s Patrons Council he has played a key role in building up the society’s profile and by instituting innovative programs. For his many contributions he was awarded the Trailblazer Award by the Alzheimer Society and recognized with a special award by the International Alzheimer Society presented by Chair Princess Yasmin Khan.
He has had the honour of having a neuroscience laboratory named in his honour at the Weizmann Institute of Science, one of the world’s top research and educational institutions. Dr. Andreae represents Canada on the Weizmann International Board and in 2018 was awarded the Outstanding Leadership Award by Weizmann Canada. He is proud to be Honourary Patron of Brain Injury Canada and one 2016 was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by Brain Injury Canada.
For Dan life long learning is a passion and he had taught forty five subjects at university and college. He has been the recipient of the prestigious Distinguished Teaching Award at the University of Waterloo, made a Fellow of Renison University College at the university and has been Faculty of the Year twice at the University of Guelph Humber as well as being chosen for the Faculty Mentoring Award. In 2018 he was selected as Professor of the Decade by the International Association of Top Professionals and in 2020 was named Intellectual of the Year by the Top 100 Registry in New York City. Dan was awarded with an Honourary Doctorate of Laws for contributions to health care in 2008 from Assumption University in Windsor and in 2020 from Laurentian University in Sudbury.
Dr. Andreae has received the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award and the Ontario Medal of Citizenship by the Lieutenant Governor. His other community involvements include serving on the Board of Governors of the Michener Institute, University Health Network, Health Advisor to the Psychology Foundation of Canada and Advisor to the Weizmann Institute as well as the National Eating Disorder Information Centre at Toronto General Hospital where he is Past Chair of their Advisory Committee as well as Past Chairs of the Canadian Abilities Foundation and Neuchâtel Junior College Advisory Committee, a Canadian school in Switzerland.
- Partnerships
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Neurological Health Charities Canada (NHCC)
Brain Injury Canada is a proud member of NHCC. Neurological Health Charities Canada (NHCC) is a coalition of organizations that represent people with brain diseases, disorders and injuries in Canada. We work collaboratively to increase awareness, education and research and improve diagnosis, treatment and supports to benefit people affected by brain conditions. Michelle McDonald, ED of Brain Injury Canada is the new Chair of the Governing Council.
Website: mybrainmatters.ca
Every Canadian Counts (ECC)
Brain Injury Canada is a partner with Every Canadian Counts, a coalition committed to improving services for the over 1.9 million Canadians living with long-term, chronic disabilities. ECC recognizes the urgent need to provide for these Canadians, and their families, as many do not have access to even the most basic supports and services.
Website: everycanadiancounts.com
Disability Tax Fairness Alliance
The purpose of this alliance is to obtain change by raising awareness among elected officials and policy-makers of the urgent need to ensure that the administration of the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) and other disability/infirmity measures reflects the intent of Parliament, the interpretation of the Income Tax Act by the Tax Court of Canada and the values of our society.
- Brain Injury Canada National Conference
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Stay tuned for more information on the Brain Injury Canada National Conference 2021 - new conference website launching soon.
Thank you to our conference sponsors for their continued support
Platinum
Gold
Silver
Exhibitors
- Accessible Design Group
- Allevio Pain Management Clinic
- Anchor Rehabilitation Support Services Inc.
- Brain Injury Association of the Ottawa Valley
- Bridgepoint Financial Services
- Broadview Spine and Health Centre
- eyeDOCS
- Fleming Fitness
- FunctionAbility Rehabilitation Services
- Helius Medical Technologies Inc
- Iris Technological Design
- McNally Gervan Personal Injury and Insurance Lawyers
- MG Law Personal Injury Lawyers
- LifeMark Physiotherapy
- Ontario Brain Injury Association
- Opticalm Visual Stress Solutions
- Rehab First
- Swanson & Associates
- Vista Centre Brain Injury Services
- VoxNeuro Inc.
Thank you to our sponsors
Our Platinum Sponsor
VoxNeuro provides the world’s first objective concussion and acquired brain injury assessment after diagnosis. Their one mission is to enhance the quality of life for people with brain injury and ailments.
Thank You to Our Silver Sponsors
Thank You to our Bronze Sponsor
