Board of Directors

Nancy Hopkins, Chair
Andrew Branion, Vice-Chair
Michael Whitcombe, Honorary Solicitor
Jeffrey Brown
John Chippindale
Jay-Ann Gilfoy
Deborah Greenberg
Jeff McCann
Lynn Oldfield
Neal Oswald
Vas Rao 
Dr. Evelyn Sutton
Michele Walsh
Stephen Weiss

Executive team

Trish Barbato, President and CEO
Jennifer Stewart, Chief Development Officer
Dr. Siân Bevan, Chief Science Officer
Cheryl McClellan, Chief Operations Officer

How we work

The Arthritis Society Canada network includes a Support Office in Toronto and employees across the country. Our work is supported by a robust community of more than 500 dedicated volunteers in communities coast to coast to coast.

National Council

Chaired by John Chippindale and comprised of some of Canada’s brightest minds and dedicated arthritis ambassadors, the National Council advises on and actively engages in fundraising efforts for Arthritis Society Canada, building important relationships with new and long-time donors.

Arthritis Society Canada is committed to advancing arthritis care and research, and the strategic leadership and counsel of these dedicated executive volunteers enables us to raise critical funds to support our mission and to champion the resilient spirit of those living with arthritis.

Andrew Branion, Chair
Simon Lemay, Vice-Chair
Paul Alexander
Shelly Anwyll
Kim Appelt
Al Behrouzan
Jeff Brown
John Chippindale
Alison Coville
George Dalal

Diana Gazdar
Mark Hickman
Jeff Hillyard
Mike Hosseini
Shareef Isa
Jessie Lehail
Nadia Malik
Dr. Brent Norton
Keith Nugara
Bill Papadimitriou

Melanie Philip
Vas Rao
Kayvan Saberi
Mark Sack
Jeff Setterington
Murali Sundar
Kanish A Thevarasa
Ex-Officio Members:
Trish Barbato
Jennifer Stewart

Interested in getting involved in the National Council? Contact Jennifer Stewart at jstewart@arthritis.ca.

Integrated Scientific and Medical Advisory Committee

Members of the Integrated Scientific and Medical Advisory Committee (ISMAC) provide expert advice to the Chief Science Officer on strategic directions and priorities for Arthritis Society Canada's research, information, support tools and resources.

Dr. Hani El-Gabalawy, Chair
Dr. Tom Appleton
Dr. Cheryl Barnabe
Jennifer Boyle
Carolyn Dittmar
Dr. Maria Fernandes
Dr. Monique Gignac
Cathie Hofstetter

Cheryl Hubley-Kozey
Dr. Igor Jurisica
Dr. Linda Li
Laurie Proulx
Dr. Raja Rampersaud
Dr. Marinka Twilt
Dr. Jackie Whittaker
Dr. James Young

Executive fundraising volunteers

Our work would not be possible without the expertise and support of our 75 executive fundraising volunteers who bring immeasurable value to our fundraising efforts through their contributions to our committees.

Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs

Andrew Branion, Chair, National Council
Simon Lemay, Vice Chair, National Council 
Ted Ellis, Chair, Creative Council 
Jigna Shah, Chair, Innovation Committee
Sikin Dharamshi, Chair, Fire Ball TO & Fashion on Fire
Carmen Martinez, Vice-Chair, Fashion on Fire 
Dorothea Dowling, Co-Chair, Arthritis Fire Ball (Vancouver)
Jessie Kaur Lehail, Co-Chair, Arthritis Fire Ball (Vancouver)
Sean Flinn, Co-Chair, All-In For Arthritis 
Shane McAdam, Co-Chair, All-In For Arthritis