Our Board

Board of Directors

Chair

Ray Bisson, Director at Large

Ray Bisson joined the Alzheimer Society of Canada as a board member in 2022 and has served as the Board Chair since 2024.

He has been involved as a volunteer with the Alzheimer Societies in various capacities since 2012. He joined the Board of Directors for the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba in 2017, holding the positions 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 2017 and 2018.

Ray spent his career in the construction industry, focusing primarily on the agricultural and industrial sectors. He held several executive positions over the years for a national construction company—including roles in general management, operations, and business development—until his retirement in late 2020.

In addition to his work with the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, Ray has chaired various boards of directors, including a Credit Union and a provincial construction-industry organization, and has served as a member-at-large for other boards. He continues to volunteer with the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba Fundraising Team to engage with potential major donors.

Ray strongly believes in the value and importance of the services provided by the Alzheimer Society of Canada, including Research and Advocacy as well as the critical services provided by the provincial societies.

Vice-Chair

Genevieve (Gig) Dooling, Newfoundland & Labrador Representative

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.

Secretary

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).

Treasurer

Darcy Yamada, Alberta Representative

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.

Ashley King, New Brunswick Representative

Ashley King is a healthcare executive, entrepreneur, and recognized leader in aging and long term care, serving as Chief Executive Officer of Loch Lomond Villa, one of New Brunswick's leading long-term care organizations. She brings more than 15 years of service and leadership experience spanning healthcare operations, organizational transformation, governance, education, and community impact.

Throughout her career, Ashley has demonstrated a strong ability to lead organizations through growth, complexity, and change while advancing quality, sustainability, and innovation. Her expertise includes strategic planning, board governance, financial stewardship, human resources leadership, facilities and capital planning, stakeholder engagement, and organizational performance. She is recognized for building high-performing cultures and fostering collaborative partnerships across government, healthcare, academic, and community sectors.

In addition to her executive leadership role, Ashley is Co-Founder of Person Centred Universe Inc., a healthcare education company dedicated to advancing person centred practices and workforce development. Through her leadership, the organization has supported healthcare professionals and organizations across Canada in enhancing quality of care and organizational excellence.

Ashley holds a Global Executive MBA in Healthcare and the Life Sciences from the Rotman School of Management from the University of Toronto and has earned the Certified Health Executive (CHE) designation through the Canadian College of Health Leaders. She is an active contributor to provincial and national initiatives focused on healthcare, social inclusion, leadership development, and aging policy, including service on advisory committees and boards dedicated to improving outcomes for older adults and strengthening communities.

A respected executive, speaker, mentor, and advocate, Ashley is passionate about shaping the future of aging services through innovative leadership, evidence-informed decision making, and a commitment to person centred excellence. She is passionate about influencing organizations, systems, and policies that enhance quality of life for older adults and create sustainable, thriving communities.

Dan Kohl, Saskatchewan Representative

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.

Terry Lake, British Columbia Representative

Terry Lake served as BC Health Minister from 2013 to 2017, responsible for overseeing an $18-billion budget and serving a population of over five million British Columbians. He was awarded the Canadian Public Health Association Public Health Hero Award in 2017 for his groundbreaking work on the opioid overdose crisis, including opening overdose prevention sites across the province.

Terry retired in 2025 as the CEO of the BC Care Providers Association which represents operators of long-term care services, retirement communities and home health in British Columbia.

Terry trained and practised as a veterinarian and taught animal health technology before entering public life as an elected representative. He served as councillor and then Mayor of the City of Kamloops and then was elected Member of the Legislature for the riding of Kamloops North Thompson in 2009. He served as Minister of the Environment from 2011-2013. He was awarded an Honorary Degree by Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, is a recipient of the University of Saskatchewan Alumni Achievement Award and the British Columbia Veterinary Medical Association Award of Merit.

Terry was VP of Corporate Social Responsibility for Hexo Corporation, one of Canada’s largest cannabis producers from 2017-2019. He is a board member of the Big Little Science Centre in Kamloops and the Supporting Team Excellence for Patients Society, a Community Health Centre.

Terry and his spouse, Lisa, have three grown daughters, two grandchildren and live in Kamloops, British Columbia.

Brenda Martinussen, Manitoba Representative

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.

Lynn Meloney, Nova Scotia Representative

Lynn Meloney brings more than 20 years of experience in education and workforce development. Throughout her career, she has brought together employers, government, educators and community organizations to address shared challenges and create opportunities. She has led teams, developed programs and guided organizational change by listening to different perspectives and helping people find practical ways forward.

A First Nation woman and lifelong learner, Lynn believes in meaningful consultation and making sure diverse perspectives help shape decisions. Her community involvement has included Girl Guides of Canada and volunteering with Laubach Literacy, reflecting her longstanding commitment to learning, advocacy and inclusion.

Lynn’s connection to the Alzheimer Society’s mission is deeply personal. Her mother’s experience with Alzheimer’s disease has shaped her understanding of its impact on individuals and the families who support them. She is committed to advocating for people living with dementia, their families and caregivers, and helping ensure they have access to support that respects their cultures and experiences.

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 Representative

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 Representative

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.

Dr. Vanita Varma, Ontario Representative

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.