Since November 2009, John has been Chair of the Ontario Division board of directors. Prior to becoming Chair, John held a number of leadership positions on the Ontario board including Honorary Legal Counsel, Secretary and Vice-Chair. John also is a director of the National Board, a position he has held since 2007. He is very active with both Division and National committees including as a member of the Ontario endMS fundraising cabinet and the national leadership advisory council. John also served as a member of the national governance committee.

Professionally, John is a partner of the law firm McMillan LLP where he practices Corporate/Commercial and Competition law. John is an active member of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the Canadian Bar Association and the American Bar Association.

Linda has held several leadership positions on the Ontario board including as Chair, Vice-Chair and as chair of the nominations committee. In November 2009 she stepped down as Chair of the Ontario board and was appointed as Chair of the National Board. Linda also serves on the national compensation committee. In addition to her involvement with Ontario Division and National, Linda was the Chair and Vice-chair of the Ottawa chapter.

Linda is retired from Bell after 31 years of service. Her career spanned a variety of executive management positions including customer service, labour negotiations, budget management and strategic planning. When she retired she was a Vice-President specializing in government lobbying. She has served on numerous boards, including Chair of the George Brown College Board in Toronto and President of the Bell Pensioners Group in Ontario and Quebec.

Valerie is a vice-chair on the Ontario board, is the chair of the governance committee of the Ontario board and is a member of the national leadership advisory committee. Valerie a former publishing executive who played a leading role in the evolution of the Canadian children’s publishing industry for more than 30 years. Valerie was Publisher, and later President and CEO of Kids Can Press from 1979 to 2006. Under her direction, Kids Can Press developed an internationally successful publishing program.

She has served on numerous government advisory councils and industry and not-for-profit boards including the Ontario Media Development Corporation, the Canadian Women’s Foundation, Women’s College Hospital and Tides Canada. Valerie received the Order of Canada for her work in publishing and philanthropy.

John is the Honorary Legal Counsel on the Ontario board and is a member of the governance committee of the Ontario board. In 2009, John was the recipient of the Division Award of Merit for his work with the Hamilton chapter. John has volunteered with the Hamilton chapter for over 17 years and has assumed many roles during that time including as the chapter chair

He practices law in Hamilton and is married with two adult children.

Niranjan is a Vice-Chair on the Ontario board is a member of the governance committee of the Ontario board. Niranjan is Regional Vice President at RBC Royal Bank. In his current role, Niranjan is responsible for Retail Banking, Small Business and Financial Planning for the East York/Beaches Market. Prior to this role, Niranjan was Vice President, Commercial Banking at RBC focused on senior debt and specialized mid-market advisory services to the Health Care sector.

Niranjan is a 2010 Fellow of DiverseCity – “The Greater Toronto Leadership Project", a joint initiative of Maytree and the Toronto City Summit Alliance.

Robert, CA, has been involved with Ontario Division for several years. He served as the treasurer of the Sudbury chapter from 2003-2007. He is currently the treasurer of Ontario Division and a member of the Division finance committee. Robert holds an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree from Laurentian University and is a member in good standing of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario. Professionally, he is a partner with the accounting firm, Collins Barrow Chartered Accountants/Comptables agréés in Sudbury. Robert is the Vice-President of the Sudbury Community Foundation and is also the Treasurer for Les Jeux de la Francophonie Canadienne du Grand Sudbury, 2011.

has been a dedicated volunteer with Ontario Division for many years. She is currently the secretary of the Ontario Division board and is the chair of the Division chapter relations committee. Karen has been very active with the Cornwall & District chapter for over 25 years and has held a number of leadership positions including serving as chapter chair three times. She has assisted with the treasurer role and currently is the education director, public relations director and has been the volunteer office manager since 1992.

Karen is a graduate of Algonquin College and majored in Marketing with a specialty in Advertising and Promotion. Karen was diagnosed with MS in 1985 and experienced annual exacerbations with the worst being in 1990 resulting in an 11-week hospital stay and being unable to move anything below the neck for that time.

Although Karen’s son is in his third year of university, she still participates in her local school board and is still an active member of the Catholic Education Coalition since it was established in 2001. She has been married to her husband Thom for 28 years and is very proud of Jarrett, her 21-year old son.

Kathleen is a member of the Ontario Division client services committee. Professionally, she is the MS program clinical and research nurse at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto. She is the research coordinator of an active clinical trial program and has been involved in some of the pivotal trials that have seen the emergence of new treatment options for relapsing-remitting MS. Kathleen is part of a team of professionals that provide health care services, education and skills development to patients with MS. She has a designation as a Multiple Sclerosis Certified Nurse and is a member of both the MS Resource network and the International Organization of MS Nurses.

Yassemin has lived with MS since 1980, most of that time in Ottawa. A long-time member of the MS Society, she has been an active volunteer with the Ottawa MS chapter for the past eight years in the Social Action Committee. Since 2005 she has also been a member of the Ontario Division Social Action Committee, and has volunteered at several of MS bike tours in Ottawa. In 2006, Yassemin broadened her volunteer contribution to include membership in the City of Ottawa Accessibility Advisory Committee, offering a valuable linkage between the MS Society and the City. She has successfully leveraged her position in both organizations to provide a voice addressing city-wide issues that confront people with MS.

She has been employed in a variety of positions that include teaching, research, training, counselling, consulting and facilitation primarily focussed in the behavioural sciences. In 2008, Yassemin began working with the Accessibility with Moxie Foundation helping organizations integrate persons with disabilities. The AMF partnered with the Ontario Directorate of Community and Social Services to deliver customer service seminars in the Eastern Ontario region. Since 2009, she has been a member of msliberation.ca, a grassroots organization in Ottawa working to expedite research for CCSVI (Chronic Cerebro-Spinal Venous Insufficiency). Yassemin has an educational background in Psychology, graduating from Western University with a B.A in Developmental Psychology in 1981. In 2010, she enrolled in the Management Development Program for Women at Carleton University adopting the MS Society as her business sponsor.

Yassemin is married, with two adult children. Her children have ridden and volunteered in the Ottawa bike tours and her husband has been one of the top fundraisers in the Ottawa MS bike tours for over a decade. He has volunteered on the bike tour for four years, the last two as chairperson of the organizing committee.

Scott is the chair of the Ontario Division government relations and social action committee. Mr. Ewart is a business consultant and was called to the Ontario Bar in 1980 and has 30 years of corporate, commercial and intellectual property experience in North America and Europe. He was Chief Legal and Public Affairs Officer of Molson from 2005 to 2009. He was Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Allstream (formerly AT&T Canada) from October 2000 to June 2005. He was Division Legal Counsel for Coca-Cola in London, England from October 1993 to June 2000. Prior to moving to England, he was Vice President & General Counsel for Coca-Cola Canada. He was Securities Counsel for Nortel from 1985 to 1989. Prior to this, he was in private practice.

He has extensive intellectual property, corporate affairs and trademark experience in North America and Europe with Molson and The Coca-Cola Company. He has high tech experience with Allstream, AT&T and Nortel. He has lectured extensively on the protection of intellectual property rights and governance issues. He is a Special Advisor and Executive in Residence, Dalhousie University, a member of the Advisory Committee on Corporate Employment For Disabled Youth, a member of the Canadian, U.S. and International Bar Associations, as well as a Fellow of the Institute of Directors (London, England). In 2005, the National Post named him as one of Canada’s Top 25 in-house Counsel.

Elizabeth is a member of the Division client services committee. Professionally, Elizabeth had a 27 year career with the Ontario Government in a variety of ministries and positions including parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Correctional Services, an economist in the Ministry of Treasury and Economics and manager of Ontario Government Employees’ Volunteer Programs. She was a policy advisor and trainer in the access and privacy field, Management Board Secretariat.

She is currently active in the community with a number of organizations including the Kingsway Park Ratepayers Association, the Kingsway Business Improvement Area and the Toronto Police Services, 22 Division Community Police Liaison Committee (CPLC). She received the 2010 annual John Herra Memorial Award (community volunteer of the year) from the Toronto Police Service. She has volunteered with the Junior League of Toronto, Humewood House and chaired the Women’s College Hospital Foundation. Elizabeth’s father, Sir David Flavelle, established the Ontario Division Sir David Flavelle award to honor the outstanding contributions of a volunteer

Don is a member of the Ontario Division government relations and community social action committee. Professionally, Don is a senior management executive in the insurance industry. He is currently the President and CEO of the Insurance Bureau of Canada. Don has volunteered with the Nova Scotia Safety Council, United Way of Toronto and the Ontario Safety League.

Kent has served more than 23 years in local public service. Kent has held a succession of managerial positions in city government with the Town of Carleton Place, the former Region of Ottawa-Carleton and the amalgamated City of Ottawa. When the new city of Ottawa was created in 2001, Kent held the position of general manager of corporate services and directed the successful amalgamation of the corporate support services of twelve former municipal governments into an integrated model.

He is currently the City Manager to the City of Ottawa and oversees the city’s workforce in implementing council decisions. In this position he ensures that the organization is accessible and responsive to the citizens, promotes the city’s interests, builds strong relationships with the community, streamlines corporate planning and performance accountability, and enhances staff moral and commitment.

Throughout his career Kent has been an active member in the community that he lives and works in. From 1988 to 2000 he served four consecutive terms as an elected member of the council of the Town of Carleton Place. Kent also serves on the boards of the Ottawa chapter of the MS Society of Canada and the United Way/Centraide.

Following his MBA, Tom's career spanned over three and a half decades. Tom`s early years were in brand management and advertising with Colgate Palmolive, General Foods and Leo Burnett. Tom then spent 20 years with the Kellogg Company where he held the President`s position in each of Canada (83-89); the United Kingdom (89-92); Europe (92-94) and USA/North America (94-98). Upon his early retirement Tom returned to Canada and became Dean of the Faculty of Business at Ryerson University. Tom has been a Director on a number of Boards including the Hudson's Bay Company, Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company and Sun Rype Products. He currently sits on the Boards of Invesco Trimark, Fabri-Kal and Cadillac Fairview.

Tom is married with four grown children and four grandsons. Tom has a close personal connection to MS since his youngest daughter was diagnosed with MS six years ago.

Harold is a member of both the Ontario Division chapter relations and governance committees. Professionally, in a career spanning three decades, Harold has held a variety of senior executive positions including president, CEO, and managing director with both Canadian and international companies. They include Deeley/Harley Davidson, Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Anchor Lamina Inc. In 2001, Harold established a private consulting practice as a mediator. He is currently on the board of directors of SilverHill Institute of Environmental Research and Conservation and Garvey & Willmott Ltd a family business in located in Oakville, Ontario and is a former board member of i3 Inc. In 2007 and 2009 Harold was pleased to serve as the honorary chair for the Oakville WALK.

Patricia is a member of the finance committee of Ontario Division. Professionally, she is a market research and brand management professional. Her career has spanned over 20 years and she has worked with several large Canadian firms including RBC Dominion Securities and Kraft Foods Canada. She is the president and founder of Brand Matters a leading Toronto based brand consultancy that specializes in marketing research and integrated branding. Patricia is a council member of the Canadian Marketing Association. She is the Vice-chair of the Toronto chapter board of directors of the MS Society of Canada, Ontario Division.

Rob has been the Chair of the MS Society Peterborough chapter for six years. Prior to that, he was Chair of the MS WALK Committee for the York North chapter for five years. Currently he also serves as a member of the Ontario Division Nominations Committee. Rob has a family connection to MS, supporting his sister who has had MS for 20 years.

is the Chief Administrative Officer for the Kawartha Region Conservation Authority located in the Kawartha Lakes Region near Lindsay where he directs the delivery of programs and services which focus on water resources and maintaining a healthy environment. For many years, Rob served in senior management with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, where he was involved in negotiations with the eight U.S. Great Lakes States and Quebec in establishing international agreements to protect the Great Lakes.

Rob is a downhill ski instructor for able-bodied and disabled skiers, and coaches long-distance running clinics.

Sandra is a CGA with extensive leadership experience gained in different industries. Her background also includes several years of non-profit board experience including serving as a member-at-large for the MS Society Toronto chapter, a position held since 2009. Professionally, Sandra is the Financial Controller of KCI Medical Canada, Inc., an organization committed to advancing healing technology to positively impact the lives of patients, their families, caregivers and health-care providers.

In Sandra’s previous role, as the Director of Finance with GN Hearing Care Canada her mandate included the leadership of finance, IT, payroll, logistics, HR and quality control, providing a broad range of senior organizational management experience. Sandra was born and raised in Toronto and holds a BA from Ryerson University. As an avid cyclist, Sandra took part in the 2010 RONA MS Bike Tour from Acton to Waterloo with her team “Small but Mighty!” The team has begun their training for the 2011 ride and would love to have you join them.

Beth is the treasurer of the MS Society London-Middlesex chapter a position that she has held since 2009. Beth is a chartered accountant and a manager in assurance services with Ernst & Young LLP in London, Ontario. Her primary responsibility is the execution of assurance engagements and in this work she has specific knowledge and experience of accounting and auditing practices of not-for-profit organizations. In addition to volunteering with the MS Society of Canada Beth was the treasurer on the board of directors of the Epilepsy Support Centre in London.

Marie has been a dedicated volunteer with Ontario Division for a number of years. She first joined the Ottawa chapter in 2000 as a member-at-large and has held a number of leadership positions including director of development, vice-chair and as chapter chair. Marie facilitates one program - MS 101 - in the chapter client services department.

At the Division level, Marie is the chair of the client services committee, is a member of the chapter relations committee and was a member of the Ontario board nominations committee for three years.

In addition to volunteering with the MS Society, Marie has been involved in the community with the YM/WCA and as Treasurer and President of HOPE (helping other people everywhere). Marie has a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Toronto. In 2007, Marie won the Division Award of Merit Member for her commitment to the Ottawa chapter. She is married to Gordon Keith a graphic designer and artist. Gordon is an active fundraiser and volunteer with the Ottawa chapter.

Asad is a member of both the Ontario Division client services and government relations and social action committees. Asad has been a political operative and community activist for the last twelve years, with a brief hiatus to pursue an MBA from the University of Western Ontario. He has sat on the board of the Hinks Dellcrest Children’s Treatment centre and most recently has focused on fundraising for the MS Society of Canada, Ontario Division. Asad most recently held the position of Deputy Chief of Staff in the office of John Tory, Leader of the Opposition in Ontario. Multiple sclerosis has resulted in Asad taking a leave of absence from his job as he awaits a cure.