Team

Alison’s professional mission is to translate scientific research and help put it to use. Before joining Brain Canada, she was the Executive Director of CAREX Canada, a research program based at Simon Fraser University studying Canadians’ exposures to cancer-causing substances. Alison led strategic efforts to mobilize CAREX research and influence policy impacts that reduce exposures and ultimately help to prevent cancer. Prior to this, she was a Communications and Training Manager at PrioNet Canada, a Network of Centres of Excellence focused on protein folding diseases of the brain, and the lead science writer at the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) in Toronto. Alison holds an MSc in chemical biology from McGill University and a BSc in chemistry from the University of British Columbia. She lives in Vancouver with her young family.

With more than 15 years of experience with all administrative tasks at the executive level, Angelina skillfully manages the many administrative duties with ease and confidence. Over the years, her experience in various fields including tourism, prestige cosmetics, education, and convenience, have allowed her to tailor her skills to meet the needs of not only her colleagues but the organization as a whole. Angelina provides support to the President and CEO in her leadership role while ensuring the smooth operation of the office. She appreciates spending time with family and friends and has enjoyed her travels to Europe, particularly visiting the country of origin of her family roots.

Anne-Marie joined Brain Canada in 2020, after more than 20 years in the entertainment industry. With a background in commercial and corporate law acquired notably at Cirque du Soleil, she has since joined the science world where she is responsible for drafting and negotiating Brain Canada’s contracts, advising and assisting her colleagues on the various legal aspects of the organization and ensuring that Brain Canada carries out its activities in compliance with the law and its agreement with Health Canada.

Barbara is the mother of three amazing kids and a practicing office nomad known to work from the local coffee shops, libraries, and parks just as much as her home office.  When she is not working, she enjoys various sport activities with her kids. She’s an adventurous eater, world traveler and book lover.

Karen holds a BA in Industrial Relations, from McGill University. During her time as an undergraduate student, she worked as a research assistant in the Department of Sociology and in the Faculty of Management MBA department. Karen has been an active volunteer in the community whereby she was nominated and received the Federation CJA Community Merit Award. Karen has over 15 years of administrative experience in the non-profit sector. She loves spending time with her family, friends and her golden mountain doodle, as well as traveling around the world.

Kate Shingler joined Brain Canada in 2020, and is an experienced communications professional with a background in journalism, impact storytelling and translating complex ideas to the broader public in an accessible, meaningful way. Kate worked for more than a decade with Global Television as a Reporter, Senior Producer, and Associate News Director. For 5 years, she was the Director of Communications at the Institute for Research on Public Policy (IRPP), a non-partisan, national think tank. Prior to joining Brain Canada, Kate was the Associate Director of Communications at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) Foundation, where she led the team’s digital strategy, and helped to enhance the MUHC Foundation’s profile in Montreal, and across Canada.

Mario Chartrand joined the Brain Canada Foundation in 2015 and has over 30 years of experience as a finance and operations leader in the business and charitable sectors. He began his career at Deloitte in the public company sector and has participated in several public offerings. He is an expert in wealth management and Family Office as he serves as a financial and philanthropic advisory for a prominent Canadian family for more than 18 years.

Melissa has a multifaceted educational background, holding dual Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology/Public Affairs and Communications/Cultural Studies from Concordia University. She holds a certificate in Fundraising Management from Ryerson University. Upon graduating, Melissa worked at a magazine in Vancouver before joining a national Public Relations firm where she managed numerous accounts in various industries including non-profit, health and beauty, product retail, and food and beverage. As a Senior Digital Communications & Stewardship Officer at Brain Canada, Melissa is fueling her passion for philanthropy while leveraging digital platforms to optimize Brain Canada’s presence and championing the significance of Canadian brain research.

Melissa Russo comes from an educational background in Behavioral Neuroscience and Pharmacology & Toxicology and brings career experience from industry with knowledge of clinical research ethics and the management of medical education program development. As a Senior Program Manager at Brain Canada, Melissa leverages her passion for learning about the brain, her desire to make a positive impact on the research community, and the skills from her combined academic and professional history to support the organization’s vision and mission. In her free time, Melissa loves to exercise with her dog, read, knit and spend time with her loved ones.

Prior to joining Brain Canada, Monica was the Executive Director of the Jerusalem Foundation of Canada, from 2008 to 2018, where she helped rebuild and grow a dormant charitable foundation into a vibrant and successful Canadian chapter of an internationally recognized organization. Having initially joined Brain Canada in 2018 as a Development Advisor, Monica’s experience in crafting collaborations for the purpose of raising philanthropic dollars, creating and implementing fundraising events such as the first ever 20th Brain Canada anniversary event, meshes well with her personal dedication to support brain research.

Sabina Antonescu holds a BSc in Biology, with a minor in Psychology, from Queen’s University and an MSc in Neuroscience from the University of Ottawa. Her graduate research focused on enhancing post-stroke motor and cognitive recovery using novel rehabilitation and pharmacological approaches and explored sex differences in brain injury, treatment response, and recovery profile. Since joining Brain Canada’s Programs team in 2018, Sabina manages a portfolio of funded projects and has been involved in developing and launching several programs. She also works closely with the Communications team on outreach activities and serves as the primary liaison with Health Canada in relation to the Canada Brain Research Fund (CBRF).

Holder of a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Concordia University, Sejal has over ten years of experience in administrative support in the healthcare sector. Her experience spans medical office and clinic management, facilities management, accounting tasks and customer service. She has experience supporting multiple surgeons, executives and managers. She is known for her ability to manage changing and competing priorities and using initiative to deliver outstanding performance.

Prior to being appointed President and CEO of Brain Canada in September 2020, Dr. Poupon was the Director of Scientific Development and Partnerships at the Neuro – the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University. Responsible for the development of major new research initiatives and alliances for the Institute, including international initiatives, she spearheaded the transformation of the Neuro into an Open Science Institute. She was also Chief Operating Officer of the Tanenbaum Open Science Institute. Previously, Dr. Poupon was the Associate Director for Scientific Affairs at the Fonds de recherche en santé du Québec (FRSQ) where she managed the FRSQ’s scientific programs and liaised with provincial, federal and international scientific funding organizations. During the reorganization of the funding agency, she was named Interim Scientific Director and member of the Board.