Board of directors
Trinidad Ruiz
Trinidad Ruiz is a marketing professional who graduated from the University of Ottawa in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in International Management. Her professional background includes supply chain management and product marketing in various industries ranging from retail to government to electronic components. Trinidad has been a devoted volunteer throughout...
Nathalie Farley, erg. M.Sc.
Graduated in occupational therapy (1994) from UMcGill, holds a master’s degree in Master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences, rehabilitation option Université de Montréal (2006), clinical assistant professor at the UdM from 2011 to 2020, Nathalie has been a manager in the healthcare for nearly twelve years. Continuing education teacher clinician and...
André De Montigny
André De Montigny has been active as Vice-President, Business Development and member of the senior management teams of Via Rail, Téléglobe Canada, Vidéotron, CDPQ and Transat. He has realized numerous acquisitions and divestitures in Canada but mostly in Europe, Asia and Latin America. Moreover, he has been responsible for Transat’s strategic...
Nicolas Parent
Nicolas brings a unique combination of technical expertise and personal experience as a member of the board of directors of Ataxia Canada. With over 15 years of experience in financial and operational management of SMEs, he holds a graduate degree in accounting from UQTR and is a CPA. As an...
Nicolas Théberge
Nicolas Theberge is a John Molson School of Business alumni with 15 years of sales and marketing experience. Currently living in Calgary with his wife Bri and 2 kids Sebastien and Vincent, Nicolas is the Territory Manager for ResMed, a medical technology company focused on sleep and ventilation products.
Martine Trudelle
Graduated from McGill University with a degree in occupational therapy (1994) and holds a professional master’s degree with thesis option from Dalhousie University (2016). I have practiced for over 28 years as a clinician in both community and hospital settings in Ontario. Since the summer of 2022, I have been...
Jean Luk Pellerin
As the previous President of Ataxia Canada, Jean-Luk brings a unique blend of professional expertise and personal dedication to the cause of Ataxia awareness and support. Drawing from intimate family experience and extensive collaboration with partners and stakeholders, Jean-Luk possesses a profound understanding of the challenges faced by those affected...
Maryse Tremblay
Maryse Tremblay is a board member of Ataxia Canada, a renowned rare disease foundation dedicated to supporting individuals affected by hereditary ataxia. With a wealth of experience in ethics and compliance, Maryse brings a unique perspective and valuable expertise to the organization. Currently serving as the Vice President of Ethics...
Office Team
François-Olivier Théberge
Graduate in Mechanical Engineering from École Polytechnique de Montréal. François-Olivier has a varied professional background: engineering project manager, multidisciplinary team coaching, department director and entrepreneur. He is responsible for bridging the gap between scientists, researchers and other organizations working on ataxias.
Olga Karmanova
Graduated from McGill University and with a career of more than fifteen years in marketing for renowned brands and a few years in consulting, Olga found her passion in philanthropic work. She brought all her expertise to non-profit organizations to foster a culture of philanthropy and increase their financial autonomy. Having lost...
Mackenzie Myatt
Mackenzie brings a creative and diverse skillset to Ataxia Canada, with a unique background in music, design, and education. Her experience in customer service, administration, and account management, as well as a long-standing commitment to volunteer work supporting individuals with disabilities, are what make her a valued team member to...
Advisory committee
Susan Harding
Susan Harding lives in Ottawa and was diagnosed with an unknown SCA in 1992. Her mother and some of her siblings have had it too. In 2017, through a worldwide study called Care4Rare, she was diagnosed with SCA42. She tries to lead an active and healthy lifestyle to slow the...
Sakina Rehmanji
Sakina Rehmanji lives in the GTA in Ontario Canada. She has two teenage boys and one of them has Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA). She brings to the council her almost 10 years of experience dealing and coping with FA. Her son was diagnosed in 2009 and has participated in clinical trial...
Brittany Sommerfield
Brittany Sommerfield live in Winnipeg, Manitoba and has Friedreich’s ataxia. Since her diagnosis in 2007, Brittany has taken part in three clinical trials with her sister. She attended multiple NAF conferences ,FARA symposiums , Philly rideATAXIA events and one CAFA symposium in London Ontario in 2013. Other than her volunteer...
Loiq Fortin
Loiq Fortin is a very enthusiastic young man who likes to work in a team. He’s been jovial since I was young and loves helping people. With ataxia, he tries to show people that there are many ways to look at things
Jessica Laneuville
Jessica has Friedreich’s ataxia. She is first and foremost, the mother of Kélyane 10 years who is in perfect health! She is positive and has been involved in the foundation for 10 years already! His goal on the advisory board is to improve the quality of life of ataxics! She...
André Allard
André Allard is a librarian with a master’s degree in public administration. He was chief librarian at Hôpital Notre-Dame and oversaw documentary services at the University Hospital of Montreal until November 2011. Since then, he has been self-employed and semi-retired. André has a member of his family with ataxia. He...
Brenda Dixon
Brenda was born in Montreal and moved to Vancouver, BC in 1968. She has Friedreich’s Ataxia. Brenda knew of Claude St. Jean Foundation in her last years in Montreal, and she had the pleasure of meeting Claude when he visited Vancouver in the 70’s.