Sabrina was elected president after the 2021 AGM. She joined the O.R.S.A. board in 2019 after her daughter, Ella, was diagnosed with Rett syndrome on November 8, 2018. Sabrina’s background includes a Degree in Education specializing in Public Health and is a Certified Research Coordinator. She has worked as a Clinical Researcher for over 21 years at McMaster Children’s Hospital in the Division of Pediatrics, department of Hematology/Oncology. She developed a passion for our organization and is excited to join our team to further our mission and to use her skills for mutual benefit. She is the Chair of our Scientific Committee which involves overseeing our Canadian registry, connecting with our partners, (NHCC, OBI, POND, SPOR and CORD), grant writing, and facilitating clinical trials with Industry. Sabrina lives in Hamilton with her supportive husband, Ross and her two daughters, Tessa and Ella.
Treasurer – Joan Li
Joan joined board in 2018 as Treasurer. She studied Financial accounting in China and since graduating from Sheridan college in Accounting Administration, she has worked in JPG Exhaust.
Joan has two sons: Nathaniel and Hanson and one daughter Leanne. Leanne was diagnosed with Rett syndrome in 2015. Joan join O.R.S.A. with the goal of helping other families in any way possible.
Secretary – Sherry Lawrence
Sherry, for several years, has been an active member of her community in Paris, Ontario, volunteered on the Accessibility Committee for the County of Brant and is working as a Fitness Instructor. Sherry has been volunteering with the Ontario Rett Syndrome Association for over 20 years. She and her family have coordinated the Run4Rett since 2012. Sherry and David have three adult children and three grandchildren. Olivia is 29 years old and has Rett syndrome. Olivia resides at home and is supported by her parents and her network of excellent staff, who are funded by Paramed Home Care Program and MCSS Passport Program. Olivia lives a very engaged and fulfilling lifestyle.
President Elect and Family Outreach Coordinator – Keri-Ann Richard
Keri-Ann has been Family Outreach Coordinator since 2017. Mother to the amazing big brother Blair, hardworking-sassy Zoé & wife to the best Daddy Darcy. She resides in the province of Québec, however her closest Rett clinic is situated just over an hour at CHEO. She lives in a small rural community and can mostly be found enjoying the great outdoors with her big furry friend Grant.
Directors
Dr. Evdokia Anagnostou
Evdokia Anagnostou is a Child Neurologist and Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Toronto and Assistant Director of Holland Bloorview’s Research Institute. As a Senior Clinician Scientist, she co-leads of the Autism Research Centre (ARC) at Holland Bloorview and University of Toronto. She holds a Canada Research Chair in translational therapeutics in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and the Dr. Stuart D. Sims Chair in Autism at Holland Bloorview.
Dr. Anagnostou has received extensive international funding to understand the underlying biological differences associated with ASD and other neurodevelopmental differences, translate such understandings into potential novel interventions. She also has funding in health system innovation, stakeholder engagement, and in understanding the meaning and impact of ASD in marginalized populations. She serves on multiple government committees on improving diagnostic and intervention pathways, and several editorial boards and grant review panels.
She has also been recognized for her contributions to training young clinicians and scientists and for her commitment to women in STEM. She currently represents the region of America –North on the INSAR Global Senior Leaders committee.
Cindy Belland-Steel
Cindy was born and raised in a small community in the beautiful Ottawa valley. She is married to her amazing husband Daniel for 7 years. She runs a successful home daycare with children newborn to 5 years old for 20 plus years. This is where she had the pleasure to meet a young family and care for their children: little Zoé was diagnosed with Rett syndrome. She participates in a lot of the functions with O.R.S.A. so therefore joined the board of directors in 2020 to be able to help more and give she time where need be.
Melanie Birch
Melanie was born and raised in Burlington, Ontario and still visits annually. After graduating from Wilfrid Laurier University with a History and Political degree she took off to travel the world; visiting 45 (ish) countries along the way. Landing in Canmore, Alberta in 2004 she currently lives there with her husband Gavin and children, Conor and Ella. Ella was diagnosed with Rett Syndrome in 2017. Having worked in administration, customer service and Human Resources she is excited to the join the O.R.S.A. Board and help other families.
Jodi Dwyer
Jodi was born and raised in Georgetown, Ontario, and grew up as an only child. She currently works as a Registered Practical Nurse in Long Term Care, and is continuing her education through Centennial College/Ryerson University to become a Registered Nurse. She has been a volunteer in her community for the past ten years with Halton Distress Centre. She committed herself to volunteering for O.R.S.A. once her twin nieces (who are two of the three children of her best friend) were both diagnosed with Rett Syndrome in September 2016. She joined the O.R.S.A Board of Directors in January 2018, and has been the Fundraising Committee Chair since August 2019. She believes in the vision and mission of the Ontario Rett Syndrome Association, and wants to be part of providing our Rett community with the information, research, and supports that are needed.
Steve Miguel
Steve first joined O.R.S.A. as a volunteer on their marketing committee in 2018 and later joined the board in 2019. He graduated from the University of Western Ontario and completed his Master’s of Education Certification in Amherst, New York. Steve has 3 young girls, his youngest, Scarlett was diagnosed with RETT at the age of 18 months. Today, Steve helps with communications, awareness campaign, the Uncorked RETT Wine fundraiser, and new O.R.S.A. Calendar.
Amy Whittard
Mother to daughter Josie who was diagnosed with Rett Syndrome at 18 months. I also have a son Wyatt. I have been married to my husband for 17 years. I grew up in Crystal Beach, now live in St. Catharines. I received a diploma from Conestoga College in the Micro computer administration program. I have been a stay at home mom for almost 9 years. I left the job I was at for almost 15 years to focus on my daughter and family. I do sell Nuskin and Thirty-One products and sew in my spare time. I worked as an administrative assistant for a biotechnology company. I took on many jobs there from shipping, receiving, purchasing, simple accounting duties, paying bills, tracking sales and working along side the President and CEO. I also had jobs in retail, data entry and the restaurant industry.I am excited to join the O.R.S.A. board of directors. Areas that interest me are communications, social media and fundraising. Willing to help and learn where ever I am needed and you see fit.
Board of Directors
Executive
President – Sabrina Millson
Treasurer – Joan Li
Secretary – Sherry Lawrence
President Elect and Family Outreach Coordinator – Keri-Ann Richard
Directors
Dr. Evdokia Anagnostou
Dr. Anagnostou has received extensive international funding to understand the underlying biological differences associated with ASD and other neurodevelopmental differences, translate such understandings into potential novel interventions. She also has funding in health system innovation, stakeholder engagement, and in understanding the meaning and impact of ASD in marginalized populations. She serves on multiple government committees on improving diagnostic and intervention pathways, and several editorial boards and grant review panels.
She has also been recognized for her contributions to training young clinicians and scientists and for her commitment to women in STEM. She currently represents the region of America –North on the INSAR Global Senior Leaders committee.
Cindy Belland-Steel
Melanie Birch
Jodi Dwyer
Steve Miguel
Steve first joined O.R.S.A. as a volunteer on their marketing committee in 2018 and later joined the board in 2019. He graduated from the University of Western Ontario and completed his Master’s of Education Certification in Amherst, New York. Steve has 3 young girls, his youngest, Scarlett was diagnosed with RETT at the age of 18 months. Today, Steve helps with communications, awareness campaign, the Uncorked RETT Wine fundraiser, and new O.R.S.A. Calendar.
Amy Whittard