Andria Bianchi, Chair, of Toronto, is a Bioethicist and Clinician-Scientist at the University Health Network and affiliated with the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at University of Toronto as an Assistant Professor. She completed her PhD at the University of Waterloo where her research focused on ethical implications related to persons with dementia and sexual consent. She is currently involved in various funded research projects, all of which relate to the geriatric population. Andria is a bioethicist member of the Joint Centre for Bioethics, a board member of the Canadian Association of Practicing Healthcare Ethicists – Association Canadienne des Éthiciens en Soins de Santé (CAPHE-ACÉSS), and a board member of Advanced Gerontological Education (AGE) Inc.
Florene Shuber, Vice Chair, of Toronto, is an active advocate and volunteer for older adults, including volunteering with people living with dementia. Florene graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School and practiced law in education, employment and family. She began her career with the Toronto District School Board and eventually entered leadership roles in Toronto Montessori Schools, Toronto Montessori Institute and the Canadian Council of Montessori Administrators. In 2005, Florene and her partners founded the Montessori Teachers College and in 2016, she helped create the Montessori Dementia Program. Florene also has Board experience serving as Co-Chair of Toronto Montessori Schools and Toronto Montessori Institute Board of Directors, as well as Chair of the Montessori Teachers College Board of Directors.
Nira Rittenberg has extensive experience and expertise in geriatrics and dementia care. With more than 20 years of experience as a Senior Occupational Therapist at Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care, and in private practice, she has in-depth understanding of the broader health care system. Nira has written several publications about dementia and is a lecturer at the University of Toronto Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy. She is also a columnist at the Toronto Star and writes for the “Caregiver SOS”, column. Most recently, Nira, participated in the making of the CBC documentary “The Caregivers’ Club”, which tell the story of her clients living with dementia over the course of year.
Rose Lamb, of Minesing, is the Senior Vice President of Operations (East Region) of Schlegel Villages. Rose supports 11 village teams where they continue to look for ways to serve seniors and strive to change the culture of aging. Prior to her current position, she served as the senior leader for Sunrise Senior Living of McLean, Virginia. Rose serves on the Board of the Seniors Wish Foundation and supports other charities including Hospice Simcoe and Habitat for Humanity. She takes great pride in mentoring and developing the front-line team members and identifies ways to promote leaders from within villages, allowing a social living environment where people continue to live with purpose. Rose knows this for sure as her mom and dad each live with dementia and purpose in both retirement and long-term care.
Carolyn Derbyshire, of Sauble Beach, was involved in the day-to-day care of her father while he resided in a retirement home. She is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario. Carolyn is a retired Emergency Communicator with Peel Regional Police. During her 23-year career, Carolyn was a trainer and an Acting Supervisor and assisted in the development of the Emergency back-up centre for communications in Peel Region. An active volunteer most of her life, she was on the Board of Directors with Brampton Telecare Distress Line. While raising her two children, Carolyn was active in the school parent council and held the Chair position for three years.
Marion Jones, resident of Stoney Creek, worked for RBC Financial for 43 years and was one of the first group of women appointed as branch managers in Toronto. She is currently a member of the Amica Area Community Advisory Group (CAG) 2019/2020 and Amica Welcoming Committee. Marion has ample Board, committee and volunteer experience, including being Vice Chair for the Richmond Hill Chamber of Commerce and a volunteer at Mackenzie Health Hospital for 20 years.
Laura Tamblyn Watts, of Toronto, is the CEO of CanAge, Canada’s national seniors’ advocacy organization and a global expert on aging. Her work focuses on aging, inclusion, and justice. She has previously served as Chief Public Policy Officer at the Canadian Association of Retired Persons and at the Canadian Centre for Elder Law including as their long-time National Director. She is an Assistant Professor (status) in the Factor Inwentash Faculty of Social Work University of Toronto where she specializes in research on Law and Aging. She was called to the Bar in 1999.
Stephanie Sanborn, of Toronto, has 30 years of experience among various retirement and long term care operators in rural and urban settings. Stephanie specializes in developing a strong memory care platform rooted in person-centred care and creating empathy-based experiential training leveraging technology to transform staff training. Sanborn is a member of the ORCA Education Committee and the ORCA Dementia Task Force. Stephanie holds a Master of Adult Education from St. Francis Xavier University and continuous education in healthcare management, gerontology and dementia care.
Donna Rowlandson, of Simcoe County, started her career as a Grade 1/2 elementary school teacher before moving on to hold a career for 20 years at IBM. After her time at IBM, Donna worked in various management positions during her time at one of Canada’s leading Giftware Import/Export companies before moving on to owning and operating a family business that became a force in the gift industry. Donna is an active volunteer in her community, including as a Girl Guide Leader, President of the Newmarket Manic-Depression Group, and President of the Parkinson’s Support Group in Aurora. Currently, Donna serves as the President of the Bayfield House Stitchers, a non-profit organization creating blankets, quilts, toques and scarves for organizations serving those in need in Simcoe County.
