Board of Directors

We are looking for dementia champions to join our Board of Directors!

Would you like to be part of a passionate Board of Directors dedicated to improving the quality of life of those living with dementia in Durham Region? Give back to your community and become a dementia champion.

If interested in becoming a Board member, please download the application package here.

Please submit your application to Gillian Barrie, ASDR CEO at gbarrie@alzheimerdurham.com for consideration.

Currently, there are 11,843 persons living with dementia in Durham Region, and that number is expected to double by 2030. For over 40 years, the Alzheimer Society of Durham Region has been dedicated to improving the quality of life of those living with dementia, their care partners and families in our community. While there is currently no cure, our vision is to live in a community where people living with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias are accepted and supported in their environment.

Board of Directors Profiles 2024-2025

Carolyn Wilson

Carolyn Wilson has dedicated her professional life to serving the health sector, with experience working as an in-house legal counsel to the hospital sector and other community-based health care organizations. Carolyn has over 20 years of experience in volunteering in the community and joined the ASDR board in 2020. She is a member of the Law Society of Ontario and the Ontario Bar Association and a volunteer with the Ontario Shores Joint Research Ethics Board.

Heidi L. Campbell

Heidi L. Campbell is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and Licensed Public Accountant, currently serving as Manager, National Assurance Standards at BDO Canada LLP. With nearly a decade of experience in Audit and Assurance, she has developed a strong expertise in serving Not-for-Profit Organizations. In addition to her professional role, Heidi is deeply committed to education. She lectures part-time at Ontario Tech University in the areas of Accounting and Audit, and actively mentors aspiring CPAs, demonstrating her passion for nurturing the next generation of professionals. Heidi’s dedication to the Alzheimer's Society of Durham Region (ASDR) stems from her personal experience with the disease, which first affected her family in 2015. Since joining the Board of Directors in March 2022, she has been committed to advancing the organization's mission and improving the lives of those impacted by Alzheimer’s in her community.

Ruth Cummings

Ruth Cummings is a Chartered Professional Accountant with KPMG in Toronto. She has over 30 years of experience in public accounting, specializing in income tax for private companies and is also dedicated to tax matters pertaining to charities and not-for-profit organizations. Her family has personal experience dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and she is dedicated to enhancing the support and resources that the ASDR provides to patients and their families. Ruth joined the Board of Directors in September 2023.    

Shahzil Mohamed

Shahzil Mohamed owns and operates Remedy's Rx in Bowmanville. As a registered pharmacist and community healthcare professional, he supports a number of people living with Alzheimer’s disease and has seen the impact of the illness on his patients and their caregivers. Shahzil has been an active volunteer in various capacities and is keen to apply his knowledge and expertise to help serve the needs of Durham Region. Shahzil joined the ASDR Board of Directors in December 2018.

 John Baynham

John Baynham is the President of Retirement Income Group. He is a Chartered Investment Manager and leads a team providing wealth management services to families and businesses in Ontario. John is passionate about making a contribution to families served by ASDR. His family has personal experience with the disease and so he is passionate about the positive impact ASDR has upon families in the community. John joined the Board of Directors in March 2020

Brian McAuley

Brian McAuley is a technology executive who has lived in the Durham Region for 30 years. Brian has served on the board since 2012 and board chair since 2017. He continues to be passionate about the Alzheimer Society of Durham Region, as the organization was instrumental in providing the necessary education and support, he required during his mother's illness with the disease. He recognizes the great need before us given the growth of Alzheimer’s and other dementias in the coming years.

Dr. Anuradha Nath

Dr. Anuradha Nath has served as a medical professional in healthcare for over 15 years. She is committed to improving the quality of life of people. Dr. Nath has closely dealt with patients with cognitive impairment and diverse types of dementia including Alzheimer's that has helped her develop a good understanding of the entire care and management plans. Dr. Nath has been involved with organizations that serve the disadvantaged elderly and is dedicated to serving the Durham community. Dr. Nath joined the ASDR Board of Directors in September 2022.

Kay Peterson

Kay Peterson is a retired Telecommunications professional who enjoyed more than 40 years in the industry. Early in her career, her roles spanned a variety of management operations positions giving her a broad perspective of many aspects of the business. In later years, she carried her PMP project management certification with pride as she led global IT deployments for enterprise clients and provided leadership in client service. Today Kay is volunteering at the Alzheimer Society with heartfelt gratitude for the support that she and her family received during her mother’s brief journey with dementia. Kay joined the Board of Directors in January 2023.

Alok Sethi

Alok Sethi lives in Brooklin with his wife and two children. Alok is a seasoned banking professional with over 20 years of progressive experience. He is currently a Director at BMO Capital Markets where he partners with all lines of businesses to provide thoughtful leadership and expertise in the development, client-linkage, governance, risk mitigation and implementation of strategic initiatives within its Global Capital Markets business. Alok brings significant experience in financial management, risk management, strategy development, and policy and governance oversight. Alok recently served a 9-year tenure at Lakeridge Health Board of Trustees, which included 4-years as Treasurer and Chair of the Resources Committee. He was instrumental in establishing a Enterprise Risk Management program and a Board Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility Board committee at Lakeridge Health. He also chaired the Lakeridge Gardens and Jerry Coughlan Health & Wellness Centre Board sub-committees. He has been an active fundraiser for numerous charities, including Kids Help Phone and the Canadian Cancer Society, and has been named the recipient of various awareness awards. Alok graduated with an MBA from Brunel University (UK) and a BCom from McMaster University. He holds a Chartered Professional Accountant designation. Alok joined the Board of Directors in September 2022.

Steve Tsenis

Steve Tsenis is a seasoned municipal management leader. He has over 22 years of experience in municipal capital budgeting, asset management and financial planning. Steve holds an MBA along with other certificates. He has been a resident of Durham Region for the past 15 years. Alzheimer’s has touched his family. He is excited to be volunteering on the Board for the Alzheimer’s Society of Durham Region and to be involved with such a great organization.

Sheryl Wedderburn

Sheryl Wedderburn is the CEO of Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Durham. She is a nurse leader with over 30 years of clinical and executive experience across various health sectors. She has led and co-designed many geriatric programs and services, particularly those with a focus on Alzheimer’s disease and associated dementias. She is the founding president of the registered charity JCAN, where strategic plans are designed to meet the unique needs of marginalized individuals with dementia, including their families and care partners. Sheryl is a dedicated member of the Alzheimer Society of Durham Region Board of Directors.

Kara Wright

Kara Wright completed her Bachelor of Science at Queen's University then went on to graduate with her Doctor of Pharmacy from University of Waterloo in 2017. Kara is presently pursuing her Master of Health Science in Health Administration at University of Toronto Institute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation. Most of Kara's career has been spent as a pharmacist in community and primary care settings. Over the past year, Kara has shifted her focus towards management and leadership. She is presently the Executive Director at North Durham Family Health Team. Kara is thankful for the support the Alzheimer's Society provided to her family members when impacted by dementia and is grateful for the opportunity to volunteer as a member of the Board. Kara joined the Board of Directors in September 2024.