Our Board, Staff & Ambassadors

A Message from Our Board Chair

A lupus diagnosis can be life changing. It is a chronic disease with a variety of symptoms, with no known cure. People living with lupus have to plan well and make some pretty tough choices about the tasks they do everyday. They may need new treatments and medications, and have to educate their families, friends, and employers. But they don’t have to do it alone.

Lupus Canada works to improve the lives of people living with lupus, through research, advocacy, public awareness and education. Our dedicated staff and volunteers are working to better understand this often-mysterious disease, for people living with lupus and for the general public. With new research, we can help to advocate for better treatment and supports, to overcome the burdens that lupus presents, and ultimately one day find a cure.

Join us. We need your support, whether adding your voices or donating your time or money, so we can reach more doctors, researchers, and government. Together, we can improve the quality of life for those living with lupus.

Thomas J. Simpson

Board Chair

Our Board

Thomas J. Simpson

Chair

Holly Jones Taggart

Vice Chair

Vikas Tiwari

Treasurer

Shane Dungey

Director, Executive Committee

Kendal Alston

Director

Andrew Chudnovsky

Director

Benoit Ferland

Director

Mauricia Ambrose

Director

Dr. Ellen Chow

Director

Bianca Zimperi

Director

Malcolm Gilroy

Past President

Our Staff

Leanne Mielczarek

Executive Director

Cora Novacut-Lee

Manager, Donor, Relations/Specialist Programs

Ariana Ranjbar

National Digital Marketing Specialist

Heather Coates

National Fund Development & Engagement Officer

Our Celebrity Ambassadors

Lupus Canada is honoured to have five very special people represent Lupus Canada as our Celebrity Ambassadors. Colin Mochrie, Debra McGrath, Patrick McKenna, DeMar DeRozan and Prosper Laguerre are helping us create more awareness for lupus by providing their support and sharing the good work we are doing to help those living with lupus.

DeMar DeRozan

Professional Basketball Player

DeMar DeRozan

“As a recognizable athlete in Canada, I thought it is important to get involved to help my mom and aunt who are dealing with lupus. I think it’s important to raise awareness for lupus globally. Whether I support one person, or a thousand people, I’d like to inspire families to overcome their challenges and better understand what they’re facing.”

Patrick McKenna

Actor & Producer

Patrick McKenna

“Having Lupus directly affecting my family makes it easy to be involved with Lupus Canada — but I stay because of all the fabulous work they do.”

Colin Mochrie

Scottish-born Canadian Actor, Writer, Producer & Improvisational Comedian

Colin Mochrie

“We (Debra McGrath + Colin Mochrie) are involved with Lupus because we really believe that with money and focus, this terrible and complicated disease could become a thing of the past.”

Debra McGrath

Canadian Actress & Comedian

Debra McGrath

“We (Debra McGrath + Colin Mochrie) are involved with Lupus because we really believe that with money and focus, this terrible and complicated disease could become a thing of the past.”

Prosper Laguerre

Canadian DJ, Music Producer

Prosper Laguerre

“As a lupus warrior with a platform and opportunities to inspire others, I decided to get out of myself and inspire men like me who don’t really express much about the struggles of lupus because it isn’t easy to cover. But what I do know is iron sharpens iron, and we need more togetherness to be able to have STRENGTH TO ENDURE!!”

Lupus Canada Youth Ambassador

Lupus Canada is fiercely committed to improving the lives of all Canadians living with lupus, their families and their loved ones by investing in the initiatives that bring us closer to dedicated treatments and, ultimately, a cure. Given lupus can affect anyONE at anyTIME Lupus Canada recognizes that it is critical that we engage the youth demographic living with lupus across Canada.

As part of this initiative, we are honoured to have Isaac Hall representing Lupus Canada as our Youth Ambassador. Isaac, who is now living well with lupus, first showed signs of this debilitating disease at the very young age of 4 years old. Both Isaac and his family appreciate the importance of the work Lupus Canada is doing, and through his role as our Youth Ambassador, Isaac will help us to ensure youth living with lupus have a voice by sharing his journey, knowledge and experience with lupus. To learn more about Isaac’s story, please visit https://www.lupuscanada.org/living-with-lupus-isaac/

Isaac Hall

Youth Canada Ambassador

Isaac Hall

“As someone living with lupus, I’ve experienced the challenge it brings to everyday life. That’s why, since it is a cause close to my heart, I understand firsthand the importance of the work Lupus Canada does. This wonderful initiative towards improving the lives of people with lupus is something I am grateful to be a part of, and I am excited to see what the future holds.”

Lupus Canada Patient Ambassador

Lupus Canada recognizes the importance of the patient voice for our organization to best support the needs of those living with lupus. Recognizing the importance of the patient experience, we are honoured to share our new partnership with Diana Bozzo. Diana joins us as our Patient Ambassador to help provide the patient’s perspective, knowledge and experience living with lupus. To learn more about Diana’s journey please visit https://www.lupuscanada.org/living-with-lupus-diana-b/.

Diana Bozzo

Patient Ambassador

Diana Bozzo

“As someone who lives with Lupus, I have experienced daily challenges this disease brings, knowing how debilitating and life threatening it can be. I have decided to be a Patient Advocate with Lupus Canada as I agree with their 3 “Pillars” of advocacy, public awareness and research. I would like to help improve the lives of those living with Lupus and help push this disease into the spotlight through these 3 Pillars.”