Our Team
Pallium carries out its work under the guidance and expertise of a dedicated team of board members, staff, scientific consultants, and facilitators who work tirelessly to advance the quality and accessibility of palliative care in Canada.
Our Staff
Jeffrey B. Moat
Chief Executive Officer | jmoat@pallium.ca
Jeff is the Chief Executive Officer of Pallium Canada. Jeff provides oversight and direction to the organization, reinforcing Pallium’s role in delivering improvement initiatives that strengthen performance, empowering more people to embrace the palliative care approach and accelerating the integration of the palliative care approach in Canadian health and social systems.
Dr. José Pereira
Scientific Advisor
Dr. José Pereira is Professor of Palliative Care in the
Division of Palliative Care, Department of Family Medicine, McMaster
University. He is Scientific Advisor and co-Founder of Pallium Canada. He is a
palliative care physician, educator, researcher, and palliative care services
leader.
Jonathan Faulkner
VP Operations | jfaulkner@pallium.ca
As VP Operations, Jonathan is responsible for the day-to-day leadership and general management at Pallium. Jonathan is excited to bring his 15 years of combined experience in health research, government administration, partnerships, and business development to help advance the palliative care approach in Canada.
Peggy Austen
Director, Corporate Partnerships | pausten@pallium.ca
As Director, Corporate Partnerships, Peggy plays a key role in leading Pallium’s integrated corporate partnership strategy. Peggy brings an extensive background in designing and implementing many innovative and collaborative partnerships in the health, education and social service sectors.
Erin Kelly
Finance Manager | ekelly@pallium.ca
Erin manages all financial aspects of Pallium Canada: invoices, contracts and budgets.
Dusan Mijavec
IT Director | dmijavec@pallium.ca
Dusan is responsible for Pallium Canada’s IT infrastructure, which includes day-to-day management and executing strategic IT projects.
Holly Finn
Senior Manager, Program Delivery | hfinn@pallium.ca
As Senior Manager, Program Delivery, Holly leads the day-to-day operations and delivery of Pallium’s educational programs, and is responsible for building, strengthening, and maintaining relationships with Pallium’s network of learners, key partners, and facilitators.
Georgina Dunn
Manager, Digital Marketing and Communications | gdunn@pallium.ca
Georgina is responsible for the strategy, development, and implementation of all marketing, communications, and public relations activities that align with Pallium’s values and strategic objectives.
Elle McFeeters
Digital Marketing and Communications Specialist | emcfeeters@pallium.ca
Elle is responsible for driving results and contributing to the success of marketing and communications initiatives, with a focus on social strategy, content creation, data analysis, and ensuring effective brand engagement that aligns with Pallium’s values and strategic objectives.
Christopher Klinger
Research Scientist | cklinger@pallium.ca
Chris is a health services researcher with a deep understanding of clinical practice, health care administration, health education, public health, and health policy. As part of Pallium’s research team, he is engaged in the evaluation of health system impact of palliative care education and training, service mapping, and course development.
Alana Corkery
Account Manager | acorkery@pallium.ca
As the Account Manager, Alana is responsible for developing client relationships and supporting their organizations as they work towards internal and external goals.
Kelsey Fonda
Account Manager | kfonda@pallium.ca
Kelsey is the Account Manager for Western Canada. She is dedicated to seeing that palliative care education reaches everyone who can make a difference.
Diana Vincze
Palliative Care ECHO Project Manager | dvincze@pallium.ca
Diana is responsible for planning, organizing, and overseeing all aspects of the Palliative Care ECHO Project.
Bonnie Tompkins
Compassionate Communities National Lead | btompkins@pallium.ca
Bonnie is a public health professional whose work mobilizes Compassionate Communities across Canada and focuses on the community and their role in supporting those experiencing caregiving, dying, death, and grieving. Bonnie has led several community-level initiatives across Canada and is an active contributor to Compassionate Communities work internationally.
James O’Hearn
Instructional Design Manager | johearn@pallium.ca
As an Instructional Designer, James is responsible for preparing Pallium’s LEAP™ courseware for online learning. James will be utilizing his 15 years of experience in the field of education, training, and e-learning development in pursuit of this goal.
Carly Riordan
Learning Developer | criordan@pallium.ca
Carly is responsible for assisting in the preparation of Pallium’s LEAP™ courses. Carly will draw from her diverse background in the arts, art education, and business administration to contribute to the development of Pallium’s course offerings.
Rachel Costanzo
Program Manager | rcostanzo@pallium.ca
Rachel is a member of the support team. She assists with the development, implementation and monitoring of work plans, timelines and deliverables. She brings 10 years of experience from other charity organizations, where she worked in fundraising, community building, and administration.
Aliya Mamdeen
Program Delivery Officer | amamdeen@pallium.ca
Aliya is involved in the coordination of ECHO sessions and attending the needs of both participants and subject matter experts. She is also involved with the Support Team providing a smooth delivery of the LEAP™ courses.
John Darwin Namata
Program Delivery Officer | jdnamata@pallium.ca
Darwin is a full-time graduate student at the University of Toronto, with a passion for making an impact in the healthcare sector. As a member of the Pallium team, he plays a vital role in ensuring the success of the LEAP™ courses.
Nasrine Ahmed
Support Desk Coordinator | nahmed@pallium.ca
Nasrine is involved in the coordination of LEAP™ courses and attending the needs of both participants and stakeholders.
Faris Barkawi
Program Coordinator | fbarkawi@pallium.ca
Faris serves as a member of the support team, where he plays a key role in facilitating the day-to-day operations of Pallium’s educational programs, including LEAP™.
Laura Abbatangelo
Assistant, Program Delivery | labbatangelo@pallium.ca
Laura is a master’s student in the Translational Research Program at the University of Toronto and has recently taken on the role of Program Delivery Assistant at Pallium. She is looking forward to supporting learners throughout their journey and working with such a wonderful team.
Board of Directors
Louise Bradley
Chair
C.M., MS, RN, CHE
Prior to joining Pallium Canada, Louise Bradley served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Mental Health Commission of Canada. Ms. Bradley has built her career in mental health from the ground up. From her early days as a registered nurse, to her advanced degrees, hospital administration and leadership of the Mental Health Commission of Canada, Louise has been charting a new course to improve the lives of Canadians living with mental illness. Lauded as a transformational leader by the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA), Ms. Bradley received the 2017 Humanitarian Award for her work to enhance the psychological well-being of Canadians. Ms. Bradley is also the recipient of the Innovation Award for Health Care Leadership, bestowed by the Canadian College of Health Leaders, as well as the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal. In June 2019, Ms. Bradley was invested as a member of the Order of Canada, the country’s highest civilian honour, for her contributions to advancing mental health care for Canadians. She holds degrees from Dalhousie University and Northeastern University in Boston and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science from St. Mary’s University, an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Alberta, and most recently, an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Mount Saint Vincent University. Ms. Bradley has a passion for nurturing emerging mental health leaders and prioritizes the mentorship of young champions in the hope of inspiring the next generation of transformational leaders.
1st Vice-Chair
LL.B.
Debbie Weinstein is a co-founder and partner at LaBarge Weinstein, practicing business, corporate finance, and securities law. Ms. Weinstein’s practice emphasizes public and private corporate finance transactions, mergers and acquisitions, day-to-day public company advice and generally advising private corporations, investors, lenders and investment banks. Ms. Weinstein represents a range of clients from entrepreneurs and their start up companies to Canadian public and foreign issuers. Foreign knowledge-based companies seek out her assistance in establishing or acquiring businesses in Canada. She advises boards of directors on corporate governance and transaction-specific matters. Ms. Weinstein is ranked as one of Canada’s Top Mergers and Acquisitions Lawyers in a survey conducted by Financial Post in 2007. In January 2008, American Lawyer named Debbie one of Canada’s Leading 500 Lawyers. She has also been named one of Canada’s Top 100 Women Entrepreneurs by PROFIT and Chatelaine magazines and one of Canada’s Top 25 Women Lawyers by Lexpert. Ms. Weinstein has served as a board member and chair on numerous boards and board committees, including the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, the Ottawa Heart Institute Research Corporation, the United Way Ottawa, Ashbury College, and the Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation.
Jeffrey Morton
Treasurer
FCA ICD.D
Jeff Morton qualified as a Chartered Accountant in Manitoba in 1983 and in recognition of his extensive record of continuous volunteer service in the Winnipeg community and to the accounting profession, was awarded his Fellowship designation in 2002. He earned his ICD.D designation in 2014. Jeff served as a Chief Financial Officer for twenty-five plus years in two significant and successful Manitoba based private businesses, National Equipment Leasing and Piston Ring Service. Mr. Morton retired from the latter in June 2018, and currently works as a Corporate Board Director and an Advisor to private businesses. He has been a committed volunteer for thirty years and serves, and has served, on sixteen not for profit, for profit, professional association, and corporate boards. In that body of work, he has led two Boards as Chair, and served as a Committee Chair in thirteen separate assignments. Currently, he is a member of the Board of Cambrian Credit Union, chairing its Governance, Human Resources & Compensation
Committee, and the Credit Counsel Society, chairing its Investment Committee.
Donna Kingelin
Director
R.N., ICD.D
Donna Kingelin is a Senior Executive who has dedicated her career to serving the elderly. She has held the position of Chief Operating Officer of Revera where she provided oversight to 26,000 employees and over 200 seniors’ residences including long-term care homes, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living residences, independent retirement residences, and was accountable for the home care division. She also served as Managing Director for Holiday Corporation where she was responsible for the Canadian portfolio of independent retirement communities. In these roles, she provided leadership in human resources, operations, financial management, program development, capital investment, and quality improvement. Ms. Kingelin is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors and currently holds board positions at Kinark Child and Family Services, Oshawa Power and Utilities Corporation, and Extendicare Inc. She has just finished a nine year term with Lakeridge Health Board of Trustees.
Michael Anderson
Director
MD, MSc, FRCSC
Dr. Michael Anderson is part of the urban Indigenous community in Toronto. He is Mohawk (Bear Clan) and English, with family roots in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. He practices surgical oncology and palliative care medicine and is the Indigenous Strategy Lead at the University Health Network. At the Waakebiness-Bryce Institute for Indigenous Health in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health (U of T), he is a PhD candidate and senior researcher with interests in Indigenous epistemologies, Indigenous approaches to implementation science, ethical Indigenous community-healthcare research partnerships, dialogue, and Indigenous conceptualizations of death and dying. He is a strong advocate for equitable access to culturally sensitive, high quality palliative care.
Christine Power
Director
MA
What began as a desire to help those in need over 40 years ago has evolved into a mission to improve the quality of healthcare for all Canadians. Chris Power’s journey in healthcare began at the bedside as a front-line nurse. Since then, she has grown into one of the preeminent healthcare executives in Canada. Her experiences, her success, and her values led her to the position of CEO of the Canadian Patient Safety Institute until 2021, as well as serving for eight years prior to her time at CPSI as president and CEO of Capital Health, Nova Scotia. Chris holds significant governance roles including past Chair of the Canadian Association for Health Services & Policy Research, past Co-Chair of CHLNet, and Board member of Colleges & Institutes of Canada. She is past Chair of the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer and past Co-Chair of HealthCareCAN. Currently she is a Board member of HDRN Canada, Pallium Canada and Simulation Canada. Chris participated as a member of the federal advisory panel on healthcare innovation and through this role has gained even greater insight into the many pan-Canadian organizations that will be beneficial in forming partnerships, leveraging expertise and advancing the goals of healthcare in this country.
Deirdre Pike
Director
Deirdre Pike has spent over 30 years in both paid and volunteer positions which both connected people more strongly to their communities and worked to ensure people had what they needed to participate fully and with dignity, in all their communities have to offer. Deirdre’s 14 years in parish ministry in the Catholic Dioceses of Hamilton and Ottawa, and her 21 years at the Social Planning and Research Council of Hamilton working in social services system planning, add up to a three decades-long commitment to building caring communities. Currently, Deirdre’s vocation is as a Licensed Lay Worker in the Justice and Outreach Office for the Anglican Diocese of Niagara. In this role, Deirdre equips faith communities to respond to people’s imminent needs with charitable responses while advocating for change. She leads justice work in response to the climate crisis, human trafficking, and the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Deirdre is the principal facilitator in Queer Positive Power, working with health, justice, and social service sector organizations, to embed equity, diversity and inclusion in their culture, policies, and practices. QPP specializes in facilitating 2SLGBTQI+ training and education, as well as anti-oppression and anti-racism work. Deirdre’s work with HOPE, a justice-based system of palliative care, rooted at McMaster University, included participation in a Canada-wide social innovation project over the course of 2018/19, and a community-based pilot project responding to “monothanatophobia.” Deirdre has been a Hamilton Spectator columnist since 2010. Deirdre lives with her partner, Renée Wetselaar, in downtown Hamilton, on land cared for from time immemorial by Anishinaabe people and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and covered by the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Agreement.
Director
Jeff Moat is the current Chief Executive Officer of Pallium Canada where he provides oversight and direction to the organization and ensures that Pallium is a leading thought partner in the palliative care and compassionate communities’ space. Previous to this, Mr. Moat was the President of Partners for Mental Health, a non-profit organization dedicated to accelerating a social movement to transform the way people think about mental health, and act towards people living with a mental health problem or illness. Mr. Moat also enjoyed an eight-year tenure as National Director of Marketing for Canadian Blood Services. He spent the first half of his career in the financial services as Assistant Vice President for Citibank Canada and Bank One International and later Vice President of Marketing for Alterna Bank. Mr. Moat is a graduate of McGill University where he received his Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing and Management Policy and received his Chartered Marketer designation in 2019. Jeff also holds a certificate in Finance and Accounting from McGill University and has earned professional certificates in Direct Marketing and Database Marketing from York University. He received his Chartered Marketer professional designation in 2019.
Director
MBChB, CCFP (PC), MSc, FCFP
Dr. José Pereira is a palliative care physician and is co-founder and Scientific Officer of Pallium Canada. He has led the development of the Learning Essential Approaches to Palliative Care (LEAP™) courses as well as the Pallium Palliative Pocketbook. He is a full professor in, and director of, the Division of Palliative Care, Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University. He has also served as Director of Research at The College of Family Physicians of Canada (March 2016 – December 2019) and has previously held various clinical, academic and administrative leadership positions. These have included Provincial Lead for Cancer Care Ontario’s (CCO) Palliative Care Program (2011-2013), Medical Chief of Palliative Care Services at Bruyère Continuing Care in Ottawa and the Ottawa Hospital (2008-2016), and Division Chief, Division of Palliative Care, University of Ottawa (2008-2016). Dr. Pereira is known internationally for his contributions to clinical, service and educational innovations in support of improved clinical efficacy and access/quality in palliative and end-of-life care. In 2002, Dr. Pereira received the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal for contributions to palliative care in Canada and the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care’s Award of Excellence, and in 2012 the Award of Excellence from the Palliative Medicine Section of the Ontario Medical Association and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Corporate Partnership Advisory Committee
Danielle Leguard-White
For over 20 years, Danielle has worked in the charitable sector supporting grassroots, medium and large charities in sponsorships and partnership activation. Driven by her own experience in palliative care. Danielle is very proud and excited to be given the opportunity to share my expertise and knowledge with the Pallium team.
Mike Nadeau
Mike Nadeau has a strong background in management, finance, analytics, real estate and logistics. Most recently Mike is the COO of ShinyBud Cannabis Co. Mike is also known for being the Managing Director of Hotinput Management Consulting and was Senior Vice President Operations Excellence at Recipe Unlimited Corporation; which operates several restaurant chains across Canada including Swiss Chalet, Montana’s, and more. Prior, Mike was Senior Vice President of Operations at TDL Limited (Tim Hortons) where he led a management team of 150 in two regional centers and indirect work force of more than 40,000, with full accountability for sales, sustainable business growth and new development, aligning organizational structure with overall strategic direction.
Greg Graham
Greg Graham was appointed Chief Operating Officer of the Cardel Group of Companies in January 2017. He also maintains the position of President – Cardel Homes Ontario which he was appointed to in August 2005. Greg is an accredited member of the Professional Board of Directors. As COO, he is responsible for providing company-wide leadership, strategic direction and operational management to drive continued growth and profitability of the land development and residential home building companies.
Derek Hyer
Derek Hyer is an investment advisor at RBC Dominion Securities, in Ottawa, Ontario. He has been in the financial industry for over 20 years and advises medical professionals, business owners, and not for profits boards on their finances and investment strategies. Derek is actively involved in fundraising for several charities such as CHEO, RBC Race for the Kids, Toy Mountain, and United Way. Derek has strong ties to the Ottawa business community and is a member of RBC’s national health care team.
Chris J. Hughes
Chris J. Hughes is a senior management consultant, trusted advisor, mentor, and coach to many federal government departments and organizations, including the Privy Council Office and the Office of the Prime Minister. A native of Ottawa, Mr. Hughes has devoted over 40 years of his expertise to community enrichment by donating his business and governance skills to organizations such as the Canadian Cancer Society, the Royal Ottawa Hospital, St. Mary’s Home, and Christie Lake Kids. Mr. Hughes continues to dedicate his time to humanitarian efforts through his work with the Canadian Red Cross as a Site Manager for Emergency and Disaster Recovery Programs, Mobilization Deployment, and as a member of the Humanitarian Reserve Readiness Roster.
Scientific Consultants
Elisabeth Antifeau
RN, MScN, GNC(C), CHPCN(C), CNS-C | Regional Clinical Nurse Specialist, Palliative End of Life Care Services, Interior Health, British Columbia
Elisabeth Antifeau has 40 years of front-line clinical, education, and management experience working in acute, community, and long-term care settings. She has worked closely with aging, medically complex frail, disability and palliative populations, all of whom benefit from a palliative care approach. Elisabeth currently works as the Regional Clinical Nurse Specialist for Palliative Care in Interior Health and is a Master Facilitator and Coach for Pallium Canada. She is keenly interested in clinical and ethical issues related to the impact of rural and remote living with life-limiting illness, enhancing the choices available for these individuals and their families, and seeking collaborative action with health providers that best support quality of life and comfort.
Dr. Gordon Giddings
MD, MBA, CCFP(PC), FCFP, Q. Med | Senior Medical Advisor of Professional Conduct, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta
Dr. Gordon Giddings is the Clinical Editor for Pallium Canada and has served as managing editor of the Pallium Pocketbook and several LEAP™ courses. He is a palliative care physician with senior leadership experience in numerous clinical and administrative settings and as an Associate Editor of the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
Dr. J. David Henderson
Senior Medical Director Integrated Palliative Care NSHA | Medical Director Colchester East Hants Palliative Care Service | Past President CSPCP | Chair Section Palliative Medicine CFPC
Dr. Henderson is a palliative care physician and LEAP™ master facilitator in Nova Scotia and has been instrumental in the creation of a comprehensive plan for integrated palliative care provision across the province. In an effort to build the capacity of frontline health care professionals using LEAP™, he has focused on recruiting and training new LEAP™ facilitators to meet the demand for LEAP™ courses across the province. Dr. Henderson continues to contribute greatly to Pallium by lending his expertise and experience toward courseware development, mentorship, and streamlining Pallium tools and resources.
Dr. Charlie Chen
MD, MEd, CCFP(PC), FCFP
Dr. Charlie Chen is a palliative care physician working in Calgary, AB. He is the Program Medical Director for the Palliative End-of-Life Care Program for Calgary Zone, Alberta Health Services. He is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Calgary in the Division of Palliative Medicine. Prior to moving to Alberta in the summer of 2019, he had been UBC Program Director for both the Family Medicine Enhanced Skills Year of Added Competency and the Subspecialty in Adult Palliative Medicine. He also had a brief tenure as the Medical Director for palliative care services in Fraser Health, BC. As a LEAP™ Master Facilitator with Pallium, Dr. Chen has contributed to the evolution of the Facilitator Training course. He is currently leading the development of a LEAP™ Leaders course and assisting with a new LEAP™ course for paramedics in British Columbia.
Dr. Daphna Grossman
MD CCFP(PC) FCFP | Palliative Care Physician | Co-Lead Supportive Care | North York General Hospital | Assistant Professor Division of Palliative Care, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto
Daphna Grossman is a palliative care physician at North York General Hospital (NYGH). She is the co-lead for the supportive care program, which focuses on integrating a palliative approach to care for patients with non-malignant life-limiting illness. Prior to joining NYGH, Daphna was the deputy head of palliative care at Baycrest Health Sciences. Daphna is an assistant professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto. Daphna has been involved in writing content and piloting LEAP™ Hospital and LEAP™ Long-Term Care. Daphna is an avid supporter of Pallium’s LEAP™ courseware and has facilitated many courses including Core, LTC, and Hospital.
Dr. Jobin Varughese
MD, CCFP (COE), CMD | Family Physician | Queen Square Family Health Team
Dr. Jobin Varughese has been working with Pallium Canada since taking the LEAP™ Core course in 2010. He started as an associate facilitator under the tutelage of Dr. Robert Sauls and Dr. Michael Gagnon. He has led many of the LEAP™ courses, including LEAP™ Core, LEAP™ Mini and LEAP™ Long Term Care. Since starting as a LEAP™ Coach, he has trained associate facilitators to help guide them to becoming certified facilitators. In addition, Dr. Varughese was part of the team that redesigned Pallium Central, the learning management system.
Dr. Bernard J. Lapointe
MD | Eric M. Flanders Chair of Palliative Medicine, McGill University | Director, Palliative Care McGill | Chief, Palliative Care Division, Sir Mortimer B. Davis Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, Québec
Dr. Bernard Lapointe started his career as a family physician in northern Quebec and is now the Eric M. Flanders Chair in Palliative Medicine; Director of Palliative Care in the Department of Oncology; and associate professor in the departments of Family Medicine and Oncology at McGill University. Dr. Lapointe’s current interests in research have revolved around the development of new analgesics for cancer pain, and support to family caregivers of patients at the end-of-their life.
Dr. Robert Sauls
MD, CCFP(PC), FCFP | Clinical Lead, Palliative Care Health Services Delivery Framework, Ontario Palliative Care Network
Dr. Sauls has practiced in both family medicine and palliative care in Mississauga, ON. He also served in a variety of palliative care leadership roles both locally and provincially. From 2012 to 2019 he led the organization of LEAP™ programming in his region and has both facilitated courses and coached new facilitators. He has contributed to reviews of new and existing LEAP™ courses and continues to work on the development of online modules to complement in-person courses.
Dr. Ingrid A. Harle
BSc, MD, FRCSC, CCFP-PC | Palliative Medicine physician in the Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Queen’s University and Director of Faculty Development for the Faculty of Health Sciences
Dr. Harle is a full-time academic Palliative Medicine physician in the Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Queen’s University and is the Director of Faculty Development for the Faculty of Health Sciences. She has practiced palliative medicine since 2001. Dr. Harle’s clinical work involves providing palliative care for oncology patients in clinics at the CC-SEO; procedural clinics for symptom management at CC-SEO; palliative care for patients with advanced cardiopulmonary diagnoses at KHSC-HDH site; and palliative care consultation services for patients admitted to KHSC-KGH site. Dr. Harle is a LEAP™ Master Facilitator and has contributed to LEAP™ course development for over 10 years, most recently with LEAP™ Hospital.