Brian is a senior academic and human capital leader with over 30 years of international and domestic progressive experience with a demonstrated ability to lead academic and human resources functions as a business; by setting academic and people strategies that are aligned to business goals.

A self-described lifelong learner, Brian holds an MBA from the Ivey Business School at Western University, the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD.D), Certified Training and Development Professional and Certified Human Resources Leader designations. Brian is the past Board Chair of the Institute for Performance and Learning,  a national not-for-profit member driven organization for professionals supporting learning and performance in the workplace.

Jeff Preston, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of Disability Studies at King’s University College at Western University, where he teaches classes on disability, popular culture and policy. A long-time advocate and motivational speaker, in 2008, Jeff drove his electric wheelchair 650km from London to Ottawa to raise awareness about the lack of accessible transit in the province. Jeff is currently vice chair of the Committee of Adjustment at City Hall and vice chair of the leadership table for London 4 All, a working group organized by the United Way of Elgin & Middlesex to complete recommendations generated by City Hall’s poverty panel.

As a partner of MNP in Kitchener, Ontario, Richard works in the Assurance and Accounting group with private enterprises. He’s also the regional leader of the Indigenous Services niche, focusing on First Nations & Indigenous organizations, communities, not-for-profit entities and business enterprises. Richard is a graduate of the University of Lethbridge with a Bachelor’s in Management. Richard and his wife Amy have lived in Ontario for ten years. They have two children (Ben & Lexie). Ben was diagnosed four years ago with Duchenne Muscular dystrophy. Richard joined the Board of Defeat Duchenne Canada in January 2022 and serves as our Treasurer.

Tom has a close connection to Duchenne muscular dystrophy as his 28-year-old son Aidan was diagnosed at an early age.

Tom retired as a successful McDonald’s restauranteur in 2017 after more than four decades in business with 13 McDonald’s locations across Quebec. During his business career, Tom and his wife Karen were generous community advocates and fundraisers for various charities. In 2004, after Aidan’s diagnosis, Tom was introduced to Jesse’s Journey, now Defeat Duchenne Canada, and was moved to support the vision of a future without Duchenne. Tom began his term on the Board of Directors in June 2022.

Inspired by his son Jesse, who was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy at the age of 6, John Davidson founded Jesse’s Journey in 1994 (now known as Defeat Duchenne Canada). After two marathon walks—across Ontario with Jesse in 1995 and across Canada solo in 1998—John has remained an active part of the ongoing mission to end Duchenne. John was just two years old when he came to Canada from Scotland. He enjoyed a 30-year career in broadcasting – first on radio in London, then with CBC Radio and Television in Vancouver.

Perry has spent 28 years in senior leadership roles across the charitable sector, supporting healthcare, children’s causes, hospital foundations, and disease-focused organizations throughout Canada and the United States. Inspired by the impact of Jesse’s Journey and the vision of John and Jesse Davidson, he has dedicated his career to advancing philanthropy and has helped raise hundreds of millions of dollars for important causes. A former member of the Defeat Duchenne Canada leadership team, Perry is proud to return as a Board member and continue supporting the organization’s mission to fund research and help defeat Duchenne.

Ella Korets-Smith, MSc, MBA, is a biotechnology executive, company builder, entrepreneur, and board director with more than 20 years of experience advancing health innovation. She has led strategy, business development, licensing, fundraising, and commercialization across therapeutics, vaccines, gene therapy, regenerative medicine, and medical devices. Ella has helped raise private and non-dilutive capital, build companies and partnerships, and guide organizations through growth and strategic change. Ella joined the DDC board because she is passionate about translating innovation into patient impact, strengthening Canada’s life sciences ecosystem, and supporting mission-driven organizations through governance, fundraising, and investment stewardship.

Dr. Laura McAdam is a clinician-scientist and Physician Director of Ambulatory Care at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital.  Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to improving health, quality of life, transition and psychosocial well-being of individuals living with Duchenne through clinical care, research, and family-centred advocacy.  Her work spans clinical trials, standards of care, patient-reported outcomes and initiatives that address the social challenges faced by individuals with DMD.  Dr. McAdam was inspired to join the Board because of her passion for supporting the Duchenne community and her commitment to advocating for equitable access to emerging therapies and high-quality care.

I am a recent graduate of Carleton University where I received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology with a minor in Disability Studies. I also have Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and I have been a part of the Defeat Duchenne Canada family since I was 4 years old. I was inspired to join the board because I think that my lived experience as a person with DMD would be invaluable, and I am very passionate in helping improve the lives of others with DMD. Apart from my role on the board, I am also a member of the Duchenne Family Advisory Committee and the Advocacy Committee.

Kadey is the Founder and Managing Partner of Schultz Law Group LLP, an industry leading anti-fraud, white collar crime, insurance law firm based out of Toronto.

Schultz Law Group LLP acts as advisors to insurers and self-insured entities, anticipating and managing risk, investigating and prosecuting against insurance fraud, and defending all variety of insurance claims.

Kadey has been honoured with peer and industry acknowledgements, including the Lexpert Zenith Mid-Career Excellence Award, the Lexpert Rising Stars Leading Lawyers under 40 Award, the Lexpert US/Canada Litigators to Watch, as well as the Canadian Defence Lawyers’ Exceptional Young Lawyer Award. In 2024, she was an awardee for both the Ontario Volunteer Service Award, and the Women in Insurance Award.  Kadey has been ranked as a Best Lawyer in Canada for Insurance Law since 2019.

In addition to her robust consulting, investigation and litigation practice, Kadey was a professor at the University of Windsor Faculty of Law, teaching the Lawyer as Conflict Resolver, the Professional Identity and Legal Skills (PILS) and the Business of Law courses.  She has been Guest Faculty with the Education and Development Bureau of the OPP, The Ontario Police College and the Toronto Police Services.  Early in her career, she was a professor with Brock University, having designed and taught the first Conflict Management in Policing university course in Canada with the Criminal Justice and Policing Bachelor of Arts program.

Being of service defines and guides Kadey.  She has been a Director of Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation for several terms. She also served on the Board of the Medical Legal Society of Toronto, and is a founding board member of Laughter Heals, a Canadian Social Enterprise committed to raising funds and awareness for various causes. Since 2012, Kadey’s primary fundraising focus is to raise funds and advocate in an effort to change the world for people with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, including her son Emery. She is honoured to serve on the Board of Defeat Duchenne Canada.

As a lawyer, mother, mentor, educator and thought leader, Kadey feels privileged to engage with her community and industry.

Tushar Shakya is a senior nonprofit executive with a strong track record in strategic leadership, stakeholder engagement, and organizational growth across Canada’s healthcare and research sectors. With extensive experience at the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Mitacs, and the Canadian Cardiovascular Society, he has played a pivotal role in advancing national health priorities through policy, funding programs, and partnerships. Tushar brings a systems-thinking mindset and a commitment to collaborative, mission-driven leadership, with a passion for improving outcomes for individuals and families affected by complex health conditions.

Doyle Steinke and his wife, Jody, have had the privilege of raising two beautiful boys along with their two sisters. Duchenne muscular dystrophy has been part of their son’s journey and has changed the way they all view life.

They live on a small tranquil farm in central Alberta that is home to horses, cattle, rabbits, dogs, cats and us. Over several decades, Doyle has had the experience of a career in AgriBusiness that has kept life very busy – especially going back to school twice – first for an Agricultural Business Diploma and then an MBA. The Steinke family counts every day a blessing and try to live life to the fullest.

Bonnie Wooten is a registered nurse, project consultant and shared decision-making implementation consultant/decision coach at Children’s Hospital – London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC). During her career, she has worked in various professional leadership capacities in both acute care and community settings, focusing on women’s and family health. Bonnie obtained her undergraduate degree from Western University and her graduate degree from Queens University.

Because of her background, she brings an understanding of policy development, consultation, and leadership needed to support internal and regional projects. As a Shared Decision-Making coach, she works with pediatricians and other health care professionals internally and provincially, facilitating processes and strategies to address the pros and cons, risks and benefits of family and patient choice. She brings knowledge of the health care system and its complexities, along with what is needed to impact outcomes positively.

Throughout her career, she has developed strong interpersonal and business relationships that maintain effective working relationships. She is client and customer-focused and very much aligned with the goals and focus of Defeat Duchenne Canada. She has solid organizational leadership and decision-making skills that will immediately contribute to the organization.

Leandra Wells is a Healthcare Executive, General Manager, and Board Director with a PhD in Molecular Biology and more than 20 years of leadership experience across the pharmaceutical industry, including senior roles with GSK, Johnson & Johnson, and Galderma. Having worked in one of the world’s most highly regulated industries, she has led organizations through business growth, innovative therapy launches, large-scale digital and AI-enabled transformation, and the implementation of strong operational governance and risk management practices.

Through close relationships with families affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Leandra has witnessed both the challenges of the disease and the remarkable advances being made through research and new therapies. She joined the Defeat Duchenne Canada Board to help advance the organization’s mission and support continued progress for patients and families.