TREASURER

Adam Little is a partner at Oatley Vigmond Personal Injury Lawyers LLP. His practice is dedicated to obtaining compensation for his injured clients, including claims arising from motor vehicle accidents, medical negligence, and occupiers’ liability. Adam was raised in York Region, and has a special interest in traumatic brain injury cases.

EDUCATION

Ali is a neurological physiotherapist practicing at Neurocore Physiotherapy & Rehab Centre, based in Richmond Hill, Ontario. He pursued a master’s degree in Physical Therapy in Scotland, UK and was associated with The UK's National Health Service for three years, where he worked across Scotland and England, providing invaluable rehabilitation support to patients post neuro and orthopedic surgeries. Ali has contributed significantly to clinical research, assisting his patients in clinical trials. Furthermore, his expertise and experience have been acknowledged by the University of Toronto's Masters of Physiotherapy program, where he has facilitated neuro labs this year. He is committed to advancing the knowledge and skills of future healthcare professionals and contributing to the betterment of the healthcare industry.

SECRETARY

Courtney is a Director at Lawlor Therapy Support Services, where she has worked for nearly 20 years supporting people with acquired brain injury in the community. In this role, she divides her time between referral intake, supervising rehabilitation support workers, social media, seeing clients, and marketing. She enjoys this multifaceted work style as it allows her to learn and grow in many different areas. Courtney is passionate about mentoring RSWs and providing quality support to those with acquired brain injury. In her free time, Courtney enjoys spending time with her family and trying to be a good role model for her two daughters.

EDUCATION

Ellen Lipkus is an Occupational Therapist and Certified Life Care Planner. She has experience working in acute care and community rehabilitation with individuals who have sustained brain injuries. Ellen has worked at Rehabilitation Management Inc. (www.rehabilitation.ca) since 1999, completing assessments, providing treatment and as a case manager assisting individuals living with the long-term effects of brain injury. She has lived in York Region for over 30 years and is excited to be a board member of BIAYR, working on the education committee. Ellen enjoys being active outdoors and also spends her spare time volunteering with a local dog rescue.

VOLUNTEERS

Faith is an Occupational Therapist and Case Manager, working in the community to support individuals who have sustained a brain injury. Her background in neuroscience and mental health allows her to take an evidence-based approach to the support she provides. Faith recently joined BIAYR as a member of the programming committee with the goal of providing accessible and meaningful programming to the community of brain injury survivors. In her spare time, Faith enjoys spending time outdoors and hiking with her pup!

PROGRAMMING

Joey is a Rehabilitation Consultant with Innovative Case Management, where he has worked for nearly 10 years supporting individuals and families in the community, who have experienced acquired brain injury. Prior to becoming a Case Manager, he was a Rehabilitation Support Worker for 11 years. Joey has been volunteering with BIAYR for the past 2 years and is thrilled to have joined the board to grow and serve the community.

SURVIVOR

Loriann Lawrence has had an impressive career in both the real estate and salon industries, emphasizing client satisfaction and creativity in her work. She has used her skills in creative marketing, small business consulting, leadership in apprenticeship training and mentoring, public speaking, and organizing creative events to well serve clients and employees.

She has also successfully transitioned her dedication and flair from the salon profession to guiding commercial and residential clients through various real estate transactions, providing counsel on design, investment, and property-related matters.

After experiencing a traumatic brain injury (TBI), Loriann became an active member of the BIAYR (Brain Injury Association of York Region) in 2021.

Experiencing the benefits of BIAYR’S programs and support, Loriann joined the BIAYR Board in 2023. She is passionate to contribute her skills to the organization's important work.

COMMUNICATIONS

Manya Khachadurian recently achieved her graduate studies in Brain Disorders Management from Mohawk College, following the completion of her undergraduate degree in HBSc in Biology and Neuroscience from the University of Toronto. With more than five years of experience in the medical field, she has served as both a medical assistant and rehabilitation worker. She completed her placement for Brain Disorder Management with BIAYR and has now been hired on as a Case Manager / Rehabilitation Consult with ICM. Manya's dedication is rooted in her passion for working with brain injury survivors and her commitment to providing vital support, resources, and advocacy for both survivors and their caregivers.

FUNDRAISING

Mark Lapowich is the executive director at Innovative Case Management Inc. (ICM), a community-based company that provides case management and occupational therapy services to individuals living with acquired brain injuries (ABI). Prior to joining ICM in 2011, Mark practised law for a decade. Over the years, he has been involved with various groups and associations specializing in promoting education and awareness regarding ABI. Mark was born and raised in York Region and is devoted to providing support and resources for ABI survivors and their caregivers.

PROGRAMMING

Rachel Ashman has been working as an Occupational Therapist for 6 years now and has developed a passion for working with individuals who have sustained a brain injury. Having worked in both the hospital and community settings, both in the UK and in Canada, she has an understanding of both the acute and rehabilitation stages of recovery. She is passionate about working with clients to return to the things that they want to and love to do.

VICE CHAIR

Rachel Greenwood has worked in the field of Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) for over 20 years, initially in the public sector, before becoming a Case Manager with Innovative Case Management in 2011. She is excited to continue her work with BIAYR as an additional means of contributing and making positive change for people living with the effects of brain injuries.

CAREGIVER

Remy learned about BIAYR in January 2018, a little over two years after his wife, Carol, suffered a traumatic brain injury as a result of a car accident in November 2015. At the time, he was finishing a 31-year stint as a French and special education teacher with the Toronto District School Board. It was his second career, after he left his first as a working journalist. With the accident, Remy had to turn the skills and knowledge he had developed for meeting the needs of students with disabilities, to caring for a wife with a new disability. Fortunately, he was not alone, having the support not only of family and friends, but also of an incredibly dedicated and caring support group in BIAYR. After getting to know some of these wonderful people, he knew he had to become part of the team. When the Board opened up a slot for someone to represent caregivers, he threw in his name. When he is not driving Carol to events, Remy likes to indulge in his passion for international cooking, as well as cycling and camping.

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

Sonia Vovan is a Registered Physiotherapist focusing her practice on Concussion Management and Vestibular Rehabilitation at Neurocore Physiotherapy & Rehab Centre (Richmond Hill, Ontario). She is passionate about working closely with her clients to meet their rehabilitation goals and helping them gain access to support and services. She is interested in studying the area of concussion rehabilitation and is pursuing her Ph.D. at York University to study the implications of changes in sensorimotor integration following concussions in working-aged adults. Sonia was born and raised in York Region and is excited about giving back to her community!

CHAIR

Tazmeen (Taz) Lalani is a graduate of the University of Toronto and a certified Occupational Therapist (O.T.). Taz has over 25 years of experience with a special focus on brain injury/concussion, anxiety and depression. She operates her private “Focus on Function” and strives to maintain a balanced case load of assessment and treatment to children and adults. Taz is passionate about volunteering in the community and has called York Region her home for the past 23 years. Taz enjoys her role as a Health Advocate in that she firmly believes that each individual should have access to quality health care. She enjoys presenting and regularly conducts educational sessions on brain injury and remains current with the latest research. Taz is a member of the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (COTO) and Canadian Association of Occupational Therapist.