Members of the CIHR Institute of Aging Older Adult Advisory Council
Jean-Marc Beaudoin
Jean-Marc Beaudoin holds a degree in urban planning. He has designed both residential and commercial developments, as well as worked for the Ville de Sherbrooke, where he designed parks, green spaces and public squares with and for residents. Multiple sclerosis forced him to retire, but he hasn’t slowed down. He now volunteers with the Réseau d’amis de Sherbrooke, which helps single people over the age of 65, and the Heart and Stroke Foundation. He has been a member of several research committees since spring 2019 and contributes to studies as a patient partner. He is a husband, grandfather, volunteer, arts enthusiast and retired urban planner.
April Begg Goodis
As Chair of the City of Burlington Seniors’ Advisory Committee, April Begg Goodis’ past experiences provide a broad perspective on issues affecting older adults. Her roles as a Registered Nurse have included home care, community case management, seniors’ mental health, long-term care and delivering dementia-related education to health care workers, law enforcement and the public. April also acted as a caregiver during her late mother’s final months of life, which furthered her commitment to championing the rights of seniors and their family care partners. A senior currently living with a disability, April is a long-time activist in accessibility rights, social housing and homelessness. April is a former big band vocalist, an accomplished artist and a proud mother to her daughter Max.
Joan Duke
Joan Duke dedicates her time to her community volunteer position in the healthcare system working to improve the quality of life of older adults. She works with older adults who are isolated and aging in their homes, as well as those that need improved cultural and recreational opportunities. Joan enjoys learning about people; hearing stories of the hardships that many older adults had to endure during their lifetimes led her to to volunteer as a Family Patient Advisor in the health care system. Joan’s favourite activities revolve around the outdoors and nature. She loves to hike to scenic places and is interested in geology, rocks and minerals.
Hargun Kaur
Hargun Kaur is a medical student at McMaster University and is a caregiver for her grandparents. Her personal experiences and work supporting older adults with the Canadian Mental Health Association and LOFT Community Services have provided her with a strong, nuanced understanding of the intersectional issues impacting aging. As a first generation Canadian and woman of colour, Hargun’s experiences center around advocating for more inclusive and resilient communities, including her leadership with the Schizophrenia Society of Canada, South Asian Community Health Task Force, Health Experiences Canada, and McMaster University. In her free time, Hargun is found spending time with her family, listening to one of her many favourite podcasts, or lost in a book.
Martina Norwegian
Martina Norwegian was born and raised in Liidlii Kue and comes from humble origins. She has learned through experience not to take anyone for granted in her life and is a voice for women who struggle to find their own voice. Martina is passionate about language and speaks South Slavey. Her dedication to education is strong and she has been the chairperson for the Dehcho Divisional Education Council and participated in the local District Education Authority. Martina serves as a Lay Presider for the local Catholic Church and is also involved in On Eagle’s Wings, a Christian ministry program. She has also been involved with the Historical Society preserving the local history for over 25 years. Martina is a strong leader, with a quiet and caring nature, who is always helping to empower women to be their best.
Penny Pacey
Penny Pacey has been working with older adults for the past 12 years in Fredericton, New Brunswick, professionally at a retirement living facility, and as a volunteer. Penny has been actively involved in programs to improve the wellbeing of older adults in her community. In 2019, she coordinated a service pairing different generations to help reduce social isolation. She created a dementia support group and developed a series of lectures to address ageism. She also helped to initiate two vulnerable persons’ registries in Fredericton and is currently the chair of an upcoming conference on Ageism. Penny was twice awarded the distinction "Woman of Influence" by the Lieutenant-Governor and participated in strategic planning sessions to improve the quality of life of older adults in New Brunswick.
Jean-Guy Saint-Gelais
Jean-Guy Saint-Gelais holds an honours degree in political science with a concentration in international relations and has earned certificates in management, administration, psychology, finance, planning, organization and more. He capped off his career as a telecommunications specialist with a stint in management and administration for the government of Quebec. Now retired, he devotes his time to his community. He has been particularly active in the fight against elder abuse and has worked to improve seniors’ well being by representing them before governments and organizations. Jean-Guy is a commissioner with the Bureau de l’Ombudsman de la ville de Sherbrooke and a member of the Royal Canadian Legion. He has received multiple awards for his volunteer work and community involvement.
Alice Samkoe
Since retiring as an Adult Educator, Alice Samkoe devotes her time to improving the quality of life in her community. She is on the Regina Age Friendly Steering Committee, a Simulated Patient for the College of Medicine and a Patient Family Partner for the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA). In order to encourage fitness over 50, she developed a new part time career after becoming a Yoga Instructor, a Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association (SPRA) Fitness Instructor and a Forever in Motion Volunteer Leader. Alice enjoys knitting/crocheting blankets for a health centre, reading, and in the summer gardening, biking and kayaking.
Kerrie Strathy
Kerrie Strathy has worked with non-profit organisations including in Canada and Fiji where she worked with WAINIMATE (Women’s Association for Natural Medicinal Therapy). She spent 22 years at the University of Regina Lifelong Learning Centre where she worked with seniors groups across Canada on issues of concern to older adults. Kerrie has volunteered on local, national and international boards and committees, and likes to garden, make jam, cook and travel. Her son left for a party in Montreal in 2004 and then moved on to Vancouver where she likes to visit!
Dr. Gail Wideman
Throughout her career as a social worker and researcher, Gail has worked primarily in community-based programs and services aimed at maintaining and enhancing independence and quality of life for older persons. Gail joined the faculty of the School of Social Work at Memorial University in 2009. Her academic focus spans the fields of gerontology and community development. The broad focus of Gail’s research is older residents’ ability to age in place in rural communities. Gail is a member of the management board of the Aging Research Centre of Newfoundland and Labrador. She has worked in an advisory capacity in policy development and program evaluation related to elder abuse, emergency housing for older adults, advance care planning, and home care.
Janet Torge
Janet Torge is founder of Radical Resthomes, a co-living housing model for seniors. It was conceived some 10 years ago when she realized that seniors come in all shapes and personalities and their housing should be as varied as they are.
In other aspects of her life, she is a television documentary producer, writer and prenatal teacher. She’s been a radio talk-show host, traffic reporter, Montreal Gazette columnist, and co-founder of the first rape relief centre in Canada.
Donna Lillie
Donna Lillie is a retired healthcare professional who spent many years in diabetes care management and treatment, which involved working with healthcare professionals across Canada and all levels of government. Donna continues to use her skills in volunteer activities with CIHR, Ontario Hospital Association, Clinical Trials Ontario, and Sick Kids. Donna recognizes the many challenges family and friends face within the healthcare environment, particularly in later years, and welcomes opportunities to influence change and support improvements with input from patients and caregivers. Donna stays active playing tennis and golf and spending time with her adorable grandchildren.
Don Juzwishin, BA, MHSA, PhD, FCCHL
Retired on Vancouver Island Don brings 40 years of experience in health administration, research, and education. He is committed to bridging science and values to inform improved effectiveness, equity, diversity and inclusion in health care policy, decisions, health care reform and informatics. His specialization is Health Technology Assessment examining the clinical and cost effectiveness of health care interventions. He teaches in the Health Information Science program at the University of Victoria, is Editor in Chief of Healthcare Management Forum, and a challenge area lead for AGE-WELL.
Lee Cardwell
I am a retired professional who worked for the Alberta Research Council for thirty years in Finance and Contracts Administration. I cared for my mother at the end of her life when she had Alzheimer’s and for my husband to the end of his life with Vascular Dementia. I wrote a book on my dealings with Dementia called "Dementia in the Family" and it is available on Amazon. I am dedicated to contributing in any way possible to make life better for our senior population (of which I am one).
Linda M. Phillips, PhD
Dr. Linda M. Phillips, Professor Emerita, University of Alberta retired as a distinguished Centennial Professor and Director of the National Centre for Research on Literacy. As a career researcher, she held numerous national and international grants to conduct systematic, longitudinal, and robust studies to improve sustained success in learning across the lifespan. Her work with colleagues on metacognition and cognitive neurosciences examined the importance of macroscopic connectivity to maintaining the quality of life.
Linda is a member of the National Steering Committee, Tiffany Circle, Canadian Red Cross, a member of the International Longevity Centre UK, and Communications Chair of the Canadian Association of Retired Persons, NL Chapter.
Ron Beleno
Ron Beleno is an advocate for dementia, caregiving, aging, and research communities. Ron was a caregiver to his father who lived with Alzheimer's for 10+ years. He continues to support his mother, who lives independently on her own in Toronto, to age in place. Ron is the Co-Chair of AGE-WELL’s Older Adult and Caregiver Advisory Committee and received their honorary fellows award for 2020. AGE-WELL is Canada's Technology and Aging Network. He is an advisor, presenter, and coach for numerous groups across Canada, such as Alzheimer's and Dementia Societies, Healthcare Excellence Canada, and the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence.
Alexander Segall
Alexander Segall is a Professor Emeritus who has both personal and professional interests in the quality of later life. He received a Ph.D. in Health Sociology from the University of Toronto and was a faculty member at the University of Manitoba for 40 years until his retirement in 2008. His areas of specialization include the social determinants of health; the meaning and management of chronic health problems; and the process of healthy aging. He has been involved in local, provincial, and national research projects focused on health and aging. Alex is the author of four books and has written chapters in edited collections, as well as articles in scientific journals. He has been affiliated with the Centre on Aging since it was established in 1982; a member of the Board of Directors for several senior serving agencies; and advisory committees in the field of aging.
Wendy Tomiko Alberts
Wendy was born and raised in Guelph, Ontario to a Japanese Canadian family. Her work life involved working with older adults and Healthcare Professionals promoting safety in the home.
When her Mother developed dementia, it was a first-hand experience to witness the broken Healthcare system, including the journey to find a Long Term Care Home.
When Wendy’s Father was 94 years old and still living in the family home, she and her husband made the decision to move into his home to help care for him. This was another experience of the lack of Home Care and support meant to help keep her Father at home.
Wendy’s goal is to continue being supportive in allowing everyone the choice to age in place with the proper support, step by step-by-step education while enjoying life.
Wendy has recently retired and moved to Stratford, Ontario to enjoy multigenerational living with her family. Seeing and hugging her grandchildren every day brings so much joy!
Marie Beaulieu
Marie Beaulieu Ph.D., Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, is a retired University of Sherbrooke professor and a member of the National Seniors Council (2023–2026). She was the Chairholder (2010-2022) of the Research Chair on Mistreatment of Older Adults and the Co-Director (2017–2023) of a WHO collaborating centre that focused on senior-friendly environments and the fight against mistreatment. She was named one of 50 global leaders for the UN’s Decade of Healthy Ageing.
Gail Campbell
I worked at the Montreal General Hospital for 25 years. I was elected to the MGH Board as an employee representative then co-opted on to the MUHC Board where I served on the Quality Assurance, Risk Management Committee, and the Board of Directors of the MGH then on the MUHC Board for 20 years.
Josie d’Avernas
Josie’s professional and personal experiences give her a multidisciplinary lens on issues facing older adults. She has recently retired from her role as Executive Director of the Schlegel-University of Waterloo Research Institute for Aging (RIA), where she worked with university, college, and industry partners to support research and promote research transfer to practice. This has given her an understanding of research in a range of areas, including technology for independent living, vascular aging, falls, dementia, mobility, nutrition, to name some.
Prior to joining RIA, Josie was President of Health Promotion Consulting, where she specialized in strategic planning, policy analysis, knowledge transfer, evaluation, and research.
Josie’s passion is in knowledge mobilization for seniors’ living and care. She believes deeply in knowledge user engagement through the entire process from formulating research questions through to application of results into programs and policies.
Josie has a Master of Science in Health Studies from the University of Waterloo.
Linda Grossman
Linda Grossman resides in Toronto, Canada. Linda graduated from University of Toronto in 1961 as a Registered Dental Hygienist and worked for a time in Dental Public Health. Linda wrote and had published six children’s books for the then Toronto Child Abuse Centre, now known as Boost Child and Youth Advocacy Centre.
After her Husband, Dr. S. William Grossman, D.D.S. was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, Linda became involved in the Alzheimer Society of Toronto where she participated in speaking groups exploring Dementia. Linda worked with the Senior Friendly Group in the Geriatric Department of Sunnybrook Hospital. Linda is a passionate advocate for people living with Dementia and was appointed to the CCNA’s Engagement of People with Lived Experience of Dementia, EPLED. Linda is also involved in speaking for VAST events.
Linda served as a member of The Regional Council of CIHR Institute of Aging in 2022-23.
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