Our Team

Twenty years ago, Richard Ellis lost his best friend, Cathy Payne, to ALS. She was diagnosed at the age of 40 and lost her fight before she was 42.

Cathy’s journey changed Richard, her family and her friends forever. They learned what it took to face a debilitating disease with strength, courage, and humour. From the time of Cathy’s diagnosis Richard became involved with ALS Canada, joining the Board of Directors in 2020.

With more than 30 years of international business experience, Richard’s global perspective makes him uniquely qualified as an executive coach, a trusted advisor to senior executives, and a strategic business thought-partner. He established Ellis Strategy Group in 2019, specializing in executive coaching, reputation management strategies, change management and business transformation, diversity and inclusion strategies, cross-cultural communications, and leadership development programs.

As Vice-President of Global Corporate Relations at McDonald’s Corporation, Richard led McDonald’s Corporate Relations function across more than 25 countries worldwide. Prior to joining McDonald’s, Richard was President & Chief Executive Officer of Weber Shandwick Worldwide (Canada) Inc., one of the world’s leading communications and public relations consultancies.

Richard is a noted Diversity, Equity & Inclusion leader, strategist, and facilitator. He was a founding member of McDonald’s Corporation’s Global Diversity Council, he established and led McDonald’s USA’s inaugural LGBTQ employee resource group, and he created McDonald’s Canada’s diversity function. An active champion and advocate of inclusivity, Richard was recognized as Canadian Diversity Champion by Women of Influence magazine.

Richard is an experienced board director and governance expert. He is past Chairman and current member of the Board of Directors of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Canada. He is a member of the Advisory Committee of Humber College’s Bachelor of Public Relations Program. Richard is a former Advisory Board member of the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research, member of the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards National Committee, and Co-chair of The Sandbox Project.

Alyssa is a Principal and Co-Founder at irlabs. She has more than 15 years of investor relations, capital markets, and corporate communications experience. An activist by nature, she has raised over $1 billion of capital, led some of Canada’s most successful activism campaigns, managed merger and acquisition transactions and enhanced board governance frameworks. She was formerly Head of Strategy – Operations and Communications at Artis REIT, Vice-President of Capital Markets and Communications at Sandpiper Group, and Manager of Investor Relations at Amica Mature Lifestyles Inc. She is known for her agility, creativity, and relentless pursuit of success for her clients.

Alyssa’s uncle passed away from ALS and she has committed to doing whatever she can to ensure that everyone touched by ALS is treated with dignity and respect and receives the support they deserve.

Ken brings leadership experience from the private, non-profit, and public sectors to the Board of Directors of ALS Canada. He is Chief Administrative Officer at Victoria University in the University of Toronto. Ken’s previous roles include Assistant Deputy Minister in the Ontario Government, Vice President at Brock University, Public Affairs Director at Vertex Pharmaceuticals, and Vice President at Cystic Fibrosis Canada. He also worked in the United Kingdom, at London City Hall, and the British Department for Business. Earlier in his career, Ken was an officer with Peel Regional Police.

Ken lost his father to ALS. The opportunity to contribute as a volunteer leader is one small way he sees that he can make a difference in the fight against this debilitating disease.

An experienced director, Ken serves on the boards of Alterna Savings, Alterna Bank, Open For Business, and Pathstone Foundation. His prior board experience included roles in the health, education, and culture. He holds an ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors.

Ken holds an Executive Master’s in Management Research from ESCP Business School, a Master of Forensic Accounting from the University of Toronto, an MBA from the City University of Seattle, and a BA from Simon Fraser University. He is currently a Global Executive PhD candidate at ESCP Business School.

Lisa Flaifel is a dynamic leader recognized for building high-performance teams in the healthcare industry. For the past 15 years, she has worked at Bayer, where she is currently Vice-President and Global Head of New Business Development and Radiology. Lisa is a strategic change agent with a strong sense of direction and focus in translating corporate vision into team goals. With robust experience in strategic brand marketing, sales, and team leadership, she is known by her colleagues as an inspiring, collaborative, and strategic cross-functional partner who finds solutions to complex business problems.

In the span of a few short years, during Lisa’s early adulthood, both her father and brother-in-law were diagnosed with and eventually succumbed to ALS. As a family member who was intimately involved in caregiving, planning of resources and support, and navigating her family’s emotional journey as well as her own, the experience completely changed Lisa. She was inspired to take action by joining ALS Canada’s Board of Directors in 2020.

Elizabeth Gandolfi is a bank executive with nearly two decades of experience in financial services. She is currently the Senior Vice-President, Client Solutions at Canadian Western Bank, and prior to this she spent 17 years at Scotiabank holding diverse and progressively senior roles.

Elizabeth’s father passed away from ALS in April 2020 at the height of the pandemic. She knows firsthand the physical, emotional, and financial burdens of people living with ALS, their family, friends, and caregivers. Since her father’s passing, Elizabeth has found purpose in being a part of a team that serves diverse populations, geographical locations, and employs different approaches to solving complex challenges associated with ALS.

Over her career, Elizabeth has led and participated in several enterprise-wide business improvement and growth initiatives and successfully put in place new organizational structures, delivery models and program improvements in order to drive superior customer and employee experiences. She has extensive experience in finance and analytics, operations and contact centres, including digital innovation, sales and distribution. She is highly skilled in strategy and organizational change management associated with major business transformation projects.

Elizabeth is a longstanding community builder and a passionate leader and mentor developing and coaching talent and supporting our youth. For a number of years, she has volunteered with Junior Achievement of Canada, and was a Board Member with the Haliburton Club, Scouts Canada. She also has strong ties to the United Way Greater Toronto and their respective agency partners.

Elizabeth holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting & Finance from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) and has completed the Executive Strategic Analytics Program at Queen’s University. She is an avid swimmer, loves to cook and spend time outdoors with her husband, their four children and their dog.

Dr. Angela Genge has been the Executive Director of the Clinical Research Unit at the Montreal Neurological Institute since 2004. Since 2020, she has also served as Chief Medical Officer for QurAlis and Scientific Director of CATALIS. Her expertise and groundbreaking work in the introduction of innovative therapies in the rare disease space has led her to be a sought-after member of numerous advisory boards for companies developing therapies for these diseases.

Dr. Genge is the Director of The Neuro’s (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital) ALS clinical program and multidisciplinary clinic, and she is a neuromuscular neurologist. Throughout her career, Dr. Genge has received numerous awards, most recently the 2018 Forbes Norris Award, the DIVA of Distinction Award, and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

A graduate of Carleton University with a combined degree in Sociology and Law, Sharon also holds a Certificate in Strategic Communications Management from Ithaca College and Executive Certificates in Marketing and Strategic Leadership from Queen’s University. Sharon has also completed Finance for Senior Executives from Harvard University Business School and the University of Toronto-Rotman School of Management Not-for-Profit ICD Governance Essentials Certificate. Currently, Sharon holds the national role of Vice-President of Marketing and Communications with Chartwell Retirement Residences and had previously spent 15 years involved in all three levels of government as a political advisor and served on several Boards.

Sharon shared that she’s had many fulfilling not-profit volunteer Board roles and experiences, but that ALS Canada provides her with the opportunity to honour her aunt and godmother:

“I was looking for a way to contribute further to a health organization that had personal meaning to me,” says Sharon. “ALS Canada is meaningful not only in light of my family losing a loved one to this horrible disease but also in the incredible advocacy, research, and support they provide to people living with the disease and in the collective hope for a world free of ALS.”

Rob has degrees in Management Information Systems, Finance, and Chartered Accounting from McGill University and Concordia University. An experienced finance professional and Chartered Accountant (CPA, CA), Rob currently serves as the Director of Accounting at Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc., mentors young professionals, and is involved in community boards and initiatives.

Rob’s desire to join ALS Canada’s Board of Directors is deeply personal and rooted in his close encounter with the disease:

“ALS has impacted my community, touching the lives of a family member, a beloved family friend, a fellow McGill football team alumnus, and the mother of a friend, all of whom have battled this devastating disease,” says Rob. “Having planned to dedicate more time to volunteering as my children reached school age, I am eager to leverage my professional skills to advance ALS Canada’s mission. It would be an honour to contribute to shaping strategies that enhance support for people affected by ALS and to drive initiatives that offer real, impactful change.”

Beginning his career as a CPA and CA, Matthew has practiced as a public accountant and has held several private sector executive management roles in finance and leadership. Throughout the last 21 years, Matthew has been CEO of Fresenius Kabi Canada, the Canadian subsidiary of a global pharmaceutical and medical device company, and CEO of Calea, a provider of home infusion and medical supply services across Canada.

As an executive leader who has spent much of his career focused on patient care, Matthew is eager to apply his skills to support the ALS community:

“For two decades, I have led a service company [Calea] that provides clinical nutrition, IV medications, and medical supplies to patients in their homes across Canada. I value what effective community care can bring to the lives of patients and was drawn to ALS by the complex needs of its clients. Caring for life has been at the core of my career, and I want to help,” says Matthew. “As a business executive, I hope that the breadth of my experience can help ALS Canada continue to grow and achieve its strategic objectives.”

ALS Canada’s Board of Directors is grounded and informed by the challenges and complexities of living with ALS. Its approach to governance is rooted in working together to improve the lives of people affected by ALS through support, advocacy, and investment in research contributing towards a world free of ALS.