The ALS Society of Canada offers its sincere gratitude to three members of our Board of Directors who have completed their terms this year. Each has contributed their time, expertise, and lived perspective to help guide the organization during a period of important growth.
Richard Ellis
Richard brought a deep personal connection to ALS and extensive experience in executive leadership, communications, and governance to ALS Canada’s Board of Directors, including serving as Chair from 2023 to 2025. A former global executive with McDonald’s Corporation and founder of Ellis Strategy Group, Richard brought a strong strategic lens to Board discussions, particularly around leadership, reputation, and organizational effectiveness. His commitment to ALS Canada was shaped by the loss of his best friend, Cathy Payne, whose ALS journey profoundly influenced his life. During his tenure, Richard was part of the collective leadership that helped guide the organization through a period of progress, including advocacy efforts to secure provincial government funding in Ontario.
“My best friend, Cathy Payne, passed away from ALS at the age of 40. Her ALS journey left an indelible mark on me. More than 20 years later, I still marvel at the work ALS Canada does to help and support people living with ALS, their families, and their caregivers, just as they did for Cathy,” said Richard. “I am most proud to have been part of the organization at a time when ALS Canada leadership, staff, and the Board came together to secure the first government funding from the Province of Ontario. This true team effort resulted in fundamental change for people living with ALS and their families.”
Lisa Flaifel
Lisa has brought decades of leadership and lived experience as a family member affected by ALS to her role on ALS Canada’s Board of Directors. Having lost both her father and brother-in-law to ALS, she understands firsthand the realities of caregiving, navigating complex systems, and relying on community support. Professionally, she spent more than 26 years with Berlex and Bayer, holding senior roles across sales, marketing, business development, and leadership. During her time on the Board, Lisa was deeply engaged in strategic planning, including scenario planning amid uncertainty, informing advocacy efforts relating to access to therapies, and supported the work that led to securing provincial funding in Ontario.
“I wanted to give back my time, energy, and talents. It is hard to pin my Board experience down to one thing, but the strategic work stands out, especially scenario planning, when it was uncertain whether Ontario government funding would come through,” said Lisa. “Securing that funding and supporting the team through the process were tangible highlights. Being part of the Walk to End ALS, meeting people, and hearing their stories and experiences always brought everything back to the purpose.”
Dr. Angela Genge
Dr. Genge has brought deep clinical expertise and an international perspective to ALS Canada’s Board of Directors. As Executive Director of the Clinical Research Unit at the Montreal Neurological Institute, she has helped strengthen the Board’s understanding of both clinical care and clinical trials. During her term, Dr. Genge helped position ALS Canada within the broader international ALS community, reinforcing the organization’s strong global reputation. Most recently, she has led Access ALS, a national initiative supported by ALS Canada to expand Canada’s capacity to conduct early-stage ALS clinical trials and position the country as a global leader in this space and as a pillar within the Canadian Collaboration to Cure ALS.
“I joined the ALS Canada Board to contribute to the organization’s understanding of clinical care and clinical trials,” said Dr. Genge. “During my second term, I was proud to help the Board understand how ALS Canada fits within the broader international ALS community. ALS Canada’s brand is strong internationally, and the Board should be proud of that.”
On behalf of ALS Canada, our staff, volunteers, and the ALS community, we thank them for their dedication, generosity, and commitment. We are grateful for the impact they have made, and for the legacy they leave of an organization stronger because of their contributions.