President - Sabrina MilLson
Sabrina was elected president after the 2021 AGM. She joined the ORSA Canada board in 2019 after her daughter, Ella, was diagnosed with Rett syndrome on November 8, 2018. Sabrina’s background includes a Degree in Education specializing in Public Health and is a Certified Research Coordinator.
She has worked as a Clinical Researcher for over 25 years at McMaster Children’s Hospital in the Division of Pediatrics, department of Hematology/Oncology. She developed a passion for our organization and to further our mission. Sabrina is the Chair of our Scientific Committee which involves overseeing our Canadian registry, connecting with our partners, (NHCC, OBI, POND, SPOR and CORD, Anavex, Acadia, Taysha), and facilitating clinical trials with Industry. Sabrina lives in Hamilton with her supportive husband, Ross and her two daughters, Tessa and Ella.
Vice-President – Jodi (Dwyer) Weber
Jodi was born and raised in Georgetown, Ontario, and grew up as an only child. She has been a volunteer in her community for the past ten years with Halton Distress Centre. She currently works as a Registered Nurse at the Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital, on an inpatient acute medicine unit. She has also been a volunteer in her community for the past 15 years on the board of directors of the Halton Distress Centre.
She committed herself to volunteering for ORSA Canada once her twin nieces (who are two of the three children of her best friend) were both diagnosed with Rett Syndrome in September 2016. She joined the Board of Directors in January 2018, and has been the Fundraising Committee Chair since August 2019. She believes in the vision and mission of the Ontario Rett Syndrome Association of Canada, and wants to be part of providing our Rett community with the information, research, and supports that are needed.
Secretary – Sherry Lawrence
For several years, Sherry has been an active member of her community in Paris, Ontario, volunteered on the Accessibility Committee for the County of Brant and is working as a Fitness Instructor. Sherry has been volunteering with the Ontario Rett Syndrome Association of Canada for over 20 years. She and her family have coordinated the Run4Rett since 2012.
Sherry and David have three adult children and three grandchildren. Olivia is an adult living with Rett syndrome. Olivia resides at home and is supported by her parents and her network of excellent staff, who are funded by Paramed Home Care Program and MCSS Passport Program. Olivia lives a very engaged and fulfilling lifestyle.
Treasurer - Joan Li
Outreach - Amy Whittard
Amy is the mother of Josie, who was diagnosed with Rett Syndrome at 18 months, and Wyatt. She has been married for 17 years and currently lives in St. Catharines, having grown up in Crystal Beach. Amy earned a diploma in Microcomputer Administration from Conestoga College. After nearly 15 years in the workforce, she chose to become a stay-at-home mom, dedicating the past nine years to caring for her daughter and family. Amy joined ORSA Canada in 2023.
medical director - Dr. Evdokia Anagnostou
Evdokia Anagnostou is a Child Neurologist and Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Toronto and Assistant Director of Holland Bloorview’s Research Institute. As a Senior Clinician Scientist, she co-leads of the Autism Research Centre (ARC) at Holland Bloorview and University of Toronto. She holds a Canada Research Chair in translational therapeutics in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and the Dr. Stuart D. Sims Chair in Autism at Holland Bloorview.
Dr. Anagnostou has received extensive international funding to understand the underlying biological differences associated with ASD and other neurodevelopmental differences, translate such understandings into potential novel interventions. She also has funding in health system innovation, stakeholder engagement, and in understanding the meaning and impact of ASD in marginalized populations. She serves on multiple government committees on improving diagnostic and intervention pathways, and several editorial boards and grant review panels.
She has also been recognized for her contributions to training young clinicians and scientists and for her commitment to women in STEM. She currently represents the region of America –North on the INSAR Global Senior Leaders committee.
