Dr. Angela Colantonio is the Director of the Rehabilitation Sciences Institute and Professor in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto. She is also senior scientist at the KITE Research Institute Toronto Rehabilitation Institute-UHN. She is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine, and the American College of Epidemiology. She received her PhD in epidemiology and public health from Yale University and has a MHSc in Community Health and BSc in Occupational Therapy from the University of Toronto.

Dr. Colantonio holds a Canada Research Chair in Traumatic Brain Injury in Underserved Populations. She currently co-leads an internationally recognized program of research on acquired brain injury (www.abiresearch.utoronto.ca) with diverse foci on women, sex and gender considerations, work-related traumatic brain injury, and brain injuries in underserved populations, such as women survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV), individuals who intersect with the criminal legal system and persons who are vulnerably housed/homeless.

Dr. Jade Witten is a postdoctoral research fellow in the CEDAR Lab (Collaborative Evidence: Developing Awareness and Research for Brain Injury) at the University of British Columbia and in the GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre. She is a neuropsychologist by background (registered in South Africa), and completed her PhD in Psychology at Bangor University in the UK. Jade’s PhD research implemented emotion management tools to reduce frustration and anger for people with acquired brain injury (ABI) living in the community. Jade is committed to neurorehabilitation research that aims to improve the wellbeing and quality of life of people with ABI and their families.

Michelle is an accomplished non-profit professional with over two decades of experience working in the sector in both Toronto and Ottawa. She brings a wealth of knowledge to any role she undertakes and has a proven record of growth in both revenue and reach for small organizations. As Chief Executive Officer of Brain Injury Canada, she has led the organization in a new strategic direction solidifying its position as a credible information source, knowledge mobilizer and ally for those with lived experience, families, the healthcare/service provider community, as well as the medical and research community. In addition to managing day-to-day operations, she also oversees the development of all Brain Injury Canada’s education and awareness programs, as well as advocacy initiatives. Her demonstrated focus on collaboration and partnerships gives her the ability to look at the big picture, but also all the moving parts and how they fit together effectively and efficiently. She currently sits on the Executive Committee for the Canadian Traumatic Brain Injury Research Consortium, the Accessibility Advisory Committee for the Canadian Transportation Safety Agency, the Executive Committee for the Canadian Concussion Network and is Co-Chair of the Governing Council for Neurological Health Charities Canada. Past roles include Executive Director at the Brain Injury Society of Toronto and in Health Promotion at the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario. Past committee involvement includes Toronto ABI Network Planning Advisory Committee, Toronto ABI Network Concussion Task Force and Ontario Advisory Council (OAC) for the Ontario Acquired Brain Injury Community Associations.

With over three decades of dedicated experience in trauma and brain injury advocacy, Janelle Breese Biagioni brings a wealth of personal and professional insight to her work. As the CEO of the CGB Centre for Traumatic Life Losses and a clinical counsellor, she spearheads initiatives aimed at providing support to individuals affected by trauma and loss, particularly survivors and their families grappling with the repercussions of brain injury.

In her advocacy role, Janelle serves as the Community Lead for the BC Consensus on Brain Injury, Mental Health, and Addiction. Notably, she played a pivotal role in shaping Bill C-277, advocating for the establishment of a National Strategy on Brain Injury Act at the federal level.

Driven by her extensive experience and unwavering dedication, Janelle is deeply committed to effecting positive change and raising awareness for those impacted by brain injury and associated challenges.