Ontario Caregiver Coalition
The voice of family caregivers
Board of Directors
Lauren Bates
Chair, OCC
Chair, Research & Advocacy Committee
Lauren has been a Member of OCC since 2018, and joined the Board in 2020. She brings over 30 years of experience in policy analysis and development to OCC. Her background as a lawyer gives her a strong understanding of legislative and policy frameworks, while her history of community connections grounds her in the lived experience of law and policy, particularly among vulnerable and marginalized communities.
While at the Ontario Human Rights Commission, she championed and led a major project on the human rights of family caregivers (“The Cost of Caring”). At the Law Commission of Ontario, she led law reform projects on ageing, disability, legal capacity, and the end of life that were designed to include the experiences of caregivers. As Director of Policy at Wellesley Institute, she supported projects that centered the under-examined experiences of culturally, linguistically and ethnically diverse older adults and their family caregivers. In her own life, she has provided care and support to several family members. Lauren says, “I know well that much of our society rests on the invaluable but all-too-frequently taken-for-granted efforts of family caregivers, and that it is a role that brings both joy and difficulty. I also understand that the struggle of women for equality is deeply entwined with the recognition of and support for family caregiving.”
Daniel Nowoselski
Vice-Chair, OCC
Co-Chair, Research & Advocacy Committee
Daniel serves as Co-Chair of the Research & Advocacy Committee at the OCC. He is currently working as the Advocacy Manager (Hospice Palliative Care) for the Canadian Cancer Society, where he is responsible for, among other things, supporting their advocacy work regarding palliative care, financial supports for people with cancer, and supports for caregivers. Before taking the position at the Canadian Cancer Society, he spent eight years in various MPP and Ministers’ offices in the Ontario government and managed and worked on a variety of political campaigns. He believes this experience, where he worked closely with a variety of volunteers and limited resources to affect change, will serve him well as a board member for the OCC.
Lastly, and most importantly, Daniel notes, “I am passionate about this work because of the losses I have experienced and because of my loved ones with chronic illnesses. The work the OCC does is personal to me, and I have a deep personal commitment to seeing the OCC fulfill its goals.”
Liana Sikharulidze
Board Secretary, OCC
Liana has been a member of OCC for 7 years. She is a Registered Nurse, MBA with over 20 years of experience in the home healthcare industry. She is currently the Director of Operations at Elder Caring Inc., where she oversees the implementation of care management services and leads business development initiatives.
Liana is passionate about senior advocacy, senior care delivery, caregiver support, and palliative care. In 2016, she became a full-time caregiver to her grandparents, who both had dementia/Alzheimer’s, serving as a constant advocate and navigator for their healthcare.
Through these personal and professional experiences, Liana has developed a deep understanding of the healthcare challenges faced by both caregivers and clients. She has also played a key role in fostering partnerships and building networks with healthcare organizations, community stakeholders, and advocacy groups across Ontario.
Liana says, “I am very passionate about making an impact in our healthcare system. I understand what caregivers and clients are going through, and am committed to the OCC values and vision.””
Keena Naik
Treasurer, OCC
Chair, Membership and Governance Committee
Keena brings over 20 years of experience supporting individuals and families to find solutions to continue living at home and within their communities while they manage challenging health conditions. In addition, Keena was the primary decision-maker when caring for her father and grand-father. These personal experiences allow her to empathize and relate to challenges and triumphs of family caregivers.
Keena has over 24 years in the home and community care sector in various leadership roles. Her deep knowledge of the homecare sector across Canada as well as networks within this space allows her to bring valuable insights to the Ontario Caregiver Coalition.
Dr. Adriana Shnall
Director, OCC
Chair, Partnership Committee
Dr. Adriana Shnall, PhD, MSW, RSW, is Program Director of the Koschitzky Centre for Innovations in Family Caregiving at Baycrest and has Assistant Professor Status at the University of Toronto. With over 30 years of clinical experience in gerontology, she has worked across outpatient, inpatient, and long-term care settings to improve outcomes for older adults and their families. She teaches graduate courses on caregiving, aging, and health at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work and the Institute for Life Course and Aging. A respected speaker, Adriana presents nationally and internationally on caregiving, aging, and dementia. She serves on the boards of the Petro Canada CareMakers Foundation and the Ontario Caregiver Coalition, where she has been a member since 2016. Her work integrates clinical practice, research, education, and advocacy, helping shape policy and innovation that supports family caregivers across Ontario and beyond.
Rose-Marie Fraser
Director, OCC
Rose-Marie has been a member of the OCC for over 11 years. She has served as a Chair of the OCC Research & Advocacy Committee and other committees. Rose-Marie represents the OCC at the TDRA (Toronto Dementia Research Advisory) and has been a lobbyist in past years.
Rose-Marie brings years of experience working in various capacities in healthcare settings, court advocacy programs, and social policy. She is a PhD student at the University of Toronto Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, where her research focuses on caregivers & intersectionality.
Rose-Marie believes “nothing has impacted my life more than caring for others. Being a caregiver to a family member with a mental health diagnosis, a family member who has had a heart transplant, cancer, and other comorbidities, and caring for an aging family member with dementia has been rewarding & overwhelming to the point of advocacy & being an agent of change."
Chrissy Sadowski
Director, OCC
Chrissy Sadowski is the Strategic Partnerships and Community Engagement Manager at Young Caregivers Association. Growing up as a young caregiver herself, she understands the stress that can come along with that position. Now as a parent of a child on the spectrum, she recognizes the toll it can take on siblings as well. Her children were involved in Powerhouse programs beginning at a young age and still utilize their supports today. Between her own children and countless others, Chrissy sees the importance that Young Caregivers provide through counselling, programs, camp and more.
With a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Brock University and a Broadcasting Diploma from Niagara College as well as a rich Montessori background in leading CASA, Lower Elementary and teacher training, Chrissy has a wealth of experience and knowledge in supporting children, being an advocate for marginalized communities and public speaking.
She lives with her four children, husband, 4 cats and 2 dogs in Niagara.
Debbi Leith
Director, OCC
Debbi is a seasoned Volunteer Coordinator with experience in leading programs across healthcare, community services, and higher education. With a Master of Arts and Certified Volunteer Administrator credentials, Debbi excels in volunteer recruitment, training, and engagement, ensuring impactful experiences. Her expertise includes re-engaging volunteers post-pandemic and delivering specialized courses for Fleming College.
She also has a background in the non-profit retirement home sector, where she taught and developed curriculum for Centennial College's Retirement Communities Management program. Her roles have equipped her with a deep understanding of the needs of seniors, emphasizing the importance of quality care and services.
In addition to her professional commitments, Debbi became a caregiver to her aunt in 2018, who lived independently with a significant disability until a recent decline led to her hospitalization. This personal experience has deepened her understanding of the challenges faced by caregivers and fueled her dedication to supporting vulnerable populations.
Debbi’s personal and professional history aligns closely with the mission of The Ontario Caregiver Coalition. As an unpaid caregiver, she understands the essential role of caregivers and the challenges they face. Guided by a shared vision, Debbi works towards a world where caregivers are valued, respected, and supported.
Cindy Diogo
Director, OCC
Cindy Diogo is the CEO and Co-Founder of ConSoul, a tech platform that reduces the mental load for unpaid caregivers. With nearly 20 years in People & Culture leadership at major enterprises including Cineplex and Mediabrands, Cindy has led large-scale talent strategies, culture initiatives, and organizational transformations. She brings deep expertise in workforce equity, caregiver advocacy, and HR innovation to the OCC Board.
Staff
Hayley Munro
Membership and Communications Coordinator,
OCC
Hayley Munro has been the coordinator at the OCC since 2025. She is a curious and adaptable communicator with a background in book publishing and social media management. Having a family history of schizophrenia and dementia has made her an advocate for caregiver and disability rights. Her favourite thing about working with the OCC is engaging with caregivers from across our membership, making sure their voices are heard and valued.