Lupus Canada logo with trademark symbol. The logo features the words “LUPUS CANADA” in purple and the tagline “Life Without Lupus” in black text.

Our Board, Staff & Ambassadors

“A lupus diagnosis can be life changing. It is a chronic disease with a variety of symptoms, with no known cure. People living with lupus have to plan well and make some pretty tough choices about the tasks they do everyday. They may need new treatments and medications, and have to educate their families, friends, and employers. But they don’t have to do it alone.

Lupus Canada works to improve the lives of people living with lupus, through research, advocacy, public awareness and education. Our dedicated staff and volunteers are working to better understand this often-mysterious disease, for people living with lupus and for the general public.

With new research, we can help to advocate for better treatment and supports, to overcome the burdens that lupus presents, and ultimately one day find a cure.

Join us. We need your support, whether adding your voices or donating your time or money, so we can reach more doctors, researchers, and government. Together, we can improve the quality of life for those living with lupus.”

Thomas J. Simpson, Board Chair

    Our Board

    Thomas J. Simpson

    Chair

    Holly Jones Taggart

    Vice Chair

    Vikas Tiwari

    Treasurer

    Shane Dungey

    Director, Executive Committee

    Kendal Alston

    Director

    Andrew Chudnovsky

    Director

    Benoit Ferland

    Director

    Bianca Zimperi

    Director

    Diana Bozzo

    Director

    Verne Urquhart-Cox

    Director

    Malcolm Gilroy

    Past President

    We acknowledge and are grateful for the dedication and service of our past Directors and Volunteerswho are no longer with us, including Patricia Morzenti, Mauricia Vanessa Ambrose and Nancy Votour. Their legacy will continue to inspire our mission.

    Our Staff

    Leanne Mielczarek

    Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

    Cora Novacut-Lee

    Manager, Donor Relations/Special Programs

    Ariana Ranjbar

    Manager, Web & Digital Media Strategies

    Heather Coates

    National Fund Development & Engagement Officer

    Our Celebrity Ambassadors

    Lupus Canada is honoured to have five very special people represent Lupus Canada as our Celebrity Ambassadors. Colin Mochrie, Debra McGrath, Patrick McKenna, DeMar DeRozan and Prosper Laguerre are helping us create more awareness for lupus by providing their support and sharing the good work we are doing to help those living with lupus.

    DeMar DeRozan

    Professional Basketball Player

    DeMar DeRozan

    “As a recognizable athlete in Canada, I thought it is important to get involved to help my mom and aunt who are dealing with lupus. I think it’s important to raise awareness for lupus globally. Whether I support one person, or a thousand people, I’d like to inspire families to overcome their challenges and better understand what they’re facing.”

    Patrick McKenna

    Actor & Producer

    Patrick McKenna

    “Having Lupus directly affecting my family makes it easy to be involved with Lupus Canada — but I stay because of all the fabulous work they do.”

    Colin Mochrie

    Scottish-born Canadian Actor, Writer, Producer & Improvisational Comedian

    Colin Mochrie

    “We (Debra McGrath + Colin Mochrie) are involved with Lupus because we really believe that with money and focus, this terrible and complicated disease could become a thing of the past.”

    Debra McGrath

    Canadian Actress & Comedian

    Debra McGrath

    “We (Debra McGrath + Colin Mochrie) are involved with Lupus because we really believe that with money and focus, this terrible and complicated disease could become a thing of the past.”

    Prosper Laguerre

    Canadian DJ, Music Producer

    Prosper Laguerre

    “As a lupus warrior with a platform and opportunities to inspire others, I decided to get out of myself and inspire men like me who don’t really express much about the struggles of lupus because it isn’t easy to cover. But what I do know is iron sharpens iron, and we need more togetherness to be able to have STRENGTH TO ENDURE!!”

    Lupus Canada Youth Ambassador

    Lupus Canada is fiercely committed to improving the lives of all Canadians living with lupus, their families and their loved ones by investing in the initiatives that bring us closer to dedicated treatments and, ultimately, a cure. Given lupus can affect anyONE at anyTIME Lupus Canada recognizes that it is critical that we engage the youth demographic living with lupus across Canada.

    As part of this initiative, we are honoured to have Isaac Hall representing Lupus Canada as our Youth Ambassador. Isaac, who is now living well with lupus, first showed signs of this debilitating disease at the very young age of 4 years old. Both Isaac and his family appreciate the importance of the work Lupus Canada is doing, and through his role as our Youth Ambassador, Isaac will help us to ensure youth living with lupus have a voice by sharing his journey, knowledge and experience with lupus.

    Read Isaac's Story

    Isaac Hall

    Youth Canada Ambassador

    Isaac Hall

    “As someone living with lupus, I’ve experienced the challenge it brings to everyday life. That’s why, since it is a cause close to my heart, I understand firsthand the importance of the work Lupus Canada does. This wonderful initiative towards improving the lives of people with lupus is something I am grateful to be a part of, and I am excited to see what the future holds.”