Board of Directors

Sonia Yung

Sonia Yung has more than 30 years of legal, governance and strategic planning expertise. She retired from her position as general counsel and chief compliance officer at Bloom Burton & Co., an investment banking firm dedicated to accelerating returns in the healthcare sector for both investors and companies. Prior to that, she was a partner in the global law firm Baker McKenzie where she led their corporate and securities law practice group in Toronto. Sonia’s law practice focused on the capital markets in both the mining and healthcare sectors. Currently, she is the CEO of Kilkenny Media Inc., a Canadian independent book publishing company.

Sonia previously served as chair of the board and of the Governance Committee for The Neighbourhood Group Community Services, a not-for-profit organization that works with people affected by poverty, isolation and/or marginalization in the Greater Toronto Area. She also served as a director on the boards of Neighbourhood Link Homes and The Neighbourhood Group Foundation. Prior to that, she was chair of the Quality Committee and vice-chair of the board for St. Stephen’s Community House. Sonia currently serves as board chair for Diabetes Canada and is a member of all the board committees. She is also a board director for the National Diabetes Trustee Corp., as well as on the boards of three privately held companies. Sonia was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2017, prompting her avid interest in advancements in the detection, treatment and management of diabetes, and in advocacy for a better quality of life for people living with the condition.

Robert Screaton

Robert Screaton, PhD, is senior scientist in Biological Sciences at the Sunnybrook Research Institute and professor of Biochemistry at the University of Toronto. His expertise is in cell and molecular biology with a focus on the use of robotic technology to identify the genetic program that governs function and regeneration of adult human insulin-producing beta cells. The goal of his work is to identify strategies to help promote replication and improved function of beta cells to treat type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

He is a founding member of the Canadian Islet Research and Training and Network (CIRTN) and co-coordinator of the National Graduate Course in Islet Biology hosted at University of Toronto. He also serves as chair of the Mentoring Committee for the CIHR National MyROaD Training Platform. He has been a professional volunteer at Diabetes Canada since 2007 and was co-chair of the National Research Council (2017-2024). He is currently a member of the People & Culture Committee and Fund Development Committee.

Dr. Erin Mulvihill

Dr. Erin Mulvihill is a scientist at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute and an associate professor at the University of Ottawa in the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology. Her research focuses on type 2 diabetes, incretin biology, and cardiovascular risk. A recipient of multiple national New Investigator Awards, her lab is currently funded by CIHR, NSERC, CFI, Heart and Stroke Foundation and Diabetes Canada. She serves on the Diabetes Canada National Research Council.

Diana Sherifali

A nurse, certified diabetes educator and diabetes researcher, Diana Sherifali has more than 25 years of experience with diverse populations—children with type 1, Indigenous communities, and adults with type 2 and mental health challenges. Her research focuses on improving diabetes care and overall well-being through patient centred interventions. She is a professor, School of Nursing at McMaster University, and associate scientist, Population Health Research Institute–McMaster University/Hamilton Health Sciences. She has volunteered on Diabetes Canada’s Clinical Practice Guidelines committee.

Murray Short

A chartered professional accountant and a partner with RLB LLP, Murray Short, MBA, CPA, CA, C.Dir., has more than 21 years in public practice with not-for-profit, charitable and public sector organizations. In 2013, Murray’s son William was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, and attended Diabetes Canada’s Camp Huronda. A strong advocate and supporter of Diabetes Canada, Murray has served as a community member of the Audit, Investment & Risk Committee since 2023, and looks forward to expanding his involvement.

Catherine Pennington

Director of Indigenous Advisory Services for KPMG’s Global Infrastructure Advisory Services, as well as a professional counsellor and psychotherapist, Catherine Pennington lives on the traditional territory of the Lheidli T'enneh known as Prince George, B.C. She is a proud citizen of the Métis Nation, born and raised in Duck Lake Saskatchewan on Treaty Six territory and the Metis Homeland. Catherine has observed the devastating impacts of diabetes within her own community and family, making the work of Diabetes Canada personally important to her. Catherine is a member of the Diabetes Canada board’s Fund Development Committee.

Faeron Trehearne

Faeron Trehearne, B.A., LL.B., ICD.D, is Chief Legal and Risk Officer and Corporate Secretary at Moneris Solutions. She has also worked at the Toronto-Dominion Bank, Oracle Corporation, Torys LLP, Goodmans LLP and Stockwoods, and recently served on the Board of SPRINT Senior Care. Faeron was named one of the Best Executives 2021 by The Globe and Mail’s Report on Business. She obtained her law degrees from the University of Windsor Law School and the University of Detroit Mercy Law School. Faeron is a member of the Diabetes Canada board’s Governance & Nominations Committee, and Audit, Investment & Risk Committee.

Ben Voss

Ben Voss, P.Eng, ICD.D, is an agricultural and bioresource engineering graduate from the University of Saskatchewan and has worked in executive leadership roles throughout most of his career. Born and raised on a farm near Spiritwood, Sask., he has farmed part-time since 2011. A recognized business leader, Ben works as an executive, board member, farmer, engineer, technology expert and community volunteer. He has dedicated a significant portion of his life to philanthropy and community volunteering, specifically as a board member with STARS, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the University of Saskatchewan Alumni. He currently works at Calian Group, alongside several other advisory roles. He is on the board of directors of Plannera, a pension fund management and benefits company in Saskatchewan; and GRIPP.AG, a U.S.-based startup company. He is chair of the Diabetes Canada board’s Fund Development Committee.

Lynne Bridgman

Lynne Bridgman is a demonstrated leader and business professional with a diverse background in both the private and public sectors over her career. Lynne has a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto; a Bachelor of Arts (BA, business and economics) from Bishop’s University in Lennoxville, Que.; and, a certificate in adult training and development from OISE, University of Toronto.

With a long tenure of community involvement, Lynne has developed grassroots-level programs to help not-for-profits and charities improve their revenue, streamline their operations and grow their donor base. As a volunteer with Diabetes Canada for more than 12 years, Lynne and her son founded Put a Squeeze on Diabetes (2014 to 2019), a national fundraising program to help send children with type 1 diabetes to D-Camps. Lynne is a member of the Diabetes Canada board’s Mission Committee, and Fund Development Committee. She is also a board member of the Bishop’s University Foundation where she is chair of the Nominations and Governance Committee. Her past philanthropic involvement includes Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario, JDRF, SickKids, and Children’s Hope Orphanage in Beijing. Lynne is most interested in helping others and supporting them to succeed.

Gary Howard

Gary Howard is a business, marketing and communications professional. Previously the senior vice-president of marketing and communications at CAA Atlantic, Gary has more than 30 years of experience in building, designing, and implementing business-driven marketing, communications and partnership strategies using a collaborative enterprise-wide approach with demonstrable results. As a senior business leader, he has progressive experience in corporate strategic planning and implementation, as well as extensive experience and proven success in developing partnerships and leadership with all stakeholders. He offers creativity in innovative and engaging marketing, with extensive experience in understanding consumer behaviour and trends. Gary has experience working in all marketing and communications channels, including direct, digital, broadcast, consumer loyalty strategy, public relations and media relations. He currently works as a consultant, with a primary focus on marketing, communications, project facilitation, media relations, and consumer loyalty strategy development.

Gary’s community involvement includes the YMCA of Saint John (chair and board member), JDRF (cabinet member of the Walk for the Cure), and the Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation (director and secretary of the board and chair of the Governance and Nominating Committee). Gary has a personal connection to diabetes: his daughter Regan was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 16 years ago at age five. He is chair of the Diabetes Canada board’s Governance & Nominations Committee and a member of the People & Culture Committee.

Lorraine Lipscombe

Lorraine Lipscombe, MD, MSc, FRCPC, is a practicing endocrinologist and diabetes researcher. Her current roles include staff physician and senior scientist, Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Women’s College Hospital; professor, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Institute of Health Policy, management and evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto; senior adjunct scientist, ICES; and executive director of the Novo Nordisk Network for Healthy Populations at University of Toronto.

Dr. Lipscombe has developed new clinical programs to enhance the care for patients with diabetes, and advocates for more effective, efficient and person-centred healthcare models for persons with or at risk of diabetes. Her current research is testing interventions for new mothers to help lower their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. As executive director of the Novo Nordisk Network for Healthy Populations—a cross-disciplinary research network at the University of Toronto—she is leading a multi-pronged research program to address the burden of diabetes and related conditions in the Peel region.

She has received funding from Diabetes Canada and been a member of Diabetes Canada’s professional section since 2001. Dr. Lipscombe has volunteered with the organization in various roles, including as speaker, grants and awards reviewer, consultant, and the lead author of the chapter on pharmacotherapy for type 2 diabetes for the Diabetes Canada 2018 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in Canada and the 2020 update. She is chair of the board’s mission committee.

Gloria Pakravan

Gloria Pakravan is the vice-president of people & culture at CreateTO, an agency of the City of Toronto charged with managing the city’s real estate assets. With more than 8,000 properties, the agency is one of the most expansive, diverse, and valuable real estate portfolios in North America.

Gloria is a visionary HR leader acknowledged for her transformational leadership in aligning culture to drive employee engagement and impact business outcomes. She is a recognized expert who has been profiled in trade publications, and a seasoned speaker at national and global HR conferences and symposiums.

Prior to CreateTO, Gloria held progressively more senior roles at such organizations as University Health Network, Toronto Police Service, Royal Sun Alliance and Scotiabank.

Gloria is the chair of the Diabetes Canada board’s people & culture committee.

Lawrence Davis

Lawrence Davis is an experienced finance and technology executive who served as chief financial officer and consultant for several organizations undergoing operational and technology transformation mandates. His current professional experience includes providing advisory services to several investment and wealth management organizations on technology-related projects. Prior professional experience includes chief financial officer roles for British Columbia Investment Management Corporation, a provider of investment management services for British Columbia’s public sector and one of the largest asset managers in Canada; and the Workplace Safety Insurance Board, one of the largest insurance organizations in North America.

His governance experience includes board, audit committee chair and chief financial officer roles for publicly listed corporations (NASDAQ, TSX, TSX-V), public sector financial institutions and not-for-profit organizations. His community involvement includes guest lecturer (on the development and use of complex financial models) for the Rotman School of Management MBA program. Lawrence is a chartered professional accountant (fellow), Chartered Insolvency and Restructuring Professional (CIRP), and member of the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD.D). He is a member of the Diabetes Canada board’s Audit, Investment & Risk Committee.