Setareh Ashtiani, MSc, CCGC

Genetic Counsellor, Clinical Genetics, Alberta Health Services

Setareh Ashtiani, MSc, CCGC, is a board-certified genetic counsellor based in Calgary, Alberta. She completed her master’s degree in Genetic Counselling from University of British Columbia. Her clinical practice has focused on neurogenetic conditions including inherited dementia since 2013. In her current role with the Neurogenetics Clinic at the Alberta Children's Hospital, she provides information and support to families impacted by neurogenetic conditions such as a personal or family history of Huntington disease, hereditary spastic paraplegia, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, as well as inherited dementias. With advances in genetic knowledge, community engagement with patients and families, and quality improvement collaborations with healthcare colleagues are also her team's priorities.

Dr. Cindy Barha, PhD

Assistant Professor – Neuroscience, Faculty of Kinesiology
Full member, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Libin Cardiovascular Institute.
University of Calgary

Dr. Cindy Barha, PhD, is a Tier II Canada Research Chair in Neuroscience, Brain Health, and Exercise and an Assistant Professor in Kinesiology at the University of Calgary. Her multidisciplinary research integrates behavioural neuroscience, neuroendocrinology, and exercise neuroscience to tailor exercise recommendations to optimize cognitive health in aging. She investigates how biological sex, hormonal transitions (e.g., pregnancy, menopause), reproductive history, and genetics influence cognition and neuroplasticity. Dr. Barha is the first recipient of the Women’s Brain Health Initiative and Brain Canada Future Leader in Canadian Brain Research award, recognizing her leadership in advancing women’s brain health across the lifespan.

James Downar

James Downar is a Critical Care and Palliative Care physician in Ottawa. He has a Master’s degree in Bioethics from the Joint Centre for Bioethics at the University of Toronto. He is currently Professor and Head of the Division of Palliative Care at the University of Ottawa, where he holds a Clinical Research Chair in Palliative and End of Life Care. He has authored more than 170 peer-reviewed publications and was the principal investigator on more than 30 peer-reviewed grants on topics such as medical aid in dying; communication and decision-making for serious illness; palliative care in the critical care setting; grief and bereavement; and the treatment of psychological and existential distress in advanced illness. In 2025, he received the King Charles III Coronation medal for contributions to Palliative Care in Canada.

Dr. Vivian Ewa, MBBS, CCFP (COE), FCFP, MMedEd, FRCP Edin., CHE

Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine, University of Calgary

Dr. Vivian Ewa completed her training in Family Medicine and Care of the Elderly at the University of Calgary. She is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Calgary and the Medical Director for Seniors, Palliative, and Continuing Care in the Calgary Zone.

Her clinical work includes providing consultations at the Bridgeland Seniors Health Clinic, with the Community Geriatric Consult Team, and through the Seniors Health Outreach Program to continuing care homes in Calgary.

She was a panel member for the development of guidelines on Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) and previously chaired the topic guideline development panel on communicating a dementia diagnosis for the Alzheimer Disease Society of Canada. She has also collaborated on numerous research and quality improvement initiatives both within Alberta and nationally.

In addition, she is a planning committee member and facilitator for the Assessment of Decision-Making Capacity workshop held in Calgary.

Dr. Andrew Frank M.D. B.Sc.H. F.R.C.P.(C)

Cognitive Neurologist, Bruyère Health
Investigator, Bruyère Health Research Institute
Assistant Professor, University of Ottawa
Ottawa ON

Dr. Andrew Frank is a cognitive neurologist and investigator at Bruyère Health Memory Clinic at Élisabeth Bruyère Hospital in Ottawa, Ontario.

Dr. Frank grew up in Calgary, and completed a Bachelor’s degree in Honours Biochemistry at the University of Calgary. After completing his M.D. in Vancouver and his neurology residency in Ottawa, Dr. Frank undertook a subspecialty fellowship in Cognitive and Behavioural Neurology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

Dr. Frank has acted as site PI for 15 clinical trials testing novel therapeutics for Alzheimer’s disease. His other research interests include longitudinal validation of digital biomarkers, and artificial intelligence to reduce social isolation in persons with dementia.

Dr. Giovanni B Frisoni

Director, Centre de la mémoire, Geneva University Hospital
Professor in Clinical Neurosciences, University of Geneva

Clinical neurologist, Full Professor of Clinical Neuroscience at the University of Geneva, Switzerland, and Director of the Memory Clinic of the Geneva University Hospital. Former Scientific Director at the National Alzheimer’s Centre in Brescia, Italy. Author of over 800 scientific papers listed in PubMed on the clinical use of biomarkers for diagnosis and prevention. Founding editorial board member of The Lancet Neurology. Has led national and international projects funded by the European Commission, IMI, the Alzheimer’s Association, Italian and Swiss Ministry of Health, and industry. Chairman of Alzheimer’s Imaging Consortium at International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease (ICAD, now AAIC) in 2010 and 2011. Honorary member of the French Society of Neurology and Austrian Alzheimer’s Society and Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology. Investigator Award Winner of EAN in 2016. Web-of-science highly cited researcher since 2018.

Dr. Aravind Ganesh, MD DPhil (Oxon) FRCPC

Associate Professor, Stroke and Cognitive Neurologist
Departments of Clinical Neurosciences, Radiology, and Community Health Sciences
The Hotchkiss Brain Institute, the Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, and the O’Brien Institute for Public Health
University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine

Dr. Aravind Ganesh is a Vascular and Cognitive Neurologist and Vice Chair (Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility) of the Department of Clinical Neurosciences at the University of Calgary. He is actively involved in the development of best-practice guidelines for stroke and dementia care. His clinical research is focused on understanding the natural history, risk stratification, prevention, and treatment of stroke and cognitive impairment using multidisciplinary methods including neuroimaging, clinical epidemiology, artificial intelligence, mixed-methods research, and clinical trials. His lab also leads the development and testing of innovative applications and devices for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke and dementia

Serge Gauthier, C.M., C.Q., MD, FRCPC

Professor in Neurology and Psychiatry at McGill University
Academic Co-Lead for the McGill Dementia Education Program.

Emeritus Professor in Neurology and Psychiatry at McGill University. Previously he has been Director of the McGill Centre for Studies in Ageing and holder of a Research Chair at the Canadian Institute for Health Research, Clinical Investigator and Staff Neurologist at the Montreal Neurological Hospital and Institute.

His research interests include aetiology and treatment of Alzheimer's disease and related diagnosis, development of consensus guidelines on approval and use of antidementia drugs, and on the rights of persons living with dementia to participate in research.

His contributions to research include design and implementation of randomised clinical trials to establish the safety and efficacy of cholinesterase inhibitors, muscarinic agonists, memantine and agents possibly modifying progression of Alzheimer’s disease. He is a recipient of the Prix Galien Award in 1997, the Order of Canada in 2014 and the Order of Québec in 2017.

Daphne Gilbert

Daphne Gilbert is a Full Professor and Vice Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Ottawa. She teaches classes in criminal and constitutional law and her research focuses on Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD). She is on the legal team for two constitutional challenges in British Columbia and Ontario that seek to end discriminatory barriers to accessing MAiD

Dr. Zahra Goodarzi, BHSc (Hon). MD. MSc. FRCPC. (She/Hers)

Associate Professor, Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, Community Health Sciences and Clinical Neurosciences.
Division Head Geriatric Medicine
Medical Lead Specialized Geriatric Services and Transition Services
Program Director for Leaders in Medicine
Cumming School of Medicine, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, O'Brien Institute of Public Health
University of Calgary

Dr. Zahra Goodarzi is an academic geriatrician. She is Division Head for Geriatric Medicine, Medical Lead for Specialized Geriatric Services and Transition Services and Program Director for Leaders in Medicine.

Her major research interests involve knowledge translation, knowledge synthesis and qualitative methods to improve the lives of older adults. She examines the experiences of older adults living in supportive living and long-term care with frailty, dementia, concomitant mood disorders or neuropsychiatric symptoms. She is co-lead for the Geriatric Emergency Medicine Team, restraints reduction team for Calgary and the national special interest group.

Dylan Guan, MD/ PhD

University of Calgary

Dylan Guan is an MD/PhD student at the University of Calgary. He holds an Honours Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto (Neuroscience major, Physiology/Psychology minor). Dylan is a Vanier Scholar, Killam Laureate, and has received doctoral awards from the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada, Vascular Training Platform (VAST), and Hotchkiss Brain Institute. Dylan serves as Communications Chair of the Alzheimer’s Association ISTAART Neuropsychiatric Syndromes Professional Interest Area, and a Curriculum/Conference Lead for VAST. His research focuses on better understanding early cognitive, behavioral, sensory, and motor changes in Alzheimer’s disease.

Dr. Andrea Iaboni, MD DPhil FRCPC

Associate Professor, Dept. of Psychiatry, University of Toronto
Seniors Mental Health Division Lead, University Health Network
Senior Scientist, KITE research institute, Toronto Rehab, UHN

Dr. Andrea Iaboni is a geriatric psychiatrist and clinician scientist at Toronto Rehab, University Health Network, and an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto. She serves as Medical Director of the Specialized Dementia Unit and Virtual Behavioural Medicine Service and is the Division Lead for Seniors Mental Health at UHN. Dr. Iaboni is internationally recognized for her work in developing and evaluating technology to improve dementia care.

Brad Lohman RPN, BNSc, MN

Director and Co-founder
VYTALITY at HOME

Mr. Brad Lohman is a Registered Psychiatric Nurse with a Master of Nursing Administration with a focus on Geriatrics. With over 33 years of experience, Brad’s unwavering passion for supporting seniors and their families has guided every step of his career.

Brad has held a number of different Clinical and Management roles over his career and has played a pivotal role in the design and development of several key geriatric care initiatives, including the Alzheimer and Dementia Resource Clinic (ADRC), the Geriatric Assessment and Support Clinic (GAS), and the Community Geriatric Team through The CWC Primary Care Network.

Brad currently serves as Program Chair of Programs and Services for the Board of Directors for the Gordie Howe Center for Alzheimer’s Research and Education Society for the last 10 years, where he recently launched the CAPS (Caregiver and Patient Support program) pilot program to better assist Caregivers going through the Journey.

Renowned for his clinical expertise and compassionate approach, Brad has completed more than 10,000 assessments throughout his career. He takes great pride in meeting new clients and families and offering practical strategies to help them maintain their independence and quality of life.

Marsha MacDonald RN MN NP GNC(c) Pain

Alberta Health Services

Marsha MacDonald is a Nurse Practitioner with a decade of experience working with the Geriatric Medicine Consultation Service in acute care in Calgary, AB. She carries a Gerontological Nurse Certification and Graduate Certificate in Pain Management through the University of Alberta. Marsha is honored by the trust her patients place in her, sharing their vulnerabilities and life stories. Her approach to patient advocacy is centered in maintaining quality of life that aligns with each individual’s wishes as they age. She is actively involved in advancing the care of older adults through many initiatives, including her involvement in the development of Alberta’s provincial Frailty Pathways within their EMR Epic, providing clinical & evidence-based guidance on sitewide mobility quality improvement projects, and contributing to the Calgary Zone Restraint Reduction Committee.

Dr. Jacqueline McMillan MD MSc, FRCPC

(Internal Medicine, Geriatric Medicine)

Assistant Professor, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary

Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine and Community Health Sciences. She is local Principal Investigator for the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging and Assistant Program Director for the Clinician Investigator Program at the University of Calgary. Her research focuses on knowledge synthesis and large health data studies including prospective data and health services data to answer important questions facing frail older adults. Much of her work focuses on older adults living with HIV, including frailty, falls, polypharmacy, cognitive decline, social isolation and loneliness.

Dr. Manuel Montero Odasso, MD, PhD, FRCPC, AGSF, FGSA, FCAHS

Professor, Departments of Medicine (Geriatrics), and Epidemiology and Biostatistics.
Wolfe Research Professorship in Aging, Western University. Canada
Past-President, Canadian Geriatrics Society (CGS).
CCNA Team leader and Training & Capacity Building Program Lead

Dr Manuel Montero-Odasso (MD, PhD, FRCPC, AGSF, FGSA, FCAHS) is Professor of Medicine (Geriatrics) and Epidemiology, at Western University, and Director of the Gait & Brain Lab at Parkwood Institute, London, Ontario. He holds the Wolfe Research Professorship in Aging and is the founder Director of the Gait&Brain Lab -Parkwood Institute- that focuses in how mobility and cognitive impairment in aging interactions lead to falls, frailty and dementia and in conducting the SYNERGIC trials, national RCTs that use lifestyle interventions to delay dementia.

With over 250 articles published and 20 books chapters authored, he was ranked Top 2% World Scientists (2024 Stanford University Report). His program has obtained over $16.5 Million in peer-reviewed funding and provided over 100 international keynote presentations. As a proud fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Science, he was inducted as one of Top 10 most influential Hispanic-Canadians for his contribution in Medicine and Science.

Dr. Eric E. Smith, MD, MPH

Professor of Neurology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences
Katthy Taylor Chair in Vascular Dementia
University of Calgary

Dr. Eric Smith is Professor of Neurology, Radiology, and Community Health Sciences at the University of Calgary, and the holder of the endowed Katthy Taylor Chair in Vascular Dementia. He is a member of the Board of the Canadian Conference on Dementia and the Research Executive Committee of the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging. His research program seeks to understand vascular contributions to Alzheimer’s disease and dementia through epidemiological studies and clinical trials.

Dr. Aaron Switzer, MD, MSc

Neuroscience with specialization in Medical Imaging
Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary

Dr. Aaron Switzer is a cognitive neurologist and Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Calgary. He holds a master’s in neuroscience, with research focused on using fMRI BOLD response as a dynamic marker of vascular reactivity in cerebral amyloid angiopathy. He completed his medical degree and neurology residency at the University of Calgary, followed by a fellowship in Behavioral Neurology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. His clinical work centers on cognitive disorders, with a focus in the Cognitive Neurosciences and Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Clinics.

Dr. Joseph Therriault, PhD

Research Associate, Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery
Faculty of Medicine, McGill University

Dr. Therriault is a neuroscientist working at McGill University. His work aims to characterize AD using biomarkers, with an emphasis on biological staging of AD using PET imaging. He also aims to investigate the accuracy of novel plasma biomarkers for AD, and to determine how plasma biomarkers should be interpreted in clinical settings.

Dr. Paolo Vitali, MD, PhD

Neurologist - Neuropsychologist
McGill University Research Centre for Studies on Aging
Douglas Mental Health University Institute
Associate Professor – McGill University Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine

Dr. Paolo Vitali is an Associate Professor in the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery at McGill University’s Faculty of Medicine. He is a board-certified neurologist and a registered neuropsychologist. He serves as a staff neurologist at the McGill University Research Centre for Studies in Aging (MCSA) and the Douglas Mental Health University Institute.

Dr. Vitali earned his PhD in Biomedical Sciences (Neuropsychology) from Université de Montréal in 2007. He later obtained his MD from Université Laval in 2010 and completed his Neurology residency at Université de Montréal in 2015. He also pursued a visiting research period at the Memory and Aging Center at UCSF in San Francisco.

His clinical and research interests focus on acquired language disorders (aphasia) caused by neurodegenerative diseases. He utilizes biomarkers to better characterize neurodegenerative conditions and facilitate early diagnosis. Dr. Vitali is actively involved in clinical trials at MCSA/Douglas Hospital, investigating anti-amyloid and anti-Tau therapies for both sporadic late-onset and early-onset autosomal dominant Alzheimer’s disease.

Beyond his clinical and research work, he is dedicated to academic and public initiatives aimed at increasing dementia awareness, promoting knowledge transfer on healthy and pathological aging among older adults, and providing support to caregivers.

Jennifer Watt, MD, PhD, FRCPC

Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto
Geriatrician, Unity Health Toronto
Scientist, Knowledge Translation Program, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute
Adjunct Scientist, ICES

Dr. Jennifer Watt (MD, PhD, FRCPC) is a geriatrician at Unity Health Toronto and Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto. She completed doctoral studies in clinical epidemiology and health care research at the University of Toronto. Her research program generates and translates knowledge on critical topics in geriatric medicine, including responsive behaviours, falls risk reduction, social isolation, and equitable access to health services to improve health outcomes, care experiences, and health system performance for older adults and their caregivers.

Claire Webster

Certified Dementia Care Consultant (PAC)
Certified Professional Consultant on Aging (CPCA)
Founder, Ambassador and Lecturer
Dementia Education Program, McGill University

Claire Webster is a professional dementia care educator and consultant with lived experience as a family caregiver. She is Founder and President of Caregiver Crosswalk Inc., and Founder and Ambassador of the McGill University Dementia Education Program. Claire is a member of the Government of Canada’s Ministerial Advisory Board on Dementia and one of the McGill senior co-editors of the 2021 and 2022 Alzheimer’s Disease International’s World Reports. In March 2025, she received the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition for work in supporting people living with dementia and their caregivers.