Our Leadership

Mina Mawani joined Crohn’s and Colitis Canada as President and CEO in April 2015. With over 15 years of experience in non-profit, private sector, hospital, and government roles, Mina is now turning her attention to making Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis stop. For life.

Mina is an experienced leader and change navigator, guiding non-profits from vision to strategy to results. Applying her passion and enthusiasm to the Crohn’s and colitis community, Mina is deeply engaged with the issues that matter most to her constituents – finding cures and improving lives for the 270,000 Canadians living with these chronic diseases.

Mina currently serves on the Boards of Seneca College and Pine River Institute and served on the Boards of Research Canada and Women’s College Hospital (where she chaired the Governance and Nominating Committee). Mina is a member of the International Women’s Forum Canada (IWFC). Mina has held a number of leadership roles, including President and CEO of the Canadian Women’s Foundation, Chief Development Officer and Executive Committee member at Civic Action, and CEO of the Aga Khan Council for Canada. Earlier in her career, she held key roles at the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, KPMG, and PricewaterhouseCoopers. In 2019, Mina received the WXN Top 100 award as a CIBC Trailblazer & Trendsetter. In 2017, Mina received the ICCC Humanitarian of the Year award and became a Diversity 50 candidate. In 2016, Mina received the RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award for her achievements and contributions to Canada.

Zoe is a senior finance leader with nearly three decades of experience in the non-profit sector. Most recently, Zoe was Director of Finance and Decision Support at Michael Garron Hospital (formerly Toronto East General Hospital or TEGH), where she was instrumental in maintaining a balanced budget for 13 years and achieving significant cost-efficiencies by streamlining processes and improving internal controls. 

Prior to that position, Zoe held senior finance positions at Havergal College, Durham Children’s Aid Society, and Women’s College Hospital, with a track record of success in attaining financial and operational goals.  

Zoe looks forward to applying her expertise in supporting the many people affected by Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.  She also enjoys spending time with her family, gardening and cooking.

Zoe holds an MBA from Heriot-Watt University in Scotland, and is a CPA, CGA.

Angie Specic joined Crohn’s and Colitis Canada in January 2016. An accomplished marketing leader with over 20 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, Angie brings extensive capabilities in brand strategy, advertising, communications and digital engagement. 

Known for her innovative thinking, customer focus and effective execution, Angie is passionate about the opportunity to use her skills to help the many people affected by Crohn’s and colitis in Canada. Angie previously worked at Allstream, AT&T Canada (where she led the company-wide rebranding effort) and Unitel in various marketing leadership roles. In 2015, Angie started her own firm Amplifi Marketing Services specializing in strategic communications management.  Angie recently completed her Master's in Digital Transformation from the DeGroote School of Business, as well as the Ivey Executive Leadership and Strategic Marketing programs. Angie is a member of the board of directors of HealthPartners.

Kate Lee joined Crohn’s and Colitis Canada in April 2017. Before joining our organization, Kate held the role of Vice-President of Research and Career Development at The Arthritis Society. Areas of focus during her tenure at The Society were operational efficiency, patient engagement in research and developing a knowledge translation and exchange program. Prior to joining The Arthritis Society, Kate held the roles of Director of Research and Managing Director at the Canadian Arthritis Network - a Network of Centre of Excellence funded by the tri-council funding agencies of CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC. Kate holds a PhD in biology from McGill University and an MBA from Rotman School of Management University of Toronto.  When not at work, Kate enjoys gardening and researching restaurants to try in the Greater Toronto Area. She also has an amateur appreciation of art and loves attending art fairs. Kate is driven by her passion to make a difference in health and working with the IBD community to help the many people affected by Crohn’s or colitis.

Janet is a not-for-profit executive with more than 25 years' progressive experience in the private sector, trade associations, and on Boards of Directors, Councils, and Advisory Boards, following careers in the Health and Life Sciences industry, and in Indigenous and International Community Development. 
 
Janet’s career started in the biopharmaceutical industry in Sales, Marketing, and Government Relations with Roche, GSK, and Vertex, and executive leadership in Trade Associations in Ottawa and Washington D.C, including BIOTECanada (President and CEO), LifeSciences Ontario (Acting CEO), and BIO, the U.S. Biotechnology Industry Association. Her later career focused on International and Indigenous community economic development, as COO of CESO, where she led transformative revenue growth and diversification. 
 
Her current and recent Board work include Ontario Science Centre, Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, Queen’s University, CESO, Canadian American Business Council, Equal Voice, and Life Sciences Ontario. 
 
Janet volunteers in her community, supporting fundraising and advocacy initiatives. She has a B.Sc. in Biology and B.Kinesiology from Queen’s University, MBA from Ivey Business School, and the Institute of Corporate Directors designation. She was born and raised in Montreal, and is bilingual in English and French. 

Jacquie is a long standing and valued member of the Crohn’s and Colitis Canada family.  With over 15 years of events experience and more than 10 years in the not-for-profit sector, Jacquie’s career has spanned roles ranging in scope: local, regional and national.  Within community fundraising, including a background in peer-to-peer events, Jacquie has demonstrated a strong record of driving fundraising growth, stewarding national corporate sponsors, and prospecting and engaging major donors and volunteers. More recently at Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, her portfolio has included overseeing the Toronto Gala – one of our highest revenue generating events; managing the Gutsy Walk nationally – our signature national fundraising initiative; and, leading the largest community engagement region across Canada. Reflecting her track record to work across teams, in 2015, Jacquie was peer nominated as the recipient of the Mission Staff Award.

Jacquie’s knowledge and passion for the organization, and sector, will continue to be a valuable resource to the organization. She looks forward to continuing to work closely with the Crohn’s and Colitis Canada team, and our IBD community.