Our Leadership

Lori joined Crohn’s and Colitis Canada as President & CEO in May 2021. Lori’s background includes twenty-five years of progressive leadership experience in business development, marketing, and partnership activation across the corporate and not-for-profit sectors. Most recently at Wilfrid Laurier University where she led the campus-wide development strategy and in executive roles at the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada.

Lori served as the National Vice President of Development and Marketing at the MS Society of Canada, after joining the organization in 2014. She was also the Executive Director of the MS Scientific Research Foundation, where she worked closely with the foundation chair, board members, and others to lead cultivation and solicitation of the current $75 million Acts of Greatness campaign.

In addition to her work at the MS Society of Canada, Lori’s career involves leadership roles in corporate strategy, corporate partnerships, marketing and events at organizations such as Baycrest Foundation, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Canada, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, and IMG Canada.

Lori resides in Stratford, Ontario and she is an avid fan of the arts and sports. Like many Canadians, Lori is personally impacted by the disease and shares a deep connection to this cause.

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.

Brian joined Crohn’s and Colitis Canada as VP Development and Community Engagement in September 2021. A seasoned professional with more than 14 years of experience, Brian has led the strategy and execution of numerous aspects of non profit fundraising, including business development, sponsorship, major gift solicitation, volunteer support, and event planning. Most recently, Brian served as the Director, Corporate Engagement at the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, leading organizational efforts in sponsorship and cause marketing, corporate philanthropy, workplace giving, and donor cultivation. His work includes raising major corporate donations for the $75 million Acts of Greatness campaign, along with the A&W Burgers to Beat MS cause marketing campaign, a two-time winner of the Sponsorship Marketing Council of Canada Award.

Frank is a CPA, CGA and a senior finance executive with extensive experience leading finance and accounting functions in the not-for-profit, government and private sectors. Most recently, Frank applied his skills and knowledge at the Capital Markets Authority Implementation Organization (CMAIO) as its Director, Finance. In this role, Frank led the development of the finance function in preparation for the launch of the Capital Markets Regulatory Authority. Prior to joining CMAIO, Frank led the Finance function of the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) as its Controller for 18 years. At the OSC, Frank was its first Controller after the OSC became a self-funded government organization and supported the organization’s growth through periods of ongoing change.

Prior to joining the OSC, Frank held finance management positions at various private enterprises.

Frank looks forward to supporting the Executive team and Board of Crohn’s and Colitis Canada as a value-add partner.

On a personal note, Frank enjoys spending time with his family, golfing and lacing up his skates for his weekly recreational hockey league games.

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.

Ramona Tobler joined Crohn’s and Colitis Canada in November 2021. A strategic and creative human resources leader, Ramona brings senior capabilities in delivering organization and cultural change, developing organization capability and leading all aspects of a human resources function in Canada and abroad.
 
Most recently, Ramona advised on and designed transformation initiatives for the Ontario Securities Commission and the Financial and Consumer Services Commission of New Brunswick and led the organization and people practice design of the Capital Markets Regulatory Authority (CMRA), a cooperative effort to form a “best in class” securities regulator in Canada. Prior to these roles, she held senior Human Resources roles at Aviva Insurance Inc., Capital One, and Daimler AG, providing HR expertise in merger and acquisition integration, start-ups and in defining and developing organization performance and capability. 

With a passion for creating environments where people can do their best work, Ramona looks forward to contributing her expertise to evolving the culture of Crohn’s and Colitis Canada.

Ramona holds Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Master of Human Resources Management degrees from York University, has achieved the Certified Human Resources Executive (CHRE) designation and is a certified Post Merger Integration specialist (CPMI).