Carl Weatherell
Director and Chair
Over his 35-year career, Carl has held executive positions (CEO, President, Co-Founder, Chief Project Officer) across various sectors, including for-profit organizations, non-profits, and academia. He also founded a management consulting firm focused on non-profits and is co-founding a new venture capital fund.
In these roles, he has successfully guided organizations and teams through transformation by challenging the impossible, fostering insightful discussions, developing strategic initiatives, and promoting a strong sense of ownership and passion.
Carl serves as a Director on two for-profit Boards of Directors and is the Chair of the external advisory board for one of the National Research Council's research centres.
He has worked with organizations in Canada, the United States, Europe, Australia, South America, and Saudi Arabia.
His daughter Alyssa is 22 and was diagnosed with Dravet in 2004.
Lisa Alexander
Director
Lisa is a teacher with 25 years' experience in both the classroom and as a guidance counsellor. After graduating from the University of Western Ontario with a combined honours degree in History and French and completing her Bachelor of Education at Queen’s University, she began teaching high school and is still working full time in this meaningful and rewarding profession.
She is passionate about inclusive and accessible education and this belief has added clear direction to her teaching, counselling and leadership within her school and my community.
She serves as a Director of a local organization which supports families and advocates for full inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in the community. She has experience in discussions and decision making about access to housing, education, employment and recreation in the community.
Outside of work, she enjoys reading, walking, yoga, skiing and most importantly, spending time with her family which is largely centred around providing fun, meaningful experiences for her son Owen who is 14 and was diagnosed with Dravet syndrome in 2011.
Jason Wong
Director
Jason Wong is an actuary with over 17 years of insurance industry experience. He graduated from the University of Waterloo in 2006 with a major in Actuarial Science and a minor in Statistics. As a qualified actuary (FSA, FCIA), he has built a successful career at Sun Life, where he has worked for over 15 years. His roles have spanned across Retail insurance product development, pricing/ profitability, financial reporting, and risk management, and he is currently serving as Assistant Vice President, Strategic Initiatives within the Canada Retail Insurance division.
In addition to his professional achievements, Jason is deeply committed to giving back to his community. He has served on the board of Trinity Village, a local not-for-profit long-term care organization, for two years. He has also held the role of Treasurer at his own church Lincoln Road Chapel for three years and currently as a member of the finance committee.
Outside of work, Jason enjoys spending time with his two daughters, Evelyn (11) and Janelle (9). Both of his daughters are diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome. He also enjoys swimming, cooking, and taking walks. He and his family reside in Waterloo, Ontario.
Dr. Danielle M. Andrade
Director
Dr. Andrade is a Professor of Medicine (Neurology) at the University of Toronto. She is the Medical Director of the Epilepsy Program of University Health Network, University of Toronto, and the founder and Director of Krembil Neuroscience Adult Genetic Epilepsy (AGE) Program, where she studies the causes and long-term outcomes of genetic epilepsies. Dr. Andrade is also the Chair of the ILAE Task Force on Adults with DEEs. She was the chair of the epilepsy implementation task force sub-group for the development of Guidelines for Transition in Epilepsy for the Province of Ontario, and the Chair of the ILAE Task Force on Transition from Pediatric to Adult Care.
Dr. Andrade graduated in Medicine at Universidade Federal do Parana (Brazil) and completed her Neurology Residency at Hospital N.S. Gracas (Brazil). She then completed a Masters of Sciences at The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Canada, studying “Protein Therapy for Unverricht-Lundborg Progressive Myoclonus Epilepsy”. In 2006 Dr. Andrade completed an Epilepsy and Clinical Electrophysiology Fellowship at Toronto Western Hospital, University of Toronto.
Audrée Daoust
Director
Audrée has been working in the tourism industry since 2010, following her graduation in Tourism with a specialization in the development and promotion of travel products.
Over the past decade, she has supported travel agencies across Canada, providing expertise in a variety of systems including website management and CRM solutions. She understands that each province has its own regulations and often operates differently—even though they are all part of the same country—which allows her to adapt her support and guidance accordingly.
She is now working closely as a Product and Industry Relationship Coordinator, continuing to build strong partnerships.
Beyond her professional life, Audrée is a dedicated mother of two. In 2024, her eldest son was diagnosed with Dravet syndrome—a life-changing moment that inspired her to take action.
She founded the Facebook group "Syndrome de Dravet Québec", creating a French supportive community for families navigating similar challenges within the province. Audrée has also generously contributed her time and language skills to translate numerous resources for the Dravet community.
Her blend of professional expertise and personal dedication makes her a valuable asset for Dravet Canada.
Patti Bryant
Executive Director
Patti Bryant is mother to three lovely people. Her middle child has Dravet syndrome. She has been active with patient groups since her daughter had her first seizures in 1996 at six months of age.
Patti is one of the original founding directors of Dravet Canada and has been working voluntarily since its inception in 2012. Her dedication, knowledge and connectivity to the Dravet community and many others provide a huge advantage that will be instrumental as we reboot Dravet Canada!