Board of Directors

The Board of Directors provide strategic guidance and governance oversight to the foundation.

We are grateful for the expertise of:

Matthew Ratto Headshot

Matthew Ratto, Chair of the Board

Matt Ratto (BA, PhD) is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Information at the University of Toronto, Director of the Bachelor of Information degree program, and the Bell University Labs Chair in Human-Computer Interaction. He is also Chief Science Officer of Nia Technologies, a non-profit organization that provides 3D printing resources for rehabilitation clinics in the developing world and Chief Technology Officer for Readout Health.

Michael Shunock Headshot

Dr. Michael Shunock, Financial Adviser

Michael Shunock (BSc., DDS, MSc., Cert Ortho., CFA) is the founder, president and CEO of Spread Media Inc., a software development company focused on the sports and entertainment industries. He graduated from orthodontics in 2000, and then spent over 10 years in the hedge fund industry as an analyst and partner at one of the largest firms in Canada.

Keyevan Karkouti Headshot

Dr. Keyvan Karkouti, Medical Adviser

Keyvan Karkouti (MD, FRCPC, MSc) is currently the anesthesiologist-in-chief at the University Health Network, Sinai Health System, and Women’s College Hospital (2019), and holds the rank of Professor at the Department of Anesthesia and Pain Management as well as the Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto. He is also a senior scientist at the Toronto General Research Institute, with a research focus on perioperative coagulopathy and blood management.

Margaret Powell Headshot

Margaret Powell, Pyscho-Social Adviser

Margaret Powell (BScOT, RegON, MEd Psych) is co-founder of the College Street Women’s Centre, a private practice clinic in Toronto which provides Occupational Therapy, neurofeedback (BCN) and Psychotherapy for people who have experienced childhood developmental trauma, adult sexual assault, domestic violence, and eating disorders. She also facilitates programs at Sheena’s Place, and is co-founder of the newly launched Changing Waves Neurofeedback and Psychotherapy Centre.

Celeste Poltak Headshot

Celeste Poltak, Legal Adviser

Celeste Poltak is a partner at Koskie Minsky LLP in Toronto where she practices class action litigation.
She has worked on some of the most notable and historic class proceedings in Canada including the Indian Residential Schools settlement, Sixties’ Scoop and purge of LGBTQ from the military. Celeste has been named one of the top 500 lawyers in Canada and holds a Masters of Law degree from the London School of Economics.

Ali Ehsassi Headshot

Ali Ehsassi, M.P., Government Adviser

Ali Ehsassi (BA, MSc, LLB, LLM) is Member of Parliament, Willowdale, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry (Innovation and Industry). Ali Ehsassi was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Willowdale in 2015. Before entering politics, Mr. Ehsassi worked as a lawyer in the private sector, and as a public servant at the provincial and federal levels.