Home About Us • Our History • Board and Staff • Administrative Volunteers • Corporate Partners • Privacy Policy & Disclaimer About Epilepsy Programs & Services Resources & Links Events How Can I Help? Contact Us Site Map About Us: Board and Staff BOARD AND STAFF BOARD MEMBERS: Vinita Savani - Chair Vinita is a graduate of the Schulich School of Business at York University and has 12 years of experience with RBC in finance and performance management. She has chosen to volunteer and dedicate time to EYR because her mother has had epilepsy for over 35 years and knowing what she has been through in her lifetime, has made her want to help others. Shirin Ansari-Tadi - Director Shirin holds a Masters in Science Communication from the University of West England. She is an experienced health communicator and has held positions at the University Health Network, Cancer Care Ontario and, currently, the Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion. In addition to her communications skills, she brings extensive knowledge in disease coping as well as marketing and outreach experience. Allan Becker - Secretary Allan is a professional engineer and holds an MBA degree from Queen’s University. Allan currently works for a North American energy and infrastructure services provider. Having developed an awareness of epilepsy through a personal friendship, he is very excited to contribute to EYR as a way to give meaningfully to the community. Joyce Grandy - Director Joyce is a graduate of the University of Toronto, and a Chartered Accountant and joins the board in 2009.  Joyce works for a leading Pharmacy retailer, and has experience in the Pharmaceuticals and Consumer Products industries.  Joyce brings to the board, experience in corporate governance and finance as well as an enthusiasm for helping others.   She hopes to contribute to the continued growth of the EYR agency, and to the programs which support our community. Raymond Leung - Director With a background in accounting, management, information systems and web development, Raymond is an asset to the board of directors at EYR. He is a graduate of the Schulich School of Business at York University concentrating in business consulting and strategic management.  He aims to understand Governance within the organization as well as developing leadership skills to work in the corporate environment. He serves EYR to give back to the community and to learn more about epilepsy. He offers his time and technical skills to the organization. Chrys Mendes - Director Chrys Mendes is  graduate of York University in Computer science and an MBA graduate of Fordham University in New York.  He  has more than 15 years of  experience in Banking and Financial Risk Management in New York and Toronto. He has previous volunteer  and fund raising experience with MS Society of New York and senior level experience with other large and well known charitable organizations in Toronto. He has several friends afflicated with Epilepsy and wishes to contribute to EYR to raise awareness within the community at large. Paul Odnoletkov - Director Born and raised in St. Petersburg (formerly Leningrad) in Russia, Paul  graduated from The State Technology Institute there with a Bachelor’s degree in economics and management. Throughout his career in Europe and then Canada that spans over a dozen years, he mostly worked as a marketing professional for software companies. With his current position he is responsible for global marketing at Geosoft Inc. Epilepsy York Region was a launching pad into his Canadian career at a hard time of recession, and Paul intends to repay his gratitude to the people who work for the agency and people living with Epilepsy and their families. Roshni Patel - Treasurer Roshni is a graduate from The Schulich School of Business at York Univeristy. She has achieved a degree in Business Administration with concentration in Finance and has interests in pursuing further studies to become a Certified Financial Analyst. Her past work experience includes being an associate and analyst in commercial banking and an insurance policy adjuster. Prior to volunteering at Epilepsy York Region, she has contributed her time to other organizations in working as an events planner, public relations director and finance director. She volunteers on the board of directors to give back to the community through utilizing her communication and marketing skills and also focusing on organizing events. Jim Steen - Director Jim has an educational background in radio, television, and electronics repair. He has also completed studies in computer sciences, including software operations and hardware configurations. Past work experience includes being a telephone support technician for a computer printer company and a Service Advisor in the automobile industry. Jim’s interests in working with Epilepsy York Region are related to his personal experiences. Having been associated with the board of directors and having an intimate knowledge of the organization, he hopes to be of any assistance to such a worthwhile agency. STAFF: Paul Raymond – Executive Director Paul Raymond assumed the role of Executive Director at Epilepsy York Region in January 2007.  Prior to joining EYR, he spent two years at Epilepsy Ontario as Director of Communication and Fund Development.  Paul’s experience in the Epilepsy field started 3 years before when he joined the team at Epilepsy Canada in Montreal.  Paul has spent most of his career in the health related charitable sector including 7 years as a consultant with the Canadian Cancer Society,  as a fundraiser for a Palliative Care Association and as Director of Communications with the Cardiac Care Network of Ontario – an agency of the Ministry of Health. He graduated from Carleton University in Ottawa with a Bachelor Degree in Communication and Political Science.  Jo-Ann Spadacini – Bookeeper