CURRENT BOARD
Tina Brown has been navigating the world of living with T1D for over 30 years, most recently while wearing Omnipod/Dexcom. Her connection to the Type One community started at Camp Huronda, where she worked for 17 summers, the final few as the Assistant Director. Currently, she is the Executive Director at Montessori Academy of London, holding a BASc in Child Studies and an AMI Montessori Diploma. You can most likely find her running, biking or holding a fishing rod! She believes finding a T1D community creates the most impact on your personal diabetes care; this the driving force behind her involvement with Connected in Motion.
Tina Brown
Chair, 2023-2026
Natalie is an accountant by trade (but don’t hold that against her!). She has completed 2 full marathons and multiple half marathons - Around the Bay is her favourite race! Natalie loves to swim, bike, and run and is a strong believer that movement is medicine. She is very passionate about great food (and insulin, of course!). She has been living with Type 1 for 24 years and lives in Toronto.
Natalie Hajpel
Treasurer
Shannon was diagnosed with T1D at age 6. She considers herself lucky to have had opportunities to engage with adventure-loving T1D communities for most of her life—as a camper at Camp Huronda, a midnight rambler at Camp Kakhemela and as a participant at a variety of CIM events! Shannon currently works as an executive associate at her church and when she’s not thinking through spreadsheets or finding ways to optimize systems, she loves adventuring outside with her husband Rich and their two little girls, Zoe and Adeline.
Shannon Freeman
Secretary
Alycia is a small business manager within diverse industries which has exposed her to all areas of organizational growth and development. She truly values balance and for the people around her to thrive in their work. She works to encourage them to developing their strengths and find their love of the work. Alycia thinks everything is better if she can get outside. She loves to walk, bike, hike, swim and paddle. She has been involved in Connected in Motion as a community member for many years.
Alycia Kingston
Director
Anne Marie MacDonald (Hospod), MSc, M.D., is a modern health care professional and passionate medical thought leader who advocates for chronic disease self-management, preventive medicine, and healthy active living. She holds a combined undergraduate degree in Physiology and the History of Medicine from McGill University (Montreal, Canada), a Life Sciences degree from La Sorbonne University (Paris, France), as well as a Medical degree from the Jagiellonian University Collegium Medicum (Krakow, Poland). Her expertise lies in healthy active living, behavior change, and chronic disease prevention and management. Dr. MacDonald has been living with Type 1 Diabetes for over 30 years and loves helping Type 1s reach their athletic goals. As a Type 1 Ironman athlete, she has also been chosen as a Diabetes Sports Project Champion.
Anne Marie MacDonald
Director
Christine Fallabel has been living with type 1 diabetes since 2000. She works in public policy, helping people with diabetes have better access to the tools they need to manage their diabetes. Previously, she was the Director of Government Affairs and Advocacy for the American Diabetes Association, and held positions with Colorado Medicaid as their Public Health Liaison, the Colorado State Health Department as their Chronic Disease Specialist, and was a social worker in Philadelphia. Additionally, she is a freelance writer for Diabetes Strong and Healthline. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from The University of Delaware and her Master's of Public Health from Temple University. In her spare time, she loves to go hiking in the Rocky Mountains with her husband, dabble in vegan baking, and read non-fiction under the stars. You can also find her on Twitter @type1christine.
Christine Fallabel
Director
Ellen is a Canadian neuroscientist, scientific writer, and outdoor enthusiast. She has grown up with Type 1 diabetes and worked with the diabetes community for most of her life. Her work with the diabetes community has ranged from youth programming with Diabetes Canada to academic research on the implications of diabetes on the brain, and the benefits of peer-support interventions for folks living with diabetes. Ellen hails from Toronto, ON, she completed a B.A.& Sc. at Quest University Canada in Squamish, BC, where she specialized in neurobiology, and she completed her M.Sc. at Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience in Lethbridge, AB. When she doesn't have her nose in a scientific journal, you can find her anywhere between skiing in the Rockies and kayaking in Charlevoix, QC. Ellen is excited to bring her scientific communication and passion for the outdoors to Connected in Motion.
Ellen Fraser
Director
Diagnosed with T1D at age 5, Hilary has grown up in the diabetes community. She has been involved with JDRF throughout her life as an annual One Walk volunteer and team sponsor and JDRF Young Leadership Committee chair organizing fundraisers and events. She is an active participant in the Risley Health alumni community and is a former ambassador for Risely and Medtronic. She strongly believes in the power of community and is passionate about connecting others with people & resources to make their lives better. Hilary’s sense of adventure has taken her to more than 30 countries! Her most notable stories include roughing it in the Bolivian salt flats, caving in Colombia, and skydiving in Croatia. She met her husband Dan on one of her many adventures, and moved to Hamilton, Ontario, with him in 2019 after living in Indiana for her entire life. Hilary has 10 years of experience as a marketing professional driving strategy for a variety of brands and organizations. She spent several years in non-profit servicing independent business owners through her contributions to an industry trade publication, research reports, and events. Currently, she creates and implements strategies to drive growth for multiple brands in the outdoor recreation and industrial categories through her work in a large-scale manufacturing company. She loves cuddling up with a good book, strong cup of coffee, and her French Bulldog, Buster.
Hilary Welter
Director
Lorraine has a long history with Connected in Motion and is thrilled to join the BOD of an organization she is most passionate about. By background, Lorraine is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator. She has worked at William Osler Health Centre, Women’s College Hospital, Animas Canada and most recently/currently with Tandem Diabetes Care. Lorraine has spent many summers at Camp Huronda and volunteering with Children with Diabetes. She has had the privilege of presenting workshops across Canada to both health care professionals and families who live with type 1 diabetes. When not at work, Lorraine can be found on a golf course, ski hill, tennis court or enjoying her island home in Parry Sound, ON. She has lived with type 1 diabetes for over 30 years and understands firsthand the daily ups and downs of life with diabetes.
Lorraine Anderson
Director
Mareda Lewer is passionate about improving the lives of people with chronic diseases through community support, education and policy change. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as a sophomore in college, living with chronic disease has shaped Mareda’s career direction. She currently works in health policy research and serves on the working board of Chicago Street Medicine, where she manages community partnerships to support health and healing for people experiencing homelessness. She brings additional professional experience in communications, advocacy, and legal support. Mareda is a strong believer in outdoor experiential learning, and previously worked as a backpacking program director and camp counselor in the Sangre de Cristo mountains where she met her husband. While her policy interests keep her brain going, Mareda is happiest enjoying the simple things in life—most notably a cup of coffee, being outside running or hiking, doing yoga, or surprising her friends with baked goods. Mareda holds a Bachelor’s Degree in political science from Luther College and a Master’s of Public Health with a concentration in health policy from University of Illinois Chicago.
Mareda Lewer
Director
Mike Davis joined the CIM Board in 2023, drawn to CIM’s integration of outdoor activities and peer-based experiential learning for adults with Type 1 diabetes. Mike is a corporate and regulatory attorney based in Chicago, Illinois and leads the legal and licensing team for a subsidiary of a U.S. physician professional association. Mike loves to hike, bike, and kayak. He often crisscrosses the Midwest on weekend road trips with his wife and holds an 8-year streak of visiting a new U.S. National Park each year. Mike has had Type 1 diabetes for over 25 years.
Mike Davis
Director
Ian Bulmer joined the CIM Board in 2017 after having an exhilarating team experience on the Gros Morne Adventure Challenge in 2016. Ian is a Toronto Lawyer with a close family connection to Type 1 diabetes.
Ian Bulmer
Ex-Officio, Past-President, 2023-2024
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the term of a CIM Director?
CIM Directors serve a 3-year term, where possible. After three years, Directors are able to be re-elected. In general, a term runs from June (at CIM’s Annual General Meeting) through May of each year.
What is the time commitment a CIM Director can expect to contribute throughout the year?
The CIM Board aims to meet, in person, 6 times per year. If you are unable to attend a meeting in person, we are able to have you join via phone or video conference, too. CIM Board Members are expected to be at least one meeting, in person, per year (although we’d love for you to join us for all of them!)
In CIM-friendly language, tell me about what a CIM Board Member is expected to do.
The CIM Board of Directors is a governing board. We are looking for members to be stewards of CIM’s mission and to oversee the governance of Connected in Motion. The CIM Board is not expected to be involved in any day-to-day running of CIM as an organization – don’t worry, we won’t ask you to guide a canoe trip! We may, however, encourage you to come out and be involved in some CIM programs, especially our fundraising events (Slipstream in the City, for example.)
Overall, we are looking for Directors to help ensure that CIM is being the best organization it can be and to help ensure that we are moving forward towards achieving our strategic goals.
We’ll ask for you to be involved in 1-2 committees as a Board Member. These may include a nominations committee to help continue to recruit great board members. It may be a development committee to help us guide us towards a sustainable future. It may be a committee that has not yet been created, but that suits your skills as a Director.
Maybe you have some great connections in the non-profit world. Maybe you have experience with education, outdoor recreation, or physical activity. Maybe you know what it means to run a business and can contribute something to enhance CIM as an organization (think – accounting, marketing, fundraising, strategic planning… the options are endless!)
How many Directors does CIM have?
CIM aims to have 9 Board Members serving at any time, but require a minimum of 3 and can have a maximum of 11.
What if I’m not ready RIGHT NOW to be a Director, but I am interested in the future?
Great! CIM is looking to develop a Prospective Director’s List. Building an effective Board of Directors means ensuring diversity and a broad range of skill sets. Even the most brilliant marketing executive may be better suited for our Prospective Director’s List if someone with fundraising experience is what is needed RIGHT NOW to create a well-rounded Board. CIM is looking for individuals to that will be ready to round-out our Board in the future, too!
What skills does CIM need most on its Board NOW?
CIM is actively recruiting Directors with the following skill sets:
- Accounting & Finance
- Non-Profit Governance
- Communications
- BOD Management
- Development
Other skills sets are interested in include (but are not limited to):
- Health Care
- Community Relations
- Administration
- Legal & Regulatory
- Industry / Sector Experience
- Government / Public Sector Relations
- Marketing / Sales
- Member Relations
- Education
- Risk Management
- Resource / Project Management
- Strategic Planning
Where are CIM Board of Directors meetings held?
Board Meetings are held in Toronto, Ontario, and can be attended virtually, if need be. CIM Board Members are expected to be at least one meeting, in person, per year (although we’d love for you to join us for all of them!)
Do I need to be from Toronto to be a Board Member?
Absolutely not. CIM’s Board Members can be from anywhere but need to be willing to travel to Toronto for at least one meeting throughout the year. In fact, Directors do not need to live in Canada – There are lots of individuals from lots of different places that can help CIM grow as an organization. Don’t let geography limit you!
Are Board of Directors paid?
No. Being a Director is a volunteer position.
Can I still participate in CIM events if I am a member of the Board of Directors?
You bet. We encourage our Board of Directors to participate in CIM programming, where applicable!
Do I have to have diabetes to sit on the Board?
Nope – although having an understanding of Type 1 diabetes would be an asset.
