THE
CHARLES H. BEST
DIABETES CENTRE
BOARD of DIRECTORS
Empowering people with type 1 diabetes to live fully by providing extraordinary care, education and a community of unwavering support.
Non-profit organizations rely on strong leadership to drive change and achieve their mission. The Charles H. Best Diabetes Centre is led by a volunteer board of directors - comprised of a diverse group with varied expertise - who provide leadership and guide the organization on behalf of its membership.
Serge Babin
Chair
Serge has been on the Board since 2006, and has been Chair since 2012. He decided to get involved when his son was diagnosed in 2005. “I have experienced first hand the tremendous work and support that the staff provides to patients and their families and wanted to ensure others can benefit like we did!” Over the last 5 years, Serge has helped build a succession plan for the Centre’s Leadership, facilitated the creation of the 2019-2024 5-year strategic plan and is currently leading the launch of a new building campaign. Serge was a senior executive in the telecom Industry for over 25 years prior to his semi-retirement in 2014. He is now the Managing Partner/Founder of LPSB Consulting Inc., providing consulting services to several companies in the Canadian Telecoms/Media and Technology Industry. Serge holds an MBA from the Smith School of Business (Queen's University) and an Honours degree of Applied Science and Engineering from the University of Toronto. He and his wife, Josée, enjoy donating their time to various charities in the community when they are not travelling; as well as spending time with their grandson and golden retriever Macy.
Carol Stevenson
Vice-Chair
Carol joined the Centre’s Board in 2016, following her son’s diagnosis at the age of eight. She is a Senior Organizational Development Specialist at Scarborough Health Network and brings over 15 years experience in training, leadership development, employee relations, change management and organizational effectiveness. As the Chair of the Best Centre’s Human Resources Committee, Carol collaborates on policies, tools and programs to support the Centre’s staff and achievement of the Centre’s strategic plan. Carol holds a Bachelor of Education degree from University of New Brunswick, completed graduate studies at Carleton University and received her Honours degree from University of Ottawa. She has also pursued human resources studies at Durham College and leadership studies at MIT. “When I speak with type 1 parents and patients from throughout Canada and the States, I’m consistently reminded that the Best Centre is unique and special. I give of my time and knowledge because I’m grateful for the care my son receives and am comforted that he will continue to receive care at the Centre throughout his teenage years and into adulthood.”
Michael Grass
Director
Mike has been an active and dedicated supporter and volunteer for The Centre since 1989, when it was founded by his mother. He is a longstanding member on the Board of Directors. Mike possesses a deep belief in the mission of The Centre and brings to the Board his knowledge and skills in business operations with over 20 years of corporate management experience. Mike is a proud recipient of The Best Centre’s Marjorie Davies Volunteer Award and can often be found maintaining the landscaping and property of our Centre with care, passion and pride.
Alan Curry
Treasurer
Alan has been on the Board since 2015; prior to this he was on the Board of Camp Quality Canada for 5 years. He was the Chief Operating Officer at HSBC Financial, before his retirement. He now does consulting work for major banks. Alan and his wife Susan have four grandchildren and enjoy golf, travel and keeping fit! Interestingly, Alan holds a karate brown belt. The Best Centre is of particular relevance to Alan as his granddaughter was diagnosed when she was only 18 months old.
Ian Robertson
Director
Ian joined the board in 2017, wanting to give back and help raise awareness for type 1 diabetes. Ian has a personal connection to the centre and knows how instrumental they are to the families in need of their care and support. At the age of 5, Ian’s eldest of 3 daughters was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. This wasn’t his first experience with the center as his older brother was also diagnosed as a teenager. Ian lives in Brooklin and when he’s not running his daughters around to their activities or events he’s at his Architectural firm based out of Vaughan, Ian Robertson Design Inc. Ian has a strong passion for design and specializes in luxury custom home design and low rise production homes. He has been lucky enough to be able to pursue his dreams over the past 20 years with his business. This has provided him the opportunity to give back to his community; he is involved in several different boards and charities donating time and resources. In Ian’s free time he enjoys staying active by playing hockey and golfing, Ian is also an avid traveller and is always planning the next holiday with his girls to explore the world.
Marlene
RN, Founder, Director
An RN for 50+ years and recipient of the prestigious Frederick G. Banting Award, Marlene established The Charles H. Best Diabetes Centre in 1989. The name also stands for “Best Education and Support Team”, often referred to as "The Best Centre”. She is a true 'SHE-RO' for the diabetes community!
Christa Hruska
Director
Christa joined the Board in 2024, after experiencing first-hand the meaningful work of the Centre following her youngest son's diagnosis at age eight. Christa is thankful for the Best Centre's team-based approach to T1D care and the goals of education and empowerment for patients. She started out volunteering by sharing her story and lived experience at events, contributing to various projects and participating in the Best Centre's strategic planning working group. Christa has a Master of Health Science, Community Health and Epidemiology degree from the University of Toronto and has worked in corporate areas of multi-site hospitals in her 20+ year career in healthcare, including strategy, decision support, quality, project management, and health equity. She also received her Certified Health Executive designation from the Canadian College of Health Leaders and has a Prosci Change Management certification.
Pepe Bakshi
Director
Pepe has almost 50 years lived experience with T1D. He first met Marlene over 20 years ago and quickly realized her revolutionary approach in diabetes education and management. Pepe has also gained the perspective of a patient with T1D when is son was diagnosed at age 19. Pepe returned to the Board in 2024 after serving as the interim Executive Director of the Centre years before and a term as the Board Chair of I Challenge Diabetes; an experiential diabetes management and mentorship program. Pepe has also been involved with Kidney Foundation of Canada and the Canadian Cancer Society. After earning an Hons. BSc in chemistry from Trent University, Pepe studied Bio-medical Ethics in the Philosophy of Science graduate program at the University of Western Ontario. Pepe held various senior management positions in corporate Canada and retired as a Certified Financial Planner. Now Pepe spends his time as a new grandfather and a semi-successful guardian of two dogs: Monty and Rosie
Dana Dignard
Director
Michael Banfield
Director
Dana completed her Honours Bachelor of Science in Nutrition at Western University and her Clinical Nutrition Internship at the Hospital for Sick Children. She went on to spend 16 years at the Rouge Valley Site of the Scarborough Health Network as a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator in both the Adult and Pediatric Diabetes Programs. Dana joined Johnson & Johnson in 2006 as a Territory and Regional Manager in their Insulin Pump Division, Animas Canada. In 2017 Dana became the National Sales Manager for Tandem Diabetes Care Canada and had the opportunity to launch one of Canada’s newest insulin pump devices.
Dana’s journey in the Diabetes space began 41 years ago, the week before she left home for first year university, when she was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Although no one would choose to have TID she does value the incredible and fulfilling experiences that the diagnosis has given her, especially the friendships, both personal and professional, of those within the Diabetes community.
Upon Dana’s retirement in 2023 she was looking for other ways to continue her involvement in the TID community. Having worked with many clinicians from the Best Centre over the years, and knowing the significant work that they do to care for those living with Type 1 Diabetes, volunteering at the centre seemed to be the best fit.
With over 40 years of both personal and professional experience with T1D, Dana has a very unique perspective on the management and lived experience of those with Type 1 Diabetes. She currently sits on the Patient/Family Engagement and Conference Planning Committees and looks forward to contributing to the continued success of the Charles H Best Diabetes Centre as a board member.
As a longtime resident of Ajax, Michael brings a wealth of experience and strategic vision to the Charles H. Best Diabetes Centre's Board of Directors. With over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, Michael is currently responsible for executing strategies to support and scale Manulife’s retirement investment platforms and products, catering to the diverse needs of customers across Canada. His role involves collaborating with the largest investment management firms in Canada, the U.S., and Asia, to align and enhance global partnerships.
Michael holds a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Public Administration from Toronto Metropolitan University. He is a Chartered Investment Manager, accredited by the Canadian Securities Institute, and a certified Responsible Investment Professional through the Responsible Investment Association. His educational background and professional accomplishments underscore his dedication to fostering sustainable and responsible investment practices.
In addition to his professional endeavors, Michael is actively involved in community service. He serves on the boards of the Durham Community Health Centre as well as NFTE (Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship), where he supports empowering young people from under-resourced communities through entrepreneurship education.
As a board member of the Charles H. Best Diabetes Centre, Michael is committed to applying his strategic acumen, leadership skills, and passion for community service to support the health and well-being of the community.
Rishita Peterson
Director
Rishita Peterson is an accomplished healthcare leader and seasoned Registered Nurse with over 20 years of dynamic experience in clinical and operational healthcare environments. Currently serving as the Manager and Interprofessional Practice Chief of Nursing at Baycrest Health Sciences, Rishita has a comprehensive background that spans roles in acute care hospitals, long-term care facilities, outpatient clinics, and academic settings.
Rishita is recognized for her strategic vision and expertise in managing complex healthcare systems and her passion for education, practice and leadership in Nursing. As a clinical manager at Lakeridge Health, she led the expansion of a Hemodialysis Unit in a long-term care setting and played a key role in achieving Diabetes Canada recognition for meeting national standards in the Diabetes Education Programs and for the Centre for Complex Diabetes Care. Her work in professional practice integration and regulatory policy development has included implementing quality standards across multi-site programs, developing innovative healthcare policies, and championing initiatives that center on patient safety, diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
With an academic appointment as an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Toronto, Rishita is also dedicated to advancing nursing education. She has played a critical role in curriculum development, notably with the surgical pediatric nursing program at SickKids International. Rishita is recognized for her ability to drive impactful healthcare improvements, mentor interdisciplinary teams, and engage with communities to shape patient-centered care initiatives.
A Certified Health Executive (CHE) with certifications in clinical trials, healthcare management, and mental health leadership, Rishita brings a forward-thinking approach to healthcare and is passionate about enhancing patient outcomes through collaboration, quality improvement, and compassionate leadership.
MEDICAL ADVISORS
Dr. Jeremy Gilbert
Medical Advisor - Adults
Dr. Gilbert completed his medical degree, internal medicine training and endocrinology residency at the University of Toronto. He is an associate professor at the University of Toronto. He is the former program director for adult endocrinology and metabolism at the University of Toronto and is currently the section chair for endocrinology and metabolism at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He has authored a chapter in the 2013 and 2018 Diabetes Canada Guidelines and was a member of the steering committee of the 2018 Diabetes Canada Guidelines and current Diabetes Canada Guidelines. He is on the executive and is a national editor for the Canadian Journal of Diabetes.
He is a passionate teacher and his academic interest in undergraduate, postgraduate and continuing medical education in diabetes and endocrinology. He has received numerous awards for outstanding teaching including the 2021 Educator of the Year Award by The Canadian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism.
Dr. Valerie Lewis
Medical Advisor - Paediatric
Dr. Lewis has been actively involved with The Charles H. Best Diabetes Centre since 1996. She initiated multidisciplinary paediatric clinics at the centre and helped expand its mandate beyond paediatrics to include people of all ages living with type 1 diabetes. She is proud to serve on the Best Centre’s Board of Directors as their paediatric and clinical programs’ medical advisor. She has been part of the centre’s Conference Planning Committee since its inception in 2012. Dr. Lewis also has a busy paediatric consultation practice in Ajax and is a member of the Lakeridge Health Network medical staff. She earned her BSc. in Life Sciences from Queen’s University, her medical degree from the University of Toronto and completed her paediatric fellowship training at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.