Our Board
The CTA Board is a hands-on volunteer board responsible for all of the operations and activities of the CTA across Canada including governance, communications, membership, fundraising and provincial representation. Are you passionate about organ donation initiatives and interested in joining the board? Send us a note.
National Board Executive
Brenda Brown President
Brenda has been a kidney transplant warrior since 2013. But she’s been an organ donation advocate for much longer than that. For Brenda, organ donation, is a family affair, as others in her family have also had transplants.
Brenda looks forward to more adventures with her “new” kidney that has afforded her better health and opportunity.
Nichole Elizabeth Vice President, Operations
In December 2010, Nichole donated her kidney to her cousin.
Her memories of that Christmas spent celebrating life, embracing family, and being filled with deep gratitude for each other, is the driving force behind Nichole’s desire to be involved in raising awareness and supporting the transplant community.
Heather Lannon Secretary
Heather became involved in the transplant world in 2012 when her husband experienced heart failure. Although he received his gift of life in 2017, the transplant was not successful.
Heather shares her experience as a caregiver, researcher and donor family - she gave the gift of sight through Jamie's passing.
Earl Howell Treasurer
Earl received a liver transplant in late 1997 in Vancouver. Earl continues to enjoy a very healthy post transplant life, and stays in shape by walking, and light exercise.
Earl encourages everyone in the “TX family” to seek out opportunities with the CTA to promote the benefits of Organ Donation.
Marco D’Arienzo Director, Membership
Marco was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease and in 2022 received a kidney transplant.
His positive energy and desire to connect with new people to rally around life saving programs and healthy lifestyles is what drove him to the CTA. Marco believes it is important for members to engage with one another.
Lauren Herschel Director, Communications
Lauren anonymously donated her kidney in 2011. She was the first person to donate to a stranger in Calgary and has since worked to raise awareness of non-directed kidney donation .
Shortly after donating she became involved with the CTA by volunteering for the 2012 Canadian Transplant Games in Calgary.
Alison Hickman Team Manager
Alison's husband received a kidney in January 2015, and since that time, Alison has embraced the belief that a transplant is a gift, a new adventure in life. She first joined the CTA when the Newfoundland and Labrador chapter was established (in 2017). She continues to spread awareness about organ and tissue donation across her province.
Provincial Directors
Kathleen Fleming British Columbia
Kathleen has several family members who are have been involved in transplant, including a niece who is a living kidney donor. Kathleen is also a donor; she donated bone marrow to a sister! She is eager to explore how the CTA can influence the positive conversation around post transplant health and the benefits of that to the CTA membership.
Tisa Perra Alberta
Tisa is a liver transplant recipient and received her gift of life in 2010 at the University of Alberta Hospital. She has been an active participant of the transplant games since 2012 and has attended one world games in Newcastle, UK. Her favourite sports are cycling, cross country skiing and speed walking.
She is an advocate for active living post-transplant and organ donation awareness. She believes that through active living, we can demonstrate our gratitude to our donors and show the world that how much life exist post-transplant. It’s truly a legacy gift that keeps on giving.
Larry Kreklewich Saskatchewan
Born and raised in Melville, SK Larry received a kidney transplant in October of 1974 from a deceased donor. He married in July of 1976 and is the father of two. Larry enjoys staying active and volunteering at his local church and other organizations. He likes to stay busy by playing golf in the summer and curling in the winter. He became a member of CTA in 2005.
Mark Miles Manitoba
Being a part of the CTA is important to Mark as he was the fortunate recipient of a heart transplant in September of 2015. The gift of life has allowed Mark to watch his children, Matthew and Victoria, grow.
Mark celebrates his gift of life everyday and endeavours to honour his donor in all the ways that he can.
Kelly Kleinschmidt Ontario
Kelly was 24 and a new mom when she was diagnosed with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis. In 2011 her uncle saved her life by giving her 2/3 of his liver.
After her transplant Kelly became active within the transplant community. Through the CTA, she has competed in several Canadian and World Transplant Games.
Sylvie Charbonneau Quebec
Coming soon
Kristofer Woods Maritimes
Kristofer was a living kidney donor to his friend in 2018. Since the donation, Kristofer has been active in his local community engaging others in the conversation around the benefits of organ donation and the positive impact choosing to be a donor can have on so many others. Kristofer lives in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, and has been a member of L'Arche for the past 16 years - a community based organization that provides housing and programing for people with and without intellectual disabilities. Kris is currently the director in Nova Scotia, and interim director in PEI and New Brunswick.
Jonathan Hickman Newfoundland
In his down time from his fourth generation family run business, Jonathan has always had a very active lifestyle. In January 2019 he received a kidney transplant from his sister and continues to be involved in a number of fitness activities.
Jonathan has competed at the world and Canadian Transplant Games in cycling, swimming and running.
