Meet our Family Advisory Council

Cynthia Clark

Cynthia has been a volunteer at the Royal since 2007, devoting her time and energy to supporting the Family Advisory Council as Chair for many years, now serving as Secretary. She has represented families on various community and hospital committees and has provided an advisory voice for the provincial government and national agencies. She is the lead proponent for a new research project at The Royal funded by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research to build a framework for supporting meaningful family caregiver engagement in mental health care and research.

She is presently the Chair of the Ontario Family Caregivers’ Advisory Network (OFCAN), A provincial organization that connects groups in Ontario who support family caregivers of people with mental health and addiction issues. Cynthia was a founding member of Parents’ Lifelines of Eastern Ontario (PLEO). She has over 15 years of experience in the delivery of programs to family members of individuals with serious mental illness and was a valued employee of the Schizophrenia Society of Ontario for 12 years.

May 2015 she was appointed to the Ministry of Health and Long-term Care, Mental Health and Addictions Leadership Advisory Council. Cynthia was a recipient of the YMCA-YWCA Ottawa Women of Distinction Award in May 2011 and in 2005 she received the Inspiration Award presented by the Royal Ottawa Health Care Group in recognition of individuals who have served as models of hope and inspiration to others.

Pierre Dufresne

Pierre Dufresne has worked in the land development field for over 30 years. He has a passion for housing policy and creating housing opportunities for all members of our community. He also has board experience as president of the Lanark Leeds Homebuilders Association and as past president of the Greater Ottawa and Ontario Homebuilders Association.

Pierre’s favourite activities include golfing in the summer, skiing in the winter, and attending music festivals.

Pierre is a care provider for a family member and is motivated to give back to the community for all the help that was provided on his journey.

Shona Fleming

Shona Fleming is co-founder and director of Anti-Anxiety Resource Ranch. She enjoys projects for improving wellness—from leading her pharmaceutical market research consultancy to health-related charities, growing staff, funds, members, boards, and volunteers. She has managed 50+ research projects, 100+ events, and set up two global non-profits.

An award-winning March of Dimes Colorado division director, she also chaired the Canadian Military Family Advisory Committee. A fierce advocate for mental illness sufferers, she is also president of the annual Wonderland Tea Party for Children’s Mental Health.

Shona’s father had Parkinson’s dementia and her adult child has a complex medical history—eight years of prescribed narcotics and anxiolytics for undiagnosed pain, which lead to addiction, heart failure, PTSD, depression, generalized and social anxiety, recently confirmed while at The Royal.

She enjoys nature, camping, cycling, skiing, yoga and photography.

Shona is delighted to bring her experience to the FAC to work for tangible improvements in the quality of care for those with mental health conditions and their loved ones.

Brian W. Ludlow

Brian Ludlow is a retired federal public servant with over 30 years of experience at the Department of Finance Canada, The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. As a senior economist and strategic and policy advisor, Brian conducted analysis and provided advice to senior government officials concerning federal financial institutions policy and regulation, social policy, federal pensions and housing as well as the federal treasury functions encompassing debt management, foreign exchange reserves, Crown Corporation financial oversight and governance. Throughout his professional and personal life, he has been involved with and supported committees and initiatives to enhance workplace, social, and community well-being. Brian has two adult children and lives in Ottawa.

Nancy Myers

Nancy Myers has been an advocate for education and mental health for over 30 years. Since 2016, she has represented the family and caregiver voice on many committees and working groups including ethics, Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID), quality and safety, and medication reconciliation. She also supported the development of an emergency wallet "go card," and during COVID-19, the essential care partner (ECP) policy.

Her perspectives come from a blend of roles: working in five teaching hospitals; as a parent, and co-chair of the special education advisory community (SEAC) for a school board, and caregiver for older relatives navigating cognitive and physical health changes.

Families understand that one size does not fit all when unique combinations of complex mental, physical and social health challenges overlap. Recovery and care require transparency, communication, flexibility, understanding the family context, assumptions and expectations, and looking at details from the bottom up while planning from the top down.

During the rollercoaster of recovery, Nancy believes it is important to keep looking for humour in weird places – the best medicine for everyone.

Susan Novo

Susan joined the FAC in 2023 following her experience with her mother's healthcare journey at The Royal. Susan was grateful for the care her mother received and realized that the biggest way to influence mental healthcare in Ottawa was to become involved with the FAC. As an occupational therapist, Susan has always believed that mental health is simply health and that every person should be looked at with a holistic approach. She brings that lens into her daily life inside and outside of work.

Susan is a director at The Ottawa Hospital. She oversees outpatient rehabilitation services and leads the Ontario Workers' Network, which provides specialized care for injured workers across Ontario. Susan is excited to share her lived experience as part of the FAC and is looking forward to the amazing things that will be achieved with this team.

Tanya Novo-Verde

Tanya recently joined the FAC as a result of wanting to become more involved, and also as a way to express her gratitude to The Royal for the care her mother received.

Her background is in electrical engineering and she works as an electrical patent examiner at the Canadian Intellectual Property Office. Her work-life experience is vastly different from the intricate world of healthcare and the many moving parts that work together at The Royal.

Tanya and her sister founded the Spanish Folk Dance Troupe of Ottawa over 10 years ago. During that entire period, they have volunteered their time to run, teach and manage the dance group. Tanya also enjoys cooking and is most content gathered around the table with family and friends.

She looks forward to learning more about the mental health field and contributing to helping other families feel supported in order for them to navigate the healthcare system more easily and effectively.

Christine Taylor

Christine started with the FAC in July 2023. She has lived experience caring for a loved one who dealt with mental health and substance use health issues. Attending The Royal’s family information sessions gave her access to the knowledge needed to help navigate her caregiving journey. Joining the FAC is her way to repay that help. Christine also volunteers at The Royal’s Client and Family Resource Hub.

She worked at the Carleton University Library for 20 years, taking an early retirement in 2021 to help in the family business.

Research shows that family involvement increases an individual’s chances of success in mental health treatment. Many families want to be involved but their loved ones may resist their help for various reasons. Finding ways to encourage people to allow their families to help is one area Christine would like to explore in her work with the FAC and The Hub.

Leticia Hardowar

Leticia is the family engagement and experience coordinator at The Royal. The Royal has a very special place in her heart as the organization provided her with countless opportunities to shape her clinical practice while completing her Master of Social Work.

Ever since she was young, Leticia has been passionate about helping others and curious about the world around her.

Leticia’s areas of practice include child welfare, health and mental health, client and family-centred advocacy, and crisis management. She has experience working with children, youth, adults and older adults from diverse populations and lived expertise.

In her free time, Leticia enjoys painting, colouring, baking, exploring the city, and spending time with her loved ones. She is dedicated to working with others and providing a supportive and welcoming environment for all. She looks forward to working with the community in a meaningful way to facilitate positive change and growth.