Board of Directors

Ken Peake, President

Ken was an economist in the Industry Department of the government from 1974 to 1990.  After he had three brain bleeds, Ken had an operation in August, 1990 in Toronto. Ken started with the Aphasia Centre in 1991 as a patient/client and now he is the President of the Board of Directors at ACO.  Ken also serves on the Board of Directors for Friends in Sportfishing, an organization that takes people with disabilities fishing.

Evan deCatanzaro, Treasurer

Evan is a proposal writer and assistant contract manager for a local National Defence supplier. He otherwise occupies his time as a zealous philonoist, cinephile, voracious traveler, history buff, connoisseur of arcane trivia, drinker of tea, serene suburbanite, bookworm, and aspiring debonair man of letters. He holds an M.A. in English Literature from the University of Western Ontario, and B.A. in English Literature and Film Studies from Carleton University.

Patrick Moore, Director

Patrick grew up at parents’ tourist resort (Melwel Lodge) with a two-year older, developmentally challenged, sister. He is involved daily as Power of Attorney for Property and Care for his sister who is in assisted living in Blind River. He has one daughter who lives in Montreal. Patrick obtained his BSc in Business Administration from Michigan Technological University (1969). His vast experience includes, 1969 – 1972: Internal Operational Auditor for Glidden-Durkee, 1972 – 2020: Held administrative and finance/accounting positions in Ottawa. For 20 years (1968-1988) he was an active private pilot (U.S., then Canada). Patrick retired in 2020 after 20 years as Senior Corporate Officer of a local National Defence supplier.

Linda Gunning, Director

Linda worked in a variety of social service settings throughout her career, including developing co-op housing and developing and directing the Military Family Resource Centre of the National Capital Region. She describes herself as a strong, logical and determined woman who enjoys problem solving and thinking outside the box, finding humor in some of the darkest moments. She was introduced to the Aphasia Centre in 2016 when her now late husband, Charles, was diagnosed with dementia (Vascular dementia, Primary Progressive Aphasia and Lewy Body). As a longstanding family member and supporter of ACO, Linda has seen personally how the support ACO provides for families and care providers of people with aphasia and is looking forward to helping with the growth of these services.

Kathy Stiell, Director

Kathy is the co-founder of the Aphasia Centre of Ottawa. She has a Masters of Social Work from McGill University (1980) and is registered with the Ontario College of Certified Social Workers. Kathy is a clinical member of the Ontario Association of Marriage and Family Therapists and a certified therapist and supervisor in Emotionally Focused Therapy. She has provided leadership in making individual, couple and family counselling accessible to people living with aphasia. She is currently working with the Ottawa Couple and Family Institute.

Alice Holst, Director

Alice was first acquainted with ACO in 2007 while her now late husband Emil was still in hospital following a stroke, which left him physically impaired and with aphasia. Emil benefitted greatly from ACO’s groups, among other things, they helped him to keep the isolation that often accompanies aphasia at bay. Alice became a supporter of ACO at that time and has continuously helped ever since both with fund raising and as a donor. Alice is a retired career banker, specializing in small business and personal finance. Alice is a Winner of the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee medal in 2012 for Community Service and Volunteerism. She is currently actively involved as a trained volunteer with Hospice Care Ottawa providing care to people with a terminal diagnosis and bereavement support following the death of a loved one. She also is currently involved in a federally funded pilot project known as NORC (naturally occurring retirement community) which aims to keep older Canadians in their homes longer through the help and support of neighbours. When not busy with community work, Alice enjoys staying connected with her family, reading, and playing cards.