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.

Susan Scott Swanson, Director

Susan is an occupational therapist with over 40 years of experience in hospital, community, and private practice settings, specializing in neurological disorders and cognitive impairments. She relocated to Ottawa from South Africa in 1987 and later founded a multidisciplinary rehabilitation company. Susan has long been an advocate for vulnerable individuals and the role of community in recovery. Her connection to the Aphasia Centre began through her work and personal experiences with loved ones affected by stroke and Primary Progressive Aphasia. She is a leader, and a strong supporter of the role of community in maximizing function and wellness.  Susan brings deep clinical and community knowledge to the board.

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.

Andréanne Scott-Boyer, Director

Andréanne first connected with the Aphasia Centre of Ottawa on Chapel Street as a physiotherapy student, supporting clients during exercise classes—a formative experience that showed her how communication extends beyond words. Now working at Action Potential Rehabilitation with a specialization in pediatrics, she has maintained close ties with ACO through shared space and a continued interest in its programs. Andréanne brings energy, creativity, and a passion for inclusive movement, and hopes to help develop new opportunities for physical activity and communication at the Centre.