Directors & Ambassadors
The Canadian Osteogenesis Imperfecta Society Board of Directors consists of volunteers with a personal connection to osteogenesis imperfecta and experience in one or more of the following areas: medicine, health, accounting, finance, fundraising, organizational management, public relations, strategic planning, business and/ or policy. Board members meet 3 times per year and a separate COIS operational committee (made up of a smaller group of board members) meet monthly to advance a variety of projects and initiatives.
Members of the COIS Board of Directors serve three-year terms.
President & Chair
S. Jacinta Whyte Toronto, ON
Member since 2017 (2nd term)
When the Shriners Hospital invited me to reactivate the COIS, I was both proud and honoured to accept. I believe that my involvement is the best way to give back, to express our family’s gratitude for the care and support that our daughter Rachel received. My vision is to secure the same support for everyone, and to further medical research, treatment, and care to benefit the OI community in Canada and beyond.
Medical Advisor
Dr. Francis Glorieux, OC, MD, PhD Montreal, QC
Shriners Hospital (Montreal)
Member since 2017 (3rd term)
Dr. Glorieux has had a lifetime commitment and deep interest in heritable pediatric bone diseases. With a focus on the treatment of the ‘whole' patient’ and not just the disease. His research and development of ground breaking treatments for those with OI has made him and the Shriners Hospital in Montreal a world leader in the treatment of OI. This life time of achievement has seen him awarded Canada’s highest honour of the Officer of the Order of Canada in 2004. Dr. Glorieux is currently the Chair of the OIF Medical Advisory Committee, the Emeritus Director of Research Shriners Hospital Montreal, and the Emeritus Proffessor of Surgery, Pediatrics and Human Genetics at McGill University.
Secretary
Sarah Kamal Toronto, ON
Member since 2018 (1st term)
The knowledge and support I received from the OI community was invaluable after my youngest child was diagnosed with severe OI. I chose to volunteer on the COIS board as a way to give back to the OI community.
Treasurer
David Turnbull Oakville, ON
Member since April 2019 (1st term)
Having adopted a young daughter with OI, I understand the enormous support and value of having medical professionals that both understand and provide critical treatment to improve the quality of life of those growing up with OI. Medical research and assisting those who are new to a diagnosis will help us all in this journey and adventure, and being part of COIS is my way to play a part.
COIS Ambassador, & Lifestyle and Donor Services Director
Kristen Hayes Markham, ON
Member since June 2018 (1st term)
I became a COIS Board member because I am a proud Canadian and disability advocate. I love connecting people and wanted to help build a community of knowledge and support for people and families with OI. Learning from others with OI as I grew up was invaluable.
DEIA and Public Policy Director
Buvani Sivagnanasunderam ON
Member since 2022
As a racialized immigrant woman, with OI I know all too well the importance of embedding equity and intersectionality into our personal and professional lives, as well as the barriers that can exist in achieving this goal. I’m looking forward to advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility within the COIS and embracing and supporting our COIS members who embody various intersectional identities. I believe that community building is a vital source of social connection, inclusion, and belonging and is why I’m excited to continue to grow and build our Canadian OI community.
Fund Development Director
Chandra Ramadurai
Member Since 2024
As the very proud father of a special OI kid, RJ - one who has taught me how to smile through adversity and find happiness in the ‘moment’ - I love to support the OI community thru’ awareness building, furthering research and educating the community. I was previously the founder of iBones foundation, a doctor-parent initiative to raise awareness of OI and other rare bones diseases across the medical community. Professionally, I am the Co-founder and CEO of Efficiency Capital, Canada’s first Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) company that retrofits buildings and provides financial, environmental, and social returns to building owners and occupants.
OIF Representive
Tracy Hart
Member Since 2023
Tracy Hart is the Chief Executive Officer of the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation located in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Tracy has served in this role since 2009 and is responsible for the overall management of the OIF including fundraising, program development and volunteer recruitment. She serves as the Co-Chair of the Rare Bone Disease Alliance, a newly formed group of researchers, industry partners and other stakeholders and is a Principal Investigator on behalf of the OIF in the Brittle Bone Disorders Consortium. She is also involved with OI research and advocacy on an international level collaborating with OI colleagues around the world.
COIS Junior Ambassador
Sophia Kamal
Non-Board Member
I’m Sophia, I’m 10 years old, and I was born with type III OI. I’m happy to be a COIS jr. ambassador to show other kids that people with OI can do all kinds of things. I am a competitive artistic swimmer, and I also love arts and crafts, music, wheelchair sports, and going to camp. I can do almost everything kids my age can do, sometimes I just have to do them a little differently. I am proud to have a disability, and hope that other kids are too.
COIS Teen Ambassador
RJ Chandrasekar
Non-Board Member
When I started breaking bones as a toddler (and I have broken over a hundred!), it took a few years for the doctors and my family to know that I had OI. The OI disease is rare and my OI “type” is even rarer – most people I meet have never heard about this and that includes my friends at school. I decided to become an Ambassador as I want to bring awareness about OI – and I want to help others with OI who are going through the same journey that I have. I aspire to further the research and studies in this field so that people like me can have a chance to live a normal life.
Design & Digital Director
Adam Kearney Chatham-Kent, ON
Non-Board Member
Growing up with OI, my mother was an active Board Member of COIS for many years. I saw first hand just how much the community was able to help individuals and families. When the opportunity presented itself for me to help build back the community, I jumped at the chance.