Compassion Fatigue 2026: 20 Years of Compassion - Navigating with Purpose

Speakers.

• Charles
  Gluckstein

  Charles is the owner and managing partner of Gluckstein Lawyers and has guided the firm to become the leaders in Personal Injury in Canada. He succeeded his father Bernard who founded the practice in 1962. He has been endorsed by his peers as a leading personal injury lawyer in both Best Lawyers in Canada and Lexpert directories. Charles has been successful at trial in both jury and judge alone cases.  In 2001, Charles was recognized as a Specialist in Civil Litigation. He frequently lectures at conferences for legal organizations, both locally as well as outside of Ontario on all topics of personal injury as well as the modernization of the profession using technology.

   

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• Pinta
  Maguire

  Pinta is an experienced trial lawyer practising primarily in the area of complex medical negligence. She has extensive experience advocating for plaintiffs in cases involving birth injuries, surgical errors, delayed diagnoses, hospital negligence, and catastrophic brain injuries. Pinta represents clients in actions against physicians, nurses, hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare institutions. Uniquely positioned as former defence counsel for physicians in both civil and regulatory proceedings, she brings a dual perspective that strengthens her ability to advocate for injured patients. With a commitment to compassionate advocacy and a strong litigation background, Pinta guides clients through some of the most challenging times in their lives, ensuring their voices are heard and their rights protected.

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• Jonathan
  Burton

  Jonathan joined the firm in 2005. He received his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Western Ontario in June 2006 and returned to the firm to carry out his articles-at-law. Following his call to the Ontario Bar in June 2007, Jonathan assumed his current position as a Senior Associate lawyer at Gluckstein Lawyers. Jonathan restricts his practice to insurance litigation, including Personal Injury, disability matters, occupier’s liability, medical malpractice and product liability.

  Jonathan has always been driven by a passion for helping those in need, which fueled his decision to pursue a legal career representing injured persons and their families. 

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• Nicole
  Piemonte, PhD

  Nicole Piemonte, PhD is the Associate Dean of Faculty Leadership and an Associate Professor of Medical Humanities at Creighton University School of Medicine in Phoenix. She received her PhD in Medical Humanities from The University of Texas Medical Branch where she studied philosophy, medical ethics, literature and medicine, and medical pedagogy. She has published two books with The MIT press, Afflicted: How Vulnerability Can Heal Medical Education and Practice (2018) and Death and Dying (2021). Nicole is also a certified healthcare coach who works one-on-one with clinicians to help them reconnect to meaning and purpose in their work so that they can move forward in new directions, both personally and professionally.
• Dr. Chanth
  Seyone

  As Head of Clinical Services at Mind Forward, Dr. Seyone brings exceptional expertise in Acquired Brain Injury and Neuropsychiatry, and a proven track record for improving patient outcomes.  He is recognized for his in-depth understanding of how brain injuries impact mood, behaviour, and cognition, and for developing tailored treatment plans that address these challenges holistically. Through his clinical innovations and compassionate care, Dr. Seyone continues to provide hope and improved quality of life for individuals and families affected by brain injuries.

• Kylie
  James B.Sc. OT Reg. CNP

  Kylie James is a certified nutritionist and registered occupational therapist. She is passionate about nutrition and its impact on brain chemistry, hormones, menopause, weight loss, mental health, Brain injury, spinal cord injury and working with individuals who are neurodivergent.

  Kylie holds a Bachelor of Health Science in Occupational Therapy from Auckland University and graduated from the Institute of Holistic Nutrition in Toronto. She has worked in New Zealand and England as an OT and the last 24 years in Canada, as an occupational therapist and nutritionist in the motor vehicle accident industry and in private practice. She has testified as an expert witness as an OT, and is a Certified Metabolic coach, Bio Individual Nutrition Practitioner, Holistic Cancer Coach and author.

  She is the owner and clinic director of Koru Nutrition which includes nutritionist, dietitians, naturopath doctors, homeopath, herbalist and a Disordered Eating Coach.

  Kylie has been part of research projects at Brock University (Niagara) and Maryland University (USA). She has presented on various topics of nutrition provincially, nationally and internationally this has included but not limited to presenting at the 20th World Functional Medicine Conference at Harvard Medical School, The 13th World Brain Injury Conference in Toronto, International Symposium of Life Care Planning Conference in Atlanta, Guest presenter at the Cleveland Clinic and lecturer for a webcast at Spaulding Harvard Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston.

  She also won a grant from the Paralyzed Veterans of America to research and write a book on nutritionand spinal cord injury and is the co-author of Eat well live well with spinal cord injury.

• Tracy
  Hamilton

  Tracy Hamilton is a stand up comedian based in Toronto. Her conversational style and cheerful sarcasm will make you feel as comfortable as she feels in her many cardigans. She has performed in festivals all over the US and Canada, and has filmed two nationally televised galas for The Winnipeg Comedy Festival. She has also been featured on The Debaters and Laugh Out Loud on CBC Radio, has been published on CBC Comedy, and regularly opens for headlining acts such as Steve Hofstetter, Josh Gondelman, and Chris Gethard, among others. In an effort to make herself seem more well-rounded, she is also a published poet and personal essayist and has toured her critically acclaimed storytelling show - I'm Actually Right About Everything. And she often is!
• Anthony
  Lue

  In September 2009, at the age of 21, Anthony Lue experienced a life-altering industrial accident, resulting in a severe spinal cord injury. The accident left him paralyzed from the waist down and derailed his promising career as a future world-class competitor. Anthony made the deliberate decision to approach life with renewed determination, overcoming daily obstacles while striving to lead a fulfilling life defined by purpose.

  Following his rehabilitation, Anthony channeled his drive into new aspirations, successfully establishing himself as an athlete and entrepreneur. Anthony's story and expertise have reached diverse audiences through keynote presentations at corporate events, schools, television, and radio segments. He later founded The Anthony Lue Foundation geared towards helping others with disabilities.

  Today, he continues to motivate and educate others on how to persevere and achieve success despite obstacles, making a tangible impact in both corporations and communities.

• Shira
  Yufe, PhD C.Psych

  Shira Yufe, PhD C.Psych is a clinical and health psychologist working in private practice in Toronto. She completed her PhD in Clinical Psychology at York University, where her research focused on improving the lives of breast cancer survivors. She is a frequent lecturer for undergraduate and graduate level students. In her work, Shira is passionate about helping individuals adapt to disease throughout the entire illness trajectory, from diagnosis, acute and chronic phases, and into recovery and survivorship. She is especially interested in empowering informal caregivers to obtain sustainable caregiving approaches.
• Joanne
  Smith

  Joanne Smith is a Certified Nutrition Practitioner who graduated with first-class honours from the Institute of Holistic Nutrition in Toronto. She also holds a degree in Psychology from York University and a diploma in Radio and Television Broadcasting from Seneca College.

  Joanne specializes in nutritional services for individuals living with traumatic injuries and complex neurological conditions, including spinal cord and brain injuries, multiple sclerosis, and cerebral palsy. In 2013, Joanne co-authored Eat Well, Live Well with Spinal Cord Injury & Other Neurological Conditions, the first nutrition book dedicated to addressing the unique dietary needs of people living with spinal cord injury. She is also a regular nutrition columnist for New Mobility and Community Living magazines in both Canada and the United States.

  Joanne has served as a co-lead researcher on American and Canadian university-based nutrition studies. Notably, a collaborative study with Brock University—Neural and Behavioural Consequences of Chronic Inflammation Following Spinal Cord Injury—was the first of its kind to examine the use of an anti-inflammatory diet, combining whole foods and targeted nutritional supplements, to reduce neuropathic pain and depression. The study’s significant findings were published in the Journal of Neuroinflammation.

  Joanne has delivered keynote addresses and presentations on nutrition at universities, conferences, hospitals, and rehabilitation centres across North America. These include the Mayo Clinic Neuro-Rehabilitation Summit, Harvard Medical School, the Canadian National Spinal Cord Injury Conference, the American Spinal Cord Injury Association of Health Professionals, and the International Life Care Planning Symposium.

  Beyond her nutrition practice, Joanne has hosted, produced, and starred in three national television programs focused on sharing in-depth stories of Canadians living with disabilities, including the Gemini Award–winning CBC series Moving On.

  Joanne’s longstanding commitment to the disability community is reflected in her years of mentorship and volunteer work with organizations such as SCI Ontario, Lyndhurst Rehabilitation Centre, Easter Seals, and the Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons.

  Her advocacy and leadership have been recognized through numerous honours, including the King Clancy Award (2006), induction into the Terry Fox Hall of Fame (2007), the Gabriel Award (2008), and the SCI Ontario Community Builder Award (2023).

• Hunter
  Saggar

  Hunter brings over 35 years of provincial government experience to Mind Forward, including roles across the Ministries of Community and Social Services, Health, Government Services, and Treasury Board. As former Chief Administrative Officer for Ontario Place Corporation, his leadership was defined by strategic vision and impactful governance. His previous service on Mind Forward’s Board of Directors provides unique insights into the organization’s mission, while his active involvement on several community Boards demonstrates his commitment to creating supportive environments. Hunter’s extensive public sector experience positions him to advance brain injury awareness and support in our community.

• Hal
  Newman

  Hal Newman is a former paramedic/firefighter who has more than four decades of experience in emergency health services. Newman has always believed an essential part of his job was listening attentively to people’s stories and then leveraging those narratives to advocate on their behalf. Newman has a BA in Communications from Bethany College in West Virginia.