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Leadership Team

Helping build a people network

The Administrative team of Diabetes Action Canada ensures efficient day to day operations of the office and supports the work of research management and other functions. The team plays an important part in the administration and development of this Network.

View our wonderful staff members that make this organization so great.

Executive Director

Tracy McQuire

Executive Director
Tracy McQuire has been with Diabetes Action Canada for over 5 years, first as the Manager, Research Operations and now as Executive Director. Tracy brings more than 15 years of research project and program management experience as well as research operations and strategic planning expertise. Prior to joining Diabetes Action Canada, Tracy was the Business Manager for the Toronto General Hospital Research Institute at University Health Network (UHN), leading the strategic planning process and implementation strategy to align research priorities to clinical programs. She has also led many projects within UHN Research in her various roles, including as Project Coordinator for research safety and facilities planning. Tracy holds both a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a Master’s Degree in Genetics from Queen’s University and obtained her Project Management Professional (PMP) designation in 2012.

Director, Strategic Partnerships

Catharine Whiteside

Director, Strategic Partnerships
A University of Toronto graduate, Dr. Catharine Whiteside served as Dean of Medicine and Vice Provost Relations with Health Care Institutions at the University of Toronto from 2006 -14 and was recognized with WXN Canada’s Most Powerful Women Top 100 Award in 2012. She received the 2007 Medal for Research Excellence from the Kidney Foundation of Canada and the 2009 Canadian Medical Association May Cohen Award for Women Mentors. In 2015 she was awarded an Honorary Fellowship in the College of Family Physicians of Canada and in 2016 received the OMA’s Advocate for Students and Residents Award. In 2016, Catharine was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada for her leadership in academic medicine and nephrology, and for her scientific contributions to our understanding of the cellular mechanisms underlying kidney disorders.

Jim Bowen

Jim Bowen is a clinical research manager within the Toronto Health Economics and Technology Assessment (THETA) Collaborative and Program Manager for the Health Technology Assessment and Network Analytics program within Diabetes Action Canada. His research interests include the development of methods related to the conduct of clinical trials, and other studies, designed to help inform health policy decisions related to technologies and interventions used within the health system.

Shannon Carkner

Shannon Carkner is the Campaign Director for the diabetes campaign at UHN Foundation. Shannon is a passionate and experienced fundraiser and certified CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive), with a track record of achieving campaign results, primarily in the heath charity landscape. Her deep passion for the diabetes community is evidenced by her 5 years with JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) prior to joining UHN Foundation to focus on the diabetes portfolio. Shannon is deeply committed to serving the diabetes community by raising the much needed funds to address the relentless and devastating impacts of living with diabetes.

Krista Lamb

Communications Lead
Krista Lamb is the Communications Lead for Diabetes Action Canada. She is a writer, communications professional and podcast host. Krista specializes in helping translate complex medical, scientific and health-related topics into interesting and understandable stories for diverse mediums. In addition, Krista is the producer and host of multiple podcasts, including the Actions on Diabetes Podcast with Diabetes Action Canada. Her first book, Beyond Banting: From insulin to islet transplants, decoding Canada’s diabetes research superstars, is available now from Rock’s Mills Press.

Carlos Larrain Herrera

Administrative Assistant
Carlos Larrain Herrera joins Diabetes Action Canada after working as an Administrative Assistant with the Toronto General Research Hospital Institute at UHN. He brings years of experience from his role as a client success specialist and project manager in the start-up community where he managed client portfolios, developed business relationships, and created operational processes. He holds a Bachelor’s degree with a double major in Chemistry and Biology with a minor in French Studies from the University of Toronto. While at university, he joined many student organizations in senior leadership positions including LSAS, MoveU, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and NAMUN. Coupled with his experience in the start-up sector, Carlos brings years of experience in time management, team work, organization, and interpersonal skills to the team.

Mildred Lim

Business Manager
Mildred Lim graduated in Economics from Simon Fraser University in British Columbia. Her current role as the Business Officer at Diabetes Action Canada is to administer the financial matters and inter-institutional agreements for the Network, as well as provide administrative support to the Steering Council and its Standing Committees. Prior to joining the team at Diabetes Action Canada, Mildred provided administrative support to the Division of Endocrinology at the University of Toronto and the Toronto Health Economics and Technology Assessment (THETA) Collaborative. Mildred had considerable experience in coordinating the secretariat functions of the board of governors and senate, as well, the graduation ceremony of a tertiary institution in Singapore before her move to Canada.

Julie Makarski

Knowledge Mobilization-Implementation Science Research Associate
Julie Makarski is the new DAC 2.0 Knowledge Mobilization Research Manager and Implementation Support Practitioner (2022). She brings 20+ years of research and leadership experience to the role, including knowledge mobilization and implementation science and practice. Julie has also held various roles in the health and social care fields including client-facing and volunteer roles involving program development and relationship building with various partners. 

Linxi Mytkolli

Director, Patient Engagement and Knowledge Mobilization
Linxi Mytkolli started with Diabetes Action Canada as a Patient Partner for over a year, she is now excited to join the team in her new capacity as the Lead of Patient Engagement and Knowledge Mobilization. Prior to joining DAC, she was a Senior Program Manager supporting a national suicide prevention and life promotion program with the Mental Health Commission of Canada. In this work, she focused on centering the wisdom of those with lived and living experience, while also translating findings from academic partners into tangible tools for the participating communities. In addition to her leadership in the mental health space, Linxi has more than six years of experience leading national programs in urban research, youth wellbeing, and sustainability in healthcare. Linxi holds a Bachelor of Science in Biopharmaceutical Sciences (uOttawa) and a Master of Science in Sustainability Management from the University of Toronto.

Conrad Pow

Senior Lead for Digital Health
Conrad Pow holds the position of Senior Lead for Digital Health and has the responsibility of overseeing Diabetes Research Connect. This virtual platform plays a crucial role in securely analyzing primary care data. With extensive experience in data governance, privacy-preserving record linkage, and health data research, Conrad is dedicated to advancing health data literacy and promoting evidence-based decision-making in healthcare. As a father of a child with Type 1 Diabetes, Conrad brings a deeply personal perspective to his work, advocating for the importance of data in improving health outcomes for those living with chronic conditions.