DIMENSIONS - Key Persons
Andrew is the former National Director of Edgewood Health Network, where he led 10 outpatient centres. Andrew is the former VP of GreeneStone Muskoka Alcohol & Drug Treatment Centre, and has 14 years of experience working directly for the NHL/NHLPA Substance Abuse Program.
Boris Baker - BSc Kin, MSc. Neuroscience, Registered Kinesiologist. Boris obtained his undergraduate degree in Kinesiology from Queen's University, while simultaneously gaining work experience as a personal trainer. Upon graduating Boris completed his masters in neuroscience where he worked with and researched concussions and head impacts in collegiate athletes. Since, Boris has become a registered kinesiologist with the College of Kinesiologists of Ontario. Boris' personal training experience, coupled with his background in neuroscience gives him a unique and flexible skill set which allows him to work with clients who are recovering from or living with physical and/or neurological injuries/impairments, as well as clients that may just be looking to move better and without pain.
Chris was the Founder and CEO of Edgewood Health Network, the largest private network of residential/outpatient treatment providers in Canada. He led the merger and acquisition of Canada's top three treatment centres to form Canada's largest entity of treatment centres and outpatient clinics. Prior to his career in health care, Chris was a Partner at Bain & Company where he consulted with CEOs on driving growth and profitability across a wide variety of sectors. Chris also collaborated with Bain Capital, primarily in a Private Equity context.
Job Titles:
- Director, Information Technology
- Director, IT Infrastructure
A seasoned executive with over 20 years of leadership experience in IT, Finance, and Operations, David has successfully guided organizations across both corporate and not-for-profit sectors. As the founder of Catalyst, an innovation committee that forged partnerships with the University of Waterloo, Google, and Communitech, he has been at the forefront of driving transformative change. His work with large-scale health providers underscores his deep commitment to security, privacy, and technological innovation.
An experienced lawyer, having practiced across a wide array of industries, domestically and internationally. David has comprehensive knowledge of corporate governance, and focusses on advancing and protecting the interests of the organization and achieving business-oriented results. David has been involved in a number of investments in the wellness retreat space, and currently acts as General Counsel for a private equity fund.
Job Titles:
- Registered Massage Therapist
Dawn Marie Simpson has been a registered massage therapist (RMT) since 2009. She has worked in multidisciplinary clinics alongside chiropractors, physiotherapists, naturopaths, and other RMTs. Her experience includes working with individuals diagnosed with terminal illness, and their loved ones since 2018, and massage therapy care for veterans throughout her career. Dawn is trained in Medical Acupuncture to enhance the ways in which she can support her clients' wellness. She enjoys working in holistic settings that use multiple approaches to help the body heal.
Over Don's 30-year journey with plant medicine, he has studied with plant elders who carry the knowledge and sacred practices of their lineages. As a medicine carrier, he holds this knowledge with gratitude and respect, drawing on it to create ritual space during Ceremony.
A registered psychotherapist and integrative mental health provider with over 20 years of experience, Donald leads Retreat programming at Dimensions Algonquin Highlands. His clinical work focuses on healing through somatic and trauma therapies that are evidence-based and supported by neuroscience research. To guide Dimensions guests in the process of preparing and integrating their ceremonial experiences, he integrates relational somatic psychotherapy, sensorimotor psychotherapy, EMDR, Acceptance and commitment therapy, and internal family systems therapy with complementary wellness practices. Over the course of his career, he has worked entirely with people looking to improve their mental health. He has extensive experience in working with PTSD, depression, anxiety, trauma, complex family dynamics, grief, and relationship challenges. Donald was a key member of the clinical team at Helix Healthcare Group, a treatment facility for mental health and addiction. For over two decades Donald has based his own private practice in Toronto. He believes in the importance of reciprocity and worked to remove the barriers of access by providing free mental health services to marginalized individuals at his private practice.
Doug has more than 25 years of experience as a leader in the addiction and mental health space. Doug has also served in financial leadership roles within the commercial/retail real estate space, as well as in the technology start-up space with a company focused on IoT and wireless connectivity.
Dr. D.J. Cook - Translational Stroke Research Program, Cerebrovascular and Skull Base Surgery, Division of Neurosurgery; Dimensions Health Research Collaborative, Queen's University is Chairperson and Head of Neurosurgery at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. Dr. Cook practices cerebrovascular and skull base neurosurgery at Kingston Health Sciences Centre. His research program is focused on brain network dynamics in health, disease and recovery.
Dr. Douglas James Cook D.J. Cook MD, PhD, FRCS(C); Translational Stroke Research Program, Cerebrovascular and Skull Base Surgery, Division of Neurosurgery; Dimensions Health Research Collaborative, Queen's University;
Johnathan is a Physician, Researcher, Psychedelic Therapist, Intuitive Coach, Music Therapist, Reiki Master and Biz Mentor who bases his professional and personal development on Andean-Amazonian medicinal plants.
Dr. Miri Halperin Wernli is a senior pharmaceutical and biomedical executive with over 30 years of strategic and operational leadership with broad expertise in drug and product development in heavily regulated environments. Targeted skills are in Drug Development, Regulatory Affairs, Project + Portfolio Management, Development Finance + Controlling, and Corporate Strategy and Governance. Miri is also a skilled clinician in child and adult psychiatry with work experience in clinical psychiatry in Swiss academic hospital settings. Miri founded Creso Pharma, a cannabis company, and listed the company on the Australian Stock exchange (ASX) in October 2016. She operated as the Group CEO and Executive Board Director from 2016 until August 2020. Dr. Halperin Wernli was appointed Executive President of Mind Medicine (MindMed) Inc. (NASDAQ: MNMD), (NEO: MMED) in August 2020.
Robert is a Forensic Psychiatrist with a diverse practice, primarily within the field of addiction medicine. He works at CAMH, primarily with patients who carry severe and persistent mental health diagnoses. He also performs independent medical assessments and is actively involved in outreach psychiatry.
Emily Wilson is a Registered Psychotherapist and onsite clinical team member at Dimensions, committed to supporting individuals on their healing journeys. Trained in somatic therapy, psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, Internal Family Systems therapy, and Deep Brain Reorienting, Emily takes a compassionate and client-focused approach to guide guests toward their inner resources and potential. With a trauma-informed focus rooted in collaboration and mutual trust, Emily creates a safe and supportive environment for self-discovery and growth.
Gregory holds a bachelor's, a master's and a research doctorate in psychology, as well as a graduate diploma in science. He is the creator of The SuperHero Deep Transformation program in Costa Rica, which works to alter deeply held beliefs while symbiotically balancing the mind, body, spirit and emotions.
Heather is a clinical intake coordinator for Dimensions. Her perspective on therapy has been informed by years of providing mental health support to trauma survivors. She uses techniques and tools from a variety of approaches, including somatic therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy. Heather has completed her Masters in Counselling Psychology.
Job Titles:
- Managing Director
- Human Resource Leader
Joanne is a seasoned Human Resource leader with experience across multiple sectors including, private, public and not-for-profit sectors. She helped build the MaRS Discovery District Innovation hub and more recently worked in a mission driven, high growth e-commerce company. She is passionate about helping organizations, teams and individuals realize their potential. She completed training in coaching and leadership through the Co-Active Training Institute and has had training in relational somatic therapy.
Job Titles:
- President and Co - Owner of Stafford Developments
Jonathan is President and Co-owner of Stafford Developments, a diversified private property development company that carries out land development, construction and property management. Stafford has deployed over $1 billion of equity capital, with current managed assets of over $2 billion on behalf of investors.
Culinary Advisor, James Beard nominated Chef, bestselling author, cannabis culinary pioneer, philanthropist, and mental health survivor- Chef Jordan Wagman. Jordan's unique culinary journey began over campfires in Northern Ontario and progressed to the kitchens of some of the top chefs in the culinary world. At the age of 12, Jordan was diagnosed with Psoriasis, an often-debilitating autoimmune disease. He was hospitalized numerous times and took medication that would have lasting negative side effects Jordan realized at a young age that sunshine was a huge piece to his health puzzle- fast forward to 2014, Jordan found the second piece; a healthy diet. Following one meeting with a naturopath, Jordan removed gluten, dairy and refined sugar from his diet and began consuming cannabis and, almost immediately, his life changed and began living a much healthier existence. Today, Jordan has a renewed focus on food, health and wellness; Jordan travels the globe offering unique culinary experiences, authors books and speaks publicly, advocating for simpler food, made from local, organic ingredients on all his menus and in the everyday treatment of our overall health and wellness.
Josette is a member of Dimensions' psychotherapy team. She is a Registered Social Worker and a psychotherapist with 15+ years of experience. Her diverse background includes working with individuals through family health teams, the Canadian Forces/VAC, and in private practice. She specializes in trauma/PTSD, Operational Stress Injuries, and psychosomatic issues. She utilizes somatic psychotherapy such as mindfulness(MiCBT), Internal Family Systems, Brainspotting, Hypnotherapy, and Deep Brain Reorienting to facilitate holistic healing and personal growth.
Job Titles:
- Certified Thai Yoga Massage Practitioner
Leslie is a certified Thai Yoga Massage Practitioner, inspired by the concept of metta- loving kindness, goodwill and the wish for wellbeing and happiness of others, in which the practice is rooted. She has trained in both Canada and Thailand, which brings a synergy of traditional and modern techniques into her offerings. Her sessions can also incorporate hot herbal compress and dynamic rocking techniques.
Job Titles:
- Sound Healing Practitioner
As an explorer of the human spirit, Marcia has studied with Masters from around the world in various forms of energy work, including Reiki, meditation, soundwork, yoga and Qigong. She is known for the magical way she weaves the many styles into one to create a warm, nourishing, sacred space.
Martin Millen (in English) - or Thunder Man (his Sprit name, and in Ojibwe is Nimkii Inini) - is of the turtle clan and a First Nation Traditional Medicine Man. A band member of the Matachewan First Nation with a lineage of mixed Ojibwe and European ancestry, Martin has spent decades exploring his cultural identity and working with First Nations healing customs and practices as well as complementary and western therapeutic modalities. He has studied post-traumatic stress and the effects of residential schools and intergenerational trauma and oppression on First Nations, through Indigenous Focusing-Oriented Therapy, giving him a deep understanding of complex trauma. Having learned from Elders from Ojibwe, Cree, Lakota, and Blackfoot traditions, he integrates their wisdom into his land-based holistic healing approach.
Job Titles:
- Managing Director, Marketing
Melanie is a marketing and communications strategist with national and international experience positioning luxury hotel assets, developing social enterprises and safeguarding secluded destinations. She comes to Dimensions from her former executive and director roles at Fairmont Hotels, Drake Hotel Properties and the acclaimed Fogo Island Inn.
Melanie is on the preparation and integration team at Dimensions. She is an integrative psychotherapist in private practice from Toronto. Melanie specializes in trauma resolution and healing, using evidence-informed practices intended to shift individuals towards an embodied experience of the mind + body + spirit, through therapeutic support and reconnection to self.
Job Titles:
- Reiki Master Practitioner
is trained in Holy Fire® III / Usui Reiki. She is a valued part of our wellness team with her gentle approach and caring disposition. Patti delivers transformational experiences to our guests through her energy-based healing using gentle touch.
Prior to 2022 Paul served as the longstanding President of a large global real estate platform with assets of over $27 billion. During his tenure there Paul grew the company assets from $800 million in 1996 until his departure. Paul currently sits on the boards of several private companies and family businesses and has a keen interest in mental wellness and helping people.
Pierre Antoine Alexandre is a Massage Practitioner honoring body and spirit through ancestral touch. With over 20 years of experience, he blends Eastern and Western practices with the ancestral wisdom of his Haitian and Taíno heritage. Creator of the transformative Speechless Hour (Taino Thai Massage), he guides guests into deep states of balance, renewal, and embodied peace.
Job Titles:
- Registered Massage Therapist
Tiffany Foster joined Dimensions from her former roles supporting C-Suite executives, their teams, and governance committees at RBC, Deloitte, and the Canadian Tax Foundation. Tiffany is a versatile project manager and people leader with over 10 years of experience working in various operations roles within the finance, hospitality, and not-for-profit sectors. She is a graduate of the University of Guelph and brings a blend of academic prowess, passion, corporate experience, and a heart for service to Dimensions.
Mr. Shannan is on Shopify's board of directors and is the former Chief Operating Officer of Shopify. He spent 12 years leading Shopify's global operations as well as its customer support and service strategy. Prior to joining Shopify, Mr. Shannan held the role of Vice President, Sales and Marketing, at DNA Genotek. where he commercialized Oragene the DNA collection tube that is used in DNA research worldwide. Mr. Shannan is also a board member and trustee at the Santa Fe Institute.
Tom recently retired from KPMG with over 25years of experience as an Audit Partner. Tom served a wide variety of clients, with many in the healthcare industry and broader public sector. He has extensive experience advising Boards and Audit Committees and held various leadership roles within KPMG. A dedicated community leader, Tom has chaired the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery, served as President of the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery and Rotary Club of Kitchener and as Vice Chair of the University of Guelph Board of Governors. A CPA and Fellow of CPA Ontario, he holds a degree from Western University.
Zarak Fatah is a highly trained ICF-certified professional coach. He is originally from Toronto, where, as a former serial entrepreneur, he owned and operated multiple successful hospitality and entertainment businesses. Over the past five years, after establishing The ALIVE Experience, a transformational travel company, he has brought more peace and joy to his life. He now resides in Costa Rica. Zarak's life purpose is to inspire, educate, and empower people to live a fulfilled life, and this is what inspired him to collaborate with Dimensions' growing collection of International Retreats.