Executive Team

JDRF Canada is proud of our professional, experienced executive team of leaders passionately committed to our mission, vision and core values.

Dave Prowten CEO “The families that I meet are so inspiring! They battle every day to keep themselves or their loved ones healthy and their passion fuels me. I am honoured to be a part of the JDRF team, championing the cure for type 1 diabetes. Together – we are making incredible things possible.”
Jessica Diniz President “There is something very special and unique at JDRF. Let me let you in on our secret sauce – there are two aspects - our talented team of staff and volunteer leaders have infectious passion and creativity.
It’s also what we are doing. We started with a vision – How do we make the largest impact and give people freedom from diabetes? And now we have a plan to accomplish this. JDRF is at an exciting point in its history.”
Alan Burvill Chief Financial Officer “In 2014, my daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D). She was five years old. It was a scary and life-changing moment for our family.

The desire that no more children or families receive a T1D diagnosis drives me to do my best every day. Bringing my financial experience and knowledge to the table, I work to ensure that when you donate your hard-earned dollars to JDRF, they are spent as efficiently as possible. Our goal is to maximize the amount available for research to find a cure, as well as improving lives today and tomorrow.”
Sarah Linklater Chief Scientific Officer “I am so proud to be part of a change-making organization working at the interface of global, cutting-edge research and the T1D community, for whom we are driving new advances to improve lives and ultimately cure T1D.”
Monica Kocsmaros Chief External Relations Officer “The work that happens each day at JDRF is literally saving lives and it is only made possible by the passion, grit and inspiration that staff, volunteers and the entire type 1 diabetes (T1D) community continually bring to the table. When you can leverage that and combine it with investments in innovative and ground-breaking research, it leaves me without any doubt that we are on a path to curing T1D.”
Christine Sibley Chief Human Resources Officer “Working alongside JDRF’s passionate and dedicated staff and volunteers is awe inspiring. By working together to ensure research is funded and advocacy efforts are undertaken, staff and volunteers work together seamlessly to not only find a cure for type 1 diabetes (T1D) but also help those living with T1D to live healthier, easier and safer lives. I am honoured to be able to be a part of such an outstanding group of people.”
Nicole Robson, Vice President, Philanthropy | Vice-présidente, Philanthropie Nicole Robson Vice President, Philanthropy "JDRF started in Canada in 1974 by parents who came together to raise awareness of type 1 diabetes (T1D) and funds to help find a cure. With unwavering commitment and focus this is now a global organization that has contributed to each major discovery to advance that goal of a world without T1D. 


There is so much power and hope in this story; it demonstrates what is possible when we all work together for a shared goal. 


I am incredibly inspired and honoured to work alongside the type 1 community, supporters and the JDRF team who help make these advancements possible."
Kim Lacombe, Vice President, Development | Vice-présidente, Développement Kim Lacombe Vice President, Development "In 2010, type 1 diabetes (T1D) became personal as my 5-year-old son was diagnosed with T1D. I was already working at JDRF at that time, and from his hospital bed, he made me promise to continue to work at JDRF until a cure is found. I remind myself of this promise every morning and whenever I meet with people in the incredible T1D community. What motivation!
 
Since I joined the JDRF team in 2006, I have been privileged to see how fast T1D research is advancing and its remarkable impact on the community. The passion, engagement and hard work of our volunteers, donors, supporters, and staff members is what makes JDRF an incredible team; a team that can achieve wonders and provide hope for all families living with type 1 diabetes. I am honored to be part of this team."