About Us

Mission, Vision & Values

Our Team

Annual General Meeting

CADDAC History

Funding

Careers

Our Mission

We improve the lives of Canadians affected by ADHD through awareness, education, and advocacy.

Our Vision

A Canada where people with ADHD are accepted, understood and supported.

Our Values

Empowerment — Equipping people affected by ADHD with the tools and information needed to advocate for themselves to reach their potential is at the heart of all we do.
Inclusion — We strive to create a welcoming, non-judgmental environment where everyone is heard and valued.
Impact — Making a genuine difference in the lives of those affected by ADHD is what drives us.
Leadership — We are committed to leading the national ADHD conversation and improving lives through deep expertise and excellence in all that we do.
Communication — We believe that open, transparent communication is vital to delivering our mission most effectively and creating a positive internal culture.

CADDAC’s Statement on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Following our Mission, Vision and Values, all members of CADDAC’s organization; board of directors; executive director; employees and volunteers, strive to create a welcoming, non-judgmental environment where everyone is heard, valued and free to be who they are.

We strive to prevent discrimination in our services, our groups, and in our workplaces so that everyone feels welcome and at ease. The staff and volunteers of CADDAC are dedicated to promoting an environment of respect and appreciation for all.

From delivering educational programs, support groups or advocating for fairer treatment and equal rights, we aim to include the voices of people from all ethnicities, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, citizenship; gender, sexual orientations, gender identity or expression, genetic disposition, disabilities, neurodiversity, age, physical/mental ability, status as a veteran, marital status, parental status, lifestyle choice and socioeconomic status of all persons or any other protected category under federal, provincial and municipal law . We are committed to creating and maintaining an atmosphere of openness, trust, and safety where all attitudes, beliefs, values, and behaviors can be freely explored and discussed.

Who We Are

Staff

Lisa McCoy

Executive Director

Lisa has worked in the Canadian health charity sector for 30 years. She is a passionate advocate for Canadians needing improved access to treatments, support, information and education. Lisa has extensive experience in fundraising, program delivery, advocacy and building capacity through collaboration and partnerships. As a late-diagnosed woman with ADHD, Lisa understands the importance of early diagnosis and access to treatment. She also knows the impactful contributions people with ADHD can make in school, their community and their chosen field with proper support. Lisa is honoured to join CADDAC and is committed to working together to make a positive impact for all Canadians with ADHD.

Annie Desrochers

Program Manager
Annie is CADDAC’s New Program Manager. She is responsible for the scheduling and running of CADDAC’s Support Groups, Parent, Adult and Youth Programs. Having recently been diagnosed with ADHD herself, as well as being a mother of 4 children all with some degree of ADHD and co-existing disorders, she is well aware of the importance that awareness and psycho-education plays in the treatment of ADHD.

Daryll Hinves

Communications Coordinator
Having joined CADDAC in January 2023, Daryll is dedicated to building CADDAC’s online presence to provide ADHD awareness and advocacy to all. Daryll graduated from Sheridan College with a degree in Journalism, and has spent her post-secondary career working in social media and marketing. Daryll is excited to combine her professional skills with her keen interest in mental health through her work at CADDAC.

Layla Teixeira

ADHD Resource Navigator
Layla is the Resource Navigator at CADDAC. She is committed to supporting individuals and families with ADHD by providing resources and education so they can live their lives without limitations. Layla graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University with a Bachelor of Social Work and will use the knowledge and skills she learned to improve the lives of those struggling with ADHD. She was recently diagnosed with ADHD, and understands the challenges associated with getting a diagnosis and navigating life as an adult with ADHD. Layla is dedicated to using her professional and personal experiences to better the lives of those impacted.

Steve White

Grant Writer

As both a parent of a teen with ADHD and someone diagnosed later in life, Steve brings a deeply personal understanding of the challenges families face in navigating support and resources. His decades of professional and volunteer work are grounded in a commitment to improving outcomes for those with ADHD and supporting the communities around them. Outside of CADDAC, he is heavily involved with several charities, serving on boards of directors and leading fundraising initiatives - particularly in areas focused on food inequality and supporting people experiencing homelessness. He is passionate about driving meaningful change, strengthening community supports, and ensuring families in need feel seen, understood, and supported.

Board of Directors

Audrey Gavin

Chair

Audrey is a British-Canadian with almost 20 years of experience as an HR professional both in the UK and Ontario. Audrey holds both an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a Masters in Human Resource Management; she specializes in Learning & Development and Talent Management. 'Accidentally' diagnosed with dyslexia and dyspraxia as an undergrad research study participant, Audrey was reassessed and diagnosed with ADHD and LDs (interestingly not dyslexia!) 20 years later...along with her 8-year-old son. As a person who has been diagnosed in mid-life and parent to a child with ADHD, Audrey is passionate about creating a community of support, educating the world on ADHD and dispelling myths, particularly in the workplace and in the education system.

Robin Storfer

Vice Chair

Robin is a mom to two boys with ADHD. She is also a certified ADHD Coach, with a master’s degree in social work and an honors degree in sociology. Robin’s career focus has always been to help people. Robin’s passion for working with families impacted by ADHD was born when her son was diagnosed at a young age. Robin felt overwhelmed and began to learn as much as she could about ADHD, coexisting difficulties, and executive function issues. In 2011, Robin opened a private practice dedicated to coaching, consulting, skill building, and supporting those impacted by ADHD to build confidence and manage ADHD successfully. Robin understands the importance of creating a circle of support for not only the child affected, but for the family as well. Robin is passionate about educating and advocating for the ADHD community. As such, Robin has delivered workshops in educational settings to help teachers better understand and support neurodiverse learners and volunteers her time on the Boards of CADDAC and CADDRA in Canada. Robin is committed to bringing knowledge and understanding to those supporting the ADHD community.

Erin Wong

Secretary

Erin lives in East Toronto and is a mom of two teenage kids. Both kids are neurodivergent and have executive function challenges. Although her kids aren’t overly keen to learn how to improve their executive functioning, professionally, she works as a certified Executive Function Coach, supporting women who do. She is the Founder and Coach of Thriving Minds at Work and specializes in supporting mid-life professional women with a new or suspected diagnosis of ADHD, anxiety, or depression.

Supporting her role on the board of directors at CADDAC, she brings 20+ years of corporate experience, the last 5 as an executive in tech companies. She served for 5+ years as a board member to a local non-profit, including in an executive capacity. She is currently a member of the Parent Advisory Council for the Province of Ontario Neurodevelopment Network.

Through her work and lived experience, Erin feels very aligned with CADDAC’s vision of having A Canada where people with ADHD are accepted, understood, and supported. In particular, she has an interest in supporting adults with ADHD, especially those with a later-in-life diagnosis, to help them find strategies to work with their brains rather than against them.

Laura Sharp

Treasurer

Laura is a mom to a daughter who faces many challenges in school but was only diagnosed with ADHD after her parents engaged support from outside the school system. As a mom who continues to advocate for her daughter, who is both a child with ADHD and a brain cancer survivor, Laura is excited to work with CADDAC in its mission to empower people affected by ADHD. Laura has an affinity for parents facing challenges with understanding the resources available to them and learning how to advocate for their children.

Laura's career is in technology leadership with the last half of her career focused on strategy and innovation in banking. Laura is also an avid and energetic volunteer, primarily volunteering for causes supporting children which include: working in Nigeria to develop technology solutions for the State School Board; being a Board member and treasurer of a children's program not-for-profit; and acting as a Board member for a not-for-profit supporting charitable children's camps.

Paola González

Board Member

Paola Gonzalez is a nonprofit leader committed to mental health, equity, and community support. She understands firsthand the need for greater awareness, compassion, and access to care. In her role on CADDAC’s Board, Paola brings both lived experience and professional expertise to advocate for meaningful change. She currently serves as National Director of Philanthropy at Substance, where she leads national initiatives supporting youth mental health and substance-use prevention.

Karen MacMillan

Board Member
Karen has a PhD in Counselling Psychology and has been a Registered Psychologist in Alberta since 2003. She has been a sessional instructor at Mount Royal University, Athabasca University, and the University of Calgary. She is currently the Co-Executive Director of Foothills Academy Society, which provides a Designated Special Education School in Calgary, as well as a large Community Services which provides a wide range of direct services for individuals with LD and ADHD (such as psycho-educational assessments, recreational programming, counselling, and one-to-one remedial instruction), as well as educating families and relevant professionals. Karen has two daughters, one of whom has been diagnosed with ADHD.

Lisa Paluzzi

Board Member
Lisa is an educator with over twenty years experience in both the elementary and secondary panels holding a Master of Education and specialists in English and Special Education. In her current role as an Academic Resource Teacher, Lisa supports, coaches, and advocates for students with diverse learning needs which has been fundamental in navigating the system after her own son was diagnosed with ADHD. Lisa regularly participates in professional development with a focus on ADHD, learning disabilities and executive function, bringing extensive knowledge to her advocacy work.

Irfan Ahmed

Board Member

In the fast-paced world of finance, mental health challenges often go unrecognized. As a seasoned Risk and Compliance professional, Irfan has seen firsthand how workplace stress and neurodiversity struggles are often overlooked. This drives his passion for advocacy, breaking stigmas, and fostering supportive workplaces. Through his work with CADDAC, he helps raise awareness about ADHD and connects professionals with vital resources, ensuring that mental health is not just acknowledged but actively supported.

Annual Reports

Annual Report 2024

Annual Report 2023

Annual Report 2022

Annual Report 2021

Annual Report 2020

Annual Report 2019

Financials

Strategic Plan

Strategic Plan 2021-2025

CADDAC History

How CADDAC Came to Be

By Heidi Bernhardt Founder of CADDAC

Struggling with ADHD

In 1992 my oldest son was finally diagnosed with ADHD at the age of fourteen. I say finally because it took five professionals over three and a half years and a great deal of persistence on my part to figure out what the issue was. The delay resulted in unnecessary confusion, frustration and fear as well as unjust labelling and consequences for our children, and a great deal of unnecessary upheaval and heartache for the entire family.

Over those three and a half years I received so much conflicting information from “experts” my head was spinning. One said he had ADHD, the next one said he did not. Most jumped to the conclusion that it was our fault as parents because he was not acting out at school, instead expressing his frustration at home. I was even told by a physician at a prominent ADHD hospital clinic, that our son could not have ADHD because he was a proficient reader. It was also suggested that I was just an over-involved mother and outright told by family that I was not strict enough and just needed to apply the belt more.

You see the difficulty was that my son was not failing at school. He was getting good grades, yet his frustration and anger were growing day by day. It took a full psychoeducational assessment to discover that his giftedness was compensating for his ADHD while his ADHD obscured his giftedness so educators were unaware of both. As explained by his psychologist, our unique child was perceptive enough to know that unleashing his frustration at school had huge costs, but just like a volcano, the pressure had to be let off somewhere, so home seemed the safer alternative.

Having worked as an RN in psychiatry I immediately started reading everything I could get my hands on once we had a confirmed diagnosis. At the time most material on ADHD was meant for medical professionals. Luckily my medical background in psychiatry allowed me to understand these books but they left me feeling depressed and without much hope. It started me wondering what other parents did. I turned to public health and any other health resource agencies that might have resources or supports but soon became frustrated as I found little help. I kept reading and searching for information but found little.

Finding Support

ADHD World Congress April 23rd 2017 in BC. CADDAC ran a full day workshop for them entitled ADHD World Congress Family Day and had a booth.

Three months later my mom called to tell me that she had seen a brief mention in our local paper about a meeting for parents of children with ADHD at our local hospital. I attended what I found out was their very first meeting, met the four mom’s who had organized the meeting and immediately asked how I could help. I had found out the hard way that there was nothing else out there to help parents going through this rough journey. But I knew how helpful these groups could be from my experience starting a local new mothers mental well being after my second child was born. Over the next decade this group gave me the support and understanding I needed and led me to a life long purpose and passion.

Over the next two years my other two sons were also diagnosed with ADHD and giftedness but one with some learning disabilities and one with anxiety. It also became very obvious that their father, my husband, had ADHD too. The next struggle became the schools. My youngest needed support which was not very forthcoming and my middle son was being very badly bullied. It was again reinforced that mostly only those with familial experience seemed to understand. It took almost two years and a teacher with her own son with ADHD to finally alleviate some of the bullying. The school was never able to effectively deal with it. It became clear over the next few years that most educators did not understand my kids, nor did the education system as a whole. I discovered that in Ontario the Ministry of Education did not recognize ADHD as a risk to learning, so little additional support was available.

We also spent the next decade trying everything suggested by medical “experts”, medication, diets, neurofeedback, and specialized behaviour management. General parenting classes just made things worse. Medication and specialized behaviour management helped but after years with no diagnoses it took time. I was very fortunate that my circumstances allowed me to jointly and then individually run that local ADHD parent support group, the ADRN, Attention Deficit Resource Network, for the first eleven years after we received our diagnoses. The ADRN was one of two groups in Southern Ontario specifically geared to supporting parents of children with ADHD, the other being CHADD Toronto. A few other support groups were scattered across Canada, but very little networking was occurring.

Growth of the ADHD Parent Support Group

Lieutenant Governor of Ontario’s Reception for CADDAC in 2008

Along with monthly support meetings, in 2001 the ADRN started to run larger evening educational sessions for parents in partnership with Dr. Atilla Turgay and the Scarborough Hospital ADHD Clinic in Ontario. We even organized the first full day educational workshop for educators on ADHD in Ontario. The ADRN became a source of support for families impacted by ADHD as well as a valuable source of ADHD education.

Then in 2003 CHADD who had become ADD Ontario (ADDO) and a charity came to speak with me. They were disbanding leaving the ADRN the only support group in Ontario. They asked if I would take their place and be the voice of parents at an Ontario teleconference on ADHD. During this conference I felt personally challenged when asked why no national ADHD organization existed in Canada. At that time there was no group nationally expressing the voice of individuals and families affected by ADHD, networking small support groups, doing ADHD awareness work or advocating to governments for ADHD resources.

Rising to the Challenge

By then I had realized I was not someone inclined to accept the status quo so what came next just seemed the next logical step. I arranged to meet with a small group of like-minded individuals to begin the process of developing a national ADHD organization. CADDAC, the Centre for ADHD Advocacy Canada was formed. We eventually changed the name to The Centre for ADHD Awareness Canada.

2008, CADDAC’s first Comedy Night fundraiser featuring Rick Green and his colleagues.

During the next two years I was fortunate to first become Dr. Umesh Jain’s research co-ordinator and then the Executive Director of CADDRA, the Canadian ADHD Resource Alliance, which at that time was an independent, not-for-profit organization of expert ADHD physicians. Their support in my working life allowed me to continue my volunteer work building CADDAC. The experience gave me access to leading ADHD clinicians and researchers in Canada and internationally along with exposure to the latest ADHD research. An opportunity for which I will always be grateful.

CADDAC Timeline

The first web site was developed in 2005 soon after we organized CADDAC.
By the fall of 2006 CADDAC was incorporated as a national not-for-profit organization.
In 2009 CADDAC’s first national conference occurred which turned into an annual event.
A new extensive web site was started in 2009.
The “2010 Provincial Report Card: ADHD in the School System” was published followed by the first two CADDAC policy papers. These were sent to media and provincial governments. Meetings with provincial ministries began.
CADDAC started Canada’s ADHD Awareness week in 2011.
In 2013 we developed another web site focusing exclusively on ADHD Awareness and advocacy.
In 2014 ADHD Awareness Month began, allowing for more media coverage and events.
In January 2020 CADDAC became a registered charity

Funding Policy

CADDAC only accepts funding for projects that we propose, or that are proposed to us that we deem to be of benefit to our patient population such as families and individuals with ADHD. All funds we receive are used for awareness, education and advocacy efforts or to directly support individuals with ADHD. We also do not accept any funds for the advertising or promotion of treatments or products being sold for ADHD.

Funding Sources

CADDAC’s activities – which are primarily focused on education, awareness and advocacy as well as supporting families and individuals with ADHD – are funded in a variety of ways. Funding is obtained through corporate donations and grants, individuals donations, program fees, and grants from federal and provincial governments. CADDAC would like to acknowledge the generous support of, Janssen, Takeda Canada, Elvium Life Sciences, the Zorzi Family, SickKids, Pottruff Foundation.

Careers

Thanks for your interest in working at CADDAC!

Current job openings:

Board of Directors

About the Role
CADDAC is seeking a passionate and experienced individual to join our Board of Directors with proven expertise in fundraising and development. This individual will play a vital role in helping to diversify and grow our funding streams to ensure long-term sustainability and increased program reach across Canada. As a fundraising expert on the Board, you will contribute strategic insight, provide leadership on development initiatives, and support relationship-building with donors, partners, and stakeholders.

This is a volunteer position that offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the success of our organization while making a meaningful impact on the ADHD community. As a Board Member, you will play a vital role in the overall governance of the organization, including strategic planning, fundraising, and advocacy.

For a full description of the role and details regarding how to apply, please click here.