ASL

Leona is an experienced leader in the delivery of strategic high-impact global marketing and communications with extensive global results in both B2B and consumer marketing in the private sector. With over two decades of experience building world-class brands across a wide range of industries and organizational contexts -- including technology, financial services, telecom, manufacturing, retail and consumer packaged goods, she has ensured that marketing objectives drive business results. She has led and played a pivotal role in large-scale transformation projects and strategic marketing campaigns based on consumer insights and data, with a focus on digital, social media, traditional marketing, and analytics, to drive rapid sales growth. 

A strategic thinker, Leona is a strong advocate of building capabilities through people development, trust and collaboration with team members, senior leadership, and agencies, building bridges and navigating across stakeholders of all levels and functions to achieve a common vision of excellence. Leona is passionate about fostering a highly collaborative and diverse culture to achieve challenging, large-scale, and organizational-wide goals.

Leona is responsible for overall brand stewardship, marketing and communications, and fundraising.

Rex Banks, Au.D., has been an audiologist for more than 30 years and has worked at Canadian Hearing Services since 2001 where he is the Director of Hearing Healthcare, Quality and Knowledge Enterprise as well as the organization’s Infection Control Officer. He oversees CHS’ Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology programs, quality and accreditation initiatives, develops knowledge-based products and infection control protocols. 

Rex completed his Au.D. (Doctor of Audiology) degree from A.T. Still University of Health Sciences where he was the recipient of the Professional Leadership Award in Audiology and is now an Adjunct Assistant Professor. He received his M.A. in Audiology from the University of Tennessee and B.A. in Communication Disorders from the University of Mississippi and is also trained in Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT).  Rex has held multiple professional and advocacy roles including being a former President of the Canadian Academy of Audiology (CAA), the Ontario Association of Speech Language Pathologists and Audiologists (OSLA) and the Acoustic Neuroma Association of Canada (ANAC). 

Rex has presented at local, national and international conferences and is often called upon by the media to comment on a range of hearing healthcare issues that affect Canadians.

Michael Dawthorne has over 20 years of experience working with the Deaf, Deafblind, and hard or hearing population and has worked at Canadian Hearing Services since 2004 where he is the Director of Programs and Services Operations. He oversees a multitude of programs ranging from Connect Mental Health Counselling to Settlement and Employment Services. 

Michael completed a cross-disciplinary BA from Western University, a Labour Studies diploma from Mohawk College, a Community Advocacy certificate from Lambton College, and a Grief and Bereavement certificate from Kings College. He is currently the Chair for the Board of Directors for the Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN) as well as Abilities in Motion (AIM). He is also on the Ontario Court Accessibility Committee, the Family Advisory Council for the Child and Parent Resource Institute (CPRI) and is part of the Board of Directors for Children’s Mental Health Ontario. 

Michael has extensive experience working with organizations advocating for mental health resources and accessibility across Ontario. The knowledge he brings to Canadian Hearing Services’ programs supports its goal to breaking down the barriers to participation for Deaf and hard of hearing Canadians. 

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