NIED welcomes new Board members as it launches new decade

The National Initiative for Eating Disorders (NIED) has spent a decade educating and taking action on behalf of those impacted by Eating Disorders, a highly stigmatized and misunderstood mental illness. As it marks its 10-year milestone and proceeds into the next decade, NIED is proud to welcome new members to its Board of Directors.

New Board Chair
Lorne Bernstein took over the helm as the Board’s new chair on February 17th. He is an active volunteer, having participated with a diverse range of not-for-profit organizations in a variety of roles from committee member to board chair and president. Lorne comes to NIED through lived family experience and understands the challenges posed by society – from the lack of public awareness and support at all levels, to the personal impact on the family and caregivers alike.

“I am honoured and delighted to serve as the Chair of NIED, as we commemorate our 10th year, says Bernstein. “As Chair, I am but one of a dedicated community of passionate volunteers focused on supporting those living with Eating Disorders and those who care for them, while further broadening the public awareness of the personal and societal impact that Eating Disorders have on the community at large.”

New members of NIED’s Board of Directors

Francie Greenspoon
B.A. (Psychology)
DIRECTOR
Francie has over 30 years’ experience in communications and public relations, with her last engagement as the Director of Communications for the Jewish Federation of Ottawa, and prior to that as a Communications Officer with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
Francie comes to NIED through lived experience with a loved one. She is committed to raising awareness and understanding about Eating Disorders and enthusiastically supports NIED in its efforts to improve services and outcomes for all those challenged by Eating Disorders.

Karen Flello
B.A., B.Ed., M.Ed.
DIRECTOR
Karen is a passionate educator who has worked as a high-school teacher, a K – 12 principal, and, most recently, with the B.C. Ministry of Education.
Karen’s dedication to causes connected to mental health and resilience stem from her professional experiences supporting children and youth, but even more importantly from her experience as a support and caregiver for her sister, Michelle Stewart, who lived with her Eating Disorder for more than 30 years before succumbing to organ failure in May 2014.
Karen, along with Michelle’s partner, Kirk Mason, published a book of Michelle’s blog posts, Shell: One Woman’s Final Year After a Lifelong Struggle with Anorexia and Bulimia, the proceeds from which have supported organizations like NIED. Karen remains dedicated to efforts to end the stigma associated with Eating Disorders and to support education and recovery for those with lived experience and their caregivers.

Elissa Matulus Myers
CAE, IOM, MD 
DIRECTOR
Elissa Myers is an innovative and creative association executive, specializing in developing great leadership and clear strategic and tactical direction for associations. She most recently served as Executive Director, and ex-officio member of the Board of Directors, of the Academy for Eating Disorders in the United States, a global professional association committed to leadership in Eating Disorders research, education, treatment, and prevention.  She is passionately committed to bringing to reality the Vision of global access to knowledge, research and best treatment practice for Eating Disorders for everyone, and to the fight to promote the use of empirical evidence in the treatment of Eating Disorders.
With 40+ years’ experience as a professional association executive, Elissa has specific experience in staff and volunteer development and leadership, strategic and tactical planning, membership development and retention, member benefits development and marketing, effective internal and external communications, advocacy and public & media relations. She is frequently called upon as a speaker/lecturer on association management, is the author, editor, and or publisher of numerous articles and publications.
Elissa has spent her career walking the talk on volunteering. Among her exceptional volunteer leadership positions, she has served as a member of the U.S.’s National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Partners Task Force, and as a member of the Joint Commission Task Force on in-patient Eating Disorder treatment.

Morris Robinson
B.COM. CPA.CA.
TREASURER
Morris is a registered life member of The Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario.
A career businessman and previous owner of one of Canada’s largest jewellery manufacturing companies.  He was elected Chairman of The Canadian Jewellery Association after heading up its Government Affairs committee which lobbied for and oversaw the elimination of the federal excise tax on jewellery.  As well he has served as a board member of other associations and was a founding director and the first treasurer of The Diamond Bourse of Canada.
Morris is a devoted husband, father of three sons and grandfather of nine.  He is excited to be given the opportunity to use his professional skill and experience to assist NIED in meeting its worthy objectives.

NIED launches GoFundMe campaign to raise $10,000
To commemorate its 10-year milestone and continue its work raising awareness about Eating Disorders, NIED has set up a GoFundME campaign with the goal of raising $10,000. To donate to NIED’s GoFundMe campaign, please click here.

For further information, please contact:
Lynne Koss
Co-Founder/Vice President
National Initiative for Eating Disorders – NIED
www.nied.ca 
Twitter: @nied_ca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/niedcanada 
416-843-3496