The CAND’s Board of Directors contribute their time to the promotion of Naturopathic Medicine across Canada.
Executive Committee
Jatish Kaler, ND
Chair
Calgary, AB
Mitchell Zeifman, ND
Vice Chair
Toronto, ON
Valerie Penton, ND
Secretary
Gander, NL
Robyn Stanley, ND
Treasurer
Kamloops, BC
Board Members
Renée Purdy, ND
Moncton, NB
Tara Lantz, ND
Halifax, NS
Ann Grimwood, ND
Vancouver, BC
Garrett Bramall, ND
Vancouver, BC
Afsoun Khalili, ND
Waterdown, ON
Jason Bachewich, ND
Winnipeg, MB
Staff Members
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 2, 2024
Gemma Beierback Appointed Chief Executive Officer of the
Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors
TORONTO, ON – December 2, 2024, The Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND) is pleased to announce the appointment of Gemma Beierback, CAE, as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.
Beierback brings over 15 years of experience in not-for-profit leadership, with a strong background in both association management and healthcare regulation. She is a Certified Association Executive (CAE) with a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and Indigenous cultural safety in healthcare.
Gemma comes to the CAND from the Canadian Chiropractic Examining Board (CCEB), where she served as CEO for nearly seven years. Her accomplishments at the CCEB include leading the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic and overseeing the transition to a new competency-based examination blueprint. She is also a co-author of the peer-reviewed paper, “Development of a new examination for the Canadian Chiropractic Examining Board.”
“Gemma’s enthusiasm, expertise, and strong organizational and communication skills make her the ideal leader to advance the naturopathic profession in Canada,” said Dr. Jatish Kaler, ND, Chair of the CAND Board of Directors. “After a comprehensive search, we have recruited a top-class candidate and I cannot wait for our membership to see the exciting work to come.”
The CAND is the national voice for regulated naturopathic doctors, representing over 3,000 naturopathic doctors (NDs) and naturopathic medical students across Canada. The CAND advocates for the profession at the federal level, champions scientific research, and supports rigorous regulation of all healthcare professionals to ensure public safety. Members are graduates of, or students in, accredited four-year, postgraduate naturopathic medical programs, dedicated to providing Canadians with high-quality, evidence-informed healthcare.
“I am thrilled to join the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors at a time when the fabric of healthcare in Canada is poised to advance and adapt. I am looking forward to connecting with the CAND’s members and advocating on their behalf,” says Gemma Beierback.
Beierback succeeds Shawn O’Reilly, whose dedication and commitment to CAND over the past two decades has been invaluable to the CAND’s membership, and to the state of Canada’s naturopathic profession. The CAND Board of Directors expresses its sincere gratitude for O’Reilly’s service and wishes her the best in her retirement.
About the CAND
The CAND is the national non-profit professional association representing Canada’s naturopathic doctors. Incorporated in 1955, the CAND’s membership consists of over 3,000 Canadian NDs and naturopathic medical students. All are graduates of, or enrolled in, an accredited four-year, postgraduate naturopathic medical program.
Media Contact:
Lauren Kutchaw
lauren.kutchaw@hillandknowlton.com | 613-614-3987
Gemma Beierback
CEO