Staff and Governance

Brandy is dedicated to giving back and making an impact in people’s lives and has always been excited about learning and education. Brandy earned a Bachelor of Psychology with Honours from Carleton University and then her Bachelor of Education from Queen’s University. After teaching abroad in Taiwan for 12 years, where she served as head teacher for a large private school, Brandy returned to Canada and turned her sights on working in the non-profit sector. For the past three years, Brandy has served as the Developmental Program Manager for a rural non-profit where she honed her skills in grant writing, community outreach and curriculum development. Brandy is excited to join Epilepsy South Eastern Ontario as their new Executive Director.

Shannan has several years of experience working with individuals and families affected by Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders. She has served in administrative roles within the mental health sector and developmental services. Shannan is fervent in providing a person-centred approach while ensuring that people have access to resources and holistic support to manage their daily lives. Her work involves providing information, education, advocacy, and timely support to address the needs of people living with epilepsy across all ages. She is passionate about raising awareness of epilepsy and seizure disorders in the community to reduce stigma and create a more inclusive society. Shannan also facilitates epilepsy education, training, and support groups for clients/caregivers to enhance seizure management and empower clients to live well with epilepsy.

Nicola Hughes, Ph.D. (Biochemistry), is a dedicated bioanalytical laboratory leader whose 30-year career in clinical research was marked by collaboration, innovation, and a deep commitment to quality. For two decades in senior management, she guided multidisciplinary teams, managed operational budgets, and ensured compliance with global regulatory standards, while fostering environments where people could thrive. Nicola held senior leadership roles at Biopharma Services, LifeLabs, Cetero Research, and Biovail, where she championed technology integration, R&D, and strategic growth. A respected scientist, she has shared her expertise through peer-reviewed publications and international presentations. After retiring in 2024, Nicola’s focus turned to epilepsy advocacy: inspired by her son living with epilepsy since his early 20s, she joined the ESEO board to help strengthen support, awareness, and resources for families and individuals. She remains devoted to mentoring, community wellbeing and advancing science with heart.

Hi my name is Dan McKeown and I am proud to be a member of the Board of Directors for Epilepsy South Eastern Ontario, currently serving my 2nd term as Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors.

My connection with epilepsy is a life long one. My dad had epilepsy and unfortunately passed away from SUDEP in 2022.

I was diagnosed with epilepsy myself just before my 13th birthday.

My goal through joining the board of directors is to be able to provide learning opportunities my wife, children and others in the community to bring Epilepsy “Out of the Shadows”

Steve joined the ESEO Board of Directors in May 2022. In December 2024 Steve was elected to an Executive Board position as Treasurer. Supplementary to his board functions Steve has been the Chair for the Annual Fire Truck Pull Committee, the organizations largest annual fundraiser, in 2023 & 2024.

Steve is a 37-year veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces and is currently employed within public service of Canada. His experience both in and out of uniform have provided him with a sound knowledge base and technical expertise that augment his functions as a member of the board of directors in support of the organization. Past experiences in the not-for-profit space includes being a board member and chair within child and youth sports not-for profit organizations.

Steve’s is drawn to volunteer his time with ESEO as a way of further educating himself, supporting those who live with or are care givers of those living with epilepsy. Steve’s wife and daughter have been diagnosed with epilepsy and experience the many challenges epilepsy presents to everyday functions.

Steve hopes to be a key contributor to ESEO and all those it supports, coupled with community partners with an aim of ensuring the ongoing success and longevity of the organization for years to come.

Maria joined the ESEO Board of Directors in August 2025 and was elected as Secretary of the Board in December 2025. Maria was involved in various groups with Epilepsy such as the Parent Group and Art Groups, but decided that it was time to give more time and energy to ESEO.

Maria retired from the Alma Mater Society of Queen’s University in 2021 as an administrative assistant and worked in various roles. Previous to that she worked as an ESL (English As A Second Language) Instructor for adults in various organizations, including KEYS Employment and Immigration Centre, Limestone and Algonquin District School Board and Kingston Literacy and Skills. Maria has gained valuable administrative and management skills, in addition to skills required to work with communities and facilitate groups.

Maria’s desire to volunteer with ESEO comes as a result of the death of her son, Brendan in 2017 who died of Sudden Unexpected Death from Epilepsy (SUDEP). She feels that there is not enough education and awareness surrounding SUDEP and hopes that by being a part of the Board, more knowledge can be raised. In addition, she is interested in helping to reduce the amount of Stigma that still surrounds Epilepsy and to help those who have Epilepsy and their families to feel that they are not alone, to promote wellness, Self Care and Education.

I have been involved with Epilepsy South Eastern Ontario, on and off, since 1990. I have served as both a volunteer and Board Director over the years and have witnessed many positive changes as the organization has grown and evolved. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue supporting ESEO, as I am deeply passionate about its mission and have a personal connection to the epilepsy community. I strongly believe in the importance of public education and awareness around epilepsy and seizure disorders to promote understanding, inclusion, and acceptance, while working to eliminate stigma and misconceptions.

Anne Alkenbrack has been a board member of Epilepsy South Eastern Ontario (ESEO) for over four years. She lives in the Napanee area and is an educator with the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board. Anne’s involvement with ESEO is both personal and meaningful. Her family’s epilepsy journey began over 16 years ago when her daughter was diagnosed with epilepsy, and ESEO has been a vital source of support, education, and connection for their family ever since.

During her time on the board, Anne served on the executive as Vice-Chair, contributing to leadership and governance. While she has recently returned to full-time teaching, she remains committed to ESEO as a board member and volunteers at events whenever possible. Anne’s husband Kevin and two grown children also enjoy volunteering, reflecting the family’s gratitude for the ongoing support ESEO provides to the community.

Melissa Meisner is a Registered Nurse with over 20 years of experience in neurosciences. Most recently, she runs our local Epilepsy Monitoring Unit, providing expert clinical leadership and coordinated, patient-centred care for individuals with complex seizure disorders.

Melissa is deeply committed to advocating for people living with epilepsy and supporting their families through education, guidance, and compassionate care. She is passionate about raising awareness and improving understanding of epilepsy by sharing knowledge broadly with patients, families, colleagues, and the community at large.

Sarah is a Program Operational Director, Patient Care at Kingston Health Sciences Centre and has been a member of the Board of Directors at Epilepsy South Eastern Ontario since January 2023. She is a Registered Nurse with over two decades of clinical and leadership experience, having practiced in nursing since 1999 and in formal leadership roles since 2015. Her professional background is rooted in Neurosciences, where she has supported patients and families navigating complex neurological conditions.

Sarah’s connection to epilepsy is both professional and deeply personal. In 2021, she lost her nephew Brad to Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), an experience that strengthened her commitment to advocacy, awareness, and improved supports for individuals and families affected by epilepsy.

Sarah brings a balanced perspective to the Board, combining healthcare system leadership with lived experience. She is passionate about ensuring Epilepsy South Eastern Ontario provides meaningful resources, education, and community-based supports.

Tyler Hands is an experienced health care leader recognized for advancing strategic initiatives, strengthening organizational performance, and fostering collaborative partnerships across complex hospital environments. With a career grounded in patient-centered system design, Tyler has led large-scale operational planning, workforce optimization, and quality improvement initiatives spanning Emergency Services, Medicine, and Mental Health & Addictions programs. He brings a pragmatic and forward-thinking approach to governance, emphasizing data-informed decision-making, innovation in care delivery, and measurable outcomes. Tyler is thrilled to be a part of the ESEO’s Board.