Council Members

Dr. Felicia Assenza, ND is a Naturopathic Doctor whose own healthcare experiences led her to a career in naturopathic medicine. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in 2013 at McMaster University, majoring in Biology & Psychology and completed an Honours thesis in behavioural neuroscience, investigating emotional regulation and mood disorders in adolescents. She then went on to earn her Doctor of Naturopathy degree at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto. She completed a clinical internship at the Robert Schad Naturopathic Clinic, which included a pediatric focused shift, a placement in the Queen West Community Health Centre, as well as a global clinical preceptorship in India. Felicia has primarily been practicing in Hamilton since 2017 and works with people at all ages and stages of life. In May 2021, Felicia used her personal and clinical experience with neuromuscular disorders to publish One Month to Neuromuscular Health, a four-week guide to supporting neuromuscular health. Her focus is to help the people she works with live well despite circumstances that may be seen as barriers. She is also an active volunteer with Muscular Dystrophy Canada as well as her community garden club.

Dr. Amy Dobbie, ND has been in practice since 2014. After working in the GTA (Oakville & Milton), she moved her practice to Belleville in 2021 and is enjoying the diverse patient base that a smaller town provides. She is the owner of a multidisciplinary clinic, Rit Fit Therapy, working alongside RMTs, physiotherapists, an athletic therapist, and personal trainers in the adjoining gym. She also has experience working as a professor at Loyalist College.

Dr. Brenda Lessard-Rhead, ND (Inactive) graduated as a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) in 1999 following completion of a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of Western Ontario. She practised in Richmond Hill and Aurora for twenty years and is currently an Inactive Registrant with the College of Naturopaths of Ontario. Brenda is a founding partner of BRB CE Group, a business that has been dedicated to assisting Naturopathic Doctors in meeting their CONO Continuing Education requirements through annual conferences and on-demand learning for over 20 years. Brenda began volunteering with the College of Naturopaths of Ontario in 2019, including sitting on Council for three years and serving as a committee member of various committees.

Dr. Denis Marier, ND has been involved almost continuously in some form of government or association relations processes since his first year at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) (1996 – 2000). He first began as a class representative and joined the Government Relations Committee of the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors (OAND) and was active with that board for several years. He also worked alongside many other dedicated OAND individuals in getting regulation passed and implemented resulting in naturopathic medicine becoming a regulated health profession in Ontario in 2015. Dr. Marier has also had the fortunate experience of teaching and being a clinical supervisor at both CCNM in Toronto and National University of Health Sciences (NUHS) in Chicago, allowing him a great deal of interaction with naturopathic students and interns. He believes those experiences have helped to shape his balance and equanimity around regulation and those that are tasked with the responsibility of safeguarding the public that access naturopathic medicine in Ontario.

Dr. Erin Psota ND completed her naturopathic medical studies at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in 2005 after obtaining her Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Waterloo. Her passion for pediatric medicine led her to the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Arizona to pursue a pediatrics residency. Accredited as a specialty residency by the Council for Naturopathic Medical Education, Erin is the second ever graduate of the program, and the only Canadian ND to have completed a pediatric residency of this kind. Erin maintains a private practice in Bloor West in Toronto, working alongside family physicians and other allied health professionals to provide comprehensive care to her patients. In addition to her private practice, Erin has been clinic faculty member a member at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine since 2013. Here, she has had the opportunity to supervise fourth year interns providing care at various community health centre clinics and currently supervises the pediatric focus shifts. Erin has also been actively involved with the College of Naturopaths of Ontario (and formerly the BDDT-N) in various roles with entry-to-practice exams and as part of the Complaints Committee of the BDDT-N from 2009-2015 and as part of the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee of the College since July 1, 2015.

Dr. Jacob Scheer, ND has been in private practice as a chiropractor since 1979 and as a naturopath since 1987. His academic background includes a Master of Health Sciences—Bioethics (2010) and an Hon. BSc (1975) from the University of Toronto. He has worked at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine as a clinic supervisor, lecturer and teaching assistant. Dr. Scheer, ND is also a frequent speaker at numerous events and conventions, including those of the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors and the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors. As an athletic trainer on various AAA hockey teams, Dr. Scheer, ND has examined and treated numerous sport related injuries. In addition, he is a consultant for the insurance industry, providing independent medical evaluations (chiropractic and naturopathic) for motor vehicle accidents. He has written articles for Integrated Healthcare Practitioners, The Pulse, and chiropractic journals and is the author of Naturopathic Medicine is Viable Therapy in the Prevention and Treatment of H1N1, published in the University of Toronto’s peer-reviewed Health Science Inquiry. He is on the board of Integrated Healthcare Practitioners as a peer reviewer and serves on the College of Naturopaths’ Registration Committee.

Dr. Jordan Sokoloski, ND, has a primary care, family focused practice at Thunder Bay Naturopathic Clinic in Thunder Bay, Ontario. He completed his undergraduate degree in biology at McMaster University in Hamilton and graduated from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto in 2013. Dr. Sokoloski, ND grew up in Thunder Bay and knew he wanted to practise in beautiful Northern Ontario. Dr. Sokoloski, ND regularly participates in speaking engagements for various local organizations and working to foster connections with other health care providers interested in learning more about naturopathy. When he is not busy at the clinic, Dr. Sokoloski, ND enjoys family time with his wife and two boys, being in the outdoors or with a good board game or book.

Dean Catherwood has an Honours Bachelor of Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University and is a CPA, CMA. He had held several senior management positions in wide range of industries over the past 40 years. Currently, Dean has chosen to be a self-employed accountant working with several companies advising managements on financial and taxation issues and providing supports to their accounting teams. Dean was very supportive and involved in his daughter’s extra curriculum activities during her athletic competitions’ years. He volunteered time for various functions to the sporting organizations that she participated in. He is a strong supporter in pursuing an active and balanced lifestyle.

Lisa Fenton’s passion for health and wellness has been a lifelong affinity. Hailing from Calgary, Lisa moved to Toronto to complete a Bachelor’s (Hons) in Physical and Health Education from the University of Toronto. This led to a rewarding 10-year career in the city’s public and private school systems, including teaching elementary students at the Keele Street Public School and high school students at the independent International Baccalaureate all-girls’ school, Branksome Hall. A parent to two children in their twenties, Lisa travels extensively to attend legal conferences around the world with her husband, a criminal lawyer. In her spare time, she enjoys physical activities indoors and out and is an avid cook.

Sarah Griffiths-Savolaine was appointed as a public member to the Council in 2020. She is a regulatory affairs and compliance professional with more than 20 years' experience across Canada and the United States. She currently leads Regulatory Affairs for Canada at a leading energy company. Over the course of her career, Sarah has also held numerous leadership positions for industry associations, government technical panels and community-based businesses and non-profit organizations. Sarah earned a Master of Science in Public Policy from the London School of Economics and received her Bachelor of Honours in Political Studies from Queen’s University.

Paul Philion of Sudbury, Ontario has been appointed as a Public member on the Council in 2021. Paul served the Region of Sudbury in several progressively responsible positions, including Deputy Clerk and Regional Clerk, spanning a nearly 30-year career. He has also served as a Public member of the Consent and Capacity Board of the Province of Ontario, and served as Vice-Chair for the past four years. Paul holds an Honours Bachelor of Commerce from Laurentian University. He is an avid curler and has served on the Bonspiel Committee of the Sudbury Curling Club for over 10 years.

Marija Pajdakovska earned her Honours Bachelor of Science in Statistics from the University of Toronto and pursued her Master’s degree at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, specializing in Biostatistics. Driven by a passion for improving individual and global health outcomes, Marija has leveraged her expertise in data analysis to inform public health initiatives and advance healthcare outcomes. Marija has worked with prominent government agencies, including Public Health Ontario, where she played a vital role in developing predictive models for respiratory disease outcomes. Her work has directly supported public policies and regulations designed to create a safer and healthier Ontario. Currently, Marija is proud to work at SickKids Hospital, Canada’s leading pediatric hospital, where her research focuses on asthma studies and improving young children's pulmonary health. She hopes her efforts pave the way for innovative healthcare solutions and enhancing the quality of life for children across Ontario and beyond. In addition to her professional work, Marija is deeply committed to her community. She actively volunteers and participates in fundraisers for Ontario hospitals, dedicating her time to supporting health initiatives and improving access to care. Marija is honored to contribute her expertise in statistics, public health, and research to the Council and is passionate about fostering healthier communities across Ontario.