Governance and Leadership
The structure and mandate of the Society are defined by the By-laws under which it is incorporated, any special purposes legislation governing its mandate, the letters patent, and the governance policies and procedures enacted under the authority of the By-laws.
Emily McIntosh
CFAS Executive Director
As an energetic leader who works to build resilient and diverse teams, Emily McIntosh is driven by a passion to make communities and families stronger. Emily has worked extensively in the non-for-profit sector working with various government Ministries, the private-sector and educational institutions throughout her career.
Emily has a unique professional background that draws from international development experience in Central Asia and Tanzania, as well as more localized community development in her previous role as Executive Director of CONTACT Community Services, a multifaceted regional social service agency. Emily also held the inaugural position of Sustainability Manager at the 2015 Canada Winter Games, one of Canada’s largest sporting events, executing the pan-event portfolio in line with International and Canadian standards, securing the ‘Sustainability Event of the Year Award’ at the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance Prestige Awards.
Her breadth of professional experience has laid a strong foundation for successful execution of governance best practices, government relations, fund development, as well extensive and diverse stakeholder engagement. Emily holds a deep appreciation for professional development and continuous learning as it relates to the rapidly changing field of Assisted Reproductive Technology. A generalist by education, Emily is seasoned in bringing together various stakeholders to support a shared mission. Emily holds a Master of Arts in Sociology from the University of Calgary and an undergraduate degree from Queen's University in Development Studies and Sociology.
The 2026-2027 Board of Directors
The CFAS Board of Directors is a group of committed and enthusiastic volunteers who strive for the continuous improvement of our Society. Board Members govern the Society and oversee the Society’s work, meetings, and events, in keeping with the Society’s Mission, Vision and Values.
Dr. Mohamed Bedaiwy, MD, PhD, FACOG, FRCSC
President
Dr. Mohamed Bedaiwy is currently Professor and Division Head of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Faculty of Medicine, the University of British Columbia.
Dr Bedaiwy is double board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. He is also a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
Dr Bedaiwy authored over 375 peer reviewed papers, abstracts, book chapters and videos. Dr Bedaiwy’s H index is 46 and his research was cited more than 9000 times.
Dr. Bedaiwy’s research is focused on advancing basic and clinical knowledge about endometriosis, Recurrent Pregnancy Loss, Uterine Disorders, minimally invasive surgery and fertility preservation. Dr Bedaiwy has served as Chairperson of Postgraduate courses at ASRM, WCE and the AAGL that deal with different aspects of reproductive surgery, endometriosis, and infertility enhancing procedures. Dr Bedaiwy supervised and trained more than 60 medical students, residents, clinical fellows, research fellows, Master and PhD students in the USA and Canada. Dr. Bedaiwy has been the recipient of many international awards for surgical and research excellence from different societies.
Dr. Karen Buzaglo, MD, FRCSC, GREI
Vice-President
Dr. Buzaglo graduated from McGill University’s faculty of Medicine and pursued her residency at McGill in Obstetrics & Gynecology. She became a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in 2011, then completed a fellowship in Gynecologic Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (GREI) at l’Université de Montréal with Royal College certification in 2013. She completed a certification by the European Society of Aesthetic Gyneolocgy in 2018.
Dr. Buzaglo is actively involved in medical research, and has presented her work nationally at the Society for Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada (SOGC) and the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society (CFAS), and internationally at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE), the Journées des Techniques Avancées (JTA) as well as the International Society for Fertility Preservation (ISFP). She is immediate past chair of the Fertility Preservation special interest group of CFAS and outgoing vice-president of Fertile Future, a non-profit organization that offers financial assistance for fertility preservation for cancer patients.
Dr. Buzaglo’s main areas of expertise include egg freezing and in vitro fertilization (IVF). She also has a special interest in menopause and sexual wellness.
Dr. Buzaglo promotes active optimization of one’s reproductive, sexual and post-menopausal health providing the most advanced technologies in these areas. She is passionate about empowering women to take charge of their own health throughout each stage of their lives.
Danielle Dubois, BScN, BA, RN, MHS
Treasurer
Danielle Dubois is a seasoned healthcare leader and Registered Nurse with nearly two decades of focused experience in reproductive medicine. She holds a Bachelor of Nursing Science from Queen’s University, a Master of Health Studies from Athabasca University, and a postgraduate certificate in Business Administration from York University—an academic foundation that blends clinical insight with strategic and operational leadership.
Since 2011, Danielle has served in progressive leadership roles at the Ottawa Fertility Centre and currently holds the position of Director of Business Operations. In this role, she leads a broad portfolio that includes strategic planning, program implementation, quality and risk management, stakeholder engagement, and oversight of all core operational departments—Clinical and Administrative Services, Information Technology, Human Resources, Facilities, and Finance. She also manages regulatory compliance with Health Canada, MOHLTC programs, and CFAS standards, including oversight of the Ontario Fertility Program.
Prior to joining OFC, Danielle worked at the Regional Fertility and Women’s Endocrinology Clinic in Edmonton, where she played a key role in launching the IVF program and developing clinical education tools. Her career has been marked by innovation and patient-centered leadership, including EMR integration, redesign of clinical processes, and the expansion of nursing models to enhance care delivery.
Danielle has been an engaged member of the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society (CFAS) since 2006. She served a three-year term as Chair of the Nursing Special Interest Group (NSIG) and is currently Co-Chair of the Leadership & Management SIG (LMSIG) and a member of the NSIG Executive Committee. Her national contributions include participation in scientific committees, expert panels, and research collaborations, including the being a scientific committee member on the CFAS-ASRM Nursing Competency Framework development team.
Dr. Jason Au, MSc, PhD
Jason Au holds a Master of Science in Clinical Embryology from the University of Leeds and a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Chemistry from the University of British Columbia. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Reproductive Clinical Science at Eastern Virginia Medical School. Jason is a CFAS-certified Embryology Laboratory Director and currently serves as the Regional Laboratory Director at the Pacific Centre for Reproductive Medicine, overseeing operations across Western Canada. Jason has over 15 years of experience in the IVF field, bringing a deep understanding of both clinical practice and laboratory science. He has served on the CFAS Board of Directors for the past three years, contributing to strategic initiatives, governance, and the advancement of professional standards in assisted reproduction. In addition, he has held executive roles within the ART Lab Special Interest Group (SIG) for over six years, including Treasurer, Vice Chair, and Chair. His leadership has supported scientific programming, educational initiatives, and the development of the ART Professional Certification Program. Jason brings to the Society a deep understanding of the challenges faced by ART laboratory scientists. He is committed to promoting clear communication, high-quality professional development, and fostering a culture of collaboration and mentorship. He is especially passionate about engaging the next generation of professionals and encouraging more ART scientists and clinicians to contribute meaningfully to the Society, ensuring their voices are both respected and heard.
Dr. Svetlana Madjunkova, MD, Ph.D
Svetlana Madjunkova holds an MD degree with honors and MSc and PhD in reproductive genetics with focus on pregnancy loss and, invasive and non-invasive prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities, inherited disorders and blood group incompatibilities. She completed a research postdoctoral fellowship with the Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto working on cell-free and cell-based non-invasive prenatal testing and a joint clinical and research training in reproductive toxicology with the Division for Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology at SickKids Hospital in Toronto.
Dr Madjunkova is Director of Reproductive Genetics at CReATe Fertility Centre, Toronto, Canada. Her laboratory is uniquely positioned to provide advanced clinical preimplantation genetic testing, fertility related genetic testing for couples, and to translate research and implementing new genomic technologies into clinical tests. Dr Madjunkova and her team for the first time developed a test to diagnose balanced chromosomal rearrangements in embryos (PGT-SR test for couples with balanced rearrangements, NEJM 2020). The test is already in clinical use helping couples to build healthy families. She is leading a research team in many projects on improving embryo selection, preimplantation testing and further research in reproductive failure and improving outcomes in ARTs. Her main interest is in the development of novel clinically applicable technologies for non-invasive and comprehensive multi-omic assessment of embryos and fetuses. In addition she is working on assessment of the parental genetic and epigenetic contribution to developing embryo, fetus and offspring. Dr Madjunkova is leading collaborative efforts to study the effects of mosaicism on early embryo development and short and long term consequences on child development.
She has published over 40 peer reviewed papers and presented her work at over 100 National and International professional and scientific meetings. She is recipient of many awards and fellowships and is regularly invited as speaker/session chair to conferences and lecturer to undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate courses. Dr. Madjunkova is a reviewer and guest editor for a list of journals in the field, and an active collaborator on FP7 EU project, International Breakpoint Mapping Consortium-Denmark and grants funded by CIHR. She has a network of international collaborators in many fertility centers, bioinformatics groups and industry partners supporting initiatives that aim to advance the field of human reproduction.
Dr Madjunkova is co-directing the Reproductive Genetics course for the master studies program in Clinical Embryology with the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at University of Toronto, and is actively involved in reproductive genetics training for Genetic counselling students from MSc program at University of Toronto. She is actively supporting and supervising graduate and postgraduate students and fellows.
Nicole Lee RN, BScN
Nicole Lee is the Nurse Manager at Hannam Fertility Centre, and previously managed the CCRM Toronto Surgery Centre. She obtained her BScN from York University in 2010 and started her career in family practice. Nicole’s introduction to fertility began at Procrea Fertility Centre as a Nurse Coordinator in 2011.
Nicole has worked in other areas of nursing - travel medicine, cosmetic surgery, and oral surgery but made her way back to fertility when she joined Hannam Fertility Centre/CCRM Toronto in 2014. She has a passion for learning and quality improvement initiatives for patient care.
Nicole looks forward to contributing to the CFAS Nursing SIG by being part of initiating opportunities that strengthen ART Nursing Practice.
Dr. Katherine Péloquin, PhD
Katherine Péloquin, PhD, is a clinical psychologist, Full Professor in the Department of Psychology at the Université de Montréal, and a nationally recognized researcher whose work focuses on the psychosocial dimensions of infertility and medically assisted reproduction. Her research explores how mental health, couple relationships, and sexual well-being shape the experiences of individuals and couples navigating fertility treatment, with the goal of improving patient care and informing clinical practice.
Dr. Péloquin leads a multidisciplinary research program supported by provincial and federal funding that brings together psychologists, physicians, nurses, embryologists, social workers, and patient partners to address some of the most pressing psychosocial challenges in fertility care. Through close collaborations with fertility clinics across Canada, her team develops and evaluates evidence-based interventions that support patients, strengthen healthcare teams, and facilitate the translation of research into everyday practice.
Committed to advancing fertility care beyond research, Dr. Péloquin serves as Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of Centre ESPER, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving access to psychosocial services for individuals and families navigating infertility and assisted reproduction. She also co-organized the 2024 and 2026 Summer Institute on Infertility and Assisted Reproduction, an interdisciplinary initiative designed to foster collaboration, mentorship, and knowledge exchange among clinicians, researchers, trainees, and community partners.
Dr. Péloquin previously served as President of the Canadian Sex Research Forum, where she helped strengthen governance, expand partnerships, and promote bilingualism and inclusion. Passionate about collaboration, she is dedicated to building bridges between research, clinical practice, and community organizations to advance compassionate, equitable, and evidence-informed fertility care for all Canadians.
Dr. Anja Stojsin Carter, BScH MSc PhD CFAS Certified Lab Director
I have worked in the field of Assisted Reproductive Technologies for the past fifteen years in Canada, Europe, and South America, both academically as a Special Graduate Faculty at the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Guelph, and clinically as a Lab Director and Senior Clinical Embryologist. I have completed a Bachelor of Science Degree at the University of Guelph Canada, and then obtained a Master's degree in BioMedicine at Lund University in Sweden. I returned to Canada and completed a Doctorate degree at the Department of Reproductive Biology and Development at the University of Guelph (thesis topic: Anti-Mullerian Hormone as a Marker of Oocyte Quantity and Developmental Potential). I have furthered my clinical embryology training at the Ovumia Clinic in Tampere, Finland, IVI Clinic in Valencia, Spain, Origio Headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark, Extend Fertility in New York, USA and at the Clinique OVO in Montreal, Canada. My academic background has provided me with a strong scientific foundation, while my clinical experience has given me an extensive understanding of patient concerns and treatment, as well as lab management. My guiding philosophy is to foster a collaborative, inclusive, patient-centered environment, incorporating state-of-the-art reproductive research and technologies. I strive to build strong professional relationships among team members, patients, and the wider scientific community.
Dr. Rhonda Zwingerman, MD MSc FRCSC GREI
Dr. Rhonda Zwingerman completed medical school at Queen’s University, residency in OB/GYN at the University of Alberta, and her Masters of Health Services Research and GREI Fellowship at the University of Toronto. She is the co-founder and Chief Medical Offi cer of Twig Fertility, with IVF centres in Toronto and Vancouver. She is deeply engaged in shaping how fertility care evolves across Canada. Since launching Twig in 2021, she has focused on building a model that combines clinical excellence, an exceptional patient experience, and meaningful innovations in fertility care. An avid supporter of the performing arts, she served eight years on the board of The Musical Stage Company, Canada's leading and largest non-profit dedicated to musical theatre.
Dr. Justin Tan, MD MPH FRCSC
Dr. Justin Tan is a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist at CReATe Fertility Centre with multidisciplinary training in engineering, public health, and reproductive endocrinology. He earned his engineering degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology followed by a Master’s in Public Health & Biostatistics from the University of Cambridge. He obtained his medical degree from McGill University, completed residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of British Columbia, and subspecialty fellowship training in Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility at the University of Toronto. Dr. Tan brings a strong foundation in research, entrepreneurship, and systems innovation to reproductive medicine. He previously co-founded Jintronix Inc., a medical-technology company that developed clinically validated motion-capture and virtual-reality rehabilitation tools adopted by major rehabilitation hospitals. This experience in product development, clinical partnerships, and knowledge translation informs his current work in fertility medicine, where he aims to lead initiatives that leverage technology, workflow design, and data-driven systems to improve clinical outcomes while optimizing safety, efficiency, and patient experience. Dr. Tan is also committed to research, academic mentorship, and improving access to fertility care. He has authored more than 30 scientific publications, contributed to seven book chapters, and presented at more than 20 national and international conferences, including ASRM, ESHRE, CFAS. He is actively involved in medical education and mentorship through clinical, didactic, and surgical teaching at the University of Toronto and Sunnybrook Hospital. His clinical work also supports an active third-party practice as he is passionate about advancing inclusive family-building opportunities for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.
Dr. Crystal Chan, MD MSc FRCSC(OB/GYN) FRCSC(GREI)
Dr. Crystal Chan is the Scientific Director and a physician partner at Markham Fertility Centre. She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN) and the Department of Lab Medicine and Pathology (LMP) at the University of Toronto. Dr. Chan is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons and Physicians of Canada, with dual specialization in OB/GYN and Gynecologic Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (GREI). After obtaining her Medical Degree and Residency at the University of Toronto, Dr. Chan completed a Fellowship in GREI at Mount Sinai Hospital. She then completed a Visiting Scholarship at the Center for Reproductive Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). She was a full-time academic Clinician Investigator at Mt Sinai Hospital prior to joining Markham Fertility Centre. Her clinical areas of interest are recurrent implantation failure, endometrial receptivity, and preimplantation genetic testing. She has interest and expertise in leadership, governance, and guideline development.
Advisory Council
The Board is in turn supported by an Advisory Council consisting of:
Chair of the IVF Medical Directors Group
Jason Hitkari, MD & Neal Mahutte, MD
CFAS Special Interest Groups
CFAS-SIGs: organized groups that are authorized by the CFAS Board to represent people with similar interests in an area of reproductive medicine and/or science.
2SLGBTQ+ • Dr. Laine Halpern Zisman, MA, PhD
Andrology • Dr. Francis Petrella, MD, FRCSC
ART Lab • Dr. Zheng Yan, PhD
Counselling • Blair Wexler-Singer, BSc, RSW, MSW
Ethics and Law • Dr. Shawn P. Winsor, MHSc, PhDc
Ethics and Law • Shirley Eve Levitan, LL.B
Fertility Preservation • Dr. Jennia Michaeli, MD, BSc, ObGyn, REI
Genetics • Dr. Elias Dahdouh, MD MSc GREI
Imaging and Reproductive Surgery • Dr. Mike Hartman, MD, FRCSC, GREI
Leadership and Management • Kelly Di Rosa
Nursing • Stefanie O'Brien, RN, BScN
Research in Reproductive Science • Dr. Cyntia Duval, PhD
Sustainability in ART • Anna Gorbunova, BSc, MSc
Third Party • Marisa Bernardo, BSW, RSW