THE CORE TEAM BRINING BCI TO LIFE
Meet our Executive Team
Dr. Matthew Galati | Founder & President
In 2013, Dr Matthew Galati, a medical student at the time, suffered a severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in a motor vehicle accident. Refusing to accept ill fate, he researched how best to heal and created his own recovery protocol based on revolutionary new science around a brain supporting lifestyle. Against all odds, he recovered fully to complete his medical training and has come full circle as a physician.
After finishing his residency training in Family Medicine in 2018, Dr Galati completed a fellowship in Environmental Medicine which has a strong focus on Functional/ Integrative Medicine. As of 2019, Dr Galati has his own Family Medicine practice with the East GTA Family Health Team and he is also a Hospitalist at rehabilitation hospital, Runnymede Healthcare.
In addition to working as a physician, in 2019, Dr Galati founded the not for profit organization, Brain Changes Initiative (BCI). The mission of BCI is to improve the standard of care for Traumatic Brain Injury rehabilitation through research, education, awareness and programs around a lifestyle approach to healing the brain.
matthew@brainchanges.org
@dr.mattgalati
Salvatore Galati | Co-founder & Chief Operating Officer
Since 1985, Sal Galati has worked in the field of Building Science, specializing in providing products and services to the multi-family apartment building sector across Canada.
Over the last 10 years, he has focused his attention on the development, building, and management of healthcare services and programs, working in collaboration with the East GTA Family Health Team located in Scarborough, Ontario. Sal has used his vast knowledge in healthcare navigation to help primary care physicians, specialists, and allied health practitioners to deliver more cohesive ways to manage practice solutions using a four-pronged approach of Style, Space, Staff and Systems.
While philanthropy and community engagement has been a focal point throughout his career, in 2013, he and his family’s commitment to supporting the field of neuro-rehabilitation and research became paramount as a result of his son’s life-changing traumatic event.
Today, Sal is proud to be the co-founder of Brain Changes Initiative. He is committed to working with stakeholders to raise funds for awareness, education, and research, striving to improve the standard of care for TBI survivors.
Email Sal Galati:
sal@brainchanges.org
Olivia Galati | Chief Executive Officer
Olivia Galati is a vibrant leader, with over 10 years of retail and consumer packaged goods experience centered around health and natural products. She is extremely passionate about health foods, in addition to the positive effects that natural products have on the body and mind. As a celiac herself, Olivia has first-hand experience with the way food can harm or heal the body. Her motivation to help consumers across the country find clean and quality products shows in her work as a Category Director for Loblaw Companies Ltd., managing their Natural Products Department for discount stores across Canada. Strategy, budgeting, and coaching are also among her strong-suits and have been integral in managing a multi-million dollar business year-to-year.
Olivia graduated from the University of Western Ontario with Honours as a Double Major in Political Science and History. After graduating, she worked for the Provincial Government before developing a keen interest in business and entrepreneurship. Olivia was accepted into a graduate program at Loblaw Companies Ltd. and quickly climbed to a managerial role within 5 years.
In 2011, her brother Dr. Matthew Galati, sustained a very serious Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). With her knowledge and experience in the health food industry, Olivia helped shape a brain healthy nutrition plan for Dr. Galati, aiding in his recovery.
Olivia’s strengths in business and leadership, and her passion for healthcare make her a natural fit as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Brain Changes Initiative (BCI). Her valuable skill set and intimate family experience with TBI, have equipped her to lead BCI in its mission to change the standard of Care for TBI rehabilitation.
Email Olivia Galati:
olivia@brainchanges.org
Josh Skrupskas | VP of Strategic Partnerships
Josh Skrupskas has over 10 years of experience in strategic partnerships, branding and experiential marketing. He has worked in higher education, sport, arts, tech and is currently in the financial services industry.
Josh is a seasoned professional that is passionate about creating authentic brand connections through long-lasting strategic relationships. In his past roles he has created and executed successful partnership events and activations with Lululemon, Aston Martin, Herschel Supply Co., SONY Music and more.
Josh is committed to raising awareness and spreading the message of Brain Health. With a blend of creativity, dedication and genuine desire to connect, he looks forward to the exciting new challenges ahead.
Josh@brainchanges.org
Mariano Ferrara | Chief Experience Officer
After completing his undergraduate degree at York University, Mariano spent the next few years in management at a retail chain where he realized his interest in working with, and helping the public. This led him to follow in his father’s footsteps as a financial advisor, giving him opportunities to help his clients on a more profound level and leave a lasting impact on their lives.
In 2021, Mariano also became a Certified Financial Planner®️ as part of his mission to continue improving himself in service of his clients. He is a devoted supporter of BCI and you can usually find him running somewhere with his crew not far behind. As the Chief Experience Officer, Mariano spends a lot of time in front of the camera; whether live on a Sunday with the Brain Gains running crew or together with Dr. Galati facilitating the Brain Banter live series. In his free time, he enjoys listening to audiobooks, working out or getting ‘gains’ as he calls it, spending time with his friends and family, and most importantly his furry four legged friend, Xochil ‘The Grey’.
Matthew Greco | Legal Council
Matthew is primarily a Civil and Commercial Litigation lawyer. Outside of his practice, he enjoys venturing out of the litigation world to tackle legal questions that friends, family, and organizations, such as the great and powerful Brain Changes Initiative (BCI), may ask of him.
Fascinated and inspired by Dr. Galati’s story, Matthew admires BCI for its immense potential to affect positive change on the world. Upon hearing Dr. Galati’s first-hand experiences in recovering from TBI, Matthew was surprised (and disappointed) to learn that the current treatment methods for TBI patients are rather archaic. As such, Matthew has committed himself to helping BCI toward inevitable success.
HELPING SUPPORT, EDUCATE, AND AMPLIFY
Leading Volunteers
Taylor Snowden-Richardson | Director of Wolves' Den Support Group | Victoria Chapter Lead
Taylor is a PhD Candidate at the University of Victoria, specializing in the long-term effects of concussions and other brain injuries in adults. Her research is deeply influenced by her own family's experience with severe brain injury, adding a personal dimension to her academic work.
Taylor is not only committed to advancing scientific understanding in this area, but also passionate about supporting survivors of brain injuries. She aims to create welcoming and inclusive spaces where everyone feels valued.
Nichole Michaud Kuszelewski | Halifax Chapter Lead
Nichole is a Master of Applied Science student at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, specializing in neuroscience. Nichole works as a cognitive researcher in which she uses Electroencephalography (EEG), Eye Tracking and Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) to study human physiological responses. Her research involves measuring human perception, attention, emotion and memory.
Nichole's passion for understanding the brain arose from a personal experience with sport-related traumatic brain injury (TBI) which she suffered at a young age. Her objective within academia and her career is to specialize in brain injury and cognitive disorders.
As a chapter leader at BCI she is elated to work alongside the brain community to create positive change.
Donny Iannetta | Recruitment Coordinator, Chapter Lead
As an undergraduate student at York University, studying Biomedical Science of the Biology stream, Donny is deeply intrigued by the intricate processes and workings of the human brain, specifically in the context of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
Joining the BCI team allows Donny the opportunity for collaboration between experts in this scientific field, leading to exploration and deeper understanding of TBIs and research thereof. All while helping expand the BCI mission, impact, and network.
Through academic pursuits, Donny is deeply committed and dedicated to advancing his own knowledge of TBIs, as well as the advancement, treatment, and prevention of them through future studies.
Nathan Ellis | Canmore Chapter Lead | Victoria Chapter Contributor
Originally from Canmore, Alberta, Nathan is currently earning his undergraduate degree in Kinesiology at the University of Victoria.
Having grown up in the mountains, Nathan has a passion for the outdoors and life above altitude, as well as the game of hockey. Through experience and curiosity, Nathan has gained an interest in cerebrovascular physiology brain health that he is working to further during his time at the University of Victoria.
Sophie Zanette | University of Toronto Chapter Lead
Sophie Zanette is an Undergraduate student at the University of Toronto, where she studies Psychology. She has a deep interest in the processes of the brain and its unique functions. Sophie strongly believes in the value of practical learning experiences, and her involvement with BCI allows her to engage with experts and fellow volunteers, all of whom contribute valuable knowledge.
Her passion lies in helping others and creating a supportive environment for those with TBI experience. She is dedicated to advancing research in this area, as its goals align seamlessly with her aspirations and values.
Josephine Racioppo | Mindfulness, Meditation & Movement Facilitator
Josephine has a longstanding passion for developing, promoting, and delivering initiatives, classes, and workshops supporting or improving health & wellness in the workplace, in sport, and life as well as for persons navigating changes in their health and functioning.
Her passion took on even greater personal significance with her own lived experiences navigating burnout, injury and grief as well as through her long-time caregiver role to a severely brain-injured family member.
A wellness junkie, Josephine is a certified life coach, somatic movement and yoga teacher, and mindfulness and meditation facilitator who is finishing her international certification requirements in yoga therapy.
Sam Zadeh | York University Chapter Lead
Sam is a honours student at York University, studying biomedical science. He has a profound interest in the systems of neuroscience, gravitating to concepts of consciousness, sleep and memory consolidation, as well as a personal desire to explore and expand upon our understanding of migraines.
In 2022, with the help of Dr. Galati and the BCI team, Sam established the first student lead Brain Changes chapter at the York Keele campus, and through various events and collaboration with other campus organizations, Sam aims to further spread importance of brain health amongst his peers.
Tisya Pramanik | University of Toronto Chapter Executive
Tisya is a prospective medical student, pursuing an undergraduate degree double-majoring in Human Biology and Psychology. Her interest in raising awareness for Traumatic Brain Injuries and joining this initiative stemmed from attending a conference committed to promoting healthy living. Through learning more about the importance of neurogenesis in school, Tisya applies those same concepts and interests into spreading awareness in her community as well as creating an impact by raising money for brain-injury-related research. She is delighted to help expand this cause and work with like-minded individuals to get more exposure and promote the importance of brain health and traumatic brain injury prevention.
Peter Jermyn | Wolves' Den Facilitator
As a facilitator of the Wolves’ Den, Peter helps to facilitate group discussion with an emphasis on active listening and inclusivity. He views acquired brain injury(ABI) through a bio-psycho-social lens. Peter is thus motivated to help others heal and adapt to life post-injury by empowering them to build meaningful social connections. He hopes his experience with persistent concussion symptoms can be of benefit to others as they navigate the challenges and triumphs of life post
injury.
Peter developed a passion for the non-profit sector as the Director of Communications for Friends of Syria, where he worked directly with traumatized and disabled refugees as they struggled to adjust to life in Toronto. Peter holds a BA and MA in English from the University of Toronto and has worked as a journalist, writer, and assistant director for film and television. During the summer, he can be found grinding it out with the Wolf Pack, Brain Changes’ running and exercise group.