OUR TEAM
Meet Our Staff

Perry Esler
Executive Director
519-645-8855 ext. 227
Open DescriptionExecutive Director
It’s my sincere privilege that what we call work is a place for me where my passion and purpose collide. For 23 years Jesse’s Journey has been laser focused on finding a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Today we continue the fight knowing we’ve advanced research by granting more than $10M to DMD researchers around the world. And we will not quit until we find a cure.
For me the story is simple – I’m honoured and humbled to work in partnership with our staff, Board, researchers and Duchenne families. For over 20 years I’ve worked with and led teams across Canada, the US and parts of Europe raising hundreds of millions of dollars for children’s charities, health care Foundations and community organizations. Our success was built around relationships with individuals and corporate partners through various fundraising & awareness programs. Each day I look forward to meeting and collaborating with those dedicated to our mission at Jesse’s Journey today as we build on a rich history of success that someday our work, as we know it today, won’t be necessary.

Rick Moss
Director, Strategic Partnerships
519-645-8855 ext. 224
Open DescriptionDirector, Strategic Partnerships
Rick began in radio where he had the privilege of meeting John Davidson. After a lengthy career where he worked his way up to senior management, Rick was approached by John to take on a new challenge as Managing Director of Jesse’s Journey. Rick feels it has been a privilege and honour to be part of this team for the past 13 years.

Nicola Worsfold
Director, Research & Advocacy
519-645-8855
Open DescriptionDirector, Research & Advocacy
Nicola has spent the last 15 years working for the biotech and pharmaceutical industry, starting in areas of infectious disease and hepatology, and later spent most of her time in medical affairs focused on neurology and rare disease. Her passion and career goals in the industry were always focused on putting the needs of individuals living with debilitating diseases as a priority. Little did she know she, too, would be fighting her own personal battle as a rare disease advocate when her son was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy in 2013.
Now, as Director of Research and Advocacy for Jesse’s Journey, Nicola has joined our fight to find a cure for Duchenne and advocate for timely access to treatments in Canada.

Rochelle ten Haaf
Manager, Marketing & Stakeholder Engagement
519-645-8855 ext. 222
Open DescriptionManager, Marketing & Stakeholder Engagement
With more than 12 years of experience in both Canada and the UK, Rochelle ten Haaf is passionate about working in the non-profit sector. She has helped countless charities turn consideration into action through the power of marketing and communications and looks forward to bringing the same enthusiam to defeat Duchenne muscular dystrophy at Jesse’s Journey.

Matt Gennaro
Coordinator, Administration & Community Engagement
519-645-8855 ext. 221
Open DescriptionCoordinator, Administration & Community Engagement
Matt’s career has been spent working and volunteering in the non-profit sector, bringing passion and insight to every role. He is a graduate of King’s University College and possesses a diploma in Nonprofit Management from Western University. He feels that his position at Jesse’s Journey is a privilege, as he is not only able to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those with Duchenne and their families, but also work alongside a talented and ambitious team.
Board of Directors
Meet Jesse’s Journey Board of Directors

Dr. Jeffrey Preston
Director and Chair - Board of Directors
Open DescriptionDirector and Chair - Board of Directors
Jeff Preston, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of Disability Studies at King’s University College at Western University where he teaches classes on disability, popular culture and policy. A long-time advocate and motivational speaker, in 2008 Jeff drove his electric wheelchair 650km, from London to Ottawa, to raise awareness about the lack of accessible transit in the province. Jeff is currently vice chair of the Committee of Adjustment at City Hall and vice chair of the leadership table for London 4 All, working group organized by the United Way of Elgin & Middlesex to complete recommendations generated by City Hall’s poverty panel.

John Davidson
Founder of Jesse’s Journey and Board Secretary
Open DescriptionFounder of Jesse’s Journey and Board Secretary
Inspired by his son Jesse who was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy at the age of 6, John Davidson founded Jesse’s Journey in 1994. After two marathon walks that took him across Ontario with Jesse in 1995, and across Canada solo in 1998, John has remained an active part of the ongoing mission to Defeat Duchenne. John was just two years old when he came to Canada from Scotland. He enjoyed a 30-year career in broadcasting – first on radio in London, then with CBC Radio and Television in Vancouver. John is currently Secretary of the Jesse’s Journey Board of Directors and maintains his ongoing role as office handy-man.

Colin Yausie
Director and Treasurer
Open DescriptionDirector and Treasurer
Colin holds the role of Treasurer for the board as well as sits on the Executive Committee. Colin is a CPA Chartered Professional Accountant who specializes in the field of financial statement audits. He has a wide range of experience across many different industries including not for profit. He enjoys traveling, soccer, golf, and supporting his community.

Dr. Lisa Hoffman
Director and Chair – Research Funding Advisory Committee
Open DescriptionDirector and Chair – Research Funding Advisory Committee
Dr. Lisa Hoffman is chair of the Jesse’s Journey Research Funding Advisory Committee, leading a team of researchers, Duchenne parents, and external reviewers through the rigorous annual granting process.
Dr. Hoffman obtained her Ph.D. from the University of Saskatchewan in 2000. She was appointed as a Lawson Imaging Scientist in the Fall of 2009, and as Assistant Professor in the Departments of Medical Biophysics, Western University (Fall 2009) and Anatomy & Cell Biology, Western University (Spring 2010). Capitalizing on the breadth of her multidisciplinary experience, Dr. Hoffman’s current research interests lie in Molecular Imaging and Cell Therapeutics for the treatment of both the skeletal and cardiac manifestations of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

Joe Barnes
Director
Open DescriptionDirector
Joe has spent the past 45 years building over 40 diversified companies. He retired from his insurance and financial planning practice in 2008 only to discover yet another opportunity in the form of TGA London – Premier Junior Golf which he operates today. TGA London teaches young kids ages 4 to 14 how to play golf 12 months a year but more importantly TGA programs teach kids how to become good citizens via an extensive TGA character development program.
Joe is often referred to as a serial entrepreneur having created and built successful companies in many different industries, including real estate brokerages, insurance/financial planning agencies, golf bag/sunglass design and manufacturing, home building, window manufacturing , equipment financing , specialty newspapers, property management, management consulting , sports information companies and a 25 year golf writing career have resulted in an extensive collection of first name basis contacts throughout North America.
Joe has recently retired as a Professor of Finance at the Lawrence Kinlin School of Business at Fanshawe College. He is a graduate of the Soloman Huebner School of Finance and the Canadian Initiative for Elder Planning Studies. He has studied at the University of Alberta, The American Management Association, Grant McKewan College and Harvard University plus many other organizations of higher learning.
Joe has sat on many boards and committees over the years and brings this expertise and others to Jesse’s Journey. His commitment to Jesse’s Journey is to learn and work with a view to the organization utilizing his skills, talents and contacts to assist in its continued growth.

Dale Cheeseman
Director
Open DescriptionDirector
Dale has spent the past 17 years in the financial services industry, predominately in the area of equity derivatives. Prior to this Dale was an Armour Officer in the Canadian Armed Forces during which time he served on two NATO missions; Bosnia & Herzegovina in 1997 and Kosovo in 1999. Dale holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical and Materials Engineering from the Royal Military College of Canada and an MBA from Queen’s University. Outside the demands of work, Dale enjoys maximizing time with his wife and three children.

Frank Desrosiers
Director
Open DescriptionDirector
Frank has served on the Board of Directors of Jesse’s Journey since 2013. In addition to his role on the Board, he is a member of the Research Funding Advisory Committee and of the Major and Planned Gifts Campaign Committee. Frank is currently the co-owner of Windmill Plastics Ltd., a privately held injection molding company where he heads up business development and leads a team of over 100 employees. Prior to being an entrepreneur, Frank worked for specialty pharmaceutical company Paladin Labs, where he held a number of leadership positions, including: Director of Consumer Healthcare, Vice President International Operations and Vice President Commercial Canada. Frank has also worked for global strategy consulting firm Oliver Wyman, where he led client and consultant teams in North America, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. His mandates focused on commercial and market entry strategy, cost reduction and strategic planning. Frank’s diverse business experience also includes time as a Manager within the McDonald’s franchisee network and also as a market researcher for global market research firm Ipsos. Frank holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Bishop’s University and a Masters in Business Administration from Simon Fraser University.

Peter Garland
Director
Open DescriptionDirector
Peter is a retired broadcaster who has been on the Jesse’s Journey Team since 1998. He has served as President of the Board and currently sits as a Board Member and a member of the Executive Committee.

Rev. Kevin George
Director
Open DescriptionDirector
Ordained in 1997 in the diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador, Kevin has been a priest in the diocese of Huron since 1998. Kevin has served in the Parish of Labrador West, NL; St Marks by-the-Lake Tecumseh, ON; and is currently the Rector of St Aidan’s Church London, ON. Kevin earned a Bachelor in Education degree from Memorial University of Newfoundland, a Master of Divinity Degree from Huron University, and a Doctorate in Ministry from McCormick Theological Seminary. His thesis research was focused on faithful baptismal response in interfaith settings. Kevin is married to Catherinanne, who is the Director of Campus Ministry at Brescia University, and a chaplain in the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve. Kevin is a loyal Habs fan, prays for the return of Les Expos, and has learned what suffering looks like from being introduced to the Detroit Lions by Rob! Kevin is an avid reader, loves being involved in the community, and enjoys an appropriate adult beverage with friends. Fun fact: In 2019 Kevin preached for 55 Hours without sleep.

Ted Lindsay
Director
Open DescriptionDirector
Ted has been proudly associated with Jesse’s Journey since 2003 through a charitable event in the Burlington area called Eric’s Amazing Race. This family run event has generated approximately $215,000 for Duchenne muscular dystrophy research over the past thirteen years. He and his wife Heather are committed to working to ‘Defeat Duchenne’ on behalf of their nephew Eric and the many other boys they have had the privilege of meeting through the years.
Ted is proud to be a Jesse’s Journey board member since January 2015, and looks forward to advancing our mission to eradicate this disease. In addition to his involvement with Jesse’s Journey, Ted has spent the past twenty six years with Metroland Media in the advertising field, specializing in print and digital marketing solutions. He is a proud father of three boys and in his spare time is an avid hockey fan and love music. Ted thanks John and Jesse Davidson for their inspiration.

Dr. Hanns Lochmüller
Director
Open DescriptionDirector
Hanns is a neurologist and clinical academic specializing in genetic neuromuscular disorders and rare diseases. He is a Senior Scientist at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Research Institute. He also holds appointments as Professor of Neurology in the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine and the Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology at The Ottawa Hospital. Hanns’s clinical activities focus on clinical research and care of patients with rare neuromuscular disorders, including myotonic dystrophy (DM1), spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), muscular dystrophy and congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS). He has a strong commitment to working with patients and patient organizations in Canada, as he has with organizations in Europe for many years.

Al Matheson
Director
Open DescriptionDirector
Al has served on the Jesse’s Journey board of directors since 2001. He and his wife Anne are parents of two boys, Dale and Dennis, who both faced Duchenne muscular dystrophy and passed away as young adults. As Al says, “we will not be happy till we defeat it.” Al has been a volunteer with Jesse’s Journey for more than 20 years, having met John and Jesse as they were on their journey across Ontario. He and Anne also joined Grandpa Bob on his 4,000km Walk for Louie in 2014.

Ken Wilson
Director
Open DescriptionDirector
Ken has a very close connection to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy; his oldest son, Eli, has DMD. Ken was attracted to Jesse’s Journey given the organization’s singular focus on research to find a cure, and he wants to dedicate his volunteer time to such a worthy and personal cause. He has also volunteered as a director for Muscular Dystrophy Canada, heading up their marketing committee, and as a director at large for the Cochrane Humane Society.
Ken holds a BA from Brandon University and an MBA from the Warwick School of Business in Warwickshire, England.
Committees
Meet our Committee Members
Dr. Jeff Preston (Board Chair)
Perry Esler (Staff)
Frank Desrosiers (Board Director)
Peter Garland (Board Director)
Colin Yausie (Board Director and Treasurer)
Steve Deunch (Chair – Volunteer)
Perry Esler (Staff)
Dale Cheeseman (Board Director)
Sherene Davidson (Volunteer)
Matthew Hunter (Volunteer)
Jim Knowles (Volunteer)
Mike Sheffar (Volunteer)
Dr. Jeff Preston (Board Chair)
Perry Esler (Staff)
Peter Garland (Board Director)
Ken Wilson (Board Director)
Colin Yausie (Board Director and Treasurer)
- Nicola Worsfold – Mother and Staff (Director of Research and Advocacy at Jesse’s Journey)
- Darlene Morden – Mother
- Eric Morden – Young Adult with Duchenne
- Frank Provenzano – Father
- Rebekah Kember – Sister
- Racheal Prendergast – Mother
- Marie-Catherine – Mother
- Kasha Mitton – Mother
- Lorrie Power – Mother
Ken Wilson (Board Director)
Rochelle ten Haaf (Staff)
Bob Mackalski (Volunteer)
Natalie Rumscheidt (Volunteer)
Cheryl Weedmark (Volunteer)
- Nicola Worsfold, Staff Member – Director of Research and Advocacy at Jesse’s Journey
- Dr. Lisa Hoffman, RFAC Chair – Associate Scientist at the Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario
- Dr. Jeff Chamberlain – Professor in the Departments of Neurology, Medicine and Biochemistry at the University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Dr. Hugh McMillan – Pediatric Neuromuscular Specialist and Clinical Investigator at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), Ottawa, Ontario
- Dr. James Dowling – Pediatric Neuromuscular Specialist and Senior Scientist at the Hospital of Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario
- Dr. Toshifumi Yokota – Professor in the Department of Medical Genetics at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta
- Dr. Hanns Lochmüller – Neuromuscular Specialist and Senior Scientist at the University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario
- Frank Provenzano – Duchenne Family Advisory Committee Lead and Duchenne Dad from Windsor, Ontario
Kevin George (Board Director)
Perry Esler (Staff)
Mallory Teal (Volunteer)
Want to learn more about our volunteer leadership positions? Click the button below to submit a volunteer application form.