Leigh Naturkach Appointed as New Executive Director of ALS Action Canada

March 14, 2025

ALS Action Canada is pleased to announce the appointment of Leigh Naturkach as its new Executive Director. Leigh brings over 25 years of experience in the non-profit sector, with a deep commitment to social justice, healthcare equity, and grassroots advocacy. She will officially step into her new role on March 17, 2025.

Don Wright, Chair of the Board, expressed his enthusiasm for Leigh’s leadership, stating, “Leigh’s extensive experience in fundraising, program development, and advocacy makes her the ideal person to lead ALS Action Canada in its mission to drive urgent change for Canadians living with ALS.”

Leigh most recently served as the Executive Director of the Mosaic Institute for Harnessing Diversity, a national charity dedicated to reducing prejudice and advancing social cohesion through education, dialogue, training, and research. Prior to that, she held key leadership and fundraising roles at the Women’s College Hospital Foundation and the AIDS Committee of Toronto. Her career has been defined by her dedication to equity, inclusion, and amplifying the voices of underserved communities.

Beyond her professional work, Leigh has served on the boards of organizations such as Dying with Dignity Canada and Arrabon House, which provides support for at-risk girls. Her passion for advocacy extends to her volunteer efforts with Hospice Toronto, Journey Home Hospice, Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter, and various animal rescue organizations. She also brings expertise in community engagement, death doula practices, and media and marketing, having spent nearly a decade at Corus Entertainment.

ALS Action Canada, founded in 2020 by individuals living with ALS, is the country’s only patient-led ALS organization. It champions equitable access to promising therapies, the expansion of clinical trials, and increased government investment in ALS research and patient support. Leigh’s leadership marks an exciting new chapter for the organization as it continues to build a powerful movement dedicated to ending ALS.

For more information on ALS Action Canada and its initiatives, visit ALSActionCanada.org.