About NIED
Vision, Mission, and Values
NIED exists to give hope and support to individuals with an eating disorder and their caregivers. We do this by developing and sharing educational resources and information, conducting, or participating in research, and taking action to address the needs of Canadians impacted by eating disorders.
Eating disorders are serious but treatable mental illnesses that can affect anyone regardless of gender, age, racial and ethnic identity, sexual orientation or socio-economic background. While it is well documented that mental illnesses are a leading cause of premature death in Canada, it is less known that eating disorders have the highest overall mortality rate of any mental illness, with estimates between 10-15%.
1
Vision
Canadians impacted by eating disorders receive the care they need.
Mission
Be a catalyst for change by making connections, educating, and taking action to address the needs of Canadians impacted by eating disorders.
Values
Authenticity, Empathy, Optimism, Respect, Inclusivity, and Focus.
1 Birmingham, C.L., Su, J., Hlynsky, J.A., Goldner, E.M. & Gao, M. (2005). The mortality rate from anorexia nervosa. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 38(2), 143-6; Girz L, Lafrance Robinson A, Tessier C. (2014). Is the next generation of physicians adequately prepared to diagnose and treat eating disorders in children and adolescents? Eating Disorders: Journal of Treatment & Prevention, 22(5), 375-85.
Board of Directors
Lorne Bernstein
MBA
Chair & President
Lorne Bernstein is an active volunteer, having participated with a diverse range of not-for-profit organizations in a variety of roles from committee member to board chair and president. Celebrating 50 years with his life partner Barbara, together they have two children and have been blessed with two grandchildren. Lorne comes to NIED through lived family experience and understands the challenges posed by society – from the lack of public awareness and support at all levels, to the personal impact on the family and caregivers alike. Lorne has also experienced the joy that comes from commitment and hope in breaking through these same barriers.
Karen Flello
Executive Director
Karen joins NIED after a long career as an educator (secondary school teacher, school principal, Ministry of Education). Some of Karen’s particular interests include literature and arts education, compassionate leadership, and supporting mental health and fostering resilience in youth and adults. Karen comes to NIED through lived experience as a caregiver; her sister, Michelle, lived with bulimia and anorexia for more than 30 years before passing away from organ failure in 2014. Before she passed away, Michelle discovered NIED through her personal research. Karen reached out and was fortunate enough to meet NIED founder Wendy Preskow when Wendy travelled to Vancouver for a conference. Fast forward a few years, and Karen was delighted to join the NIED board and Education Committee. Karen is honoured to serve NIED as the new executive director, and she offers HUGE thanks to former ED Michelle D’Amico for her outstanding work and commitment to NIED! Karen is looking forward to the operations side of the work, and to helping move forward NIED’s initiatives and goals in the coming year.
Matt Birnbaum
Director
Matt brings with him nearly 20 years of experience in the not-for-profit industry, the majority of which has been spent at the Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company where he currently serves as the General Manager. Matt grew up in Richmond Hill and has a degree in Stage and Screen Studies from Queens University. He currently lives in Toronto with his wife, Ryla and their two children, Blake and Madison.
Payton Colantonio
Medical Doctor
Director
Payton Colantonio is a dedicated advocate for mental health with a strong medical background and leadership experience. Currently in her final year of medical school at the Medical University of the Americas, Payton Colantonio has extensive clinical experience in psychiatry. As Research at The Brooklyn Brain and Mind Institute and Founder of the National Youth Council at the National Initiative for Eating Disorders (NIED), Payton Colantonio has demonstrated leadership in driving forward mental health initiatives and advancing knowledge in psychiatry through research publications and presentations at conferences. Committed to holistic, patient-centered care, Payton Colantonio has volunteered providing psychosocial support to pediatric patients and families and advocating for mental health education and prevention efforts. Payton Colantonio is eager to leverage their skills and experiences to support the National Initiative for Eating Disorders in its mission to raise awareness and support for individuals affected by eating disorders nationwide.
Sue Huff
Director
Sue is a family support specialist who works with caregivers across Canada and the USA who have a loved one with an eating disorder. She also works in schools with children who have emotional regulation or behavioural challenges and offers workshops for educators on emotional de-escalation. She is the former Executive Director for the Eating Disorder Support Network of Alberta and served as the Vice President for the Eating Disorder Foundation of Canada. She has also written a book on families overcoming Eating Disorders, called The Book of Hope. Sue also has over 30 years’ experience in the creative arts as an actor, writer, and director. Sue comes to NIED through her lived experience as a family member and is committed to helping families feel less alone with this complicated illness.
BA
Pamela Kalsner
Director
Pamela brings deeply personal experience and commitment to NIED after a difficult and daunting journey where she and her family struggled to support her daughter through anorexia. This personal experience fuels her passion for advocacy and fundraising to improve guidance, awareness, and resources for caregivers, and ultimately outcomes of those suffering with eating disorders. As a Property Director, with over 25 years of commercial real estate property management expertise, Pamela leverages her leadership in strategic planning, financial oversight, and collaborative management to directly support NIED's mission. Her commitment to community service extends beyond NIED through her role as Co-Chair of the Yonge North York BIA representing 1,600 businesses, demonstrating her dedication to creating meaningful impact in both mental health advocacy and broader community initiatives.
Jenny Krawczyk
Master of Public Health
Director
Jennifer recently completed her Master of Public Health and is passionate about health promotion and advancing health equity. She strongly believes that everyone deserves equal access to care, support, and reliable information. Through her years volunteering with NIED, Jennifer has become passionate about expanding the conversation around eating disorders, ensuring that both those affected and the caregivers who support them feel seen and included. She’s excited to continue working toward a future where everyone impacted by eating disorders can find the support and understanding they deserve.
Arielle Mayer
BA (Hons), Master of Public Policy (MPP)
Secretary
Arielle is a passionate advocate and public policy professional. She is dedicated to raising awareness and creating a community of care and support for those suffering with eating disorders and their families. As a long-time volunteer with NIED, Arielle is eager to cultivate and support and strong and active network or volunteers and advocates across the country.
Maria Nicula
PhD Candidate
Director
Maria Nicula is a PhD student at McMaster University studying Health Research Methodology, with a focus on improving treatment and healthcare services for individuals living with and families impacted by eating disorders. Her research explores how to make care more effective, accessible, and grounded in the real needs of individuals with eating disorders and their caregivers. Maria is passionate about prevention, early intervention, and translating research into practical change. She is especially interested in supporting caregivers and ensuring that their voices and lived experience are central to shaping services. In addition to her academic work, Maria serves on the Board of Directors for the National Initiative for Eating Disorders (NIED), driven by her commitment to advocacy, collaboration, and systems-level change in eating disorder care.
Morris Robinson
B Com, CPA, CA
Treasurer
Morris is a registered life member of The Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario. A career businessman and previous owner of one of Canada’s largest jewellery manufacturing companies. He was elected Chairman of The Canadian Jewellery Association after heading up its Government Affairs committee which lobbied for and oversaw the elimination of the federal excise tax on jewellery. As well he has served as a board member of other associations and was a founding director and the first treasurer of The Diamond Bourse of Canada. Morris is a devoted husband, father of three sons and grandfather of nine. He is excited to be given the opportunity to use his professional skill and experience to assist NIED in meeting its worthy objectives.
Olga Sysoieva
Director
Olga Sysoieva is a value-driven public sector leader with over 14 years of experience in project management, change management, and strategic consulting. She has led high-impact initiatives in the Ontario Ministry of Health, driving financial process optimization, planning, and home care transformation across multiple divisions and health sector. In Ukraine, Olga served as Deputy Head of the Municipal Inspection Department and Head of the Department of Family, Youth, and Sports in Cherkasy City Council, managing budgets, major infrastructure projects, and policy development. She is fluent in English, Ukrainian, and Russian, and is recognized for her collaborative leadership, stakeholder engagement, and strategic communication skills.
Our Story
The National Initiative for Eating Disorders (NIED) was established in 2012 by Wendy Preskow and her co-founders, Lynne Koss and Patti Perry.
They were driven by the severe nature of Wendy’s daughter’s illness to create an organization that was focused on raising Awareness, Understanding, Education and Action to counter the desperate situation facing individuals with eating disorders, their caregivers and their families in Canada.
NIED was officially launched on February 22, 2012, with a 30 second spot on Global Television. Within an hour Wendy received her first call from a family whose daughter died by suicide from her eating disorder. The calls and emails have not stopped since that day.
NIED was run as a not-for-profit by a passionate group of all volunteers until 2022, when we received official charitable status from the CRA.
While Patti has now retired, both Wendy and Lynne remain actively involved with NIED. Wendy looks after our Initial Point of Contact program, and Lynne manages our Education and Caregiver Services initiatives.
Co-Founders
Lynne
Koss
Co-Founder
Wendy Preskow
Co-Founder
Patti
Perry
(Deceased, 2025)
Co-Founder
Staff Members
Lynne
Koss
Lead - Education
Laura Osorio
MA, Registered Psychotherapist
Lead - Communications,
Social Media, & Networks
Wendy Preskow
Lead - Initial Point of Contact
