MAPS Canada’s leadership, staff, and volunteers are dedicated to furthering the scientific understanding and practical application of psychedelic medicine to improve lives.
WHO WE ARE
Our organization is made up of a diverse group of scientists, researchers, students, advocates, and leaders from all sectors. We believe that to solve some of the biggest challenges in human mental health requires people from a diversity of backgrounds, identities, and experiences, who share a common vision: to improve lives through equitable access to legal and regulated psychedelic medicine.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Rielle Capler
Chair
Rielle Capler (MHA, PhD) has over 20 years of experience in the cannabis field, where she has engaged in research, knowledge translation, service provision, standards development, and community organizing. She has been engaged in psychedelics research for over 10 years, and in psychedelic-related education, advocacy and leadership for the past 3 years.
Rielle worked with Canada’s first medical cannabis dispensary for 8 years, where she helped lay organizational foundations, national strategy and direction. She developed guidelines and standards for Canadian and international dispensaries. She co-founded and led several nonprofits in the cannabis space including the Canadian Association for Medical Cannabis Dispensaries, Association of Canadian Cannabis Retailers, Craft Cannabis Association of British Columbia, and Canadians for Safe Access. Rielle has provided consultations, testimony, and submissions to Canada’s federal government, and has provided briefings to various Canadian provincial ministries and municipal governments related to both cannabis and psychedelics.
Rielle earned a PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of British Columbia, focused on access to medical cannabis under different regulatory frameworks in Canada. She has published various research articles and book chapters, and held a postdoctoral research fellowship at the B.C. Centre on Substance Use. She is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Population and Public Health, in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia. Rielle has been on the board of Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) Canada for 3 years, and chair of the board for 2 years. Rielle received the Governor General of Canada’s Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal acknowledging her contribution to Canadian society through her work with medical cannabis.
Rick Doblin
Board Member
Rick Doblin is the founder and executive director of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) USA. He received his doctorate in Public Policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, where he wrote his dissertation on the regulation of the medical uses of psychedelics and marijuana, and his Master’s thesis on a survey of oncologists about smoked marijuana vs. the oral THC pill in nausea control for cancer patients.
His undergraduate thesis at New College of Florida was a 25-year follow-up to the classic Good Friday Experiment, which evaluated the potential of psychedelic drugs to catalyze religious experiences. He also conducted a thirty-four year follow-up study to Timothy Leary’s Concord Prison Experiment.
Reverdi Darda
(she/her)
Board Member
Reverdi Darda (RN, BScN, CHE) is the President and CEO of Cena Life Inc,. an Alberta-based mental health services company. She has over 30 years of experience as a Registered Nurse. Her professional career includes Executive leadership roles in the public, government, and non-profit sectors. Her experience and expertise in the areas of community engagement, planning, project and change management have significantly impacted outcomes of numerous projects that she has been involved in. Reverdi is Metis and a direct descendant of Damase Carriere who fought against Canadian Colonialism beside Louis Riel in the heroic Metis North-West Resistance of 1885. Her passion to engage communities and work together for the equity and inclusion of all is reflective in her family’s legacy.
Francine Douglas
(she/her)
Board Member
Stó:lō from Sts’ailes Nation and Tsimshian from Metlakatla Nation, Francine values and upholds the cultural teachings she has learned from her Indigenous family. Francine’s desire to support First Nation families and communities through the impacts of colonialism, assimilation and displacement from their traditional territory has brought her to a diverse career in mental health, traditional medicine, business and cultural tourism.
Francine currently works with the Thálé:ylexw awtxw Foundation, The House of the Life Givers, a grassroots Stó:lō womxn’s group with a purpose to support the growth and empowerment of Indigenous womxn in S’ólh Téméxw, the Stó:lō traditional territory. This foundation strives to create opportunities for Indigenous womxn to share their knowledge and experiences, re-connect to land-based healing and build relationships with one another. Francine also works with Sacred Circle, supporting their vision for a healthcare system that honors Indigenous knowledge and ancestral traditional medicine. As an advocate for the rights of Indigenous people, Francine’s considers her work with Sacred Circle one of the most powerful ways to support First Nations people in preserving their traditional knowledge, promoting cultural healing practices and reconnecting to their traditional territories.
Defining moments in her career over the years include volunteering with the suicide crisis line, owning and managing several businesses in the Stó:lō territory, managing a traditional Stó:lō group that shared cultural stories, song and dance, supporting First Nation community business development with Indigenous Tourism BC, and supporting children and families at the Stehiyaq Wellness Centre, a residential facility for at-risk Indigenous youth. Francine was recently featured in Lllahee: Water, a video sharing about the power of water as a healing medicine. Francine holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and anthropology from the University of British Columbia and was the valedictorian of the Ch’nook Indigenous Business Program from the Sauder School of Business.
Jarred Aasen
Board Member/Treasurer
Jarred Aasen has been a registered pharmacist in British Columbia since 2015 after graduating from the University of Saskatchewan in his hometown of Saskatoon. He now resides in Victoria, B.C where in addition to providing traditional pharmacy services, he is involved with the harm reduction and drug checking community throughout Canada.
In 2018 he received Canada’s first section 56 exemption for drug checking purposes through his organization Lantern Services, and worked closely with the University of Victoria getting their drug checking program Substance operational. As a co-founder and co-author of the DRED Project (Drug Resource and Education Project), Jarred provides in-person training in the area of drug checking and harm reduction. He actively provides drug checking services at two major music festivals in B.C – Bass Coast and Shambhala – and consults/speaks nationally and internationally on topics relating to harm reduction, pharmacy and drug checking.
Jarred is passionate about empowering individuals with relevant and accurate information so that they can lead more engaged and integrated lives. In his spare time, Jarred enjoys juggling, playing keyboard/piano/synthesizers, boxing and scuba diving.
Harrison Jordan
Board Member
VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE LEADS
Osheen Dayal
(she/her)
YouTube Lead
Osheen Dayal is in her final year pursuing a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Psychology, at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver, Canada. Passionate about mental health and social equity, she is dedicated to exploring the intersections of clinical psychology, community engagement, and inclusive advocacy.
Before moving to Canada, Osheen successfully managed a construction business in India and ran a YouTube channel, showcasing her entrepreneurial spirit and creativity. At UBC, she serves as the co-president of the Women Empowerment Club, creating safe spaces and fostering gender equity.
Currently, Osheen leads the YouTube Committee and serves as a Podcast Producer at MAPS Canada. In these roles, she collaborates on projects that highlight groundbreaking advancements in psychedelic research, blending her academic interests with her commitment to driving meaningful conversations in the mental health space.
www.linkedin.com/in/shweta-osheen-dayal-102b44187
Sonia Brodie
(she/her)
Research Lead
Sonia is a self-identified research nerd, with a MSc in Neuroscience and over 10 years’ experience working in the clinical research industry.
Sonia has experience in protocol development, regulatory applications, efficient study start-up processes, clinical trial management and monitoring, establishing quality management systems and standard operating procedures, implementing secure and compliant electronic data capture systems, data analysis, manuscript writing, and knowledge translation across a wide range of study types and interventions.
As VP Clinical Research with the Centre for Neurology Studies (CNS), Sonia specializes in building high performing teams and resilient processes to make awesome things happen in a variety of different contexts. Sonia is passionate about finding efficient ways to bridge the gap between research and reality in clinically meaningful ways.
Sonia has consulted and advised on a variety of psychedelic research initiatives, including development of the world’s largest microdosing study in collaboration with Paul Stamets and Quantified Citizen, and spinning up a new dosing site for a global, Phase III randomized controlled trial using psilocybin-assisted therapy for treatment resistant depression.
Francesco Kment
(He/Him)
EXPAND Study Committee Co-Lead
Francesco is a dedicated Registered Psychotherapist and Canadian Certified Counsellor, with a private practice at Mindful Conversations. Also working at an addictions rehabilitation centre and practicing psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. He brings a wealth of experience and compassion to individuals facing challenges related to addictions, PTSD/trauma, depression, and anxiety. His therapeutic approach is grounded in helping clients become the best versions of themselves through evidence-based psychotherapeutic methods.
A strong advocate for harm reduction and mindfulness, Francesco has collaborated with tripsit.me, working on projects that address the needs of vulnerable populations within the areas of addictions and psychedelics. His passion for helping others extends to research, where he contributes as a researcher for MAPS Canada and Heroic Hearts Canada, focusing on the intersection of Canadian drug policy and the therapeutic use of psychedelics for PTSD treatment, particularly among Canadian veterans. In addition, he has conducted research on geriatric loneliness, exploring ways to address emotional isolation in older adults.
With a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology, Francesco integrates both academic knowledge and practical experience to offer a holistic approach to therapy. His commitment to harm reduction, mental health advocacy, and innovative therapeutic techniques positions him as a forward-thinking leader in the fields of psychotherapy and psychedelic therapy.
Shel Scott
(She/Her)
EXPAND Study Committee Co-Lead
Michelle (aka Shel) Scott (she/her) is an occupational therapist working in mental health in Toronto Ontario. She also leads the Toronto-based Policy and Advocacy group for MAPS Canada.
Her goal is to expand access to above-ground psychedelic medicines in a way that’s ethical, sustainable, and responsible. Her interests include mental health, cognitive science, philosophy, neuroscience, Indigenous ontologies and worldviews, meditative and contemplative practices, dialectics, and the intersection between science and spirituality.
In her free time she can be found going to concerts, dancing, playing music (alone or with friends), spending time outdoors, reading science fiction, watching hockey, and enjoying amazing food.
Liam Rosborough-Feltham
(he/him)
Special Access Program - Community of Practice Lead
Liam is currently a student at the University of Toronto and has been passionately engaged with the nascent psychedelic industry for several years. Liam started volunteering with MAPS Canada in January 2022. He is currently collaborating with a team of physicians, therapists, legal experts, and pharmaceutical suppliers to help develop a community of practice around the Special Access Program – a legal pathway to accessing psychedelic-assisted therapy through Health Canada. Liam is the founder of the University of Toronto Psychedelic Club – an officially recognized student group dedicated to research, advocacy and academic discourse surrounding the use of psychedelic medicines.
Beyond academia, Liam also has a strong passion for integrated models of health and wellness. This has motivated him to pursue university programs in Indigenous Studies and Buddhism, psychology & mental health – in addition to engaging with these non-western frameworks in traditional settings outside of the classroom. Liam has completed training with Numinus in the Fundamentals of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy. With an understanding of the nuanced legal, political, ethical, and medical implications of psychedelics, Liam is passionate about advocating for regulatory change at the national level.
Celia Bildfell
(she/her)
Website Lead
Celia is the current website committee lead with MAPS Canada. She started volunteering with MAPS in May 2023, after completing her undergraduate Honours degree in Journalism and Law at Carleton University.
She also helps out with the weekly MAPS newsletters as well as on the webinar series with the policy and advocacy committee. Celia has a background in website editing and building particularly with WordPress.
Her interest in psychedelics peaked when she wrote an article in her undergraduate degree which discussed the potential of psychedelic-assisted therapy as a new form of treatment for varying mental disorders. Celia hopes to continue her studies and work in the field of drug policy.
Navin Sahjpaul
(he/him)
Social Media Lead
Navin Sahjpaul is a Music Therapist (BMT), Certified Yoga Teacher, Artist (Musician, Writer), Mental Health Advocate, and is currently completing an M.A. of Counselling Degree at the City University of Canada, studying to become an RCC (Registered Clinical Counsellor).
Since 2018, Navin has been an active volunteer for MAPS Canada. His primary contribution includes being the lead on their Instagram account for the Social Media Committee, responsibilities that include creating and sharing posts, reels, captions, and stories, and overall managing the growth of the social media platform. MAPS Canada’s Instagram currently has an 18K follower count
For the past two years, Navin has been actively working as a Music Therapist (BMT) within Vancouver, BC, focusing on how music and sound can be utilized in therapeutic, healing environments to improve one’s quality of life and to help individuals overcome mental health challenges. His practice includes working in the Healthcare system in Addictions & Mental Health, and also extends to facilitating workshops, presenting at conferences, and offering private and group Sound Meditation/Healing/Bath experiences for Community Wellness Events & Corporate Wellness Classes.
As a musician, Navin is a multi-instrumentalist (Piano, Guitar, Flute, Voice) who records, composes, and performs original music under his name using the computer software programs of Logic Pro X and Ableton Live. His latest album release on Bandcamp, Medicine Music, consists of 26 original compositions that are designed to be used in conjunction with other healing modalities (Yoga, Breathwork, Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy) and serves as an album within which one can seek solace in, a place of calm away from the busyness and chaos of life, an auditory haven to be conducive for inner rest, stillness, and growth.
He holds a Bachelor’s in Music Therapy from Capilano University and a Foundations of Music Therapy Diploma from Douglas College, receiving the Amanda Todd Legacy Award during his time at Douglas College. Navin also holds a 200 Hour+ Yoga Teacher Training Certification from Arkaya Yoga, a certification from Gabor Mate’s 2-Day Training, Compassionate Inquiry, and Certificates of Completion for Didactic and Experiential training from Therapsil’s Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy and MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy for PTSD Training Programs.
He is a Community Leader for Flying Sage, a facilitator at Ritual Urban Retreat, serves as Co-Chair on the Marketing Committee for ICMSV (Indian Classical Music Society of Vancouver, and since 2018 has been an active volunteer on the Social Media Committee for MAPS Canada (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies). https://www.navinsahjpaul.com/
Aakanksha Sahu
(she/her)
Research Room Lead
Aakanksha Sahu recently graduated from the University of British Columbia and has gained valuable experience in healthcare and academia through various research, project management, and consulting roles.
Her research has focused on using neuroscience and patient-centered approaches to improve patient outcomes. Aakanksha is deeply passionate about human rights and advocacy, having worked with several non-profits to raise mental health awareness and drive social change. She is committed to promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), ensuring that diverse cultural practices are integrated into holistic approaches.
Aakanksha has been volunteering with MAPS Canada since 2022, contributing to the Graphics Design, Knowledge Translation, and Policy & Advocacy Teams. She is excited to bring her expertise in research and knowledge translation to further MAPS Canada’s mission.
Eric Lister
(he/him)
Psychedelic Safety Lead
Eric Lister is a writer who lives and works in Edmonton, Alberta. He works with clients globally in industries ranging from marketing and manufacturing to sports performance and education. He has a past career in fitness where he worked 1-on-1 and in groups with everyone from the general public to professional athletes. He continues to consult with paid clients online, and also provides free resources and programming to people who cannot afford personal training.
Eric’s little brother, Jake, died while using a psychedelic in November of 2021. As a result, Eric is committed to moving the industry forward through a lens of safety, and raising awareness for the potential risks associated with psychedelics. He is passionate about honouring the complexity and tragedy through which his family has had to navigate, and wants to help others who have gone through these exceedingly rare and unfortunate set of circumstances.
MAPS Canada and the Psychedelic Safety committee is an opportunity he is thrilled to be a part of and help lead.