The people

Leigh Naturkach Appointed as New Executive Director of ALS Action Canada

Leigh Naturkach is a values-based non-profit leader and consultant, with over twenty-five years experience in charitable, social justice, health and gender equity sectors and grassroots movements.

Previous to joining ALS Action Canada as Executive Director, Leigh was the Executive Director at the Mosaic Institute for Harnessing Diversity, a national charity focused on education, dialogue, training and research to reduce prejudice and advance social cohesion. Her consultant practice has served clients such as the Royal Ontario Museum, and numerous small non-profits in strategy, development, and inclusive practices.

She has held multiple leadership roles in health advocacy and equity organizations, including Women’s College Hospital Foundation, driving millions to advance healthcare equity and innovation, as well as fundraising for AIDS Committee of Toronto, supporting and empowering people living with, at risk for and affected by HIV.

During her tenure at Canadian Women’s Foundation, Leigh led the Women Moving Women campaign, raising $6.25 million to fuel economic development programs for women facing economic and social barriers. She also raised funds for girls leadership and violence prevention programs, as well as was the manager of violence prevention and healthy teen relationship programs. 

Leigh’s volunteer experience over two decades in Board of Director roles has included serving organizations such as Dying with Dignity Canada, Canadians for Choice, and Arrabon House for at risk girls. Her frontline volunteer experience has served Hospice Toronto, Journey Home Hospice, Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter, Scarborough Women’s Centre, a number of dog rescue and foster organizations across Ontario, and many others.

Leigh has formal education and background in media and marketing, and worked for Corus Entertainment in production, programming, and marketing for nearly ten years. She has earned certification and engages in communities of practice as a death doula, in community engagement and leadership, as well as is a certified dog trainer with nearly 5,000 hours of volunteer fostering, rescue and boarding experience.

The actions and funding decisions of the ALS Super Fund are guided by members of the Advisory Council. The Advisory Council is composed of leading minds in ALS from around the world, including neurologists, researchers, clinicians, and charity representatives. When funds are disbursed to charities, the Super Fund will report results back to donors, building transparency and confidence that the ALS Super Fund is catalyzing change.

Meet the Advisory Council