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.
Executive Director
Rielle Capler
Executive Director
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 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.
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 was on the board of Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) Canada for 3 years, and chair of the board for 2 years. She is currently the Executive Director of MAPS Canada.
Board of Directors
Reverdi Darda
Board Chair
Reverdi Darda, RN, BScN, brings more than three decades of frontline, executive, and entrepreneurial experience in Canadian healthcare to her role as Chair of the MAPS Canada Board. Reverdi has guided large interdisciplinary teams across acute-care hospitals, community health, and mental-health services, always championing equitable access and evidence-based innovation. She co-founded ATMA CENA Psychedelic Healthcare Solutions, an Alberta based organization that has created a national network of clinics and practitioner training dedicated to integrating psychedelic-assisted therapy into mainstream care. Reverdi’s governance experience spans private ventures, non-profits, and joint-venture partnerships, where she has negotiated investment rounds, built rigorous safety and quality frameworks, and mentored clinicians in emerging therapies.
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.
Sonia Brodie
Board Member
Sonia is a well-published neuroscientist, Clinical Research Professional, and a long-standing research nerd. She is passionate about building high-performing teams, and finding efficient ways to bridge the gap between research and reality in clinically meaningful ways. Her technical experience spans from protocol development, to regulatory applications, efficient study start-up processes, clinical trial management, establishing quality management systems and standard operating procedures, data analysis, and knowledge translation across a wide range of study types and interventions. She has consulted and advised on a variety of psychedelic research initiatives, including the world’s largest microdosing study, and established a clinical trials site for psychedelic research, which has consistently performed as the top enrolling site in Canada for several global Phase II and III randomized controlled trials.
Sam Posner
Board Member/Treasurer
Sam Posner is the founder of Platform Law, a boutique corporate and commercial practice built on a collaborative “lawyers in association” model. He mainly advises clients across the creative industries — including film, television, music, publishing, and digital media — on corporate structuring, contracts, IP strategy, and financing arrangements. Sam advises clients ranging from entrepreneurs to to global, public companies, bringing a business-savvy approach to complex commercial and cross-border matters.
Sam is particularly interested in supporting organizations that operate at the intersection of innovation, culture, and social impact.
He holds an LL.B. from Western University and a B.A. in English Literature.
Suvidha Kalra
Board Member
Suvidha began work with Edmonton General Prosecutions in 2009, prosecuting a wide variety of offences including: domestic violence, aggravated assault, robbery, sexual assault, and homicide. In 2014, Suvidha transferred to Specialized Prosecutions, in the Occupational Health and Safety portfolio, prosecuting workplace fatalities. She then transferred to the Internet Child Exploitation Unit, as a special prosecutor, where she served for seven years.
Suvidha is also a Certified Hakomi Therapist and has specialized training in dealing with vulnerable and traumatized victims. Using both her expertise in law and psychology, she has integrated the science of neurobiology, the principles of psychotherapy, and the evidential admissibility requirements of court to pioneer a method for trauma-informed questioning in both investigation and litigation.
Suvidha has trained prosecutors, lawyers, police officers, and judges to recognise and reduce the impact of trauma, and improve evidence gathering and presentation . Her methods provide practical tools, for use in frontline and courtroom situations, to create an environment which allows for information gathering and litigation, while minimizing retraumatization. She has presented this method across Canada and in the United States, as part of several global training initiatives headed by the National Attorneys General of the USA.
In addition to her trauma-informed litigation method, Suvidha developed a novel method for creating a trauma-informed courtroom, designed for use by Judges. She was recently invited to present this method by the National Judicial Institute to the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta. Suvidha is committed to applying the science and principles of trauma-informed care to facilitate systemic change.
Jagpaul Kaur Deol
Board Member
Jagpaul Kaur Deol is a Sikh Panjabi clinical pharmacist and former first responder, currently pursuing a dual PhD/PharmD specializing in psychedelic medicine, neuroscience, and pharmacogenomics. She has over 15 years of clinical experience in HIV care, psychiatry, and chronic pain management.
Jag has published research on both psychedelic and cannabis-based medicine and serves as a co-investigator and trial pharmacist for psilocybin and MDMA clinical trials. A pharmaceutical compounding expert, she has developed and formulated novel ketamine dosage forms for both ketamine-assisted therapy (KAT) and chronic pain management. She is the founder and director of ATMA Apothecare, her private psychedelic consulting company. In addition to her clinical practice, she has owned and operated multiple pharmacies and medical clinics throughout her career.
She has worked extensively in harm reduction and drug policy advocacy, including as a street paramedic and outreach pharmacist in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES), providing compassionate care to marginalized communities. Jag continues to advocate for equitable access to care through policy engagement with MLAs, MPs, and regulatory bodies, and serves on her College’s Ethics Committee with the goal of advancing equitable and ethical frameworks for emerging therapies. A long-time volunteer with MAPS, she previously served on the Drug Policy Committee.
Her psychedelic medicine work centers on knowledge translation, informed consent, culturally responsive models of healing, and trauma-informed practices that honour both science and lived experience. She is the founder of the Psychedelic Sikh Community, a collective of Sikh Panjabi psychedelic and mental health practitioners.
As a former Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia, Jag integrated psychedelic and cannabis-based medicine into the pharmacy curriculum and currently lectures in a specialized pain elective on the pharmacology of ketamine, psychedelics, and cannabis-based therapeutics. She also serves as a practitioner trainer and consultant for several psychedelic non-profits, training organizations, and medical clinics, and provides pro bono medical-legal expert affidavits for Canadian patients seeking access to psychedelic medicines.
In addition to her work within the Western medical model, Jag is an Ayurvedic and breathwork practitioner, bridging traditional wisdom with contemporary neuroscience and clinical practice.
Harrison Jordan
Board Member
Harrison Jordan is the Founder and Managing Lawyer at Substance Law, a Canadian law firm specializing in regulated substances and industries. His knowledge covers a vast range of sectors including cannabis, psychedelics, liquor, tobacco, vaping, natural health products, and food and drugs law. Harrison’s academic credentials are impressive, having earned his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Osgoode Hall Law School, where he engaged in a wide array of public and private law courses. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice & Public Policy from the University of Guelph.
Marketing Team
Osheen Dayal
Communications and Marketing Coordinator
Osheen Dayal is a graduate of the University of British Columbia (UBC), where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She will begin her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology at Adler University in Fall 2025. Deeply passionate about mental health, social equity, and the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, Osheen is dedicated to bridging clinical psychology, community engagement, and inclusive advocacy.
Before moving to Canada, she founded and led a successful interior design and construction business across two cities in India, while also growing a YouTube channel from 10K to over 100K subscribers—reflecting her entrepreneurial spirit and content strategy skills.
Osheen currently serves as the Communications and Marketing Coordinator, YouTube Committee Lead, and Podcast Producer at MAPS Canada, where she creates and oversees digital campaigns that amplify psychedelic research and public education. Her work integrates storytelling, design, and strategy to drive engagement and promote evidence-based mental health awareness.
Ross Magill
Newsletter Coordinator & Volunteer Videography Team Lead
Ross Magill is a video editor and multimedia designer from Co. Wicklow, Ireland, currently based in Vancouver, Canada. He recently completed his Honours Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Cognitive Science and Computer Science at the University of Toronto.
As Videography Team Lead, Ross combines his technical skills with a passion for visual storytelling to help bring ideas to life. Outside of MAPS, he is also a musician, a game designer, and has a strong interest in consciousness studies, digital media ethics, and the role of narrative in shaping mental health discourse.
He is currently pursuing a Master’s in Digital Media at the Centre for Digital Media in Vancouver, a graduate program jointly accredited by UBC, SFU, BCIT, and Emily Carr University.
Hailey Whitt
Graphics Coordinator
Hailey Whitt is a multidisciplinary artist and designer with over 14 years of experience in communication design across agency, in-house, and freelance environments. Her practice is rooted in clarity, empathy, and purpose, bringing a thoughtful, research-driven approach to every project.
Her work spans brand identity, print and digital design, and motion graphics, combining strategic thinking with refined visual execution. She collaborates with clients who value intention, impact, and aesthetics—often within the realms of art, wellbeing, and community.Alongside her professional practice, her artistic work explores the intersection of creativity, perception, and healing. She is also the co-founder of NEST Gallery, an artist-run initiative that supports underrepresented artists and fosters a more inclusive and accessible creative community.
At MAPS Canada, she supports the team through graphic design, contributing to visual communications that help share research, education, and public awareness initiatives.
See more of her work at haileyjayne.ca and at nestgallery.ca.
Celia Bildfell
Social Media Manager & Volunteer Website Lead
Volunteer Committee Leads
Francesco Kment
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
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.
Chanté Brown
Knowledge Translation Lead
Chanté Brown is a recent graduate from University of Toronto, with a Bachelor’s degree double majoring in Cognitive Science and Bioethics. In her previous roles at other labs she helped investigate the role of high order language and the connection between mental health and creativity. Within these labs she contributed to the development of an assessment tool for higher order language to be implemented into schools. Her interests span predictive processing, neuroplasticity, psychedelics, and the ethical applications of AI in neurodevelopmental contexts. Chanté thrives in interdisciplinary environments, contributing to various labs, where she bridges empirical science with human-centered insights. A natural communicator and creative thinker, while leading initiatives in media engagement, internal development, and community outreach she strives to contribute to research in all her areas of interest and help shape the future of research by making it more ethical and accessible to everyone.
Joelle Adams
School of Psychedelics Lead
Joelle Adams is a PhD student in Applied Transpersonal Psychology at the Alef Trust/Liverpool John Moores University, investigating the paths experiencers take when integrating psychedelic and other exceptional experiences. She is involved in research projects related to wellbeing following lucid dreaming, near-death, psychedelic and other experiences of altered states. She completed her BA in English at Western University in London, Ontario and also holds a Master’s degree in Professional Practice in Higher Education from Bath Spa University. Joelle teaches at Santa Monica College and splits her time between Ontario, California and the UKs
Aakanksha Sahu
Research Room Co-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.
Emily Fewster
Psychedelic Access - CoP Lead
I have been passionate about psychedelic research since high school, which led me to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Cognitive Neuropsychology and an MA in the Brain, Behaviour, and Cognitive Science program at York University. Outside of my academic and MAPS Canada related work, I serve as a Lead Research Associate at the Canadian Centre for Psychedelic Science, where I helped conduct a clinical trial exploring the efficacy of psilocybin microdosing for treating Major Depressive Disorder. In my spare time, I enjoy hiking, camping, and playing volleyball.
Aarushi Yadav
Research Room Co-Lead
Aarushi is an undergraduate MD on her licensing pathway to practice medicine in Canada, currently bringing her medical expertise and sharp analytical mind to her role as a Clinical Research Coordinator for an ophthalmology firm. Managing clinical trials from Phase I to Phase IV, she has an eye for detail—literally and figuratively.
A true global citizen, Aarushi lived in India, Tokyo, China and the United States before finally settling down in Vaughan, Ontario, which she now proudly calls home. Thanks to her nomadic timeline, she is multilingual in Punjabi and Tamil, and fully literate in English, Hindi, and Mandarin (meaning she can order comfort food, or talk science in multiple time zones).
When she isn’t navigating the complex world of clinical trials, Aarushi is an active member of MAPS Canada, where she passionately advocates for the unfolding world of psychedelics. Having worked closely with patients in mental health centers, she firmly believes in the therapeutic potential of psychedelics to restore hope where it feels most feeble. For Aarushi, combining proper access with impactful advocacy is a powerful way to help people mend, giving them back their loved ones with a renewed perspective on life.
Outside of medicine, Aarushi channels her endless energy into creative outlets. She is a trained Bharatnatyam dancer and a member of a local Bollywood Jazz dance troop that performs across Toronto. When she actually decides to sit still, you can find her baking, making art, keeping a small jungle of house plants alive, or buried deep in an Agatha Christie whodunit—likely trying to solve the medical mystery before the detective does.
Shauntal Padda
Fundraising and Development Lead
Shauntal Padda is the Fundraising and Development Lead at MAPS Canada, where she is dedicated to expanding access, deepening community partnerships, and supporting the organization’s mission through strategic growth and meaningful donor engagement.
Shauntal is a Registered Clinical Counsellor and holds a Master of Counselling degree from Adler University. She works across both the public and private mental health sectors, supporting youth and adults navigating a wide range of challenges, with particular expertise in concurrent disorders. Her clinical background informs her approach to development work — grounded in compassion, ethics, and a deep understanding of the communities she serves.
Passionate about creating safe, inclusive, and accessible spaces, Shauntal is known for bringing people together in ways that foster authentic connection. She has created and curated wellness spaces, facilitated community healing events, served as an educator, and led successful galas and fundraisers for various organizations. Her work bridges mental health, community building, and philanthropy, with a strong commitment to equity and collective care.
At MAPS Canada, Shauntal brings heart, vision, and strategic leadership to fundraising initiatives that strengthen community, increase accessibility, and support transformative psychedelic work in alignment with MAPS Canada’s mission.
Warren Jane
YouTube & Podcast Committee Lead
Warren Jane received his diploma in journalism from Langara College in Vancouver, BC. After witnessing the life-changing transformation of a loved one who had been suffering from severe depression and suicidal thoughts, he became a dedicated advocate for the psychedelic cause.
Warren’s passion for psychedelic research, education and harm prevention eventually led him to join MAPS Canada where he currently serves as the YouTube Committee Lead. In addition to his volunteer work, he plans to further pursue his passion with a career in the dynamic psychedelics industry.
In his spare time he enjoys reading, writing, working out and spending time with family and friends.
Matt Hamel
Podcast Host & YouTube Admin
Matt Hamel is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) living in Toronto with a background in broadcasting, news media, and podcast production. Before entering the mental health field, Matt spent several years in media, where he developed strong communication skills both on camera and behind the scenes through producing, editing, and storytelling. This experience shaped his ability to connect with a wide range of people, listen deeply, and create space for thoughtful, authentic conversation.
As a volunteer with MAPS Canada, Matt is a host of the MAPS Canada Podcast, where he facilitates evidence-informed conversations about psychedelics and their intersections with mental health, medicine, neuroscience, education, and public policy. In his role supporting MAPS Canada’s YouTube and podcast platforms, Matt helps manage episode uploads, descriptions, titles, clips, and other digital content to make psychedelic education more accessible to the public.
Matt is currently completing his Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University. His professional interests include mindfulness-based interventions, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), trauma-informed practice, crisis intervention, and psychedelic-informed psychotherapy. He is passionate about evidence-based psychotherapy and the integration of emerging research into compassionate and ethical care that promotes lasting well-being. Through both his clinical training and his work with MAPS Canada, Matt is committed to advancing public education, fostering meaningful conversations about mental health, and contributing to a more informed, accessible, and compassionate future for mental health care in Canada.