Team

dana Dana Florence BA, BEd Co-Founder & Co-Executive Director Dana Florence is the mother of triplets Taylor, Cole and Brody, who are the inspiration behind THREE TO BE.  Before becoming a mother, Dana was a primary school teacher with a passion for helping children to reach their full potential.  When her own three children were diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, Dana’s unwavering tenacity and optimism for the discovery of treatments for neurological disorders moved her to become an advocate both for her children and all others living with neurological disorders in Canada and around the world.  Dana is passionate about developing the foundation to advance research in this area.  Dana co-founded THREE TO BE with her husband, Jared, and together they intend to make a difference in the lives of many children.  Dana holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology and a Bachelor of Education Degree from York University.  She lives with her husband and three children in Toronto, Ontario.
jared Jared Florence BA Co-Founder Jared Florence is the Father of Taylor, Cole and Brody and the co-founder of THREE TO BE.  He is steadfast in his determination to develop THREE TO BE to reach its highest potential. Jared’s hope is that the funding the organization provides for cutting edge research in the area of neurological disorder treatment will improve the lives of affected children and their families.  He currently works as an event producer in downtown Toronto and has been an active contributor to Toronto’s event production and entertainment industry for over 20 years.  His creativity and determined spirit has helped THREE TO BE spring forth from a mere concept to an organization full of potential.  Jared holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (Hon.) in Philosophy from the University of Western Ontario.  He lives in Toronto with his wife and three children.
freda Dr. Freda Miller PhD Stem Cell Research Scientific Advisor Dr. Freda Miller is Senior Scientist in the Developmental & Stem Cell Biology program at The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, a professor at the University of Toronto, and holds the Canada Research Chair in Developmental Neurobiology. She has authored more than 100 scientific papers, reviews and book chapters and has 13 patents (issued and pending). Dr. Miller is best known for her studies of neuronal stem cells and of neuronal growth, survival and apoptosis. Major findings from her lab have provided evidence that mammalian dermis contains a multipotent stem cell that can be isolated and purified, that the p75 neurotrophin receptor is apoptotic in neurons, and that a p53 family member, truncated p73, plays an essential anti-apoptotic role in the nervous system. Dr. Miller is a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, Secretary-Elect of the American Society for Neurosciences, and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute International Research Scholar. She obtained her PhD in Molecular Biology from the University of Calgary in 1984 and completed her post-doctoral research at the Scripps Research Foundation with Dr. F.E. Bloom. She accepted her first faculty position as an Alberta Heritage Foundation Scholar at the University of Alberta. Five years later Dr. Miller moved to the Montreal Neurological Institute and McGill University as the Coordinator for the Centre for Neuronal Survival. She has held her current position in Toronto for the last five years. Dr. Miller is also a founder of Aegera Therapeutics Inc., a biotechnology company based in Montreal and Ottawa. Dr. Miller is very proud to be the Scientific Advisor for THREE TO BE and firmly believes in the therapeutic potential of stem cells for children with neurological disorders.
brenda head shot Brenda Agnew BA Parent Advocate & Coordinator Brenda has 2 boys, Chase and Maclain. Her son Maclain has Athetoid Cerebral Palsy and profound hearing loss, and wears bi-lateral cochlear implants.  Since receiving her son’s diagnosis, she has been tireless in her efforts to find the best therapies and treatments to help Maclain. As with many other parents of children with neurological disorders, Brenda was saddened by the lack of research and available medical resources in this area. Upon meeting Dana and Jared, and their amazing triplets, and realizing what a truly incredible organization Three to Be is, Brenda knew she wanted to be a part of something that would make a huge difference in the lives of thousands of children.  Brenda is also determined to connect with and assist as many other families as possible while they navigate their journey through the special needs world. She hopes to continue to provide information, resources, advocacy, peer support, and to work on creating new initiatives to families who have a child with a neurological condition. Prior to beginning this new life with Maclain, Brenda was a part of the corporate world for over 20 years with positions in customer service, business development, client management and operational suport. She holds a B.A from the University of Western Ontario. Currently she resides in Burlington with her husband Graham and their 2 sons.
She plans to bring forward her experience, knowledge and insight, along with a personal committment, to help make the hopes and dreams of Three to Be become a reality.
paige Dr. Paige Terrien Church MD Developmental Scientific Advisor, Dr. Paige Terrien Church is an assistant professor in the Department of Paediatrics and the Clinical Director of the Neonatal Follow Up Clinic at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.  She holds triple certification with the American Board of Pediatrics in Pediatrics, Neonatology, and Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics.  Dr. Church is the first pediatrician in North America to complete this unique combined fellowship training in Neonatology and Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics.  Dr. Church practices as a clinical Neonatologist in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and is the clinical director of the Neonatal Follow Up Clinic.  She is also a consulting Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician at Bloorview Kids Rehab in the Spina Bifida/Spinal Cord Injury Clinic.  Dr. Church’s area of interest is the long term outcomes of children with neurological disorders and was the first recipient of the Sydney S. Gellis Young Physician Award for excellence in the care of children with complex medical conditions.  Dr. Church is honored to be a part of Three to Be as the Developmental Scientific Advisor and excited to participate in a Foundation dedicated to the improvement of lives for children with neurological disorders.
Maureen Luther Maureen Luther, B.Sc (P.T) MA, IBCLC Paediatric Developmental Physiotherapy Advisor. Maureen has her Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Toronto and her Master of Arts in Special Education. She has received certification in several infant assessment tools as well Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT) and is a member of the International Board of Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC).

She has worked with children with developmental challenges all her professional career. She is presently a paediatric physiotherapist in the Neonatal Follow-up Clinic and in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center.

Maureen has delivered numerous oral and poster presentations on topics related to prematurity in particular developmentally appropriate care for the Extremely Low Birthweight (ELBW) infant including positioning and feeding in the NICU and in Neonatal Follow-up Clinic. She has recently published an article and an interactive Teaching CD related to feeding in the NICU.

Maureen is very passionate about providing the best care and opportunities to families and children with disabilities. She is very honoured to have been asked to participate in the Three to Be Foundation as the Developmental Physiotherapy Advisor.
giloMiloManson Dr. Golda Milo-Manson MD, FRCPC Rehabilitative Scientific Advisor Dr. Golda Milo-Manson is the Vice-President of Medicine and Academic Affairs at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. She is the Chair of the Medical Advisory Committee and is a member of the Quality Council of the Board and the Strategic Planning Advisory Committee. Dr. Milo-Manson is a developmental paediatrician and the Chair of the medical education committee at Bloorview Kids Rehab.  Dr. Milo-Manson and is also the former Director of the Developmental Pediatric Subspecialty Training Program at the University of Toronto, which is housed at Bloorview.  Dr. Milo-Manson’s commitment to education has put Bloorview Kids Rehab on the map as providing the largest training program in developmental pediatrics in Canada. Dr. Milo-Manson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Toronto and is the recipient of several teaching awards, including the Circle of Honour Education Award in 2005 and the Gerstein Teaching Award in 1998. Dr. Milo-Manson is very proud to be the Rehabilitative Scientific Advisor for THREE TO BE and is thrilled to be a part of a Foundation that aims to help children with neurological disorders.
aaron Aaron Stiller Robotic Therapy Advisor Aaron Stiller is the Canadian Representative for Hocoma, the leader in robotic rehabilitation therapy for neurological movement disorders. Hocoma develops innovative therapy solutions working closely with leading clinics and research centers around the world.  Aaron is also the co-founder of Aim2Walk, which specializes in the treatment of neurological and orthopedic conditions using the most advanced rehabilitation technology.  Aaron is proud to be a part of THREE TO BE and is excited to bring Robotic Therapy to the Pediatric community in Canada.
tema good picture Tema Stein , BPT, DO (MP) Pediatric Therapy Advisor & Parent Advocate Tema Stein graduated from McGill University with a Bachelor of Physical Therapy degree. She received her DO (MP) – Doctorate in Osteopathy Manual Practice in 2001. She has spent most of her professional career working with the pediatric population. She has completed courses in neuro-developmental therapy, including advanced and baby courses; lower extremity and foot courses; seating courses and other manual therapy course She has served on various professional government and public advocacy organizations. She has taught numerous courses/workshops across the country, for universities, other therapists, osteopathic students and general audiences. Tema has over thirty five years experience as a practicing therapist and department head at major pediatric facilities in Toronto and Vancouver. She is a partner at Footprints Therapy, which she founded in 1988.  Footprints is the largest and one of the most highly respected private practices in Canada, providing PT, OT, osteopathy, massage therapy and naturopathy for babies, children, adolescents, and, now, adults with a broad spectrum of needs. Tema is very excited to be a part of the THREE TO BE team and is hopeful that this organization will make a significant difference in the lives of many children and their families.