Our team

With over 15 years of experience delivering award-winning dementia care, our team knows memory care. We are here to help all people live well with memory concerns.

Linda Lee, MD, CCFP(COE), FCFP, MClSc
Founder & President

Dr. Linda Lee is a Care of the Elderly family physician in Ontario, Canada. She is the Schlegel Research Chair in Primary Care for Elders, Schlegel Research Institute for Aging, and Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University. She is the founder and Executive Director of MINT Memory Clinic, a non-profit organization helping to establish memory clinics in primary care nationally. In recognition for her leadership in improving care for older adults with dementia, she has been awarded the 2014 Ontario Minister’s Medal Honouring Excellence in Health Quality and Safety, the 2015 Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Institute of Aging Betty Havens Award for Knowledge Translation in Aging, the 2019 Canadian Medical Association Joule Innovation Access to Care Award, and the 2020 Change Foundation Future Innovator Award. Her research interests focus on improving health care for older adults living with dementia.

  • Dr. Amanda Jenkins is a Registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) and is a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW). She earned a PhD in Applied Social Psychology from the University of Guelph and completed her Masters of Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University. She has additional training in psychology from York University (MA) and the University of Waterloo (BA). She is a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) certified clinician through Wilfrid Laurier University. She is currently taking additional CBT courses to better understand the best ways to support her clients in counselling.

    Amanda has an extensive background in aging and health. She worked at the non-for profit organization AGE-WELL (Aging Graceful across Environments using Technology to Support Wellness, Engagement and Long Life) as the Community Engagement Manager and was the Research Coordinator for an Older Adult and Caregiver Committee before joining the MINT Memory Clinic and Plum Tree Memory Care as a social worker. She understands the complexities, stress, and grief that individuals in a care partner role can experience and has intimate knowledge of the challenges surrounding cognitive changes related to dementia.

    Amanda uses a variety of therapeutic tools based on each client’s needs. This includes person-centered, mindfulness, strengths-based, feminist, and evidence-based techniques. Part of her approach is helping clients change negative thought patterns, learn how to practice self-compassion and utilize strategies to cope with grief and stress. She strives to provide a calm, safe and non-judgmental space for clients to be heard and validated. Using a compassionate and empowering approach, her goal is to support clients in their healing journeys.

  • Christina combines her passion for patient care with her expertise in digital arts, graphic design, UX/UI, and business marketing to assist leading Plum Tree Memory Care's marketing initiatives, including the management of the website and social media platforms. While having been creative her whole life, her diverse skillset has been further refined through the Global Business and Digital Arts program offered at the University of Waterloo. Her previous experience includes volunteering at St. Joseph's Health Centre in Guelph, working as a graphic designer for an optometry office, and serving as a social media and branding specialist for a medical equipment provider. Christina is dedicated to connecting individuals with essential support and resources, guiding them towards a compassionate and supportive environment.

  • Bio coming soon!

  • Dr. Champigny obtained his Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Waterloo in 2020 and completed an ambulatory care residency at the University of Waterloo/Centre for Family Medicine Family Health Team. Since then, he has been practicing as a primary care pharmacist, focusing on dementia care. He has been involved with MINT Memory Clinics since 2019 and has helped train pharmacists in new clinics across Canada. He has a special interest in medication optimization in older adults along with the use of technology to improve medication adherence.

    In his spare time, Joey loves to travel and enjoys playing hockey, golf, and skiing.

  • Michael has a diverse background working in the not-for-profit sector around operations, finance, and healthcare management. Michael obtained his Master’s of Planning from Toronto Metropolitan University (2015) and Bachelor of Science in Biology from McMaster University (2023), and has has over a decade of experience working in the not-for-profit sector. Michael brings a pragmatic, purpose-driven perspective to his role as Vice President of Operations and Finance, to ensure the highest quality of care and operational excellence are maintained.

  • Sana has demonstrated experience advising public and private sector stakeholders on electricity policy, with a strategic focus on energy economics, industrial power supply and pricing, and international trade. She earned her Master of Public Policy and Administration degree at Toronto Metropolitan University (2015) following two undergraduate degrees in Life Sciences (2012) and Political Science (2014) from McMaster University. She has also completed training to become an End-of-Life Doula through Douglas College (2022). Prior to joining Plum Tree Memory Care, Sana worked as an Energy Advisor at the Ontario Ministry of Energy in the Electricity Supply Policy Division.

  • Sonali is an experienced administrator with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Science from the University of Guelph. Her curiosity about aging, nutrition, and how exercise impacts our health has fueled her passion for helping others live well as they age. With a strong eye for detail, Sonali is dedicated to efficiency and ensuring smooth operations behind the scenes. She is committed to making every interaction meaningful - connecting and supporting others in their lives. With a strong eye for detail, Sonali has a keen focus on efficiency and ensures everything runs smoothly behind the scenes at the office. She strives to make every interaction meaningful, offering support in professional and personal settings. Outside of work, Sonali enjoys crocheting, playing hockey, and baking goodies for others.

  • Brenda received her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy in 1990 and worked as a pharmacist for over 30 years. At Plum Tree Memory Care, she applies her organizational skills to help create a seamless experience for all.

    Outside of the office, Brenda’s interests include reading, crocheting, and amateur reupholstering—and she has a 2000+ day streak on Duolingo!

  • Lissa received an Honors BA from Western University in 1990, and in 1992 she completed her studies in Occupational Therapy at McMaster University. She works as an Adjunct Clinical Professor at McMaster, and has trained and educated MINT Memory Clinic teams across Canada. For the last 20 years, Lissa has focused on homecare and MINT Memory Clinic work. She has dedicated herself to supporting people in achieving their safest, most independent, and fulfilled lives in their home environments.

    Lissa is a proud mother of two sons. She enjoys playing bass clarinet and spending time with her water-loving lab retriever.

  • Sara passionately believes that the elderly should have a voice in their care during their twilight years and has long worked to ensure that this is a reality for her patients. Graduating from Conestoga College's prestigious Practical Nursing program in 2016, Sara began her career alongside Jennifer McKay at The Village of Winston Park, before moving on to Grand River Hospital, a CAN Health Network award-winning institution, prized for their work in transforming health care for Canadians. After nearly two years of working in rehabilitation nursing at Grand River Hospital, Sara made the decision to join the team at The Centre for Family Medicine, assisting in the facilitation of various specialty clinics before becoming a member of the CFFM Memory Clinic. As Nurse Coordinator of the clinic, she has continued to advocate for the needs of her patients, as well as their families, and has sought to instill her commitment to patient care in others through assisting in the establishment of MINT clinics across the country. Sara works closely with physicians and other biomedical professionals as the point of contact for physicians referring to the clinic and continues to strive to make a difference in a forever changing environment.  

    In her spare time, Sara enjoys spending time with family and friends, exploring new places, and going on adventures with her very energetic goldendoodle, Milo.

  • As a graduate of the George Brown College Nursing Diploma Program (2005) and recipient of the Garfield Weston Merit Scholarship, Vandy has dedicated her career to providing compassionate, culturally sensitive care. Being fluent in Cantonese allows her to connect deeply with individuals and their families, offering assessments and support in both Cantonese and English to ensure everyone feels understood and valued.

    With over a decade of experience in dementia care, she is passionate about creating meaningful moments for those living with cognitive challenges. She holds certifications in DementiAbility Methods: The Montessori Way, Hospice Palliative Care, and is GPA (Gentle Persuasive Approach) trained. Previously, as a preceptor for Conestoga College nursing students, she was honoured to mentor the next generation of caregivers with a focus on empathy and excellence.

    Outside of work, Vandy finds joy in volleyball and volunteering with her family, staying connected to her community. Her mission is to bring comfort, dignity, and kindness to every individual she cares for, ensuring they feel truly seen and supported.

  • Jenn is an expert in visual communication as applied to health. She did her Master of Public Health at the University of British Columbia, during which she created visual materials for the BC Centre for Disease Control. To learn more about how to create effective visuals, she took courses at Emily Carr University of Art + Design and did a second Master’s degree in Biomedical Communications at the University of Toronto. Prior to joining Plum Tree Memory Care, she worked as a biomedical communications designer at a service design consultancy.

    In her spare time, you can find her drawing, playing video games, or snuggling with her cats, Miso and Oatmeal.

  • Bio coming soon!

  • Jen graduated from Conestoga College’s Practical Nursing program in 2008. She worked as a Personal Support Worker at the Village of Winston Park, then transitioned to a lead nurse role there. Jen was instrumental in the opening of the dementia neighbourhood at University Gates LTC in 2015, as well as the MINT Regional Memory Clinic in 2012. Jen has helped organize and train MINT Memory Clinic teams across Canada. She has a special interest in changing the culture of aging, especially for those living with memory concerns, and aims to empower individuals with the knowledge of how to live well with dementia.

    In her spare time, Jen enjoys playing board games, watching horror movies, crocheting, and spending time outdoors.

  • Aristana, a versatile multimedia creator, turns imagination into reality with a Global Business and Digital Arts degree from the University of Waterloo (2023). By blending creativity with digital and technical expertise, she brings a diverse skill set to Plum Tree Memory Care. Aristana specializes in producing and editing informational videos, as well as helping the Communications department design graphics, and create print media. Her collaborative spirit shines as she works closely with the Plum Tree team to ensure a vibrant success in each creative project. Driven by lifelong curiosity, Aristana is always willing to take on a challenge and learn new skills in their field.

    Beyond the digital realm, Aristana enjoys cooking, scrapbooking, and spending time with her dog Tazo.

Consultants

  • Dr. M. Lee is a psychiatrist based in Toronto. Areas of clinical interest include psychosis and neuropsychiatry.