There is hope.
Maya Carvalho — Founder & President, CMS
Maya is a migraine educator and advocate. She began her own journey with chronic migraine in 2005. Despite spending years seeking every form of allopathic and alternative treatment available she was still experiencing frequent intractable migraine attacks, almost daily. After a headache specialist told her there was no hope for her, and no medication would ever help her, she decided to take matters into her own hands. She formed her own support group for people living with chronic migraine, began researching available treatments, and advocating for her own health. As things improved she saw that she could be a champion for others living with this disease.
Maya holds a Bachelor Degree in Interior Design from the University of Manitoba as well as an MBA in business strategy from the University of Toronto. Prior to her work in this field, she was a marketing executive for L’Oréal in New York City. She is dedicated to improving the quality of life of Canadians living with chronic migraine by offering educational support, peer support and advocacy for this debilitating neurological disease. Maya currently lives in Toronto with her husband and puppy.
Board Members
Board SecretaryDr Mireille Pauline
Mirielle has dealt with chronic migraine since her teenage years and was inspired to join the Canadian Migraine Society after the immense amount of empathy and education she received and witnessed in CMS support groups. While she continues her journey with migraine, she has had a drastic improvement in her quality of life, largely based on advocating for proper treatment to her medical providers. She received a PhD in Medical Sciences - Pediatrics from the University of Alberta in 2023 and hopes to bring her passion and knowledge of medical research to CMS. Mirielle currently lives in Edmonton while she completes her post-doctoral training and hopes to start a career as a medical researcher and professor.
Board TreasurerJane Granger
Jane is a Chartered Professional Accountant with a rich 20-year history in finance and accounting. She currently leads an accounting and consulting service where she blends her expertise in financial strategy and small business growth. Jane holds a Bachelor Degree and a CPA certification from Chartered Professional Accountants Ontario. Jane has balanced a lifelong journey with migraine since childhood and learned to channel resilience and determination into her professional life. It is this personal experience that fuels her commitment to the Canadian Migraine Society where she channels these skills to make meaningful impact.
Medical Advisors
Dr Wasif Hussain, MD, FRCPC
Dr. Hussain graduated from Gulf Medical University in UAE and completed his Neurology residency at the University of Alberta followed by a fellowship in Concussion at the University of Toronto. Currently, he is an Associate Clinical Professor and Neurology Residency Program Director at the University of Alberta, a Director for the Canadian Headache Society and involved in research projects, including the 2024 Canadian headache prophylaxis guidelines. He leads the Headache and Concussion Clinics at the Kaye Edmonton Clinic.
Heba BaniHani, BSc Pharm, MBA, MHD
Heba BaniHani is an Ontario registered pharmacist with over 20 years of experience specializing in neurological disorders like migraine. She founded the Migraine Pharmacist practice to support migraine sufferers globally. Heba is the first Canadian to earn a Master’s Degree in Headache Disorders from the University of Copenhagen. She focuses on pharmacists’ roles in addressing healthcare gaps for migraine patients. She collaborates with pharmacists’ associations to enhance migraine education. As a visiting lecturer at the University of Waterloo Faculty of Pharmacy, she teaches Headache Disorder Management. She is involved in Education and Communication Committees at the International Headache Society and is an Expert Member of the Association of Migraine Disorders among others.
Dr Andrew Jin, MD, MSc, FRCPC
While completing residency in Neurology at McMaster University, Dr. Jin found a passion for treating chronic pain, including migraine which he has been living with. He is actively involved in clinical and research activities through various institutions, including Michael G. DeGroote National Pain Center. In his spare time, he enjoys outdoor activities with his wife and two daughters.