The CompanionLink Team
Professionals dedicated to ending loneliness and social isolation in our elderly communities.
Franco Taverna
A professor at the University of Toronto, Franco teaches in the Neuroscience and Health and Disease Programs. He is an expert in Community Engaged Learning and for 14 years students in one course have become friendly visitors to seniors living in long-term care. When the pandemic shut down the visits, Franco and his students innovatively arranged to support seniors and staff with various initiatives including Companion Calls. He brings years of experience and knowledge in the neurobiological and social aspects of aging and dementia.
David Kepes
David began organizing grassroots volunteer efforts to reduce social isolation in May 2020 following the onset of the pandemic. David is a civilian member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, where he has served in various roles for the better part of a decade. In 2019, David was recognized by the Government of Canada as an Exceptional Young Public Servant and received a Public Service Award of Excellence for his service. He is passionate about serving his community and mobilizing people to build sustainable solutions to complex challenges.
Arlene Astell
Arlene is a psychologist with many years of experience working with older adults in clinical and research settings to support independence and well-being. She is an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto and Director of the Dementia Aging Technology Engagement Lab at KITE Research Institute, University Health Network.
Al Turnbull
Al is a corporate commercial and capital markets lawyer at a leading Canadian law firm in Toronto, Ontario. He enjoys finding creative solutions to complex problems in his legal practice and in his roles as a director and executive officer of CompanionLink. Al’s proximity to the need addressed by CompanionLink stemmed from his direct experience living with and assisting an older individual for most of his early life. With a people first approach to his life and work, Al is a determined worker with a good sense of humour.