National Staff - Bios

Margaret Miller, National President

Margaret and her husband Robert have been married for 35 years. Together they operated a dairy farm in central Nova Scotia and raised a family of three children.

After more than 25 years, the Millers retired from farming in 1999 and Margaret started a hand-crafted quilting business.

On May 16th, 2004 their lives forever changed. Margaret and Robert’s son Bruce was killed in an impaired driving incident in Caledonia, P.E.I.  Bruce was a police constable with Springhill Police Service. As a police liaison at the local schools, Bruce worked tirelessly with the youth of the community to foster a better understanding of the harmful effects of alcohol abuse and the tragic consequences of drinking and driving. Ironically, the crime Bruce fought so hard to fight was the one that would take his life.

Within months of Bruce’s death, Margaret was speaking in high schools and she became a volunteer with the MADD Cobequid Chapter. She worked with MADD Canada staff to successfully establish a White Cross Roadside Memorial Program in the Province of P.E.I.  Today, Margaret feels honoured to be representing MADD Canada volunteers across the country and for being able to carry on Bruce’s work in his memory.

Listen to Margaret's story in her own words...

Andrew Murie, Chief Executive Officer
amurie@madd.ca

Andrew Murie has been MADD Canada's Chief Executive Officer since September 1997. His responsibilities include managing the National Office and facilitating national programs and services to it's 70 plus chapters.

Andrew has done hundreds of presentations on Impaired driving to elected members of government, government staff, police enforcement officers, traffic safety organizations and other community based impaired driving organizations.

Andrew's career spans over 25 years within the not for profit sector at local, provincial and national levels. Prior to joining MADD Canada, Andrew worked for the Canadian National Institute for the Blind and Big Brothers and Sisters of Canada.

Andrew has a Masters Degree of Management from McGill University, and his major paper was entitled "The Impact of the Alcohol Industry on the Drinking and Driving Movement in Canada". Andrew also has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from McMaster University and a Diploma in Recreation Leadership from Mohawk College.

Andrew currently serves as a community volunteer in the "Out of the Cold" shelter program. Andrew is married to Joan and they have two children, Alex and Stacey.

Wanda Kristensen, Director of Programs
wkristensen@madd.ca

Wanda Kristensen joined MADD Canada in July 1999. In November 1996, Wanda lost her 16-year-old son, Dave, who was the passenger in a car driven by an impaired driver. She has personal experience with the criminal court case of the impaired driver and civil suits. Wanda is a graduate of the Volunteer Management Program, a trained Victim Advocate for MADD Canada and a trained facilitator for Bereaved Families.

Wanda is the Director of Programs and is responsible for all Chapters, Victim and Youth services. Wanda lives in Burlington, Ontario with her husband Peter, son Ryan and dogs Kiki and Kiwi.

Dawn Regan, Director of Public Awareness & Partnership Campaigns
dregan@madd.ca

Dawn Regan joined MADD Canada in 1995. She is the National Director of Public Awareness & Partnership Campaigns for the organization. Dawn is responsible for developing new Public Awareness and Partnership Campaigns that embrace the mission of MADD Canada as well as providing the strategic direction, evaluation and planning of these campaigns. Dawn is also responsible for the telephone communication, the mail communication and cause-related programs.

In addition, Dawn is acting Chief Executive Officer in Andrew Murie's absence and Editor of the MADD Matters newsletter.

Dawn is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (Greater Toronto Chapter). Dawn has a Bachelor of Arts and a Masters of Arts from McGill University. Dawn and her husband, Greg, live in Oakville, Ontario.

Shaida Tabatabai, Director of Finance
stabatabai@madd.ca

Shaida Tabatabai joined MADD Canada in July 2008 as the Director of Finance. She is responsible for the National office accounting functions including payroll and financial statements. In addition, she oversees the Chapter financial statements and the set up of Chapter bank accounts. Prior to joining MADD Canada, Shaida worked for Redwood Custom Communications, Lancaster Cosmetics (Coty Inc.), Unilever Cosmetics International, University of Toronto Faculty Association, Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus Association of Ontario, and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Shaida has her CMA and lives in Oakville with her husband, David, and her daughter, Natalie. Her son, Ryan, is currently an engineering student at the University of British Columbia.