Main Content
National Advocacy Council
The National Advocacy Council (NAC) leads the Canadian Diabetes Association in advocating the positions and policies of the Association to the Canadian public, governments, nongovernment organizations and the media on behalf of the diabetes community in Canada. Through the Vice President of the department of Public Policy and Government Relations, the NAC advises the Association on the use of political and public affairs strategies that will help the Association achieve its advocacy objectives. NAC membership includes volunteer representation from each of the Pacific, Prairies, Ontario and Atlantic areas of the Association.
Click here to view the current NAC members list.
Biography of the NAC Chair
Shawn Shepheard
Canadian Diabetes Association’s 2008 Volunteer of the Year
Shawn Shepheard is a recognized ambassador for people living with diabetes. Shawn was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1997 and has taken the challenges associated with the disease and channeled them into life changing lessons.
Shawn has successfully run three marathons and five half-marathons and dedicates countless volunteer hours to the Canadian Diabetes Association, both regionally and nationally. Shawn is the current Chair of the National Advocacy Council (NAC) and a NAC representative on the Association’s Ontario Area Advocacy Committee.
He uses this same dedication, motivation and enthusiasm as an entrepreneur running his own business and, every single day, in his quest to live a fulfilled life. Shawn is a professional speaker who engages audiences with his contagious passion and enthusiasm and is known as a catalyst for positive change across North America.
Area Advocacy Committees
Area Advocacy Committees (AACs) serve to implement the goals and objectives of the Canadian Diabetes Association’s Strategic Advocacy Plan. They also identify area specific advocacy priorities and develop strategies to address these priorities. Chaired by a member of the National Advocacy Council, each of the Pacific, Prairies, Ontario and Atlantic Area Advocacy Committees coordinates advocacy efforts and builds volunteer advocacy capacity for the area it represents.
© 2010 Copyright Canadian Diabetes Association