Our Governance

Together we can

make a difference

supporting our

Heroes.

Aftermath Association is a Canadian registered charity dedicated to fulfilling our Vision and Mission of eliminating mental and spiritual anguish by responding to human need with human care.

The Aftermath Association is governed by the General Assembly, the highest authoritative body of the Association, which convenes once a year. The Board of Directors, composed of up to 12 members appointed by the majority vote of the General Assembly for a period of two years, functions as the highest authoritative body of the Association in the interim between two General Assemblies. The chairperson and members of the Executive Board of Aftermath Association are appointed members of the Board of Directors and are responsible for the day-to-day management of Association affairs.

The Camp Aftermath Steering Committee manages Camp Aftermath.

Board of Directors and CEO

Based out of Ottawa, Camp Aftermath is operated by a team of committed volunteers and led by a Chief Executive Officer. Click on their pictures for an extended biography.

Farid Yaghini

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Born into a persecuted religious minority within Iran in 1980, Farid’s childhood was greatly affected by war and discrimination. When he was eight years old, his family fled Iran and eventually settled in Toronto, Canada. In 2002, Farid joined the Canadian Armed Forces where he served two tours in Afghanistan. During his active service, Farid witnessed multiple traumatic events that affected both his personal and professional life. After his final tour, Farid settled into civilian life but couldn’t take his mind off the plight of other veterans who had developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In 2016, he conceived the idea of Camp Aftermath to help people suffering from PTSD, and, together with a number of friends who shared his vision, he formed Aftermath Association, the parent body of Camp Aftermath.

Hamid Simab

Chairperson

In 1980, Hamid was a 25-year old medical intern when he was arrested for being a member of a secular anti-Soviet resistance group in Soviet-occupied Afghanistan. He was physically and psychologically tortured during interrogation and later, during the eight years he spent as a dissident and prisoner of conscience in the notorious Pul-i-Charkhi prison in Kabul. Hamid takes great pride in having remained true to his principles and his friends during the worst of times, when he experienced “the best and the worst of humankind and what they can do.” After his release in 1988, Hamid trained for two years as a psychiatrist, but was displaced to Pakistan with his family during the Afghan civil war in 1992. Between his release from prison and displacement due to war, Hamid helped create the first volunteer organization in Afghanistan, the Mental Health Volunteers Association, and later the Family Welfare Foundation.

Jonathan Wismer

Director of Finance

Jonathan joined the Army Reserve, an integrated component of the Canadian Army, at the age of 17 as a combat engineer. He was employed by his regiment for over 10 years and worked as a senior non-commissioned officer. Jonathan also helped train countless reservists and combat engineers across Canada. During this time, Jonathan also obtained a Bachelor of Arts in History degree, followed by a Master of Public Administration.

Michelle Brazier

Communications Director

Michelle has been a public servant for over 10 years. She has been active in raising funds for various charities and is passionate about helping others. She has numerous friends who are both active and former military members and has first-hand knowledge of the effects of mental anguish on the men and women serving in uniform.

Shawn Cormier

Director of Community Outreach - First Responders

Shawn Cormier has been an active serving Ottawa Police officer for over 7 years. He is also a Canadian Forces veteran. While in the Canadian Force he was posted at CFB Petawawa and served on multiple deployments.

Dragan Nevjestic

Director of IT

Dragan was born in war-torn ex-Yugoslavia. As the war began, segregating the nation into religious sects and seven different countries, his family faced discrimination due to his parent’s mixed marriage.

To protect their children, Dragan and his sister were smuggled into Switzerland, where they remained separated from their parents for three years. After returning home after the war and facing continued violence in the region, Dragan and his family immigrated to Canada. He now resides in Ottawa and works in the IT sector.

Dragan joined Camp Aftermath to support others affected by war.

Natalia Baginski

Director of Outreach - Military & Other

Natalia is a mom to an amazing daughter, a veteran, an artist and a certified yoga teacher. She is currently in studies to become a clinical therapist. She hopes to work especially closely with the military and first responder populations. Natalia herself is journeying to heal PTSD and manage chronic pain. She sustained severe leg and hip injuries during her service. Her doctors doubted that she would ever again walk without mobility aids, but she was determined to beat the odds. After years of rehabilitation, today Natalia is once again able to move and walk entirely without supports. Serving remains a source of concurrent pride and humility for Natalia, perhaps especially because the challenges she faced have deepened the empathy and compassion she feels for her peers.
Additionally, Natalia brings two decades of experience as a communications professional in the public and private sectors to the table. She is committed to help build relationships and expand the footprint of the Aftermath community.

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