Our Team

Dawn Anderson

Founder & CEO

Dawn Anderson is a very proud mother of 3 gorgeous children, Bryanna (1994), Odin (2017) and Magnus (2021). Magnus was born with bilateral clubfoot and has received exceptional treatment by Dr. Pirani, after unfortunate preventable physical complications were created by his first practitioner. During this process, Dawn has researched and educated herself on the treatment of clubfoot extensively. She founded the Canadian Clubfoot Support Society to provide education to caregivers and awareness to the public. Her overall goal is to prevent any other child from experiencing preventable complications.

Dawn has been a registered nurse since 2004, specializing in emergency medicine. Her passion for helping others is very apparent in her history of volunteering and working in healthcare. In 2015, she was awarded the Florence Nightingale Medal, by the International Committee of the Red Cross, which recognizes exceptional courage and devotion to victims of armed conflict or natural disaster. It also recognizes exemplary service or a pioneering spirit in the areas of public health or nursing education. She is always searching for possible ways to improve care for children and adults alike. When not working, Dawn enjoys traveling, camping, and sewing her kids’ clothing.

Dr. Shafique Pirani

Medical Director

Dr. Shafique Pirani is a Clinical Professor at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of British Columbia Medical School. Dr. Pirani’s major interest is in clubfoot. He is widely known for his clubfoot assessment tool (known as the Pirani Clubfoot Severity Score), for his pioneering work on showing how the Ponseti Method corrects the clubfoot deformity, and for initiating the movement for the use of the Ponseti Method in developing nations. He is the Project Director for both the Uganda Sustainable Clubfoot Care Project (USCCP) and Sustainable Clubfoot Care in Bangladesh (SCCB), both Government of Canada (Global Affairs Canada) supported initiatives to build capacity for sustainable Ponseti clubfoot management throughout their respective countries.

Dr. Pirani has been widely recognized for his work. The World Health Organization has recognized the success of USCCP and recommended its model as a way of helping the disabled worldwide. His awards include the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeon’s Humanitarian Award, the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America Humanitarian Award, the Canadian Orthopaedic Association’s Award for Excellence, the Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America’s Angie Kuo Award, the University of British Columbia’s Impact in the Community Award, and Fraser Health’s Above and Beyond Award.

Dr. Pirani likes to sail and listening to jazz.

Andrea Engelland

Director of Education

Andrea Engelland is a proud mom to Sophie (2017) and Addison (2020). Addison has bilateral clubfoot and is undergoing exceptional treatment at Royal Columbian Hospital in British Columbia, although her clubfoot journey has not always been easy. Addison had noticeable characteristics at birth, but she was not correctly diagnosed by physicians and had referral delays due to COVID-19. Andrea had to educate herself and advocate for her daughter’s needs, especially when unexpected challenges arose. Andrea hopes the Canadian Clubfoot Support Society can help other parents avoid the difficulties she experienced finding the best care for her child, as well as provide families with education and support for each child’s individual journey.

Andrea is excited to be part of the Canadian Clubfoot Support Society as she has always been passionate about supporting children, young adults, and their families. For over 10 years, Andrea has been an Elementary School Teacher. In 2013, she completed her Master’s Degree in Special Education to help expand inclusion practices in today’s schools. Recently, Andrea enjoyed her role as a Sessional Instructor in UBC’s Faculty of Education. When not working, Andrea spends time with family and friends in the beautiful beach community she lives in with her husband and children. World travel and sailing will always remain a big part of the Engelland family in future years.

Kristy Crompton

Director of Marketing

Kristy Crompton is a proud parent to Roger (2020), who was born with right unilateral clubfoot that was not picked up on the 20-week ultrasound. This came as a surprise and they were sent home from the hospital and told someone will be in touch. They found it very hard to get Canadian resources as the hospitals did not provide any information. There were many times when treatment was not going as instructed and there was no resource or contact to reach out to for help until the next appointment. Now more than ever, her family feels the need for a reliable resource for people to get real-time information regarding treatment and to help new parents prepare for their journey ahead.

Kristy has extensive experience with non-profits in her 10-year marketing career, including FASworld (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) where she launched a province-wide campaign in partnership with the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) to spread awareness of the effects of alcohol use in pregnancy. In her current role as Account Director at TDG Marketing, she works with Support Ontario Youth (SOY), a charity committed to helping young people enter the trades and modernizing the oldest form of education (apprenticeships). For SOY, she has delivered a province wide advertising campaign promoting their Tools of the Trades “Boot Camp” that consists of digital marketing, TV commercial production, website development, SEO and print materials. Kristy is passionate about snowboarding and has also been an avid member of the ski patrol community in Ontario, volunteering as a patroller to keep the hills safe.

Judy Anderson

Treasurer

Judy Anderson is a proud Grandmother of 3 amazing grandchildren, Bryanna (1994), Odin (2017) and Magnus (2020). Magnus was born with bilateral clubfoot in the Yukon. Disappointedly he was not treated properly and ended up with a complex foot. When her daughter decided to create this society, she knew that she would be able to offer her support as a treasurer.

Judy has extensive experience in bookkeeping and accounts. She is excited to be able to offer her talents to the Canadian Clubfoot Support Society. On top of maintaining all the finances as treasurer, she also has taken on the distribution of products that are sold by the Canadian Clubfoot Support Society. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, sewing, and spending time with her grandkids.

Leeanna VanLoon

Secretary

Leeanna VanLoon was born and raised in Whitehorse, Yukon. She grew up knowing that she wanted a career in the medical field. In 2003, she couldn’t wait to leave the small town behind and head to the big city of Vancouver to attend BCIT, where she completed her diploma in Nuclear Medicine Technology. She quickly realized the city wasn’t for her and couldn’t wait to get back home again. Since then, she has worked at Whitehorse General Hospital. During the past 15 years, she has also completed two more Medical Imaging Certificates, in CT and MRI.

She has spent most of her career as a CT Technologist. However, over the past few years she has taken an interest in planning and development. Her imaging background and passion to help patients and their families, as well as patient advocacy, has led her to join the board for the Canadian Clubfoot Support Society. Her first child was born in (2020), Zane, enhancing the passion to help children. From one parent to another, she hopes the Canadian Clubfoot Support Society is beneficial to all those that need it.