Our Team
Meet the AMI staff
Tony Alfonso
At AMI, I am the Outreach Coordinator, my role is to reach out to families, schools, businesses, and community organizations in an effort to get people talking about mental health in order to reduce stigma. I do this through targeted presentations, tabling at mental health fairs, and virtual presentations and workshops.
I love bad jokes, riding motorcycles, and making things work that stopped working for whatever reason!
Ella Amir
Staying in one workplace for the long run means you are either afraid to leave or you love what you do. Count me with the latter. Serving the community, while sustaining a culture of engagement, respect and trust within, has been an invaluable, gratifying experience. And it continues...
Besta Avci
As a Family Peer Support Worker at AMI-Québec, I collaborate with the CIUSSS du Centre-Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal to support caregivers who are navigating the challenges of helping a loved one living with mental illness. I offer a compassionate, non-judgmental space for families to feel heard, find resources, and reconnect with hope.
Outside of work, I’m passionate about dance, yoga, and the healing power of community.
Natalie Boileau
I am a Family Peer Support Worker at AMI, and I am collaborating with the CIUSSS Centre-Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal to expand our service to caregivers who support a loved one with a mental illness across the territory. I aim to bring awareness on the roles and challenges that family members, partners and friends have as they follow their loved one along the journey that is mental illness.
I‘d rather be barefoot all the time, I love slack lining (but I’m no expert), I’m vegan, and most importantly I make sure to watch every single movie nominated at the Oscars ahead of time, so I can be excited about who wins.
Sylvie Bouchard
At AMI, I offer counseling, guidance and information to family members, partners and friends who have a loved one suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder or struggling to regulate their emotions. This is done through workshops, groups and one on one counseling.
I love walking, trees and bird watching, dancing, and singing to chihuahuas!
Val Garriga
At AMI, my role as the Care Champion is to work with schools to raise awareness about young carers and how to best support them. As someone who was a young carer at different points in my life, I’m looking forward to designing programs that empower young carers and make schools a safer place for them.
I love making and finding new music (the noisier the better), dancing like nobody’s watching, and playing soccer. I’m also fascinated by raccoons.
Marc Griffin
Howdy, I am the Program Coordinator at AMI-Quebec. I oversee our support groups and workshops. Some programs are in person and some are online, so I do a lot of juggling.
I love basketball, yoga, obscure movies, and writing.
Oliver Fitzpatrick
At AMI-Quebec I’m working to build awareness of the important role young carers play in supporting their loved ones, and create resources and community connections to support them.
I‘m a park connoisseur, songwriter and podcast fanatic. You can find me out admiring Montreal’s architecture and arts scene.
Blanche Moskovici
Hi, I am an Intake Worker and Family Mental Health Counselor at AMI. I guide people in need of support services towards appropriate educational, self-care and counseling resources, including our SOS-Famille Program, “a short-term intervention for long-term impact.”
I love to start my day with a cup of tea and a good book. I enjoy Lakeshore walks, motorcycle rides, practicing Qigong with my cat …
Sarah Varichon
I’m a counsellor at AMI-Québec, where I support caregivers in navigating the ups and downs of their journeys so they can feel more heard, supported, and equipped along the way. With a background in somatic expressive arts therapy, movement practices, and caregiving, I love creating warm spaces for connection, reflection, and growth.
When I’m not at AMI, you’ll probably find me dancing flamenco, singing, taking photos, wandering in nature, or enjoying long tea-filled chats with friends.
Diana Verrall
I work in administration which includes communications, fundraising, the AMI website, our newsletter, and more. Having struggled for many years with severe depression, I know how important it is for families to get support too, and that’s what we do here at AMI.
I run for fun!
David Windsor
I’m IT at AMI and I was brought in to try and help make everyone else’s job easier. I’m very eager to learn more about mental health from everyone else on staff. If you reach out because you’re having trouble attending something remotely, chances are we will end up speaking.
Outside of AMI, I’m a brewer, baker, photographer and Brazilian Jiujitsu instructor.
Annual Staff Potluck 2025
Staff holiday party 2024
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