Our Staff
Nick Ostryhon
Founder/Board of Director
Nick was president of the BICR board from 2001 to 2023, and remains a present board member. He is one of the original group of parents, who in 1984 started meeting to address concerns families were facing in assisting their family members who were living with the effects of a brain injury.
At that time, there were no rehabilitation options in the region. People with brain injuries were released from hospital to their families or institutionalized. In 1988, after much letter writing, visiting and talking to politicians at all levels, and 10 people needing assistance, the organization received its charter status.
When the organization was incorporated, a short time later, funding for staff and programs was received from the Ministry of Health. Nick said, "It snowballed from there."
Nick's focus has always been "to help where there was no help" and to make sure people could receive 24-hour service if required. He has said, "I have accomplished what I set out to do when I see residents joke and laugh and see the improvements they make."
Doug Kane
Board of Directors President
Doug began his policing experience in 1975 as a seasonal officer with the Niagara Parks Police Service. In 1977 he joined the Niagara Regional Police Service for what would be a career of thirty-two years. After many taskings and transfers he attained the rank of Superintendent of Field Services (Uniform) and then Emergency and Support Services. After a one day retirement, Doug returned to his roots, accepting a position as Chief of the Niagara Parks Police Service, providing policing services to the millions of guests that visit spectacular Niagara Falls, and the Niagara River corridor between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.
Being actively involved in the community for over 50 years, Doug has held volunteer positions with a number of not-for-profit organizations, including Niagara Falls Community Living, Special Olympics, and Big Brothers, to name a few. He has been on the Board for Brain Injury Community Re-entry for the past 16 years, along with various board positions with Heartland Forest, and Community Living St Catharines.
Doug has retired from policing, and now enjoys fishing, golfing, travelling, and spending time with his wife and three children.
Frank Greco, B.A.
Chief Executive Director
Before becoming Chief Executive Director in 2003, Frank's career at BICR started in outreach in 1997.
Throughout his tenure Frank's positions included the inaugural short-term case coordinator and Community Outreach Support Services manager.
Frank has an undergraduate degree in psychology and physical education with several post graduate courses in counselling.
He enjoys a good round of golf and devotes some of his spare time participating and supporting the agency's two major fundraising events, the annual bowl-a-thon and the golf tournament.
Frank believes, "the work performed everyday at BICR is essential to allow participants to obtain the goals they have identified."
Dr. Linda Cudmore
Psychologist and Clinical Director
Dr. Linda Cudmore obtained a BA in Psychology in 1992 from Brock University and a PH.D in Psychology from the University of Waterloo in 1999. She then completed a year-long internship in the Acquired Brain Injury Program at Hamilton Health Sciences. Dr. Cudmore has been registered with the College of Psychologists since 2003. Her area of pratice is Clinical Neuropsychology with Adult and Pediatric populations. Special interests include psychotherapy after brain injury and understanding and managing emotion regulation from a brain-behaviour perspective. Concussion management and education is also an area in which Dr. Cudmore has experience and a keen interest.
Dr. Cudmore lives in Niagara-on-the-Lake with her husband and two sons, who are active in both minor hockey and lacrosse.
Wendy Bowen, CPA, CGA
Director of Finance
Wendy joined BICR in 2021 as Director of Finance overseeing accounting and finance for the agency.
Wendy is a Chartered Professional Accountant and received her professional accounting designation with the Certified General Accountants Association. Wendy also holds an Applied Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration majoring in
Accounting and Information Technology as well as a diploma in General Business.
Wendy has been fortunate to work at several not for profit agencies during her career and is passionate about supporting the valuable work of the sector.
Kelly Stack
Intake Coordinator
Kelly graduated from Brock University with a B.A in Psychology. Kelly continued her education at St. Lawrence College in the Behavioural Sciences Technology department. Kelly began her career at BICR in 2000 as a student in the Psychology Department.
Kelly has worked in many roles and departments within BICR including Residential Services, Community Outreach support services and Case Coordination. Kelly assumed the role of Intake Coordinator in 2020.
Kelly enjoys spends her free time camping with family and friends.
Heather Olszewski, B.A.
Project Manager
Heather joined the agency as Manager of Administration in 1997. She now provides leadership to technology and systems initiatives, as well as numerous other projects such as participant safety, emergency response planning, and participant & family satisfaction surveys.
She oversees scheduling and records management and is the agency's CCHSA Coordinator as well as the agency's Privacy Officer. For Heather, her work at BICR has been more than just a job.
Heather completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration at Brock University in 1990.
She has enjoyed being a part of the organization and watching it grow. When Heather is not working, she spends her time with her family and participating in sports.