Bassam Khoury, our Founder, has first hand experience as an individual living with non-visible disability. His personal trials and tribulations drove him to create a space where those living with non-visible disabilities can flourish, and regain the life they had previously worked so hard for. Bassam completed his Bachelor’s in Business Marketing, and then went on to complete his MBA in Hotel Management at Cesar Ritz, in Switzerland. During a devoted and successful career in the hospitality industry, Bassam got into a sudden car accident and was unable to continue his career path.

While trying to adapt to life after the accident, Bassam noticed a gap in society’s ability to cater to individuals living with non-visible disability. And so he set off on a mission to rectify the current situation, ensuring people receive the proper support they need through Be-Abled. As part of the Board, Bassam aims to continuously raise funds, increase awareness, and mentor individuals on a personal level. Seeing people benefiting from Be-Abled, and knowing that it will make a positive difference in people’s lives is the source of his daily inspiration.

Ghassan Halazon is Founder and CEO of EMERGE Commerce Inc., an acquirer and operator of leading discount shopping sites across Canada, the U.S., and the U.K., with a combined 4 million members. Ghassan’s entrepreneurial journey started in 2010 when he quit his investment banking job on Wall Street at the age of 25 to launch Canada’s first limited time deals site. Over a 4 year period, the venture grew to a market leading position with sales of over $60M a year and a staff of 120 employees across the country. Ghassan’s position as part of the board is a driving force propelling Be-Abled to new heights. His humble personality and deep understanding towards life’s challenges, combined with his knowledge and ability to push forward are a tremendous asset for Be-Abled to grow in the right direction.

Hala Khayyat is a dedicated professional who brings with her experience in client relations & business development from one of Canada’s top law firms. She completed her MSc in International Development from Oxford Brookes University, and she devotes herself entirely to the task at hand.

She believes in Be-Abled’s cause and the importance of shedding light on the issues people with non-visible disabilities face on a daily basis. She also strongly believes that no one should have to face these struggles alone.

As part of the board, Hala hopes to spread awareness in order to watch Be-Abled to grow and widely provide its services to all those who may need it. Her inspiration stems from the willingness to be open and present, and from seeing people achieve at their full potential.

Dr. Christine Sauer, MD, ND (Ger), INHC, CBHC, DBA,

Christine brings to be-abled her over 30 years of experience in the German and English-speaking health and wellness field, her passion for combining science and nature to help others, as well as the experience of her own journey through the abyss of mental and physical illness back to health and well-being.
Her motto is:

“If you are stuck in a dark place, don’t give up! There is a light at the end of the tunnel for you, too”
She is the owner and founder of DocChristine.com, a Company specializing in finding – and fixing (if possible) the root causes of mental and physical illness and suffering.

She is a radio and podcast host, bestselling author and speaker.

Her hobbies are cooking, gardening, dogs and her backyard chickens. Her Halifax-native husband Mike of over 20 years keeps her grounded, humble and down-to-earth.

She considers herself a citizen of the world and the universe and a loving (and fun-loving) human being.

Joseph Daniel joins the Be-Abled Board of Directors with his background in Health & Wellness Recreation. His passion for helping individuals reach and obtain goals they never imagined possible shines through his work, and his dedication constantly inspires others to achieve. Joseph’s soaring career in health & wellness has enabled him to build meaningful connections with industry leading healthcare providers. He also fostered a dedicated social media following, and made appearances on CTV. His daily inspiration stems from helping others, and creating a community of support for those who need it.

Maggie Khouri is a Psychologist with training in Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Her experience working in a professional multidisciplinary team is valuable for serving on Be-Abled’s Board of Directors, and will enable her to provide input on psychological strategies that are helpful in assisting individuals living with a non-visible disability lead a fulfilling life.

Maggie believes in the importance of providing social, physical, psychological, and financial resources and support, and hopes to aid in the development of a society where individuals living with non-visible disabilities feel accepted and supported, in a community exclusive to aiding the visibly disabled. Her belief that hardship can be overcome through dedication, hard work, and optimism are part of Be-Abled’s core values.

Vince Pothier possesses a strong professional background in the financial services industry. His belief that we should always strive to improve our own lives and the lives of those around us is a constant inspiration to the Be-Abled Board of Directors. Vince deeply understands that some individuals are faced with more hardships than others, and believes in equality, and in our moral responsibility to assist those around us.

Vince has dedicated a lot of effort, energy, and personal time to the growth of Be-Abled, and is highly involved in its operations and development. His steadfast career in finance has enabled him to grow his social and professional networks, and is committed to seeing Be-Abled flourish. He is driven by a world where people strive to overcome obstacles and ultimately achieve their goals.