Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region Team
Inspired by the parents who founded Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region, we believe it is important to put the person first.
Our experienced team work in a thoughtful and professional way, to serve the people we support and our community. Our innovative perspective and commitment to the work we do is at the centre of our organization.
Meet our staff, send a friendly hello, and find out more about Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region.
Board Members
Liz Hedley
Chairperson
As part of Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region’s board, Liz feels such value and worth in the hard work and commitment EAFWR has to their staff, to the families that we serve, and to the community as a whole. Sharing similar philosophy and work ethic, Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region’s commitment to advocacy, education and support in the community is of great importance.
Liz has worked in the Waterloo Region for over 25 years, both in the Development Sector, and currently at Family & Children’s Services of the Waterloo Region. For over 26 years, Liz’s interest, passion and commitment continues to focus on supporting children, youth and families in our community.
Kathy Mortimer
Vice-Chair
Inspired at a young age by her Aunt Shirley, an advocate for disability rights and board member of KW AccessAbility in the 1970s, Kathy has been actively involved with community-oriented organizations for most of her life. She has served on the Ebytown Food Co-op board in Waterloo, the Quebec Public Interest Research Group board in Montreal, and the Toronto Bay Initiative board.
Kathy’s first interaction with Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region started shortly after moving into the neighbourhood near the EAFWR office. Kathy was offering a LEGO program, and needed space – fortunately, an EAFWR Community Development Connector heard about it, the program was opened to WALES participants, and so it began! Such partnerships are one of the important ways EAFWR builds community and relationships, to the benefit of all partners.
Caitlin Garcia
Treasurer
Jamie joined Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region’s Board of Directors in 2017. He brings with him a diverse background, including professional experience in Project Management, Recruitment and Finance/Accounting, as well as a background in the humanities, having received a BA in Religion & CUlture from Wilfrid Laurier University. While earning his MBA, Jamie provided consulting for local business owners while working for SIFE Laurier, and was a founding member of Net Impact at Laurier, a local graduate chapter of the global NFP based around sustainable practices and thinking from a humanitarian and economical perspective in business.
A designated CPA, Jamie currently manages accounting for a local general contractor. He hopes to contribute his financial and business acumen, in an effort to promote to the interests and well-being of EAFWR, and the families it serves. A resident of Waterloo Region, Jamie has embraced this community with his wife and three children, for nearly fifteen years.
Tomasina Channer
Secretary
Tomasina joined Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region’s Board of Directors in 2018. Living in the region for the past 20 years with her husband and three children, Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region was there when her family received the autism diagnosis of her daughter providing assistance when there seemed to be more questions than answers.
Tomasina brings over 15 years of management experience from the Contact Centre Industry as well as Director level positions with both Sun Life and Manulife. Tomasina wanted to leverage both her personal and professional experience in support of EAFWR, an organization that helps so many as it strives to bring inclusion and awareness to the community.
Jeramie Gallichan
Director
Jeramie strongly believes in giving back to the community. Joining Extend-A-Family WAterloo Region in order to contribute to the local community, Jerarmie believes in EAFWR’s commitment to inclusion, community, dignity and belonging.
Born and raised in Waterloo Region, Jeramie is a lawyer and has a general litigation practice that includes commercial litigation and employment law. He attended the University of Waterloo and earned an Honours BA in Arts, Business & Political Science degree in 2008. He completed his law degree at the UNiversity of Waterloo and was a Writing Leaders Fellow and a Teaching Assistant at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law. He also was a National Social Justice Fellow at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario.
Chris Letizi
Director
A community builder for over ten years in the Stanley Park Community, Chris has gained experience in community leadership, bringing people together, empowering others and working with individuals from various backgrounds. Chris has lived experience working with individuals with disabilities, through his work with Carizon Family and Community Services, Extend-A-Family and Child and Family Services, as well as supporting his daughter who has Muscular Dystrophy and Scoliosis.
Chris has over 10 years of experience serving on Board of Directors, and through volunteer and paid experience has a knowledge of fundraising, program planning and administrative tasks. Chris is also experienced with supporting and developing policy and strategies, most notably the development of the City of Kitchener’s Neighbourhood Strategy.
Chris has his professional designation in Volunteer Administration and has completed the Volunteer Management Course at Conestoga College. Chris obtained his Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Social Development from the University of Waterloo and specializations in Legal Studies and Criminology, as well as a diploma in Social Work Studies from Renison College.
Daisy Martin
Director
Daisy joined Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region’s Board of Directors in 2018. She wanted to contribute to a community that has embraced her family by giving back to an organization she feels embodies the values she is passionate about – community, inclusion and dignity for all.
Daisy has her Bachelors of Mathematics from the University of Waterloo and has her Project Management Professional (PMP) accreditation. She has been active in the community through various roles, including champion United Way within her work place, Co-chair to the Hope Spring Dinner event, events Chair for the local PMP chapter and Global Women’s Alliance Professional Development Chair at work.
She and her family have been a part of the KW community over the past 21 years and is proud to call KW home.
Devon Fernandes
Director
Since the first day he started worked alongside Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region to co-found the KW Library of Things, Devon has develop a strong appreciation for how community-based organizations can address complex social issues. Devon has served on the Board of the Laurier Students’ Public Interest Research Group, and continues to find ways demonstrate his commitment to inclusion, community, dignity and belonging.
Devon earned his Master’s in Community Psychology from Wilfrid Laurier University and is currently working as Humber College’s Sustainability Specialist.
Jamie Moffat
Director
Jamie joined Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region’s Board of Directors in 2017. He brings with him a diverse background, including professional experience in Project Management, Recruitment and Finance/Accounting, as well as a background in the humanities, having received a BA in Religion & Culture from Wilfrid Laurier University. While earning his MBA, Jamie provided consulting for local business owners while working for SIFE Laurier, and was a founding member of Net Impact at Laurier, a local graduate chapter of the global NFP based around sustainable practices and thinking from a humanitarian and economical perspective in business.
A designated CPA, Jamie currently manages accounting for a local general contractor. He hopes to contribute his financial and business acumen, in an effort to promote to the interests and well-being of EAFWR, and the families it serves. A resident of Waterloo Region, Jamie has embraced this community with his wife and three children, for nearly fifteen years.
Nancy Murdoch
Director
Nancy spent most of her career (17 years) in crisis assessment and intervention with Family and Children Services of Waterloo Region. Most recently, Nancy worked in coaching child protection staff and advocates in Texas on how to engage with vulnerable families. Nancy and her family have also volunteered with the National Service Dogs, raising a puppy for a child with Autism.
Nancy is committed to giving back to the community in a meaningful way by providing her experience and passion to EAFWR. This experience included working with children and families with concerns ranged from homelessness, struggles coping with mental health, and various challenges related to being new to Canada.
Nancy’s professional learnings have included Equity and Diversity-Anti-Oppressive Practice, Trauma and Attachment, Aboriginal-Alternative Dispute Resolution, Violence against Women, High Conflict and Signs of Safety Training.
Ryan Voisin
Director
Personally and professional, Ryan is a strong and passionate community-builder who believes in celebrating every individual’s unique contributions and achievements. Committed to community-building, Ryan works every day to create safe and inclusive spaces for productive and transformational dialogue. With strong facilitation and strategic thinking as a foundation, Ryan uses humour, creativity, and insight to help individuals and groups move forward collaboratively.
Ryan supports a father who lost the ability to walk unaided over ten years ago, and a mother diagnosed with amnesia three years ago as a result of an acquired brain injury. Ryan believes that it is “one’s environment and not abilities that create a disability”.
Ryan is the Director of Overlap’s Innovation Programs, whose proficiencies include human-centered design competencies rooted in empathy, applying foresight/futures methodologies for long-term planning, transforming organizational culture and design, including executive coaching, group facilitation and mediation, IT, strategic advocacy planning and relationship management.
Yousef El-rayani
Director
A devoted and dedicated father with lived experience, Yousef is committed to the KW community, always striving to do more and give back. Yousef participated in our Strategic Plan Focus Group held on February 1, 2019, and has been a strong supporter of EAFWR and the developmental services community.
Yousef is a professional engineer with diversified experience. He has a Ph.D. in Power and Energy System Engineering and is a Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Yousef has worked as a Research Assistant and has also been self-employed, owning his own consulting business.
Leadership
Al Mills
ext. 222
allan.mills@eafwr.on.ca
Executive Director
Ron Trajano
ext. 225
ron.trajano@eafwr.on.ca
Director of Services
Courtney Horowitz
ext. 263
courtney.horowitz@eafwr.on.ca
Director of Operations
Kevin Guay
ext. 240
kevin.guay@eafwr.on.ca
Director of Human Resources
Administration Team
Bea Binka
ext. 287
bea.binka@eafwr.on.ca
Program Specialist
Heather Dowling
ext. 223
heather.dowling@eafwr.on.ca
Executive Assistant
Maria Gligor
ext. 210
maria.gligor@eafwr.on.ca
Financial Coordinator
Christina Koenig
ext. 0
reception@eafwr.on.ca
Reception and Administrative Assistant
Ken Lemon
ext. 231
ken.lemon@eafwr.on.ca
IT Manager
Community Development Team
Community Engagement Team
Kerry Cressman
ext. 291
kerry.cressman@eafwr.on.ca
Community Engagement and Event Specialist
Avishka Juta
ext. 226
avishka.juta@eafwr.on.ca
Community Engagement and Communications Specialist
Becky Klokoff
ext. 268
becky.klokoff@eafwr.on.ca
Community Engagement & Event Specialist
Coordinators
Sanjay Bhaskar
ext. 351
sanjay.bhaskar@eafwr.on.ca
Support Coordinator
Samara de Boer
ext. 227
samara.deboer@eafwr.on.ca
Support Coordinator
Rebecca Fowlie
ext. 246
rebecca.fowlie@eafwr.on.ca
Support Coordinator
Katie Hagedorn
ext. 248
katie.hagedorn@eafwr.on.ca
FamilyHome Coordinator
Chantelle Mann
ext. 270
chantelle.mann@eafwr.on.ca
Support Coordinator
Lauren Mark
ext. 232
lauren.mark@eafwr.on.ca
Support Coordinator
Terral McBay
ext. 235
terral.mcbay@eafwr.on.ca
FamilyHome Coordinator
Danielle Paquette
ext. 245
danielle.paquette@eafwr.on.ca
Support Coordinator
Alexis Pite
ext. 264
alexis.pite@eafwr.on.ca
Support Coordinator
Ben Sauder
ext. 290
ben.sauder@eafwr.on.ca
Support Coordinator
Amal Shire
ext. 242
amal.shire@eafwr.on.ca
Support Coordinator
Jill Swanton
ext. 301
jill.swanton@eafwr.on.ca
Support Coordinator
Erin Toner
ext. 292
erin.toner@eafwr.on.ca
FamilyHome Coordinator
Program Managers
Michelle Boismier
ext. 249
michelle.boismier@eafwr.on.ca
Program Manager, FamilyHome
Denise Dietrich-Lelievre
ext. 228
denise.dietrich-lelievre@eafwr.on.ca
Program Manager, Special Services at Home & Intake
Kimberly Little
ext. 234
kimberly.little@eafwr.on.ca
Program Manager, Medically Fragile, Technologically Dependent (MFTD) & LHIN
Liz Flewwelling
ext. 243
liz.flewwelling@eafwr.on.ca
Program Manager, Passport
Recruitment and Training
Ashley Densa
ext. 265
ashley.densa@eafwr.on.ca
Recruitment Coordinator
Cheryl Fuller
ext. 238
cheryl.fuller@eafwr.on.ca
Training and Organizational Development Coordinator
Michelle Scala
ext. 253
michelle.scala@eafwr.on.ca
Recruitment and Volunteer Coordinator
W.A.L.E.S.
Andrew Owen
ext. 303
andrew.owen@eafwr.on.ca
Program Manager, Working Adults Learning Empowering Skills (WALES)
Brianna Gaebel
ext. 305
brianna.gaebel@eafwr.on.ca
Community Facilitator
Haela Von Hatten-Baer
ext. 314
haela.vonhatten-baer@eafwr.on.ca
Community Facilitator
Desiree Hinsperger
ext. 309
desiree.hinsperger@eafwr.on.ca
Community Facilitator
Julie Mainland
ext. 306
julie.mainland@eafwr.on.ca
Community Facilitator
Gryphon Sibbald
ext. 307
gryphon.sibbald@eafwr.on.ca
Community Facilitator