I still remember walking into my guidance counsellor’s office at the beginning of Grade 9 and telling her that I wanted to become a Social Worker. Together, we mapped out the courses I would need to pursue that goal. She was surprised that someone so young already knew the career path they wanted to follow, but for me, it felt natural. As I progressed through high school and completed various co-op placements, I became certain that I wanted to dedicate my career to supporting neurodivergent individuals and their families.

I earned my Bachelor of Science in Community Social Services and have continued to pursue professional development in the areas of autism, developmental disabilities, community inclusion, self-advocacy, employment readiness, and independent living skills. I am currently continuing my education with the goal of obtaining a Master’s degree in Applied Behaviour Analysis.

Prior to joining Lighthouse Learning and Development Centre, I worked as an Educational Assistant within the public school system for nearly ten years. During that time, I had the opportunity to support students with diverse learning, communication, behavioural, and social-emotional needs. While I valued my role in education, I wanted to make an even greater impact by supporting individuals and families beyond the classroom. That passion ultimately led me to Lighthouse, where I found a team that shares the same commitment to empowering neurodivergent individuals and helping them achieve meaningful outcomes.

Today, I serve as the Program Coordinator at Lighthouse Learning and Development Centre, where I oversee adult services and community programming. I feel incredibly fortunate to support individuals as they navigate one of life’s most significant transitions: adulthood. This stage of life can be exciting, challenging, and often overwhelming. My goal is to help individuals discover who they are, identify their strengths, explore their interests, build confidence, and develop the skills needed to advocate for themselves and live as independently as possible.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is helping create opportunities for a population that is often underserved. Through Lighthouse’s partnership with the Els for Autism Foundation, we have been able to replicate evidence-based adult programming and expand services for neurodivergent adults within our community. It has been an incredible privilege to help bring these opportunities to families who are seeking meaningful support beyond the school years.

Every individual has a unique story, perspective, and set of strengths. I am passionate about continuing to learn from the individuals and families I work alongside and advocating for greater opportunities, inclusion, and support within our communities. I look forward to continuing this journey and helping individuals build lives that are meaningful, fulfilling, and authentically their own.