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
Daisy Martin
Chairperson
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
Vice Chair
Since the first day he started working alongside Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region to co-found the KW Library of Things, Devon has developed a strong appreciation for how community-based organizations can address complex social issues.
Devon completed his Master’s in Community Psychology at Wilfrid Laurier University and now works as Definity Financial Corporation’s Sustainability Integration Manager where he catalyzes social and environmental initiatives. Devon has previously served on the Board of Laurier Students’ Public Interest Research Group and continues to find ways to build community.
Caitlin Garcia
Treasurer
Caitlin, a dynamic and highly qualified professional with a well-rounded knowledge of accounting practices and principles, joined the Board of Directors in 2018.
Her strong work ethic and collaborative approach, along with her passion for learning, has been an asset to EAFWR. She has been a welcomed addition to our team, and her knowledge and passion for the organization and the people we serve has been indispensable.
Caitlin has a Bachelor’s Degree of Business Administration and is a Chartered Professional Accountant. In her full-time role, she is a Senior Tax Manager at BDO Canada LLP. Caitlin became our Board Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee in 2020.
Ryan Voisin
Secretary
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.
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.
Sigrid Janus
Director
Sigrid joined the Board in 2021, after having lived several years in Brazil with her family. While abroad, she became engaged in advocating for families with children living with disabilities following the lead of her daughter’s diagnosis. She later was elected a parents’ representative with the Board of the Public Institution that her daughter was attending.
Upon returning to the Region 4 years ago, she was introduced to Extend-A-Family and identified immediately with its people, values and ideals.
Sigrid profoundly believes that we all have something to contribute to building a welcoming and strong community. Advocating with different communities and families to ensure that we are all able to recognize ourselves in our community, is a very important step in this process.
Melissa Quarrie
Director
Melissa joined the Board in 2021 with enthusiasm and experience in advocacy, fundraising, policy development, and risk management. Melissa has a daughter with a developmental disability, and seeks to break down the barriers throughout all aspects of society that have impacted her family and others ability to fully belong and participate in the community.
Melissa is a member of the Waterloo Regional Police Service’s (WRPS) Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity Unit. Her team focuses on engagement and consultation with diverse community groups and individuals across the Region, to ensure that all citizens feel safe, valued, and welcomed. In this role, Melissa champions inclusion on a daily basis, including through revision of policy and procedure, provision of education (such as implicit bias and anti-racism training) to membership and relationship building with the wider community.
Adnan Ali
Director
Adnan joined the Board in 2021, with a desire to participate resulting from his experience with EAFWR and our collective mission and vision of community development and greater inclusion. As the African proverb goes, “it takes a village to raise a child” and Adnan believes that it is the ideational understanding of what constitutes a village (society) that is central and where everyone has to play a part based on her/his capabilities.
Adnan holds a master’s degree in Global Governance and is currently a Data Analyst for the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women). Besides working at the United Nations, Adnan’s other works have been very closely tied with state policies and securities, especially concerning the foreign policy doctrines of the United States and China. Adnan’s skills and experiences include governance, strategic planning, public policy, data analysis, advocacy and leadership.
Adnan has also been part of developing survey methodologies and collecting primary data. In his professional career, Adnan learned that advocacy becomes that much more potent if you have the right data, and that having policies and strategies that build strong governance and advocacy models enhance stakeholder confidence.
As a hobby, Adnan is involved in home renovations and follows real estate developments closely. Given Canada’s current housing crisis, Adnan believes that cities should be empowered at the individual level to develop sustainable community housing – instead of taking cues from the provincial or central government.
Malika Ismaili
Director
Malika joined the Board in June 2022 with a passion to volunteer and give back to the community. As a parent of a child with a disability, Malika has first-hand experience, understanding something of the journey many of our families are on. She has been involved with EAFWR for several years. Malika works part time as an occasional supply teacher, and is currently working towards her teaching career. She brings with her prior Board experience, and has volunteered with many organizations, including KidsAbility in Waterloo.
Elizabeth Houston
Director
Elizabeth has been a police officer since 1999 and currently holds the role of Inspector of the Community Engagement and Wellbeing Branch, a newly created branch within the Waterloo Regional Police Service. Elizabeth is passionate about respect, inclusion and belonging and became a director with EAFWR in June 2022. Within WRPS, Elizabeth’s team focuses and leads work being done in creating and fostering relationships with community partners. These relationships provide the opportunity for important collaboration to tackle complex social issues facing our community, including mental health, addiction and homelessness. Elizabeth has volunteered with many organizations, including the United Way and Ontario Special Olympics.
Marisa Tabong
Director
Marisa joined the Board in June 2022, but has volunteered with EAFWR as a member of the Human Resources Committee since June 2021. Marisa is a Risk Director with Manulife, and her experience includes risk management, project planning and execution and leadership. When Marisa was considering joining EAFWR, she indicated that it was our values and vision that resonated with her, and believes that, “Everyone has their own view on things – everyone’s experience is important.”
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 and Finance
Bea Binka
ext. 287
bea.binka@eafwr.on.ca
Program Specialist
Chris Brown
ext. 239
chris.brown@eafwr.on.ca
Financial Specialist
Maria Gligor
ext. 210
maria.gligor@eafwr.on.ca
Financial Coordinator
Monika Sud
ext. 212
monika.sud@eafwr.on.ca
Finance Assistant
Twila Gingerich
ext. 214
twila.gingerich@eafwr.on.ca
ISP and Resource Assistant
Christina Koenig
ext. 0
reception@eafwr.on.ca
Community Ambassador
Ken Lemon
ext. 231
ken.lemon@eafwr.on.ca
IT Manager
Community Engagement Team
Katy Boose
ext. 226
katy.boose@eafwr.on.ca
Community Engagement & Communications Specialist
Kerry Cressman
ext. 291
kerry.cressman@eafwr.on.ca
Community Engagement and Event Specialist
Lisa Stanley
ext. 268
lisa.stanley@eafwr.on.ca
Impact and Development Specialist
Coordinators
Daniel Allen
ext. 232
daniel.allen@eafwr.on.ca
Support Coordinator
Trena Barnes
ext. 216
trena.barnes@eafwr.on.ca
Community Participation Supports and Resource Coordinator
Sanjay Bhaskar
ext. 351
sanjay.bhaskar@eafwr.on.ca
Support Coordinator
Jessica Cave
ext. 237
jessica.cave@eafwr.on.ca
Support Coordinator
Tanya Feeney
ext. 218
tanya.feeney@eafwr.on.ca
Support Coordinator
Rebecca Fowlie
ext. 246
rebecca.fowlie@eafwr.on.ca
Support Coordinator
Gabriel Geiger
ext. 211
gabriel.geiger@eafwr.on.ca
FamilyHome Coordinator
Katie Hagedorn
ext. 248
katie.hagedorn@eafwr.on.ca
FamilyHome Coordinator
Zahra Jama
ext. 219
zahra.jama@eafwr.on.ca
Support Coordinator
Terral McBay
ext. 235
terral.mcbay@eafwr.on.ca
FamilyHome Coordinator
Kelly McMillan
ext. 230
kelly.mcmillan@eafwr.on.ca
Support Coordinator
Danielle Paquette
ext. 245
danielle.paquette@eafwr.on.ca
Support Coordinator
Alexis Pite
ext. 264
alexis.pite@eafwr.on.ca
Support Coordinator
Samara Riek
ext. 227
samara.riek@eafwr.on.ca
Support Coordinator
Amal Shire
ext. 242
amal.shire@eafwr.on.ca
Support Coordinator
Tara Smith-Mior
ext. 250
tara.smith-mior@eafwr.on.ca
Creating Community Circles Coordinator
Christine Strong
ext. 244
christine.strong@eafwr.on.ca
Support Coordinator
Neha Mariam Sunil
ext. 241
mariam.sunil@eafwr.on.ca
Support Coordinator
Tharangi Uthayakumar
ext. 217
tharangi.uthayakumar@eafwr.on.ca
Support Coordinator
Mikaela Vander Loo
ext. 299
mikaela.vanderloo@eafwr.on.ca
Support 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) & Home and Community Care Support Services (HCCSS)
Ben Sauder
ext. 290
ben.sauder@eafwr.on.ca
Manager, Community Programs
Kim Sproul
ext. 247
kim.sproul@eafwr.on.ca
Program Manager, Community Development
Jill Swanton
ext. 301
jill.swanton@eafwr.on.ca
Program Manager, Passport
Recruitment and Training
Cheryl Fuller
ext. 238
cheryl.fuller@eafwr.on.ca
Training & Organizational Development Coordinator
Noor Othman
ext. 221
noor.othman@eafwr.on.ca
Human Resources Generalist
Michelle Scala
ext. 253
michelle.scala@eafwr.on.ca
Recruitment and Volunteer Coordinator
W.A.L.E.S.
Desiree Hinsperger
ext. 309
desiree.hinsperger@eafwr.on.ca
Community Participation Services Manager
Julie Mainland
ext. 302
julie.mainland@eafwr.on.ca
Community Facilitator
Chantelle Mann
ext. 303
chantelle.mann@eafwr.on.ca
Community Participation Team Lead
Jayme Pembleton
ext. 307
jayme.pembleton@eafwr.on.ca
Community Facilitator
Gryphon Sibbald
ext. 314
gryphon.sibbald@eafwr.on.ca
Community Facilitator
Haela Von Hatten-Baer
ext. 308
haela.vonhatten-baer@eafwr.on.ca
Community Facilitator
Beth Weisberg
ext. 317
beth.weisberg@eafwr.on.ca
Community Facilitator