We are autism experts, supporting children, teens, and young adults with autism to lead meaningful, engaged lives. The Centre specializes in autism services and supports, and our staff members are trained in the science and application of autism-specific practice. Our services and program teams are led by psychologists and board-certified behavioural analysts and include communication professionals, occupational therapists, and educational specialists.

Deborah Allard Usunier,
Executive Director

Deborah has spent over thirty years working in the not-for-profit sector, the past 15 years as the Centre’s Executive Director. Her varied background includes Sessional Instructor at MacEwan University, Director of Provincial Programs and Services at the Canadian Mental Health Association – Alberta Division, and Manager of Health Promotions and Volunteer Development for Alberta & Northwest Territories at the Canadian Diabetes Association. She has served as a board member on a number of not-for-profits in Edmonton and was a provincial trainer for the Government of Alberta’s Board Development Program.

Jackie Ryan, MA
Director of Neurodiversity Strategy and Education

Jackie is an Autistic Ph.D. candidate in Rehabilitation Science at the University of Alberta. She holds a master’s degree in Leadership from Royal Roads University where her research on leadership to promote the self-determination of Autistic individuals won the University Founders’ Award. Her doctoral research is on understanding self-determination and autonomy from the perspective of autistic adults with intellectual disabilities using a community-based participatory research approach. Included in her research is the preparation of Research 101 open-access training to build the capacity for Autistic people to collaborate or partner in research. Jackie created Quest for Independence, an innovative post-secondary transition program for Autistic young adults focused on teaching skills for increased independence. Jackie is an advocate of the Neurodiversity Paradigm and seeks to empower Autistic people to thrive.

Mark Donovan M.A., R. Psych, BCBA
Director of Clinical Services (North)

Mark first joined the Centre team in 2009. He is a Registered Psychologist and Board Certified Behaviour Analyst who received his training in early intervention, general education, and community mental health settings. Mark’s work experiences include individualized supports for children and families in home and community settings, school-based assessments and consultation, developing and delivering staff training and professional workshops, facilitating therapeutic groups for children with autism and anxiety, teaching undergraduate-level courses on behaviour and professional ethics, and providing consultative services to school staff and families in remote, northern communities. In his free time, Mark enjoys spending time with his family, playing board games, and playing the piano.

Sharon Randhawa, MSc., BCBA
Manager, Clinical Intake and Quality Assurance

Doctoral Candidate in Rehabilitation and Health Leadership (Queen’s University). Research title: Exploring the decision-making experiences of culturally and linguistically diverse caregivers and providers in Autism Services.

Sharon is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst and has been with the Centre since 2016. Since joining the Centre she has worked in different roles in Clinical Services. She received her training and Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Simmons College in Boston, MA. Prior to joining the Centre, Sharon worked in both school and home settings in USA and Canada. Sharon is passionate about performance management and improvement in service delivery and working with multi-disciplinary teams. Currently, she is pursuing her doctoral degree from Queen’s University researching decision-making experiences in Autism services specifically between culturally and linguistically diverse caregivers and providers. Sharon has her Pivotal Response Training Level III Certification. When not working, Sharon pursues her many hobbies and is running around with her toddler.

Angele Fournier, M.Sc., R.SLP, S-LP (C)                   Clinical Supervisor 

Angele has been with the Centre since October 2014.  She received her Master’s Degree in Speech and Language Pathology as well as a Post Graduate Certificate in Francophone Practice from the University of Alberta in 2012. Her work experience includes working with children in the classroom setting and training parents on ways to support various aspects of speech and language development in the home and community. She has a keen interest in neurodiversity and the speech and language development of multi-language learners. She also enjoys delivering workshops to the broader community to help build awareness about neurodiversity, autism, and communication.

Elise Iwaniuk, M.A., BCBA, Board Certified Behaviour Analyst
Clinical Supervisor

Elise has worked at the Centre since 2017 after completing her Bachelor of Science degree specializing in Psychology at the University of Alberta. Elise started as an interventionist and educational assistant at the Centre before moving into a Behavioural Case Manager role in 2018. Since then, Elise completed a master’s degree in Special Education with a focus on Applied Behavioural Analysis and met BACB requirements to become a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst. In November 2022, Elise moved into a Clinical Supervisor role at the Centre. She has a special interest in providing coaching and education about behaviour analysis and applies this when supporting staff training, parent workshops, and external presentations for community partners.

Marty Lohr, B. Comm, CGA
Director of Finance

Marty has been at the Centre since 2014. She received her Certified General Accountant designation from CGA Alberta in 2006, along with a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Laurentian University. Marty began her career in the real estate industry but then transitioned to the not-for-profit sector. She has over 16 years of experience working with not-for-profits and registered charities.

Susan Gynane, CHRP, B.Ed.
Director of Human Services

Susan has been with the Centre since 2010. She is a Certified Human Resources Professional with 20 years of experience. Prior to her career in human resources, Susan served as an elementary school teacher and holds a bachelor’s degree in Special Education.

 

Joanne Fodchuk, MSLP, R.SLP, S-LP(c),
Director of Strategy & Development

Joanne has been with the Centre for Autism Services of Alberta since 2015.  She received her Master of Speech-Language Pathology (S-LP)  in 2004 and her Bachelor of Education in 2001 from the University of Alberta; she is a registered S-LP and a certified teacher in Alberta.  Early on in her 18-year career as a Speech-Language Pathologist, Joanne supported children and teens in a variety of settings and developed expertise in the area of early intervention, autism, and other neurodevelopmental conditions.  Later in her career, Joanne developed skills in the areas of leadership, strategy, and development working as Care Manager for Community Speech Language Services with Alberta Health Services and as Director of Therapy Services for an online speech therapy company.  Joanne first joined the Centre as Clinical Supervisor and in 2018 moved into the role of Director.  Currently, Joanne is the Director of the Centre’s Early Childhood Services, Teen and Adults Services, and Community and Family Services.  Joanne also served as President of the Alberta College of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists for 4 years and has been a member at large on local, provincial, and national boards.

Michael Stolte Ph.D, CCC, R. Psychologist,
Senior Clinical Advisor

Michael, an Alberta Registered Psychologist, has been with the Centre since 2006. He holds a PhD in Special Education (University of Alberta, 2017), a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology (Trinity Western University, 2003), and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology (King’s University, 1995). A published author in autism supports, Michael has been named a Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR) Strategic Training Fellow in Autism Research. His research focuses on applying evidence-based practice and care in community settings and his clinical work focuses on assessing and treating complex mental health conditions and supervising multi-disciplinary teams. Michael is a member in good standing of the following professional organizations:

  • College of Alberta Psychologists (Alberta)
  • Psychologists’ Association of Alberta (Alberta)
  • Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (Canada)
  • Canadian Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology (Canada)
  • Canadian Psychological Association (Canada)
  • Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (International)
  • International Society of Autism Research (International)

Prior to joining the Centre, Michael administered federally funded vocational placement and training programs for individuals with disabilities in British Columbia. Michael also provides limited counselling, assessment, and consultation services as an Associate with CHVBV Psychologists of Edmonton.

Kerry Campbell M.A., R. SLP, CCC-SLP, Director of Clinical Services (South)

Kerry has been with the Centre for Autism Services Alberta as the Director of Clinical Services for the south region since 2018. She has had a long career as a Speech-Language Pathologist, working with children and their families to help them achieve their goals and potential. Kerry has a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Dakota and she obtained her Master’s of Arts from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas. Kerry started her career in San Antonio, and this sparked a lifelong dedication to improving the lives of children with communication disorders. Over the years, Kerry has worked in numerous settings with many different populations, including autistic individuals.  Kerry is passionate about teaching and mentoring other professionals and she believes wholeheartedly in including families in their child’s therapeutic care.

Anne Beattie, MScOT(c)
Clinical Supervisor

Anne has been with the Centre as a Clinical Supervisor since 2017, an Occupational Therapist since 2012, and since 2008 in other capacities. Anne received her Masters in Occupational Therapy from the University of Alberta in 2012. Prior to joining the Centre, Anne spent significant time working in addictions and mental health, both in inpatient and outpatient programming. She has a passion for working with families who have children with autism, supporting them to lead engaged lives in their homes, schools, and communities.

Sally-Joy Nandee R.SLP, S-LP(C), BCBA
Clinical Supervisor

Sally Nandee is a Speech-Language Pathologist and Board Certified Behaviour Analyst. She is also certified in Pivotal Response Treatment at level V: Trainer of Trainers. Sally has a passion for learning how to effectively teach functional skills to children on the autism spectrum and to support parents to be able to do the same.

Ewa Bochinski
Supervisor, Teen & Adult Services

Ewa has worked for the Centre for Autism Services Alberta since 2004. She graduated with a Masters in Clinical Sciences in Occupational Therapy from the University of Western Ontario in 2000. She started her occupational therapy career in mental health services in Ontario and transitioned to working with Autistic individuals and their families when she began at the Centre. Ewa has worked as an Occupational Therapist with children and families in their homes as well as coordinating and facilitating groups for the Centre. She has been part of many innovative programs and projects while at the Centre including research and implementing program pilots such as EmploymentWorks National Project. Currently, Ewa is the Manager of Teen and Adult Services and is passionate about supporting Autistic adults to thrive, whether they are in pursuit of skills for independence or on their employment journeys.

Kaija Melenka
Community and Family Services Coordinator

Bio coming soon!