Our Team

Sydney Maynard

Sydney is a registered Early Childhood educator. Before and after receiving her diploma, she continued to work with children for a total of 13 years in a daycare setting. Throughout her career, Sydney has enjoyed working with families on a more personal care level as a nanny. Continuing in her passion for working with children and their families, Sydney works at Nurturing Behaviours as an Instructor Therapist, encouraging quality care and instruction in her position.

Vanessa has extensive experience working with children, including over six years of teaching swimming lessons and additional experience in 1:1 ABA therapy. Her undergraduate degree in psychology enhances her ability to understand and address each child’s unique needs. Vanessa is very passionate about helping children reach their full potential, and focuses on fostering meaningful connections with both children and their families. She is committed to creating personalized methods for learning and growth, ensuring that each child is supported in reaching their full potential. Her dedication and compassionate approach make her a trusted partner for families striving to support their children’s growth and success.

Louisa has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Gender Studies from Queen’s University and is further trained in Crisis Intervention and strength-based therapy. Her experiences working at summer camp from an early age within the Inclusion Program inspired her to pursue psychology, with a special interest in developmental psychology and disability studies. Louisa has worked in various settings providing support to children, including at a youth shelter, as a care coordinator, and in home settings. She seeks to provide children with a safe and inclusive space to grow and play in, and believes that every child deserves empathetic care and advocacy for their diverse needs. She is excited to be furthering her knowledge of ABA therapy through NBI and looks forward to making meaningful connections with clients and their families!

Ana holds an Honours Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Waterloo. Throughout her education, she conducted research on face recognition in children with ASD and took courses such as educational psychology and developmental studies. For hands-on experience, Ana has taught ESL to children, coordinated and delivered recreational activities for young children, and worked as an ABA Instructor Therapist for young adolescents. As an education enthusiast, Ana looks forward to working in ABA therapy, where she can implement creative strategies and play to support the holistic development of children.

Sara earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Autism and Behavioural Science. Since 2016, she has worked with children and young adults in a variety of settings, including schools, community programs, and family homes. She is passionate about collaborating with families and caregivers, ensuring that each child’s unique strengths and goals are at the centre of treatment. Her work is guided by patience, compassion, and a commitment to helping children reach their full potential.

Carly has a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Wilfrid Laurier University, as well as a degree in Social Service Work. Carly has over 10 years of experience supporting children, youth and families across a range of environments. She has experience working as an educational assistant and working as a child and youth counsellor, where she supported children and families in residential/clinical care. Carly has a passion for social work and supporting children and youth with developmental disabilities and mental health through a compassionate, trauma-informed approach. Carly specializes in creating inclusive environments that honour each individual’s strengths while fostering meaningful relationships. She is dedicated to advocating for the rights and well-being of children and youth, and strives to empower every client she supports to reach their fullest potential!

Keirsten MacKay is an Instructor Therapist at Nurturing Behaviours. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a diploma in Social Service Work. With over five years of experience, Keirsten has supported children and youth across various settings, including school programs, community organizations, and one-on-one support roles. She’s passionate about creating inclusive and positive spaces where every child feels valued, supported, and free to be themselves. Keirsten loves building meaningful connections and helping each child grow and reach their goals.

Rachel is a Registered Social Service Worker who is passionate about helping children and youth build confidence, develop life skills, and reach their full potential. With experience supporting children with disabilities in educational, recreational, and community settings, she brings a compassionate, patient, and creative approach to her work. Rachel enjoys building meaningful connections with children and their families while creating fun, supportive environments where learning and growth can thrive. She believes every child has unique strengths to offer and is committed to helping each child feel successful, included, and empowered to achieve their goals.

Ghaida Hamdun holds a Bachelor of Child Health with a minor in Sociology and Graduate Certificate in Autism and Behavioural Science. With a strong background in community outreach and leadership in inclusivity & accessibility, Ghaida brings both professional expertise and deep personal connection to the neurodivergent community. She is passionate above providing caring, evidence-based support to children and their families, and is dedicated to helping every child reach their full potential through a collaborative, multidisciplinary and humanitarian approach.

Arta is an Instructor Therapist at Nurturing Behaviours with a specialization in Psychology. She is passionate about supporting children and families through evidence-based, compassionate care. Arta is dedicated to creating a safe, supportive, and engaging environment where children can build skills, confidence, and reach their individual goals. She values collaboration, empathy, and applying psychological knowledge in meaningful, real-world ways to support development and well-being.

Molly is passionate about supporting children and families through compassionate, evidence-based behavioural services. She has earned an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Research Specialization and have experience implementing individualized behavioural programs as an Instructor Therapist. She is eager to begin a post-grad education program to continue to strengthen my skills, and is committed to fostering growth, confidence, and meaningful learning for every child she works with. 

Tessa is excited to be an Instructor Therapist for Nurturing Behaviours. She is currently working on completing her Honours Bachelor of Behavioural Psychology, which focuses on developing expertise in ABA principles through both clinical placements and in real-world settings. With an extensive history of working with children through tutoring, the arts, theatre, and special events, Tessa thrives on creative approaches towards child-centered interactions. She is passionate about tailoring her teaching to support each child’s individual strengths and needs while she focuses on building confidence, trust, and meaningful experiences for children and their families. 

Megan has over 10 years of experience working with children and youth in educational, recreational, and therapeutic settings. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Wilfrid Laurier University, a Developmental Services Worker diploma, and a graduate certificate in Autism and Behavioural Science from Fanshawe College. She has supported children, youth, and families across educational, mental health, and behavioural services, bringing a compassionate and collaborative approach to her work.  She is passionate about helping children learn, grow, and build confidence through play-based and recreational activities, as well as supporting families as they navigate complex services and resources, helping them feel informed and empowered every step of the way. Her warm, energetic approach helps create meaningful connections with the children and families she works with.

Elena has a Bachelor of Science in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience from Western University. She has always had a passion for working with and advocating for children, especially those who are underrepresented and often overlooked in research
and government services. She has previously been a tutor for school aged-children and a private-home nanny, and worked as a preschool educator for 3 years before joining us at NBI. These roles gave her firsthand experience with children from a range of diverse backgrounds, as well as with various exceptional medical, sensory, socioemotional, and
physical needs. Elena believes that all children deserve to feel seen, understood, and important, and takes care to consider intersectional factors beyond developmental disabilities that may influence how a child experiences the world and perceives themself. Eventually, she hopes to put this passion into practice through graduate school in clinical psychology, but for the meantime, she’s eager to make a difference and support families in building a secure, comfortable life for children in ABA therapy.

Sarah is an Instructor Therapist with a background in Early Childhood Education and Autism and Behavioural Science. She has experience supporting children and youth across a wide range of ages, abilities, diagnoses, and backgrounds. She is passionate about creating engaging, learner-centered environments where children feel safe, supported, and empowered to grow.
Drawing from a trauma-informed approach, Sarah focuses on building meaningful connections, fostering individual strengths, and helping each learner develop skills that support success in everyday life. Sarah is also multilingual and enjoys swimming, spending time outdoors, and exploring the arts in her free time.

Stephanie has a Bachelor of Arts in Therapeutic Recreation with a minor in Psychology from the University of Waterloo and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Autism and Behavioural Science. She is currently completing her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at Western University. Over the past 6 years, Stephanie has gained extensive experience supporting both children and adults with developmental disabilities. Her passion for working with children was further inspired by becoming an aunt to two wonderful children diagnosed with ASD. Stephanie is committed to creating an empathetic, collaborative, and inclusive environment for those she supports. She is passionate about empowering each child to develop their skills, build confidence, and reach their full potential.”