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Featured Speakers
Meet our amazing speakers and presenters!
Sue’s journey with dyslexia began through her son’s learning challenges, which led to her own diagnosis. She trained as a Davis Facilitator in the UK and has spent 26 years helping children and adults unlock their ability to learn. Author of Fish Don’t Climb Trees and speaker of the TEDx talk Dyslexia: Enable the Learning Difference, she also produced the documentary WHO KNEW Dyslexia is a Way of Thinking. A passionate advocate, Sue founded The Whole Dyslexic Society in 2001 to improve understanding, accessibility, and community support for dyslexics. She shares her expertise through conferences, professional development, media appearances, and podcasts.
Sue Blythe Hall
Adrian is a Plains Cree originally from James Smith Cree Nation in Saskatchewan, a traditional dancer/singer & helper. Adrian has been in the helping field since 1999 and still continues to help when needed. Adrian was involved in the 2017 National Elders Gathering in Edmonton, Alberta as the Cultural Day Coordinator as well as working with many First Nations running a Life Skills Program.
Adrian LaChance
Adine is an Early Childhood Educator and the Executive Director at Jasper Place Family Resource Centre where she has worked since 1992. In this time, she worked as an educator and as a family support worker with teen parents and as the coordinator of the Parent Link Centre. She is also a passionate advocate for children and families.
Adine Shuchuk (left)
Alana has been active in English language learning for 17 years. She worked for many years as an EAL instructor and Workplace Essential Skills Specialist. Alana served for many years as the South Alberta Co-chair for the ATESL Board. She is currently the Lead of NorQuest College’s Alberta Routes Initiative.
Alana Johnson
Alysse has been a part of United for Literacy for four years as program staff and currently as Edmonton community coordinator. In addition to her role with United for Literacy, she is a second-year teacher in a public school. She holds a BA in Art & Drama and a B.Ed. in secondary education. In her time at United for Literacy, Alysse has supported a team with over 100 volunteers.
Alysse Billings
Callista has been part of the United for Literacy team for over four years. She supports the delivery of literacy programming and resources to 20+ Indigenous communities throughout Alberta, supporting 500+ children annually. From resource development and program planning, to visiting communities and building relationships, Callista is involved every step of the way.
Callista Olivares
Cheryl started her career as a family literacy coordinator and facilitator, and now trains new facilitators to incorporate adult learning principles in family literacy programs. Cheryl has a strong understanding of adult learning principles and embedding those principles in family-based programs, to ensure the success of the adult participants to support the whole family.
Cheryl Lovstrom
Claudia has been the Volunteer Coordinator at the Centre for Family Literacy for three years, building a love of family literacy and programs along the way. Now, armed with an MSc. from the University of Alberta and PGCert in Science Communication from the University of Edinburgh, she is bridging her two passions to make science learning accessible for all.
Claudia Selles
Coralie is the Vice-President, Programs of the Canadian Children’s Literacy Foundation, and leads the strategic direction and growth of the foundation’s programming portfolio. Before joining CCLF, Coralie pursued her passion for making research accessible to a broader audience as an executive at the Brookfield Institute for Innovation + Entrepreneurship at Toronto Metropolitan University.
Coralie D'Souza
Dawn is entering her 14th year with Rainbow Literacy and Learning Society. She has been essential as a Trainer for our Building Blocks in Home Visitation service along with the rewrite of the training module. She has a wealth of practical knowledge as a trainer and a facilitator in various Adult and Family Literacy programs including working with Newcomers and diverse populations.
Dawn Titterington
Diana (pronounced Deanna) has a deeply rooted passion for effecting positive social change and has spent her professional career in the human services sector. She has learned that, especially in the context of community-led collaborative projects and the vital work of human services, change only happens at the speed of trust.
Diana Crețu
Ella is the Communications Specialist with ECALA. She completed her Diploma in Paralegal Studies at Bow Valley College, along with marketing, branding, and social media classes. She is passionate about inclusive communication and plain language in marketing.
Ella Ruth Bilodeau
Gracie is a recent graduate from the University of British Columbia in Psychology and Gender, Women's, and Sexuality Studies. She has designed this course in response to both her formal education and her lived experience. Gracie is incredibly passionate about 2SLGBTQIA+ rights and is an advocate for mental health and resiliency for those who are queer.
Gracie McNichol
Joleen is the Program Coordinator of the GPFC Aboriginal Head Start for 10 years. With a background as an Early Learning Consultant, Daycare Director, and Family Day Home Agency owner, she is passionate about literacy and inclusivity. She introduced Moe the Mouse to Alberta’s AHS programs and led the initiative to adapt it for the province, ensuring its impact
reaches even more communities.
Joleen Bateman (left)
Kaitlyn is a Program Support Specialist at the Canadian Children's Literacy Foundation, where she helps develop and implement research-based literacy training programs for early childhood educators. She received her PhD in Developmental Psychology from the University of Western Ontario.
Kaitlyn Parks
Kimberley is the Executive Director at the Centre for Family Literacy in Alberta. Working with the Centre for 22 years, she is passionate about family literacy and the Centre's holistic approach to literacy learning. She feels privileged to work with an incredibly dedicated team that excels at supporting and building capacity in individuals, families, and communities, using a strengths-based, responsive approach.
Kimberley Chung
Kristin is the Director of Programs and Training at the Centre for Family Literacy, where she has been dedicated to advancing Adult and Family Literacy for over six years. She is passionate about creating impactful learning experiences that empower families, practitioners, and community members. In addition to her literacy expertise, Kristin is committed to supporting staff, fostering a collaborative environment, and ensuring her team has the resources and guidance to thrive.
Kristin Dmytriw
Lia has been an EAL practitioner for over 30 years, combining her experience in the Philippines and Canada. Though her first love is classroom teaching, she has also worked in language assessment, curriculum development, and teacher training, and is currently an Alberta Routes Regional Advisor for Central Alberta.
Rosalia "Lia" dela Cruz
Nakita Gideon-Syme is the Program Coordinator at Kamloops Partner Assisted Learning and a dedicated literacy advocate with a passion for bridging generations through literacy. She specializes in community-based programs that foster meaningful connections and promote lifelong learning for people of all ages.
Nakita Gideon-Syme
Phaedra, Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Literacy Network, has over 20 years' experience combining community and learning. Specializing in literacy programming for diverse participants, including those facing multiple barriers, Phaedra is dedicated to redesigning literacy training and supports, incorporating learning from participants to advance literacy and inclusive learning.
Phaedra Hitchings
Sarah is the Director of Operations at the Centre for Family Literacy, and has a passion for workplace culture, process development, and the power of a well-organized spreadsheet. With a keen eye for efficiency, she thrives on creating systems that support both team success and organizational impact.
Sarah Davidson
Tanis is the Professional Development Support with Community Learning Network. Working with adult learners in a variety of contexts paved the way for exploring family literacy. Her journey began as a mother, then as a participant, which evolved into becoming a facilitator and coordinator, before arriving in her current role of supporting and training practitioners.
Tanis Harms
Wendy has worked over 25 years in the literacy field as a facilitator, coordinator, trainer, and professional development specialist. Sharing her experience and knowledge is a passion for her.
Wendy Peverett
Pam is a Program Director for Family Resource Services at Jasper Place Family Resource Centre, where she has worked since 1996. In this time she worked as an Early Childhood Educator of preschool children and continues to advocate on behalf of the importance of early brain development.
Pam Gudmundson (right)
Kathleen began as a parent at GPFC Aboriginal Head Start before joining as Classroom Supervisor. A strong advocate for Moe the Mouse, she helps bring the program to life in Alberta. Passionate about children and families, she also facilitates parent programs. As part of the adaptation team, she co-wrote Moe’s journey to Alberta, ensuring its cultural relevance and impact.
Kathleen Anderson (right)
Barbara has worked within the CALP system as the Executive Director for Rainbow Literacy and Learning Society since 2012. During this time, RLLS has become a Spoke Service for the Family Resource Network.
Barbara Moore Coffey
Elizabeth is a Program Support Specialist at the Canadian Children’s Literacy Foundation and is responsible for Book Curation and Procurement for the Early Words team. She received her PhD in Developmental Psychology from the University of Waterloo, where her research focused on exploring children’s learning opportunities in informal learning environments.
Elizabeth Attisano