CALS 2026 Speakers

From the boardroom to the ballroom, Kristin Light brings a distinctive mix of executive insight, candid storytelling, and a dash of vintage sparkle to every stage she graces. A multiple neurodivergent speaker, emcee, and LEGO® Serious Play® facilitator specializing in neuroinclusion and mental health literacy, Kristin’s unique style makes complex ideas relatable, actionable, and memorable — helping inspire a future where every mind can find its groove.

The Honourable Rosemary Moodie is an independent Senator for Ontario and serves as Chair of the Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, as well as a member of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration. A respected voice on emerging technologies, she is a leading advocate in the Senate on issues related to Artificial Intelligence, having launched an inquiry to explore its implications.

Senator Moodie is a distinguished pediatrician, senior neonatologist, and Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Toronto. She holds both a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Public Administration, underscoring her deep commitment to leadership in both health and public policy.

Senator Pate was appointed to the Senate of Canada on November 10, 2016. First and foremost, the mother of Michael and Madison, she is also a nationally renowned advocate who has spent the last 45+ years working in and around the legal and penal systems of Canada, with and on behalf of some of the most marginalized, victimized, criminalized and institutionalized — particularly imprisoned youth, men and women. Her work in the Senate is focused on the development of robust, social, economic, and health systems that leave no Canadians behind.

As a lifelong resident of Winnipeg South Centre, coach, educator and volunteer, Ben Carr is a fierce advocate for his community and passionate about advancing truth and reconciliation, tackling mental health and addiction issues, and making progress on addressing the climate crisis.

Tara May is a leader in the movement for neurodiversity in the workplace. She is CEO of Aspiritech, a revolutionary tech company that employs more than 100 autistic adults representing more than 90% of its team. Tara is co-director of Neurowrx and a member of the strategic committee for HAAPE, or Helping Adults with Autism Perform and Excel, advocating for neurodiversity and employment both nationally and internationally and is a renowned speaker championing embracing neurodiversity, mental health, and most of all kindness, in the workplace.

Erica and Ian Hayes are a father and daughter team building technology that helps people communicate online with confidence. They are the co-founders of UniquelyND.

Erica was diagnosed with ADHD and autism in her early twenties after years of anxiety that no one could fully explain. After her diagnosis, we finally understood what had been going on for years. A huge part of the stress was digital communication. Texts. Email. Group chats. Social media. She would read a message ten times trying to figure out the tone. Write a response. Rewrite it. Delete it. Start again. Sometimes she would just walk away from the conversation completely because it felt safer.

She asked a simple question: what if there was a tool that helped you think it through before you hit send? That question became LINA, the Language Insights and Nuance Analyzer.

Ian has spent decades building software, leading product teams, and turning ideas into working systems. His role has been to make the technology reach up to meet Erica’s vision. Together they are building tools that interpret tone and intent, reduce response anxiety, and help people develop their own voice instead of replacing it.

For them, What’s Possible Now is simple: technology that strengthens confidence, supports autonomy, and allows more people to participate fully online without fear.

Erica and Ian Hayes are a father and daughter team building technology that helps people communicate online with confidence. They are the co-founders of UniquelyND.

Erica was diagnosed with ADHD and autism in her early twenties after years of anxiety that no one could fully explain. After her diagnosis, we finally understood what had been going on for years. A huge part of the stress was digital communication. Texts. Email. Group chats. Social media. She would read a message ten times trying to figure out the tone. Write a response. Rewrite it. Delete it. Start again. Sometimes she would just walk away from the conversation completely because it felt safer.

She asked a simple question: what if there was a tool that helped you think it through before you hit send? That question became LINA, the Language Insights and Nuance Analyzer.

Ian has spent decades building software, leading product teams, and turning ideas into working systems. His role has been to make the technology reach up to meet Erica’s vision. Together they are building tools that interpret tone and intent, reduce response anxiety, and help people develop their own voice instead of replacing it.

For them, What’s Possible Now is simple: technology that strengthens confidence, supports autonomy, and allows more people to participate fully online without fear.

Jonathan Dubuc is a late-diagnosed autistic and neurodivergent entrepreneur, speaker, and founder of dvrgntAI. After years of navigating life without understanding his own neurotype, Jonathan turned his lived experience into innovation, building AI-powered, gamified tools that aim to improve access to mental health assessment and support. With a background in digital transformation and technology consulting, he bridges personal insight with systems thinking. At the Canadian Autism Leadership Summit, Jonathan shares both his diagnostic journey and his mission to empower neurodivergent individuals through technology, advocacy, and inclusive design.

Maxwell oversees operations across all of Aspiritech’s program lines, including software quality assurance, accessibility, and data services. Previously a program manager for Aspiritech’s multi-million dollar Audio Program—with a focus on new development—he has excelled at expanding product lines and coaching team members. Maxwell is a people-first leader who believes in putting his team in a position to succeed in what’s best for them, the client, and the organization. Maxwell also has a prolific history in sales and marketing. He is passionate about movies and music, making him the perfect person to have an attention to detail in the sound space. He is a sought-after speaker and advocate for people with disabilities. He has several family members with disabilities, including schizophrenia and multiple sclerosis. He is also a graduate of Johnson & Johnson’s Leadership Development Program.

Jutta Treviranus is the Director of the Inclusive Design Research Centre (IDRC) and professor in the faculty of Design at OCAD University in Toronto (http://idrc.ocadu.ca ).  She established the IDRC in 1993 as the nexus of a growing global community that proactively works to ensure that our digitally transformed and globally connected society is designed inclusively.  Dr. Treviranus also founded an innovative graduate program in inclusive design at OCAD University.  Jutta is credited with developing an inclusive co-design methodology that has been adopted by large enterprise companies as well as public sector organizations internationally.  Jutta has coordinated many research networks with and by people with disabilities. Jutta was recognized for her work in AI by Women in AI with the AI for Good – DEI AI Leader of the Year award as well as by Women in AI Ethics. She is the chair of the Accessible and Equitable Artificial Intelligence standards committee for the Accessible Canada Act.

Dr. Rageen Rajendram, MD, MSc, is a Developmental Pediatrician at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and Assistant Professor in the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Toronto. His research focuses on applying artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve neurodevelopmental care pathways, including AI-driven diagnostic triage for autism and predictive modeling in rare neuromuscular conditions. He is also Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of NeuroAI Inc., where he leads the development of BRIDGES — an integrated digital health platform connecting caregivers, clinicians, and AI coaching to reduce waitlist burden and improve continuity of care for Canadian families.

With 15+ years of experience in digital strategy, Clara Maître leads the AI for Humanity Studio at Mila. She focuses on moving AI from theory to action by leading high-impact social projects. Her work centers on fostering collaboration between research and society to develop AI tools that are truly useful, inclusive, and grounded in real-world needs.

John Weigelt leads Microsoft Canada’s strategic policy and technology efforts. He helps individuals and organizations across Canada innovate with technology while avoiding the unintended consequences that might arise.

John has contributed to many technological efforts that established the foundation for the electronic services we take for granted today and he continues to lead efforts to evolve technology standards and policy. His extensive experience in technology, business and policy provides him with a unique perspective of our technology enabled economy.

Catherine des Rivières-Pigeon, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Sociology at Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM). Her research focuses on the social dimensions of health and for over 15 years, she has led major studies on autism inclusion and the domestic and caregiving work carried out by families.

Bianka Corbin is a Researcher with the Social Inclusion Research Team in Autism (ÉRISA) at Université du Québec à Montréal. Over the past few years, she has coordinated research projects examining the unpaid caregiving and domestic work carried out by families of autistic young adults, as well as the administrative burden associated with applying for financial support.

Stephanie Jull, PhD, is the VP of Programs & Training at Canucks Autism Network. In her role she oversees a large team of staff who deliver programming to over 10 000 Autistic individuals in BC each year. The training department develops and delivers both live and online courses for thousands of community members on an annual basis. She is also mom to two amazing kids on the autism spectrum.

Dr. Evdokia Anagnostou is Vice President of Research at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and Director of the Bloorview Research Institute. A Child Neurologist and Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Toronto, she co-leads the Autism Research Centre at Holland Bloorview. Her research focuses on understanding the biology of autism and related neurodevelopmental differences to inform novel interventions and health-system innovations. She holds the Dr. Stuart D. Sims Chair in Autism and is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences.

Allison is a non-Indigenous settler of Irish descent on the unceded territories of the Semiahmoo, Kwantlen, and Katzie Nations. She is a Neurodivergent parent of Neurodivergent Indigenous and Autistic children. At Len Pierre Consulting, she works with families, educators, and systems to foster trauma- and equity-informed, Neuro-affirming practices grounded in relationships. Her background in inclusive education includes collaborating with multidisciplinary teams in Surrey Schools through the District Action Team for Autism and providing training and consulting across British Columbia.

Lise Gillies is Cree/Métis and of mixed European settler ancestry, living as an uninvited guest on the unceded territory of the Quw’utsun’ Peoples on Vancouver Island. A neurodivergent mom of an amazing autistic daughter, Lise spent a decade working in Inclusive Education and Indigenous Child & Youth Care before becoming a consultant, facilitator, and visual artist. She now supports organizations across sectors to embed cultural safety through trauma- and equity-informed education and practice.