Our Team

Dr Jonathan Lai is the Executive Director at Autism Alliance of Canada. He also holds an Adjunct Faculty position in Health Services Research at the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto.

At Autism Alliance of Canada, Jonathan’s work involves responding to emerging national policy gaps in the autism and disability sector. Through his career, he has experience working at the interface of research, community and policy to affect systems change in the health and social services sector across Canada and internationally. From designing surveys and analyzing data on service use for people with developmental disabilities to facilitating policy dialogues on autism and disability, he champions the use of data and community perspectives to inform decision making.

Jonathan has been appointed to serve as the Vice Co-chair of the Minister of National Revenue’s Disability Advisory Committee to improve how the Disability Tax Credit and other federal disability tax measures are delivered. He is also a former Maytree Policy School fellow.

His graduate research training was in Neuroscience at the University of Guelph and McMaster University focused on gene-environment influences on the developing brain, funded by Ontario Mental Health Foundation and subsequently, as a CIHR Vanier Scholar. This was followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at York University in knowledge mobilization and a CIHR Health System Impact Fellowship at McGill University.

Deepa Singal (PhD) is the Scientific Director of Autism Alliance of Canada where she provides strategic and scientific leadership, working at the intersection of research and policy. Dr. Singal has a Ph.D. in Community Health Sciences from the University of Manitoba and Executive Education in Public Policy at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard, and a decade of experience in academia, government, and the not-for-profit landscape. Her expertise in quantitative child and maternal health research and public policy drives her leadership in pan-Canadian, multidisciplinary initiatives.

Dr. Singal’s mission focuses on generating community-driven evidence to shape national-level policy, advocating for the full inclusion of neurodivergent people in Canadian society. Her work is supported by numerous national grants, and has been widely disseminated to policymakers and the media. Dr. Singal has testified at the Canadian Senate to support legislation for the creation of Canada’s first National Autism strategy and presented at the United Nations, and various national and international conferences. Additionally, she is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Alberta and an Adjunct Research Scientist at the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy. Dr. Singal is an alumna of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Health System Impact Post-Doctoral Fellowship, a recipient of the CIHR Rising Star Award and was recently awarded Canada’s first CIHR Health System Impact Embedded Researcher Award.

Franziska Morin (M. Sc) is the Executive Coordinator at Autism Alliance of Canada. Franziska completed her post-graduate studies in Marketing Management at La Trobe University Melbourne (Australia) and her graduate studies in Business Administration at the University of Applied Sciences in Worms (Germany).

Franziska has several years of experience working as an Executive Assistant for various multinational companies. During this time she gained extensive knowledge into developing and implementing successful strategic and marketing projects. As a newcomer to Autism Alliance of Canada who joined the team in November 2021 she is thrilled to help form the future of the organization.

In her free time Franziska loves doing all kinds of outdoor activities with her family, such as hiking, running and biking.

April MacAleese-Jay is a dedicated and results-driven professional based in Moncton, NB, with a robust background in operations management, financial oversight, and leadership. Fluent in both English and French, April has demonstrated expertise in managing human and financial resources, overseeing project operations, and driving organizational success.

Over the past decade, April has been a trailblazer in student accommodations and adjustments within post-secondary education, advocating for students with disabilities. Her journey continued in the supportive employment sector, where she championed inclusivity nationwide. Her commitment to fostering inclusive employment shines through her impactful leadership roles. Passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion, April is eager to leverage her skills and experience to contribute to the mission of the Autism Alliance of Canada in the role of Operations Manager.

In her spare time, April can often be found drawn to the ocean, enjoying moments with her husband and two children. With a heart dedicated to both family and fostering a more inclusive world, April embodies a commitment to balance, harmony, and the pursuit of joy in every aspect of her life

Simone Daniels (M.Sc.) is the Special Projects Assistant at Autism Alliance of Canada She recently obtained her Master’s degree in Kinesiology from York University.

She previously worked for Autism Alliance of Canada in 2018 as a communications coordinator, where she reviewed autism advocacy- and policy-related materials. She looks forward to working for Autism Alliance of Canada again and conducting research to help persons on the autism spectrum reach their full potential.

In her spare time, you could find Simone reading, listening to music, exercising, walking her dog or enjoying the biggest and fastest roller coasters at Canada’s Wonderland.

Meet Vanessa Sophie, the Bilingual Communications and Social Media Specialist at Autism Alliance of Canada. Born and raised in France, Vanessa embarked on a new chapter in Canada. With a robust background in communications, graphic design, and project management, she excels in crafting compelling content strategies.

In her downtime, Vanessa can be found practicing yoga and diving into video games. She savors matcha lattes and robust dark coffee blends.

Mackenzie Salt (PhD) is an Autistic autism researcher and an embedded research associate with the National Centre for Autism Collaboration (NCAC) and the Offord Centre for Child Studies at McMaster University.

He is also a CIHR Health System Impact Fellowship Program alumnus. His current project, the Canadian Autistic Adult Needs Assessment, as multi-phase project to understand the needs of Autistic adults in Canada and apply the findings to policy. The first phase was a survey, co-developed with other Autistics, to determine the needs of the community, along with information about quality of life. The current phase involves focus groups to prioritize and generate policy recommendations based on specific results from the survey. This project will directly inform the development of a National Autism Strategy.

Previously, he completed a postdoctoral fellowship working with the Pathways in ASD study via MacART. He completed his PhD in Cognitive Science of Language in 2019 at McMaster University and has a background in qualitative linguistic research as well as research and study design involving autistic participants. He recently completed the Certificate course in Family Engagement in Research offered by the KBHN and CanChild and has been advocating for and working to improve research engagement with the autism community since. He has designed a number of research engagement projects and also service evaluation projects for autism service providers incorporating research engagement principles. He is also currently the Editor-in-Chief of the all-autistic editorial board of the Canadian Journal of Autism Equity. 

Krista’s career experience with national, not-for-profit organizations has led her to develop a strong belief in the value of community and relationship building. She enjoys projects and events that require collective creativity and dynamic actions to foster partnerships, grow membership and increase brand loyalty. Known for her ease in both English and French as a bilingual communicator and facilitator, she has led large events and been a spokesperson on both radio and TV. Krista is keen to advocate for accessible solutions and equal opportunities through interdisciplinary collaboration, networking and teamwork across institutions and community organizations for the Autism community.

Nicholas Piroddi (MSc) is a research assistant at Autism Alliance of Canada. He is an Autistic self-advocate who is dedicating his career to improving the lives of Autistic people, with a primary focus on increasing community capacity for autism screening, diagnosis, and long term care, as well as creating more inclusive and effective research practices for all Autistic people in Canada. He recently completed his MSc at the University of Alberta, and continues to do research aligned with his interests, while supporting Autism Alliance of Canada.

Leilani Forby is a researcher specializing in autism, internal experiences, and neurodiversity. She holds a Master’s degree in Psychology from Pepperdine University and a Master’s in Cognitive Science from the University of British Columbia. She is currently completing a PhD in Experimental Cognitive Science.

Over the last seven years, Leilani’s research has explored how autistic individuals experience the world internally, with a focus on visual perception and mind wandering (or daydreaming). Her work includes identifying patterns of mind wandering in autistic individuals, co-developing and evaluating programs to build social and employment skills for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), and testing remote support models designed to promote independent living.

Leilani believes that lived experience is essential in shaping research and policy. She is passionate about using research to inform real-world practices—improving education, employment, and community inclusion for autistic individuals. As a new team member of Autism Alliance of Canada, she’s excited to be part of a network where autistic individuals, families, researchers, and advocates work together to create meaningful change.

In her spare time, Leilani can be found at arts and crafts festivals with her husband, two children, and their dog Piper.

Alexia Ostrolenk (PhD) holds a Bachelor’s degree in Life Science from Sorbonne Université in Paris, and two Master’s degrees in Cognitive Neuroscience from University College London and École Normale Supérieure. She completed her PhD in Psychiatric Science at Université de Montréal.

Her research is focused on reading and language development in autistic children, and she advocates an approach to autism based on its strengths rather than its deficits. She is also a passionate science communicator and co-founder of ComSciCon-QC, a free science communication training workshop for grad students. Alexia is the recipient of a Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s Health System Impact Fellowship award that supports her postdoctoral training.

Christiane Roth is a Research Associate and PhD student in the Disability Policy Research Program at the University of Calgary – School of Public Policy and Faculty of Kinesiology. With an MSc in Human Rights from the London School of Economics and Political Science she has particular interest in the domestic application of international disability focused human rights frameworks in Canada. Christiane has work experience in policy development and advice that aims at improving participation in society and access to services for underserved and equity-deserving population groups. In this context, she has led projects on behalf of the German Development Cooperation and European Union Commission, which included efforts to improve access to services for people with disabilities. She is currently completing her PhD at the University of Calgary. Christiane will build on the work the Alliance is doing to use  administrative data to examine the relationship between policies, supports and services for autistic children and youth and outcomes later in life.

Dr. Michèle Hébert is a pediatric occupational therapist with 29 years of expertise, postdoctoral researcher and volunteer founder of Buds in Bloom/ Bourgeons en Éclat, Registered Charity for neurodiverse children and their families. Michèle earned a PhD in Rehabilitation Science from McGill University on interprofessional collaboration for children on the autism spectrum, and she completed a two-year postdoctoral scholarship at the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy and Faculty of Social Work, and a second postdoc at the University of Alberta for children from military families. In all these roles, Michèle helps co-create solutions with families, service providers and decision-makers, to transform health inequity into equity, in turn bringing a sense of belonging and community-connection to children, youth and their families. At Autism Alliance of Canada, Michèle will develop a framework that bolsters cross-Canada connection, ultimately to engage and support French-speaking Autistic people and organizations, bolstering community-wide inclusion and policy guidance from those communities.

Stephen Gentles (MSc, PhD) is a Research and Policy Consultant at Autism Alliance of Canada with a health information background. His work at the Alliance is diverse and has included moderating policy development working groups, coordinating summit sessions, and writing and editing policy- and research-related documents. He has also developed several large provincial and national autism surveys for various organizations.

Stephen completed a CIHR Health System Impact Postdoctoral Fellowship with Autism Ontario and Offord Centre for Child Studies at McMaster University. He holds a PhD in Health Research Methodology from McMaster University, and a MSc in Neuroscience from McGill University. He has research training in clinical epidemiology, knowledge translation, and stakeholder-engagement in research, and has authored papers on qualitative research and systematic review methods.

Grace Bennett is a Master’s student at Carleton University, where she previously earned a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and Mental Health, along with a second Honours degree in Psychology.

Grace has worked directly with individuals on the autism spectrum as a neurofeedback technician, gaining valuable insight into sensory sensitivities, communication differences, and the importance of individualized support. She also collaborated closely with families to better understand each autistic individual’s unique needs and help create a safe, supportive environment. Grace is currently developing a research project exploring EEG-based brain-computer interface training to support emotional regulation in autistic children. She is committed to inclusive, evidence-based research that improves outcomes for all autistic individuals, especially those often underrepresented in traditional studies.

In her spare time, Grace enjoys going to concerts, hockey games, and the movies with friends and family.

Haley Clark (she/her) is a PhD student in the Faculty of Education at Queen’s University. Her research focuses on lived experiences of systemic ableism and disability identity in education, particularly as this relates to autism and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Haley’s background in the sociology of education and critical disability studies spurs her active involvement in inclusive education.

Haley is currently a Data-to-Policy Fellow with Autism Alliance of Canada alongside the Re Storying Autism Collective. Haley completed her Bachelor of Arts (Criminal Justice and Public Policy with a minor in Family and Child Studies) and her Master of Arts in Sociology from the University of Guelph. Haley has presented at numerous regional and international conferences on ableism, language use, and disability identity. She is a published author in the area of mentorship and disability education.

Jennifer Crookshank is currently an M.A. student in the Department of Psychology at Carleton University, where she is a member of the Carleton Autism Research Lab under the supervision of Drs. Vivian Lee and Yan Liu. Her research is inspired by her experiences in the autism community and focuses on identifying child, family, and school-associated factors related to the emergence of school avoidance in young autistic children. 

Jennifer holds a B.Sc. in Molecular Biology and Genetics from the University of Guelph, a B.Sc. in Psychology from Carleton University, and an M.Sc. in Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology from the University of Toronto. This multidisciplinary academic background informs her approach to psychological and developmental research. Her academic and research excellence have been recognized through several competitive awards, including the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (2024–25), the Canada Graduate Scholarship – Master’s (2025–26), the Autism Scholar’s Award (2025-26), and the Data-2-Policy fellowship from the Autism Alliance of Canada (2025-26).

In addition to publishing and co-authoring over ten academic papers, Jennifer has presented her research at national and international conferences, including the Annual Convention of the Canadian Psychological Association and the Canadian Autism Leadership Summit. She hopes her work will help bridge the gap between research and practice to support inclusive, evidence-based education for autistic children and their families.

Marwa is a second-year Master of Science student in Neuroscience at Carleton University and a research assistant at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). She holds a Bachelor of Science in Integrative Neuroscience from Ontario Tech University, where she developed a strong foundation in neurophysiology and sensory-motor research.

As a Data-to-Policy Fellow with the Autism Alliance of Canada, Marwa is contributing to a collaborative research project within CHEO’s Extensive Needs Services (ENS) program, which aims to provide specialized interventions targeting children and youth exhibiting intricate neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder, and co-morbid conditions currently unmet by their communities. Marwa’s goal is to develop a desensitization protocol to increase EEG accessibility for children enrolled in the ENS program; her project investigates how exposure-based EEG protocols can be used to reduce sensory distress and improve neural accessibility for autistic children who face challenges with traditional EEG systems. Her work aims to co-develop inclusive neurotechnologies that reflect the lived experiences and sensory needs of autistic individuals. 

Marwa is passionate about translational neuroscience, inclusive research practices, and bridging the gap between scientific evidence and policy development.

Maya is a speech-language pathologist and PhD student in the School of Rehabilitation Science at McMaster University under the supervision of Dr. Michelle Phoenix. Maya continues to practice clinically across a wide variety of settings, and focuses a large part of her clinical practice on providing neurodiversity-affirming services for autistic youth. Maya also enjoys teaching students as an Assistant Clinical Professor (Adjunct) in the SLP program at McMaster. 

Maya’s Data-to-Policy-fellowship research applies co-design and qualitative methods to co-create improved social communication services for autistic youth. Maya is broadly interested in research that advances client and family-centred SLP services for autistic people and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Maya’s research is funded by a SSHRC Canada Graduate Scholarship Doctoral Award and Autism Alliance of Canada’s Data-to-Policy Fellowship.

Nafiseh Kiamanesh is a second-year MSc student in Community Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba and a Data to Policy Fellow with the Autism Alliance of Canada. Her project uses administrative data to examine physical health profiles of children with autism in Manitoba.

Her research interests include pharmacoepidemiology, developmental disabilities, and health services research. She is also completing a summer placement with Shared Health and works as a research assistant at St.Amant Research Centre.

Nafiseh is an internationally trained pharmacist with experience in community, hospital, and industrial settings, as well as digital health communications. She speaks Persian, English, and French.

Rachelle Humes is a neuropsychometrist at The Ottawa Hospital and in private practice, with a strong interest in neurodevelopmental health. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Ottawa and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Neuroscience at Carleton University, where she is a member of the Neuroscience of Imagination, Cognition and Emotion Research (NICER) Lab. Rachelle is also affiliated with the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) through her role as a Research Assistant and serves as a Teaching Assistant at Carleton.

Her graduate research focuses on learning disabilities, and through her fellowship with the Autism Alliance of Canada, Rachelle is conducting interviews with caregivers participating in the PARC study. These interviews aim to explore caregivers’ lived experiences to assess how well the study’s tools, design, and services are meeting family needs. The findings will help improve research practices, enhance caregiver engagement, inform autism-related supports, and potentially guide future policy development.

Saebom completed her HBSc in Integrated Science at McMaster University, and is currently a PhD student at the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Toronto. Her doctoral work takes an implementation science-informed approach to enhancing the Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) Autism program, by co-designing a toolkit to support and empower community pediatricians in delivering ongoing, integrated care for autistic children and their families. She is excited to further strengthen her project through the support of Autism Alliance of Canada to create meaningful and lasting change in community-based autism care.