Meet our Leadership Group
Our Leadership Group (LG), comprised of individuals with lived experience, directs what goes into the Library and the issues it addresses. This group leads the Library’s efforts and offers insight into the most pressing concerns shared among the neurodivergent community. This ensures the Library topics represent and include voices of Indigenous and equity-deserving groups, and is focused on creating a resource that reflects the needs of people with lived experience. Further, the LG plays a critical role in bridging the gap between people with lived experience and policymakers, researchers, clinicians, educators, and other professionals. Meet the current members of the LG (left to right): Shayna, Rebecca, Symbia and Sierra.
Shayna Kershaw
I’m Shayna and I’m an autistic woman with ADHD. I live in Kelowna with my three children and husband, whom all have autism and ADHD. I’m immersed in neurodivergence daily. I joined the Library because being a part of such a necessary and extraordinary endeavour is a wonderful opportunity to share my lived experiences as well as ensure that others’ lived experiences are shared with those that need them most.
Rebecca Bradley
My name is Rebecca and I am Metis mom of three. I have a special needs son named Malcolm with level 5 autism; he has limited speech, chronic headaches, and ARFID. I have faced barriers in accessing early intervention, health care and educational supports for my son. I am a passionate advocate for the special needs community and am hopeful that the Library can help improve access to these supports.
Symbia Barnaby
My English name is Symbia (Guu Gaa Jung) and I am of Haida and Mi’kmaq descent. As a community research and inclusion advocate, my goal is to bring the voices of Indigenous individuals who have been historically excluded to the forefront of this work. I hope other families, researchers, and self-advocates can learn from these experiences, creating space for Indigenous people to share their stories.
Sierra Lynne Vanderdeen
My name is Sierra and I was born and raised in the Okanagan. I love coffee, going for walks, and playing video games! I was diagnosed with autism when I was 15 and that has shaped and shifted my life ever since. I’m new to the patient-oriented research space since becoming a member of the National Youth Advocacy Council with the CHILD-BRIGHT Network, I’ve joined the library to broaden my horizons!
Andreas Kondos Sheppard
My name is Andreas (He/Him/His) and I was raised in Revelstoke, a small town in BC’s Kootenay Region. I was diagnosed with ASD at age 2, which is a major aspect of my personality and life. Being a Project Assistant for this library has been an incredible opportunity; being able to help people share their lived experiences is meaningful and rewarding work. In my spare time, I am an avid outdoorsperson, musician, artist, and STEM enthusiast.
To be updated…
To be updated.
Meet the Team
Daniel Goldowitz
Principal Investigator
Madison Huehn
Project Coordinator
Eden Colley
Project Librarian
Meet the Advisory Group
The newly formed Advisory Group supports the Leadership Group’s initiatives. It is made up of educators, researchers, clinicians, policymakers, physicians, individuals with lived experience, and our project support staff. Their efforts leverage industry connections, provide expert guidance to the Leadership Group, and serve to support the development of the Library.
