Emma Kusiak (she/her) began her career as a Behaviour Interventionist at Starbright Child Development Centre while completing her undergraduate degree in psychology. She joined Claro Kelowna as a Mentor and she was swiftly promoted to Student Support Coordinator, then Program Director. Emma transitioned into the position of Behaviour Support Coordinator as she completed her Masters in Professional Education of Applied Behaviour Analysis from Western University. She then obtained her BCBA certification.
Emma is strongly committed to a modern and progressive approach to ABA. She rounds out her formal education with a decade of practical experience working with neurodivergent children and teens. She has completed professional development in areas such as Collaborative and Proactive Solutions, interoception, executive functioning, Social Thinking, and adaptive functioning.
Emma believes in deep listening to uncover the concerns creating barriers for a child and family. She collaborates to create practical and personalized plans of support and to empower families with the tools to increase well-being. Emma is excited to return to Claro as a Family Support Consultant and expand the range of families that Claro can reach.
Jaimee Bryce Family Support Consultant
With over 16,000 hours working in the field of Autism support, and as the mother of four (including two children with Autism and ADHD), Jaimee Bryce (she/her) has a wealth of professional and personal experience to share with families. Jaimee studied psychology at Vancouver Island University and achieved an Autism Spectrum Disorder Certificate from Okanagan College. She worked at Starbright Child Development Centre in the Autism department for 9 years, first as a Behaviour Interventionist and then as a Senior Behaviour Interventionist until the program closed in Dec. 2019. She then moved on to Reach the Peak, supporting children and families as an Autism Program Consultant and Family Systems Consultant.
Jaimee is committed to continuing education, having pursued professional development training in areas such as interoception, executive functioning, AAC, Social Thinking and non-violent crisis intervention. Jaimee joins Claro as a Family Support Consultant who specializes in amplifying the powerful voices of families through advocacy. She is passionate about supporting families to develop skill, confidence, routines, self-care, and connections that allow both children and adults to learn, grow and shine.
Haida Gaede ("HI-dah GAY-dee") (she/her) was born and raised on the unceded ancestral and occupied territory of the Sqílxʷ Okanagan People. She has over a decade of practice experience in the fields of mental health and education spanning a variety of therapeutic, leadership, and research positions. Inspired by her work over the years with children, youth, families and adults, Haida brings a warm, compassionate and heartfelt approach to her counselling and social work roles that is grounded in a strengths-based and person-centred framework.
Haida’s education includes degrees in Psychology and Education, a Master's in Clinical Social Work, graduate training in Special Education, and advanced training in Trauma Informed Practice. Currently, she is engaged in training toward professional certifications in Play Therapy, Canine-Assisted Therapy, and Nature-Based Therapy, reflecting her personal affinity for creative expression, animals, and the outdoors. Drawing on her rich and diverse experiences, Haida works collaboratively from an integrative and holistic perspective to “meet you where you are” and establish a nurturing environment for healing, resilience, and growth.
Sherri-Ann Lipsett Certified Sexual Health Educator
Sherri-Ann Lipsett (she/her) has over twenty years of experience supporting neurodivergent children, youth, and young adults as a mother, foster mother, and behaviour interventionist. Working at Claro since 2011, Sherri-Ann embodies Claro values and culture. She has held the roles of Claro Kelowna Mentor, Program Director, Director of Support and Development, and Claro Family certified Sexual Health & Relationship Educator.
Her work at Claro Family centres around customizing sexual health and relationship education to the developmental and chronological age, and unique needs of each of her students. She is passionate about the cross-section of 2SLGBTQIA+ and neurodivergence, and creating safe spaces for expression of gender and sexuality. In addition, Sherri-Ann has experience working with children and youth in care, and other complex needs, such as a diagnosis of FASD. One specialized service she provides is to collaborate on support plans that address unsafe sexualized behaviours, and foster safe and responsible decisions and actions.
In addition, Sherri-Ann educates students, parents/guardians, teachers, support workers and community members to promote a culture of sex-positivity. Sherri-Ann supports adults to examine their own values and biases in regards to sex and sexuality in a way that is informative, approachable, and lighthearted.