Meet the people of CONNECT

Site Leader

I am excited to be part of the amazing team at CONNECT Saanich Peninsula and work alongside the Brain Injury Team at Island Health, as we bring the incredible culture and transformative Life Redesign Model to the Peninsula. With a nursing background and lived experience with a family member who had a traumatic brain injury, it is a full-circle moment for me to be part of a team that supports people to reach for their life goals and dreams, as they redesign their lives after a brain injury or stroke. It is an honor to promote the culture of CONNECT and provide a meaningful place, where our team can share their incredible passion and grow in their careers.

People Resource Coach

I’m an HR professional with over six years of experience in recruitment, training, and people-focused roles in corporate, educational and healthcare settings. I love connecting with others, creating positive employee experiences and helping teams grow and succeed. Currently a CPHR candidate and is actively pursuing my professional designation to continue building my skills. I’m always eager to learn, adapt to new technologies, and enjoy working in diverse, collaborative environments where people feel supported and heard. Outside of work, I enjoy spending quality time with friends and family, going on long walks, and relaxing with good music.

Independence Coach

Nils is pleased, in no particular order, to live near the ocean, to commute by bicycle, and to be part of the CONNECT team, who collaboratively empower people to attain their goals. As an independence coach, that involves equipping people to manage their self-care, enhance community access, and pursue the leisure and vocational activities that bring them satisfaction.

Play Coach

My role focuses on supporting people to connect with what brings them joy through recreation and leisure. That could mean getting outside in nature, picking up an instrument, connecting with the community or just trying something new. I keep things flexible and meet people where they’re at to make space for exploring what feels right in the moment. My role supports people in taking safe risks and building confidence through activities that feel rewarding and personal to them.

Health & Wellness Coach (LPN)

As part of a dedicated team of two nurses, I collaborate closely to support individuals living at Connect in achieving their health and wellness goals. We work to create a culture that integrates necessary health promotion, education and interventions with personal accountability, supported risk-taking, social capital, and meaningful community participation. Services are planned around the goals of each individual, this tailored holistic approach truly equips individuals recovering from brain injury or stroke with the skills, tools and confidence needed to build and live a life they are proud of.

Social Wellness Coach

As a Social Wellness Coach, Jaime is a creative social worker whose lifepath is rooted in service, guided by curiosity and fueled by a deep commitment to empowering individual and collective human potential.  With an adventurous spirit, a deep reverence for the human journey and a heart attuned to relational practice, she supports residents, families and co-workers at CONNECT Saanich Peninsula to uncover the strengths, insights and possibilities that exist within and around them to realize their goals. Her work is a blend of soulful reflection and practical support, meeting others with compassion and clarity to hold space for learning, healing, growth and transformation. These days, you can also find Jaime climbing mountain tops, paddling water ways, riding on the back of a motorcycle, befriending wildlife, watching her sons’ play soccer, tending to her garden and adding to her forever growing pile of books to read.

Mental Wellness Coach

I work in partnership with individuals to understand their story, build trusting relationships, and work with them to achieve their overarching Life Redesign goals. I serve as a coach, mentor and teacher for individuals, families, colleagues and co-workers and offer support strategies from a mental health lens using a holistic approach. I help empower the people living at CONNECT to deepen their connection to their mental health and wellness and ensure they have access to community support as needed. I am honored and humbled to walk alongside individuals and their families on their healing journey. Outside of work, I enjoy being in nature, practicing Thai Chi, beading, and spending time with friends and family.

Admin Coach

Alan is new to connect as the admin coach for Saanich. Alans role includes tasks like financial management for our homes and the people we support, ordering supplies, handling electronic filing, event planning, managing schedules for life redesign coaches, and handling vacation and sick day requests, incident reporting and managing move in / out processes. Alan is a forward thinker that thinks outside of the box and always looks for a solution to any situation. He is also someone that steps into any role and fills gaps to ensure Connect runs smoothly and efficiently. When Alan is not at work with his extended family he enjoys photography, fishing and spending time with his daughter. 

Service Access and Transitions Leader

Dale supports individuals through their transitions at CONNECT, ensuring each move in and out is smooth, empowering and fosters independence. With a background in nursing and social work, she is passionate about advocacy, community well-being, and making a meaningful impact - both at work and through volunteer efforts.

Outside of CONNECT, Dale is a proud mom, aunt, and small business owner known for her handcrafted sugar cookies. She thrives in fast-paced environments, runs on humor and strong boundaries, and is a self-declared mediocre gardener - despite her best efforts. She brings heart, authenticity, and a genuine love for people and their stories to everything she does.

Nutrition Coach (Registered Dietitian)

Caroline empowers individuals to transform their relationship with food through personalized nutrition coaching. She works with the CONNECT team to enhance quality of life using a holistic approach that honors each person's unique journey and goals. Through collaborative partnerships with the people we support and the team, she helps develop sustainable eating patterns that nourish. Caroline specializes in creating practical nutrition strategies that fit seamlessly into daily life while still addressing individual health considerations. Her coaching philosophy focuses on building lasting habits rather than temporary fixes.

Chief Executive Officer

Director of Culture, People and Services

Director of Leading Practice and Life Redesign

Owner and Chief Financial Officer

Service Access and Transitions Leader

My role is to help with a smooth transition with moving in and out of CONNECT. I work with the team to ensure we have all the information and items that are needed before an individual moved in. I can also have a discussion on how we can help support them after they move out of CONNECT. I wear a few other important hats, like sharing with the community what CONNECT is all about at conferences and other events, and I also support our leaders here too. My favourite part of each day is heading from the people we support about their gains made.

Site Leader – CONNECT Langley & Richmond

Juliet has been at CONNECT for 10 years supporting the Life Redesign Model and CONNECT's team of coaches delivering it. Juliet is passionate about inclusion and is a shining example of leading with kindness. When she's not making sure things are running smoothly at CONNECT, she enjoys spending time with her family, cake decorating and gardening.

Service Access & Transitions Leader

Janette has been helping people redesign their lives after brain injury and stroke for 27 years. Based at our Langley location, Janette is a go-to person and resource for multiple elements of the culture, people and services at CONNECT. She is a guru and support for our People and Service Resource Coaches. Janette holds responsibilities and relationships with regards to contracts, licensing, and family members of the people we support. She rolls up her sleeves and monitors Life Redesign Coaches in the homes, supports numerous admin functions and roles, and has been a steadfast and invaluable leader at CONNECT. Outside of work, Janette is spending time with her family and her two dogs.

Health & Wellness Coach and Coaching Resource Coordinator

Ashlie has been working with CONNECT for 9 years supporting people with their health and wellness goals and ensuring they have access to medical interventions, when required. Ashlie monitors medication management, infection prevention and control, general health concerns and continuous learning towards safe care. Ashlie also supports the coordination of doctors, specialists, and pharmacists to ensure all medical needs are met. Ashlie is one of the Coaching Coordinators in Langley and collaborates with our team, the people we support, and their families to achieve their personal goals and find the necessary supports and services they need to reclaim their lives.

Health & Wellness Coach - Richmond

Prior to joining CONNECT, Max lived across the country in Charlottetown, PEI. Primarily working at our Richmond location, Max also collaborates closely with our Langley team. He is passionate about supporting individuals with their health & wellness goals. Max shares his nursing expertise through leading educational initiatives like insulin training and medication self-administration courses. He ensures that our Life Redesign Coaches are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide exceptional care to those for and about whom we care.

Physical Coach & Coaching Resource Coordinator

As the Physical Coach, Jessica collaborates with the CONNECT team and the people we support to develop Life Redesign Plans in line with their goals, and to help them realize their full potential. She provides assessments on the current physical status of the people we support and develops strategies and plans to progress their functional and physical abilities. Jessica is also one of the Coaching Coordinators in Langley and collaborates with our team, people we support, and their families to achieve their personal goals and find the necessary supports and services they need to build a life that is meaningful to them.

Independence Coach

Sarah’s role is to work with the individuals Connect supports to help find ways for them to gain meaningful independence in all areas of their lives. She works on a variety of tasks that can range from self-care (ex. dressing, bathing), life skills (ex. cooking, scheduling appointments, navigating the community), building relationships with others and work/volunteering opportunities. She works to adapt the task or the environment to allow the individual to participate, which can also include the use of adaptive equipment. Seeing individuals reach their goals is one of the highlights of her role at Connect.

Resource Coach - CONNECT Langley & Richmond (Facility Manager)

Working with brain injury for over 20 years completely redesigned how Mike supports people in his personal and professional life. Mike loves technology and supports the houses in Langley and Richmond with their IT needs. His focus as a Resource Coach is ensuring the people we support have a smooth transition while moving to CONNECT. He assists in preparing their rooms, sourcing their equipment needs, finding activities in the community, and generally helping the individual settle into CONNECT. Mike thrives on thinking outside of the box when a challenge is presented. He is also someone who “fills in the gaps” when a house needs extra assistance. Mike is also the Facility Manager for our Richmond location under the Community Care Facilities Licensing with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH).

Physical Coach (Physiotherapist)

I work with the people we support, their families and the other coaches to support individuals in their physical mobility. This can be anything from getting out of bed and around the house, to recreational physical activities like rising a bike! I love supporting people to find ways to engage in parts of their lives that are meaningful and bring joy to the day to day!

Health and Wellness Coach (RN)

I am part of a team of two nurses and we work together to assist the people we support in reaching their health and wellness goals. I work with the people we support, their families and my colleagues to develop support strategies for individuals to get the best out of CONNECT and what we have to offer. I monitor medication management, infection prevention and control general health concerns and continuous learning towards safe care. I also support coordinating care with doctors, specialists and pharmacists to ensure that all medical needs are met.

Site Leader

I am a Social Workers by background. My role is to ensure the CONNECT team has what it needs to support the individuals living here and their families as they redesign their lives after a brain injury or stroke. At the core of what we do is CONNECT’s culture, service philosophy, vision and values.

Play Coach (Recreation Therapist)

My role focuses on supporting people to find joy in their lives through participation in their recreation and leisure interests. This could be an activity they participated in previously, are currently enjoying, or are interested in exploring. Everyone is looking for something a little bit different when they come to CONNECT. This may include wanting to volunteer, going for a walk in the conservation area, or planning a special event. By meeting people where they are at, and “doing with, not for”, we are able to support each person to participate in activities/hobbies that are meaningful and purposeful to them, while building valuable life skills.

Health and Wellness Coach (Nurse)

My role includes helping the people we support achieve any health and wellness goals which includes ensuring they have the necessary medical interventions required to live a better life after a brain injury or stroke. I frequently engage in health promotion and education with the people we support so they can improve their health. One of my favourite parts about my role is promoting independence in the people we support, for example, working with them so they can take their medication on their own which contributes to better health outcomes.

Independence Coach (Occupational Therapist)

I work with individuals and their families to progress towards any goals related to reestablishing independence and building a meaningful daily routine. Since this looks very different for every person, these goals range from increasing independence with self-care activities, safety in the kitchen, returning to work or volunteering, or increasing ease of community access. I also liaise with community partners and equipment vendors, alongside our Physical Coaches, when determining mobility aid and/or equipment needs for the individuals we support.