Meet the people of CONNECT

Nutrition Coach (Registered Dietician)

Hi, I’m Huda Abu Khadra, and I am a nutrition coach or registered dietician at CONNECT Hamilton. I support individuals in making confident, informed food choices that align with their health needs and long-term goals. Whether  managing a chronic condition, working on sustainable weight management, or navigating dietary changes like gluten-free eating, I’m here to offer flexible and realistic guidance — grounded in science and adapted to everyday life.

Communication Coach

My name is Dee Sperry, and I am one of the Communication Coaches at CONNECT Hamilton. I am here to support residents, families, and team members as we work together toward meaningful life redesign goals. I think a lot about thinking, talking, and how people get along, and how these abilities help us connect with the world around us.
I believe communication is about much more than words. It is about relationships, participation, confidence, and belonging. When communication works better, people have more opportunities to engage with others to do the things that matter most to them.  I love discovering creative ways to connect with others.

Social Wellness Coach (Social Worker)

My role as Social Wellness Coach (Social Worker) is to support individuals with building meaningful connections, navigating challenges, and accessing resources such as financial support and housing options, all while providing a listening ear to help individuals feel empowered throughout their Life Redesign journey.

Communication Coach

My name is Alison Lambert, and I am a Communication Coach at CONNECT Communities in Hamilton. My role focuses on supporting individuals as they navigate the cognitive, communication, and swallowing challenges that can arise following an acquired brain injury, with the goal of helping them return to meaningful roles, relationships, and activities.

I believe communication is at the heart of who we are. It shapes our relationships, helps us express our values and identity, and allows us to participate in the things that give our lives meaning. Through compassionate, human-centred support and close collaboration with the CONNECT team, I have the privilege of walking alongside individuals as they rediscover their strengths, rebuild confidence, and redesign a life that reflects what matters most to them. Outside of work, you'll usually find me exploring local trails, bird watching, or soaking up time in nature.

Physical Coach

As a Physical Coach (Physiotherapist), I work alongside the people we support, their families, and the interdisciplinary coaching team to help individuals achieve their goals. My role focuses on supporting physical mobility, balance, strength, endurance, and functional movement so that people can participate more fully in the activities that matter most to them. Whether the goal is to improve mobility at home, increase community participation, return to recreation, or enhance overall physical function, I collaborate with individuals to identify their strengths, overcome barriers, and create practical strategies that translate rehabilitation into everyday life. 

Physical Coach

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!

Independence Coach (Occupational Therapist)

As the Independence Coach (Occupational Therapist), my role involves supporting residents to increase their independence in meaningful daily activities, both within the home and in the community. This involves assessing where individuals are at, what support they need, and what skills they can build on. This might involve learning to use strategies to support memory and attention while making a meal. Or, trying an assistive device to increase independence with dressing, or a mobility aid to get around more independently.

People Resource Coach

I started my journey at CONNECT Hamilton as a Life Redesign Coach and now my job as the People Resource Coach is to be a coordinator and advisor for all things related to our Life Redesign Coaches. My goal is to help build an inclusive, supportive and collaborative environment by championing clear communication, performance development, and workplace culture. My focus is the schedule, support, guidance, growth and development of the coaches at CONNECT Hamilton. PS – don’t forget to fill out your timecards!

Social Wellness Coach

As a Social Wellness Coach, my goal is to build meaningful relationships and help individuals strengthen their connections with their communities and the people around them. I believe that getting to know each person's unique experiences, strengths, and passions is the foundation of meaningful support.

I hold a degree in Social Work from the University of Victoria and have worked in the social services field for over 20 years. Throughout my career, I have supported individuals from diverse backgrounds, helping them navigate challenges while building on their strengths.

I am grateful to have found the Social Wellness Coach role, where my curiosity, passion for learning from others, and years of social work experience come together in meaningful and rewarding ways.

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.

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  

My name is Anna Schnute, and I am the Nutrition Coach (Registered Dietitian) at CONNECT Saanich. I work closely with the people I support, along with their family and Life Redesign Coaches, to support their personal nutrition goals. I believe that nutrition is not a one-size-fits-all formula—it's a deeply personal experience that touches every part of who we are: physically, mentally, emotionally, socially and spiritually. My coaching is rooted in a whole foods approach, focusing on natural, minimally processed foods that support long-term wellness and vitality. Through personalized guidance, I help people explore the connections between what they eat and how they feel, encouraging mindful choices that foster balance, resilience, and lasting health.

Home Resource Coach

My name is Marco Burtini, I am the Home Resource Coach with CONNECT. I work at our Saanich Peninsula location. I take care of the building and ensure the safety of both the staff as well as the people we support. My duties range from training and educating staff or our residents about proper safety protocols/procedures to repairing and maintaining the items used in the day to day activities. I also provide help with accommodating the people we support and there specific needs with there personal space or around the house. I feel that my main purpose is to allow everyone in our home to feel safe, comfortable, and that they are in a place they feel both heard and supported.

Active Living Coach (Kinesiologist)

I help the people we support get moving again through a dedicated focus on functional movement. My work focuses on regaining strength and mobility by bridging the gap between clinical rehab and real-world autonomy. By collaborating closely with our Physical and Independence Coaches, I ensure every physical goal translates directly into daily independence.

Mental Wellness Coach

As a Mental Wellness Coach, my primary goal is to build strong rapport with the individuals I serve. Developing trust allows me to better understand their experiences and learn from them in ways that inform my practice. Throughout my professional career, I have worked with a broad spectrum of people, from those in low-income housing settings to individuals in privatized mental health and addictions treatment. These experiences have shaped my understanding of the diverse challenges people face. I have training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and I employ an integrative approach that draws from these modalities to best support each individual’s unique needs.

Independence Coach

As an independence coach, I believe in the importance of participating in meaningful everyday activities--such as self-care, home management, work, hobbies, and life roles--to support people's health and well-being. I enjoy building genuine connections and walking alongside individuals, their families, and other fellow coaches to support their ability to live their fullest lives. Outside of work, my other valued occupations include cherishing time with family and friends, adventuring outdoors and exploring off-the-beaten paths both near and far.

Health & Wellness Coach

I am a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) who supports people in achieving their health and wellness goals. I’m passionate about advocacy and empowering individuals to take an active role in their care, including building confidence in self-advocacy and independence.

I value a holistic, integrated approach to health and enjoy collaborating with interdisciplinary professionals. My role includes providing health education, supporting informed decision-making, and helping people work toward their life goals as they rebuild and redesign their lives after a brain injury or stroke—all while creating a positive, supportive environment.

Health & Wellness Coach (LPN)

At CONNECT Saanich Peninsula I help support individuals as they redesign their lives following brain injury or stroke. I work closely with the people we support, their families, and our interdisciplinary team to help each person build skills, confidence, and independence—from wherever they are in their recovery journey.

I help translate Health & Wellness goals into practical day-to-day plans, ensure support approaches are safe and consistent, and work alongside our Life Redesign Coaches to support their confidence in providing holistic care. My work focuses on partnering with individuals to navigate challenges, celebrate progress, and create meaningful pathways forward that align with the CONNECT Life Redesign model.