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.
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.
Service Resource Coach
As a Service Resource Coach at Connect, I am part of an inter-professional team, working to provide an inclusive learning experience in which the people we support are helped to achieve their highest level of functional ability. The focus of my role is to be a trusted person for all things related to our services. I bring a background in Psychology and a combination of operational and professional service experience in different sectors.
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.
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
My name is Nils (pronounced "kneels"). It is a privilege to be part of the team at CONNECT, empowering people to attain their goals. As an independence coach, that involves equipping people to manage their self-care and mobility inside the home - bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen. It may also involve finding ways for a person to transfer in and out of a vehicle, ride the bus, and/or enhance community access. I am also keen to help individuals 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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
People Resource Coach - CONNECT Langley & Richmond
Joyce’s role includes scheduling shifts for our Life Redesign Coaches and handling vacation requests and sick calls. She assists with inputting hours and approving timecards for payroll using ADP. Before this job, Joyce worked as a Life Redesign Coach. What gives her joy every day is being able to spend quality time with the individuals we support.
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).
Admin Resource Coach
CONNECT Langley (Facility Manager) & Richmond
Ashley started working at CONNECT over 5 years ago as a Life Redesign Coach and transitioned into the Admin Resource Coach role after healing and redesigning her own life from a concussion injury. Ashley’s role includes tasks like financial management for our homes and the people we support, ordering supplies, handling electronic files, event planning, incident recording, and supporting the move-in/move-out process. She is also the Facility Manager for our Langley locations under the Community Care Facilities Licensing with Fraser Health.
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!