Our Team

We Love What We Do!

Management

Amanda McFarlane

Executive Director

Hello, I’m Amanda! I am the Executive Director here at BrainTrust Canada. I’m very passionate about serving vulnerable and underserved populations, and have been doing so for over a decade. My love for this organisation started as I worked frontline, then grew to program delivery and development. My proudest moment was founding and developing our brain injury Crime Prevention & Reduction Program. Now, I spend my time mentoring and knowledge-sharing with the next generation of amazing non-profit superheroes! In my downtime, I can be found spending time with my two amazing children and my fur baby, Gustav the Great Dane.

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Erika McLean

Director of Client Services

Hello, my name is Erika and I’m the Director of Client Services at BrainTrust. This means I ensure successful community rehabilitation management for clients with an acquired brain injury. I have a passion for working with people and helping in any way that I can! I have many years of supporting and caring for people with diversabilities. I love travelling, food and cats.

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Lori Hamilton

Controller

Hello, my name is Lori. As a chartered professional accountant, I provide financial oversight to several nonprofit organisations – I love supporting those who are ‘doing good’ in the world! Put simply, I support BrainTrust Canada in achieving their mission by making sure that they’re following money regulations and spending wisely. I grew up in a lighthouse station on Vancouver Island and was home-schooled until age 14, and I think this contributes to my ability to work so well independently! My husband, Tim, and I have four adult children and three dogs. We live in Lake Country and enjoy camping, boating, and the occasional wine tour.

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Coordinators

Stephanie Stone

Community Support Coordinator
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Lydia Wood

Communications Coordinator

Hello! My name is Lydia and I am BrainTrust’s Communications Coordinator. I am passionate about making knowledge accessible by combining scientific research, lived experience, and compassion into the resources I develop for BrainTrust. I deliver evidence-based brain injury education to brain injury survivors, caregivers, and community partners and am always happy to talk about brain injury and public health! In my free time, I enjoy lifting weights, yoga, hiking, journaling, and listening to podcasts.

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Chanel Yaworski

Lead Coordinator

Hello, I’m Chanel! I am the Lead Coordinator here at Braintrust Canada. I am passionate about sharing kindness and empathy with those I support. I advocate for my clients so they feel seen, heard, and empowered as I support them along their unique journey. It is a true blessing to grow and learn from clients every day. I have had the amazing privilege to work frontline in various fields with a diverse population including youth/kids, mental health, addictions and diversabilities. In my free time I enjoy cooking, baking, writing free verse poetry, camping, spending time with family/friends, and going on walks with my German Shepherd puppy.

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Mitchell Kolybaba

Crime Prevention Program Facilitator

Hi, my name is Mitchell and my role at BrainTrust Canada revolves around crime prevention and reduction. My goal is to give individuals the skills and support they need to successfully re-integrate into our community, and to identify and remove barriers before they are faced. I am passionate about bringing thoughtfulness and understanding wherever I go. In my free time I play drums in various bands, compete in autocross, and practice martial arts.

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Fernando Calderon

Strategic Partnerships Coordinator

Hello, my name is Fernando, and I am the Strategic Partnership Coordinator at BrainTrust Canada. I am out in our community establishing strategic, innovative, and collaborative partnerships with other community members who share similar altruistic goals. My passion stems from being a voice and advocate for vulnerable populations and creating meaningful relationships with the people I serve. On my days off, you can find me volunteering in my community, exploring the Okanagan, studying for my dental aspirations, weightlifting, and training for marathon races!

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Katelyn Stoodley

Intakes and Administrative Coordinator

Hello, my name is Kate. My journey with BrainTrust began on the frontline, where I walked alongside our clients, offering empathy and advocacy. I’ve since embraced a new role, one that allows me to provide even more support to those in need, preventing them from slipping through the cracks. In my free time, I enjoy spending quality time with friends/family, reading, and playing video games.

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Clinical Team

Caroline Pisko

Clinical Counsellor

Hello, my name is Caroline. As a counsellor with BrainTrust, I strive to build genuine connections with our clients and caregivers. My aim is to get to know the real you – your challenges, successes, hopes and goals. I am thankful for the opportunity to walk alongside you in your journey to wellness. In my free time, I enjoy weightlifting, cooking, and reading fiction.

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Michelle Van Biljon

Occupational Therapist

Hello, my name is Michelle and I’ve worked as an occupational therapist for twenty years. For the last ten years, I’ve specialised in community rehabilitation, functional assessments, and return to productivity/work for clients with physical and cognitive difficulties. I mainly bring these skills and experience to my role in the NeuroRecovery Centre where I assist clients in identifying their program goals and develop individualised transition plans upon completion. My family and I love to spend our free time discovering all that the Okanagan has to offer and touring local lakes on our boat.

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Richard Mortimer

Clinical Counsellor

Hello, my name is Richard and I work as a counsellor at BrainTrust Canada. I’m honoured to be invited into clients’ lives and to walk alongside them during their times of challenge, success, uncertainty, personal growth, and triumph. When I’m not in the office, I fill my soul by listening to music, playing the drums or guitar, and spending quality time with friends and family.  

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Claire Optland

Clinical Counsellor

Hi! My name is Claire and I’m a counsellor at BrainTrust. During my early career I worked at Connect, a brain injury rehabilitation home. This amazing experience and the many remarkable individuals and caregivers I was privileged to work with sparked my passion for supporting the brain injury community. When I’m not working, you can find me spending time with my husband, my daughter, our two dogs, and exploring the beautiful outdoors we get to call home in the Okanagan.

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