Lesley Anderson is a Permanent Resident who emigrated from Scotland to Chilliwack with her husband and three children 28 years ago. She left behind 20 years of being a Youth Leader for a Scottish region and started many Entrepreneurial opportunities.
After 11 years of facilitating Life Skills, Job Club and ESS Workshops, and obtaining her CCDP as well as all the other appropriate Certificates for Job Club and Employment Counselling, Lesley then moved on as the major changes took place, and was offered a Case Manager position in Agassiz with the Agassiz- Harrison Employment and Support Services Inc. She held this position for 7 years and developed good relationships with many of the businesses. By networking and keeping her contacts throughout her working experience in Canada, Lesley has been able to assist many unemployed with or without a disability to discover their strengths and move into employment or volunteer until they feel ready for a more permanent position. She had been dealing more and more with clients who were looking for assistance in Customized Employment. Now she is the Customized Employment Co-ordinator for WorkBC Fraser North East Region in Chilliwack, Agassiz and Hope areas.
Lesley thrives in all challenges given to her and feels really honored to be part of the FDNS, being able to learn more about how she can better assist her clients with the knowledge gained throughout the networking and conference opportunities.
For the past 37 years, Tami Logan has been a dedicated advocate and leader in the field of supported employment, empowering individuals with developmental disabilities to achieve meaningful and inclusive careers. Her unwavering commitment to breaking down employment barriers has made a lasting impact on the communities she serves.
Tami’s career spans a wide range of roles, including on-line worker at a Community Inclusion site, job developer, job coach, and currently, Supervisor of Employment Services at Inclusion Langley Society. Her extensive experience reflects a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the supported employment sector.
Beyond her professional work, Tami has been an active voice on numerous committees and advocacy groups over the years. She currently contributes her expertise and passion to several key initiatives, including the Supported Employment Advocacy Network, Rotary at Work, Focus Disability Network, Langley Dance Connections, and the Langley Vocational Committee.
Tami’s lifelong dedication continues to inspire progress toward a more inclusive workforce where all individuals are valued for their strengths and contributions.
Josh is a facilitator at Mission Community Skills Centre, and is driven by a passion for empowering individuals to realize their full potential. With over a decade of experience in coaching, training, and facilitation across various countries, Josh excels in creating supportive, engaging environments that inspire growth and confidence.
With a background in theatre and improv, Josh brings creativity and energy to his work. He is a founding member of several theatre organizations in both Canada and Russia and holds a BA in English and Theatre from the University of the Fraser Valley.
In 1999 Doris started Numbers Unlimited Bookkeeping as a way to supplement the family income and work around her children’s schedules. Numbers has grown over the past 20 years to a company with a staff of eight, and works with a wide variety of businesses, providing full-service bookkeeping and accounting services, and all types of tax services.
Doris has been active in the community in various capacities with the Chamber of Commerce, City Committees, Rotary, United Way, and Community Futures.
Annette Borrows has been serving people with disabilities toward employment for the past 24 years. Her experience ranges from working with people that have mental health lived experience, those with mobility issues and supporting people with developmental disabilities and autism.
Annette has a degree in Adult Education and has also written and previously facilitated the Supported Employment Specialist Series. She has spearheaded and written content for Canada’s National Supported Employment Best Practices.
Annette is the president of CASE (Canadian Association for Supported Employment) and the president of WASE (World Association for Supported Employment). All of her efforts are focused to employment equity for people with disabilities.
Annette works as the Provincial Employment Manager for Community Living BC.
Kym acts as the Aboriginal Education Coordinator at Seabird Island Community School, where she combines expertise in employment counselling and education with a dedication to supporting Indigenous learners. Driven by a deep commitment to community empowerment, Kym is passionate about acting as a gateway for those needing education and employment assistance, helping them build pathways toward independence and self-sufficiency.
Tammy McEvoy has been in the Community Living field for 20 years witnessing the evolution of services and inclusive employment. Tammy is a strong advocate for Best Practice and Life Long Learning and has Managed the transition of Programs to meet these standards.
Tammy is a key advocate and educator in the disability field. She has worked on Community Inclusion Project Development, various Leadership Committees, as a Manager in licensed homes and as well in CARF certified programs. Tammy also assisted and wrote supervisory and job coaching training manuals for her respective agencies.
Tammy comes to us from Kyndred Society with a Bachelors of Psychology and as a certified Strong Interest Inventory Practitioner.
Whyles has worked in Employment Services since 1998. Prior to that he worked in Customer Service, Food Services, Forestry, Property Management, Light Construction, Excavation and was self-employed for a time in Food Services. Whyles was on disability for 7 years before returning to the work force in 2000 full-time in the Employment Services field.
He presently has the pleasure of working with a great team at Seabird Island Employment Services delivering Sto:Lo Aboriginal Skills & Employment Training (SASET) employment interventions as a Career Development Practitioner. He enjoys front line work and has a genuine passion for work in this field and in the advocating for equality and fairness in employment for all persons. He has an interest in any activity that promotes community capacity building.
Whyles is a founding member of Focus Disability Network Society.
Zach Blumke has been working in Career Development for more than 8 years. His work has seen him involved in three research projects and following his passion to support and work with folks with diverse abilities. Zach served previously as a board member for the Greater Vancouver Job Development Network where he assisted in organizing events and meetings for Job Developers in the lower mainland.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree with Honours from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. He volunteered with Taking Flight Theater, an inclusive theater company based in Cardiff. Zach currently works as a Job Developer and Employment Specialist in the lower mainland and lives in Surrey BC.