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Heather Hale
CEO
Heather (she/her) has worked in community health, international and co-operative development in various leadership positions and joined Navera Community Connections in June of 2024. She holds a Master of Arts in Community Development from the University of Victoria and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Saskatchewan. Heather is dedicated to community building, equity-based advocacy, and strategic change making. Heather has a knack for uniting teams and fostering a collaborative atmosphere where everyone feels motivated to succeed. She is dedicated to working with local, provincial, and national partners to address community needs through exceptional programs and thorough evaluations. Heather’s commitment to team leadership and community collaboration drives her passion for making a meaningful impact.
Anita Burkell
Director of Early Learning
Anita joined Navera in 2008 when she undertook the unique dual role of Director of the Teen Student Support Early Learning Center and School Social Worker at Bishop Murray HS. While pursuing her Bachelor’s Degrees Anita held a variety of positions working with young children and youth which made this a dream position. Anita completed her Early Childhood Education Level 3 in 2010 and since then has pursued her interest in how brain development impacts learning in children and youth. Anita has been active in supporting the field of Early Childhood Education through participation in the Saskatoon Federation of Early Learning and the Saskatchewan Early Years Leadership Caucus. In the fall of 2020 Anita became the Director of Early Learning at Navera. Anita enjoys travelling, cooking, baking, painting and attending live concerts and plays.
Carrie McComber
Director of People & Culture
Carrie has worked in the non-profit sector in Saskatoon for approximately 30 years in various roles and has gained meaningful experience in the area of human resources. In her previous role, Carrie was responsible for the leadership and delivery of provincial programs and services for people experiencing disability throughout Saskatchewan. She has successfully supported multi-disciplinary teams empowering individuals to be their best at delivering high quality, efficient services for thousands of clients and their families.
Carrie is married with two lovely daughters, and together the family enjoys spending time at the lake with their fox-red labrador, Tess.
Darla Hufsmith
Director of Finance & Operations
Darla is the Director of Finance and Administration at Navera. She has a Bachelor Degree of Commerce from the University of Saskatchewan, as well as a CPA designation. Darla has spent her entire career in Saskatoon. She has focused the last twenty years of her working career specifically in the non-profit /charity sector. Darla has two children and three grandchildren. She enjoys travel, time at the lake, staying active, and spending time with family and friends.
Sandra Naccarato
MISW, RSW
Director of Service Delivery
Sandra has been with Navera since 2017, serving as both a Counsellor and Clinical Supervisor. She holds a Master’s in Indigenous Social Work and brings a deep understanding of our programs, a collaborative approach, and strong, compassionate leadership.
Aly Denis
Office Coordinator
Aly is the Office Coordinator at Navera. She first joined our team in early 2025 as an evening receptionist while completing her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology at the University of Saskatchewan. With over ten years of administration and medical office experience, Aly brings a warm sense of welcome and a heart for people and community to our office. Aly loves learning new things and in her spare time can be found reading, playing board games, going on adventures with her dog, and trying all kinds of arts and crafts.
Andrew Hartman
Evaluation Specialist
Andrew (they/them) has worked as community-engaged evaluator across North America, working on topics such as housing, gender-based violence prevention, education, and student affairs. They’re currently completing their PhD in Applied Social Psychology at the University of Saskatchewan. Andrew has found in their experience the word “evaluation” is often a charged word for many folks, which is why Andrew likes to work alongside community and using evaluation to support organizations in learning how to improve, assessing their impact, and telling their story. Andrew has a love for the power of story and using evaluation to amplify the voices of community. When Andrew is not nerding out with data they can be found playing with their two cats, checking out new local restaurants, watching reality TV, or running a fundraiser.
Bharat Patel
Business Manager
Bharat joined Navera Community Connections in 2017. He has a Bachelors’ Degree of Commerce and has more than 20 years experience in accounting and finance.
He has a strong belief in family, community, and culture. He has one child, loves to travel, and spend time with family and friends.
Debbie Nainaar
Evening Receptionist
Debbie was born in Durban, South Africa but was raised in small town Saskatchewan. She has lived in Saskatoon her entire adult life. Debbie has worked in the education field for the past 27 years and enjoys working with positive and inspiring people who want the best for our future generation.
Debbie likes spending time with friends and enjoying being active. Most of all, she loves spending time with her 3 children, their spouses and her 5 grandchildren.
Debbie is friendly and likes making everyone feel welcome.
Nicole Woods
Intake Coordinator
Nicole is the Intake Coordinator at Navera. She has a Bachelor Degree of Social Work from the University of Regina. Nicole has experience working in the field of disability services as well as working in non-profit organizations. Outside of work, Nicole enjoys spending time with her spouse and two children, and a beloved family cat. She also enjoys river walks, podcasts, baking, and visiting with family and friends.
Kathleen Regier
BSW, RSW
Community Program Supervisor
Kathleen (she/her) joined the community team at Navera in spring of 2023 as a Registered Social Worker.
As a children’s group facilitator, Kathleen is passionate about creating safe spaces for kids early in life and fostering their connections between each other for greater healing. Kathleen takes a person-centred, strengths-based approach with attention to anti-oppressive and trauma-informed practices. Through the use of mindfulness and communication tools, creative expression, and gentle presence, Kathleen supports kids and families on their journey to becoming their fullest selves.
Kathleen is always learning something new. In her spare time, she can be found listening to podcasts, exploring nature, playing guitar, or chatting with friends and family and begging them to let her take their dog for a walk.
Bernadette Neepin
IBSW, RSW
Bernadette Neepin has her Indigenous Bachelor of Social Work Degree from the First Nations University of Canada. She is a First Nations Cree woman from the treaty 5 area in Northern Manitoba. She has Metis ancestry and connections to Batoche through her mother.
Bernadette is a Parent Community Program Coordinator. She is passionate about working with others in the helping profession and has gained knowledge through her education, work experience and life experiences as a parent. She values her creativity and the ability to connect with others. Bernadette primarily utilizes strength-based and trauma informed approach theories when working with families.
Bernadette is a mother of 5 and grandmother of 6. She enjoys spending time with her family and 2 fur babies. Family is important to her and you can find her spending quality time through activities, game nights, painting, puzzles and going for walks. Her oasis is with her love for plants and flowers.
Ella Hopkins
BSW, RSW
Ella holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Regina and is a registered social worker. Ella has worked with children and adults at various stages of development and with diverse backgrounds. Because of this, she is passionate about childhood development and applying strengths-based and person-centred approaches to all her work. She believes it is important to build rapport with individuals and always start from a place of compassion. Ella is a warm and approachable person, always willing to chat with someone, and make sure people feel heard and understood. She values kindness, compassion, and authenticity.
Outside of work, Ella loves listening to audio books, hanging out with friends and family, and enjoying a good cup of coffee from a local shop. She can be found wandering around the city buying records or looking for a new vintage clothing store.
Lisa Dyer
BSW, RSW
Lisa holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of Regina and is a Registered Social Worker with the Saskatchewan Association of Social Workers (SASW). Lisa’s experience working with children, youth and adults in various supportive and advocacy roles has given her a deeper understanding of the many barriers that people face in living their best life.
Lisa’s practice is influenced by post colonial and feminist theory and she works from a strength based, client centered approach. She does her best to be trauma sensitive recognizing that the diverse backgrounds of the people she works with each have their unique set of challenges. Lisa is a warm and approachable group leader whose desire is to facilitate connection and community within her groups.
In her free time Lisa loves to have adventures in nature with loved ones and friends which include hiking, biking, paddle boarding and walking her dog. She can also be found in the morning cuddled up with a cup of tea on her swinging basket chair.
Luke MCCullough
BSW, RSW
Luke holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Regina. He was born and raised in Saskatchewan spending most of his life in smaller communities.
Luke loves working with people and has a drive to help others. He values client centered care, relationship building, and a strength-based approach; believing that people are the best people to help themselves with the help of kindness and support from others. Luke values kindness, empathy, genuine communication, and community.
Luke spends most of his time with his wife and two cats. He enjoys reading, creative writing, walking, camping, and hiking in his spare time.
Mikayla Buryniuk
BSW, RSW
Mikayla received her Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Regina and is a registered member of the Saskatchewan Association of Social Workers. She has five years of experience working in community development, youth centered programming, and educational
institutions.
Mikayla is passionate about supporting children to build emotional skills, resilience, and healthy connections through engaging activities that help children to feel safe, confident, and understood. She values kindness, authenticity, and empathy and is always
open to learning new things.
Mikayla takes a strength-based approach rooted in empowerment, as well as a trauma-informed and person-centered approach in her work. She is passionate about creating safe and inviting spaces that respect the dignity and worth of all people and strives to reflect
this as a children’s program facilitator.
In her free time, you will find Mikayla in nature, going for walks, and spending time with her cats, friends and family.
Tera Hrappstead
BSW, RSW, B.Ed.
Tera holds a Bachelor of Social Work and a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Regina. She grew up in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.
She has specialized training in Visual Arts and Drama. Tera utilizes her expressive arts and psychoeducational background as a therapeutic tool in groups. She has worked with infants, children, teens, and adults from diverse backgrounds.
Tera is a group facilitator for Parents. She believes in the importance of building healthy foundations and relationships, and that all people have inherent strengths. She creates safe and supportive environments for Clients from all backgrounds.
Abdikarim (Abdi) Osman
MACP, CCC
Abdikarim Osman (Abdi) is passionate about mental health. Abdi holds a master’s degree in counselling psychology. He believes that with the necessary support & resources, every human being has the potential to become the best version of themselves.
Abdi likes to work with clients from the client-centered approach with the understanding that every client is unique in their strengths & challenges. Abdi has experience working with families, couples, children, adolescents & youth. Abdi enjoys empowering clients to utilize their strengths in addressing their challenges. Abdi uses integrative & holistic counseling approaches while working with clients.
Abdi is also a father of two lovely sons. He enjoys reading fiction & poetry and playing soccer. In his free time, Abdi likes spending time with his wife and children.
Alyson Lauber
MACP, CCC
Alyson holds a Masters in Counselling Psychology. For many years, she has had the privilege of walking alongside people through some of life’s most meaningful and challenging moments. Her approach to counselling is grounded in deep listening, compassion, and a belief in the strength and wisdom people carry within themselves. She draws from a blend of client-centred, trauma-informed, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT) approaches to support clients in finding clarity, healing, and a way forward that feels right for them.
Outside of her counselling work, Alyson enjoys spending time with her friends and 4 grown children and curling up with a good book and her dog, Wally.
Braden Balabuck
Intern Counsellor
Braden is an Intern Counsellor at Navera, his final step in completing the Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology program through Yorkville University. He also holds an undergrad degree in Psychology from the University of Saskatchewan. Braden loves working with and collaborating with people from all walks of life. His approaches to counselling are grounded in trauma-informed, person-centered, and solution-focused therapies.
Outside of his studies, Braden enjoys spending time in his garden and going on adventures with his two large dogs. In the summer months he can be found on a warm patio, with a coffee, good fiction book, and his cat.
Daniel Hooshmand
MACP, CCC
Daniel is a compassionate counsellor holding a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology. Grounded in a trauma-informed, person-centered approach, he meets clients with empathy and understanding, creating a safe space for healing and growth. Daniel works with clients to explore questions of purpose and meaning, empowering them to navigate life’s challenges with resilience and authenticity. With a diverse clientele, including adults, families, couples and at-risk children/youth, Daniel’s professional experience reaches across various life stages and contexts. Daniel tailors his approach to meet the unique needs of each individual, fostering deep connections and facilitating meaningful change.
Outside of counselling, Daniel finds fulfillment in his role as a husband and father as spending time with his wife and two girls brings him enjoyment and grounding.
Joel Povey
MC, CCC
Joel enjoys collaborating with a variety of people as they learn to observe and makes sense of their challenges and life vision. Based on people’s strengths and supports, Joel works to empower meaningful experimentation with thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Joel values making therapy accessible and effective through his work with Navera’s Rapid Access Counselling for adults, families, and couples. His counselling work in this area draws upon Trauma Informed, Person-Centered, Strengths-Based and Solutions Focused Brief Therapy.
Joel is a husband and father of three who values quality time and being outdoors and active. He also loves listening and getting creative with music.
Mercy Numfor
MACP, CCC, RSW
Mercy offers a compassionate and non-judgmental space for individuals, children, and couples to feel heard and supported while navigating relationship challenges, low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, parenting, or other major life transitions. Mercy is a Canadian Certified Counsellor, Registered Social Worker, and Psychotherapist, who draws from Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Trauma-Informed Care, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Narrative, Solution-Focused, Strengths-Based, and Culturally responsive approaches. She tailors therapy to each individuals’ unique needs and experiences to explore emotions and work collaboratively toward healing and growth in a way that feels right for them. Outside of work, she a mother of three boys and enjoys dancing, cooking, exercising, and gardening.
Mike Wilkie
Intern Counsellor
Mike is an Intern Counsellor at Navera, his final step in completing the Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology program through Yorkville University. Mike enjoys working with a diverse variety of people as they work through their life challenges, helping to create positive changes in their lives. As an Intern Counsellor, Mike will be helping individuals, couples, and families through Rapid Access Counselling and ongoing counselling relationships. His work is guided by the principles of Person-Centered Therapy and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy.
In his spare time, Mike enjoys spending quality time with family and friends. He also loves spending time outdoors with his two dogs Molly and Karma.
Janelle Sander
Pedagogical Leader
Janelle began working with Navera Community Connections in 2016 as an Early Childhood Educator at the E.D. Feehan location. In 2017, she transitioned to Team Lead and then Assistant Director at the newly opened Rosewood Early Learning Centre. Janelle has returned to E.D. Feehan to be the Director and she is excited about her new role and to be working with so many amazing families. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter and watching her daughter take part in a variety of activities.
Kaira Schlemko
Pedagogical Leader
Kaira was born in Bismark, North Dakota before moving to Canada in 2000. She grew up in Estevan and moved to Saskatoon in 2019 soon after completing her Early Childhood Education Level 2. Kaira is a very passionate and loving person. She loves to sing, sew, create and dance. She also likes to travel and has been all over North America as well as the Philippines and Korea. She has been working with Navera since 2019 in the Early Learning Centre until 2022 then took over as Program Coordinator in Fall of 2022. She loves adding new and fun things for the children to try to keep busy during their free time before and after school.
Mardi Bley
Pedagogical Leader
Mardi began working for Navera at the Early Learning Centre in Bishop Murray High School in 2003. In 2010 Mardi moved to the E.D. Feehan High School location to be the Director of the newly opened centre. Both of these centres had teen parents who needed extra support and encouragement to continue their education and the challenges of being a young parent and student. In 2016 Navera started the process of requesting a new centre when the P3 schools were to open in September of 2017.
Abhineet Goswami
President
Biography coming soon…
Nicole Tainsh
Vice President
Biography coming soon…
Iris Nicholaichuk
Treasurer
Biography coming soon…
Brooke Thorpe
Secretary
Biography coming soon…
Aisha Rafique
Director
Biography coming soon…
Jo-Lynn Witt
Director
Biography coming soon…
Rahwa Zeresnai
Director
Biography coming soon…