PIVOT POINT FAMILY GROWTH CENTER - Key Persons
I have over 25 years of experience working directly with children with special needs. I started my career in community recreation, and started a program to address physical activity for children with special needs. I began working as a Behaviour Interventionist (BI) in home intervention programs and decided to pursue Behaviour Consultation certification as I discovered my passion for teaching children who required specialized learning techniques.
Amanjyot has a bachelors in Psychology and Education from SFU. She has been working with children for the past 5 years and has worked at the YMCA as a childminder, as well as with MadScience Vancouver as an instructor.
Job Titles:
- Complex Care Program Manager
Throughout her career, Amber has worked closely with hundreds of families, primarily foster families, supporting children in their care. She has completed a BA in Psychology and MA in Leadership. Amber brings to Pivot Point 20+ years of hands on experience in addressing the complex behavior of children and youth who live with special needs, developmental disabilities, as well as learning, behavior and psychiatric challenges.
For the past 17 years Amber has been in leadership positions within the non-profit sector; she has experience building highly trained, motivated teams of support staff. Her style is one of collaboration while maintaining superior quality of care and ethical standards.
Challenging and complex behavior has always fascinated Amber and furthers her drive to support families & children with exceptional needs. Over the course of her career, Amber has received training in Trauma-Informed Practice, Positive Behavioral Support, Attachment, Brain-Based Disorders and more.
Amber is also a mother of two active children. She can be found at the hockey rink, baseball field and dance studio when she is not busy at work. Amber and her husband moved to Cloverdale in 2002 & enjoy the close knit community it provides.
Job Titles:
- Kootenay Co - Regional Manager
Amber joined Pivot Point in 2020, bringing with her several decades of experience working with children and youth with diverse abilities. Amber has run a daycare, worked in the public school system, and is currently the Lead Instructor at our Cranbrook Community Classroom.
Job Titles:
- Adult Services & Transition Planning Manager
- Adult Services & Transition Planning Program Manager
Amy successfully completed the Community Support Worker/Educational Assistant program at Riverside College in 2014. Following her graduation, she dedicated four years to serving as a community support worker, where she addressed diverse medical, intellectual, and behavioral needs.
Transitioning into the role of an educational assistant, Amy accumulated six years of experience working with individuals of all ages. During this period, she earned certifications in ASD and ABA from POPARD, and completed four levels of deafblind courses through POPDB. Additionally, she served as a tutor for four years, supporting students ranging from Kindergarten to Grade 9. Amy's extensive experience spans an age range from 5 to 80 plus.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Amy finds joy in reading and unwinding during her leisure time. She is passionate about working diligently and assisting others in achieving their goals.
Andy has over 9 years experience working with children with ASD as a Behaviour Interventionist and Senior Behaviour Interventionist. He graduated in 2010 with a Bachelors in Kinesiology and an extended minor in Psychology and is currently working on his Master of Science in Applied Behaviour Analysis with a concentration in Autism.
Anna holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and is currently finishing her Master's Degree in Counselling Psychology. She is currently completing her practicum here at Pivot Point Family Growth Centre.
Avery is currently a B.Sc Psychology student at the University of Northern British Columbia, pursuing a career in Applied Behavioural Analysis. She has spent the past 5 years focusing in developmental and health psychology, obtaining the practical skills needed to apply to behavioural therapy.
Job Titles:
- Quality Assurance Manager / Quality
Bailey is our Quality Assurance Manager at Pivot Point, passionate about quality improvement, efficiency, and creative approaches!
Starting with Pivot Point in 2017, she has worn many hats and learned the agency through the scope of a variety of lenses from frontline to management.
Job Titles:
- Resource Manager
- Resources Manager
Brenda, Pivot Point's Resource Manager of 13+ years, ensures that our eight remote offices across the Province have the supplies they need to effectively support the children, families, and individuals in our care.
Job Titles:
- Behaviour Consultant
- Clinical Supervisor
Brittany completed her Masters in Special Education with a sub-focus on developmental disabilities and autism spectrum disorders in 2015.
Job Titles:
- Educational Services Program Manager
Cheryl joined the Pivot Point team as Regional Manager for Chilliwack/Hope, in Feb 2010. Cheryl has a bachelor's degree in Education from the University of British Columbia. During her studies she specialized in adapted programs, behaviour management, and integration planning for children with high needs. After completing this degree Cheryl worked as a recreational therapist for 6 years, developing and implementing a variety of programs, therapy and experiences for children and adults with complex needs.
Cheryl has vast experience, knowledge, abilities and strategies for working with complex children, families, community resources and services. She has provided training, and workshops in positive behaviour management. She has been a mentor to co-workers, assessing, developing and implementing positive behaviour plans and programs specific to individual success plans for students and families.
Cheryl Elderton is our Educational Services Program Manager. Cheryl brings more than 30 years of experience as a CYCW, educator and behaviour facilitator. She is a lifelong learner, passionate about professional development and she takes every opportunity to further develop her skills through workshops and courses hosted locally and internationally. Cheryl's passion for lifelong learning shines through in every conversation, as she is visibly inspired by each opportunity to help her students and staff throughout the province to grow towards their full potential.
Christie has her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology/English Literature with an unofficial minor in Special Education from UBC (2007). She has worked with children and youth in a variety of settings, as a BI, a certified lifeguard and swim instructor, ESL tutor, and camp counselor.
Connie handles client services here at Pivot Point. Building relationships has always been important to Connie as it aligns with her core values
Job Titles:
- Prince George & Northern BC Regional Manager
Courtney has always had a passion for helping others (for as long as she can remember) which led her to a job working with a young boy diagnosed with Autism after she graduated high school. She worked in his home-based ABA program as his Behaviour Interventionist and quickly realized how much she loved the work so she decided to make a career out of it! Little did Courtney know the service was very much needed in the North that she would become very busy and constantly have families contacting her to work with their child.
Job Titles:
- Behaviour Consultant
- Director of Operations
Crystal Thompson is a dedicated professional with a rich history of service to individuals and families spanning over 33 years. Her journey in the realm of caregiving and support began with volunteering, leading her through the halls of various colleges and eventually culminating in a university education.
Cynthia has worked in various capacities with organizations across Western Canada which deliver Adult Basic Education, Brain Injury Rehabilitation services, Literacy programs, Domestic Violence programs, and Seniors' Housing.
Dakota is currently taking her Master of Arts in Behaviour Analysis Practice at Florida Institute of Technology. She also has a BA in Psychology with a Minor in Sociology.
Debbie graduated with a Certification in Behaviour Intervention and an advanced Diploma in Applied Behaviour Analysis. She has many years of work experience helping families and individuals from the Pre-K age to adults. Her roles have included working on behaviour challenges and lifeskills, both in team settings and independently.
Job Titles:
- Behaviour Consultant
- Clinical Supervisor
Working with individuals and families navigating the world of special needs has been Christina's professional passion for 18 years. She recently obtained her Doctorate of Behavioral Health/Integrated Health (DBH) from Arizona State University and has been a BCBA for over 10 years.
Christina is a mother of 2 little girls with big personalities and two large dogs who think they are lap dogs. When she is not chasing after her crew she enjoys painting and surfing. Prior to entering the world of ABA Christina was a fine arts major and painted murals to make her way through college.
Job Titles:
- Behaviour Consultant
- Clinical Supervisor
Kelly holds a Doctoral Degree in Behavioral Science from the University of Kansas and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Kelly began providing behavioral services as a direct care staff member at an intensive treatment facility in the United States for children and adults with dual diagnoses in 1996.
Kate joined Pivot Point in July 2021 as the Before and After School Care Program Manager, as well as the Community Classroom Registrar. In addition to her Bachelor of Arts degree from Simon Fraser University, Kate is a certified PEERS provider, a trained coach through Co-Active Training Institute (CTI), and a certified Sanity School for Parents and Teachers trainer through Impact ADHD. Kate also has experience in executive function coaching, Michelle Garcia-Winner's Social Thinking curriculum and strategies, and The Zones of Regulation curriculum.
Katherine holds a masters in counselling psychology and is a registered member of the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. Her background is in population and human health research and evidence based studies.
Kathleen graduated with a BA in Psychology in 2018 and has been working in the mental health field for 4 years. She has worked at a day-care supporting children ages 3 months to 12 years with special needs as well as in adult clients' homes, assisting with independent living.
Katrina was only 14 years old when she discovered she had a passion for helping others. Having a large extended family with lots of elders to love her, Katrina felt she had a lot to offer working at a Rest Home where she could genuinely engage with those residents that didn't really have family. Her caring ways led her to be a camp counsellor and Sunday School teacher on the Sunshine Coast.
When Katrina married, she spent 18 years in Scotland where she fell in love with the small villages and sense of community, learning more about art and design in industrial weaving on an organic farm. The balance of nature and the environment helped her see there can be positive solutions to what others might see as a problem.
Now in her fifth year with Pivot Point, Katrina has found the life-work balance she has always wanted. Having started as a Behavior Interventionist and Child Care Support Worker, her career path has evolved in many areas of support programs and group activities offered at Pivot Point. Katrina has been a Lead Instructor for the Agassiz Community Classroom, as well as the Assistant Regional Manager in the region for the past two years, culminating into her next step, as the Regional Manager for the Kent/Hope region.
In her down time, Katrina enjoys spending time with her non-binary teenager and fluffy old dog enjoying the beautiful surrounding area she calls home, actively participating in a variety of outdoor activities. Along with 3 mischievous cats and glow fish. She also enjoys baking and crafting which she has shared with her students helping to develop life skills.
Pivot Point is excited to have Keith Fluet on our Head Office admin team! Keith is the Accounting Manager, and holds responsibility for all aspects of the financial well being of the company.
Khushi recently graduated with a BSc Specialization in Psychology from the University of Alberta and is now taking her Master at Yorkville University. Khushi has worked as a Behaviour Technician for adults with Autism and several other needs such as Pica, Bipolar Disorder, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. She has been working with children of all ages with diverse needs through overnight camps, childcare programs, and school settings for about 8 years.
Khushi is a quick learner, a creative problem solver, and eager to continue to expand her knowledge in the ABA field.
Kiersten is originally from Manitoba where she completed a BA majoring in Linguistics at the University of Winnipeg. After completing her BA, Kiersten worked as a BI for 2 years in an Early Intervention program for children with ASD.
Job Titles:
- Kootenay Co - Regional Manager
Kylie joined Pivot Point in 2019 and has held many different roles within the organization. She was born and raised in the Kootenays and is finely attuned to the culture and specific needs of our area.
Kymberley has an Advanced Diploma in behavioural science technology with a focus on autism from George Brown College, a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Behaviour Analysis with a focus on autism from Capilano University, and a Master in Science in Applied Behaviour Analysis from Queen's University Belfast. She is currently a student in the Rehabilitation Medicine - Sexual Health Graduate Certificate program at the University of Alberta.
Leah has a Bachelor of Arts degree from SFU, with a major in Psychology with a concentration in ABA and minor in Linguistics. She also has a Certificate in Speech Sciences!
Job Titles:
- Mental Health Program Manager & Counsellor
I provide family and individual counselling services to youth, adults, and couples. With my clients, I strive to help improve their emotional and mental well being, develop self-awareness and build better relationships.
Job Titles:
- Business Integration Manager
Michaela worked for 20+ years in the airline industry in administration and project coordination, while providing many website and graphic design services to other local businesses.
Nicole is a teacher who recently returned to Victoria after 17 years overseas, primarily in Cairns, Australia. She has a BA in linguistics and a Masters in Teaching which has led her to work in a variety of roles with children.
Rebecca is a dedicated professional residing in the Cowichan Valley with her family. As a mother to a young daughter and son, she brings a wealth of experience in working with children and adults with autism since 2009. Throughout her career, Rebecca has held key roles, including team lead for various ABA teams, a Behavioral Interventionist (BI) specializing in in-home and preschool support, and an ABA Support Worker with the Surrey School District.
Job Titles:
- Community Relations Manager
Rochelle handles our Community Relations and Marketing. Her days are full of social media updates, educating others through relevant materials, helping clients over the phone, event planning and much more.
Samanta has a background in business, psychology, and leadership. She loves to meet new people, collaborate, problem-solve, and make the best of any situation. At Pivot Point, she helps individuals with autism and diverse abilities throughout British Columbia to come together and have fun in groups!
Her greatest belief is that EVERYONE should be treated with kindness, dignity, and equality. Initially working with children in daycare centres, Sandra's career evolved into teaching in various locations within the lower mainland. During this time, she also learned a valuable lesson; "I learned that helping/teaching others is not something that should be done to another person, it should be done with them. When this is done, then learning, growth and development becomes easy as it is done as a partnership."
I have been working in the field for three decades as a social worker, adoptions agent, group home director, youth and family counsellor, addictions specialist, and with special needs individuals and groups. I do public speaking on a regular basis for school districts, government agencies, and private enterprise.
Job Titles:
- Thompson & Okanagan Regional Manager / Shannon
Born and raised in the BC Interior, Shannon joined Pivot Point in the role of Regional Manager for the Thompson/Okanagan region March 2023. When people ask where she is from, her response may be " from which stage in my life?" Shannon has planted roots in Lumby, Vernon, Golden, Revelstoke and currently resides in Salmon Arm with her family.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Executive Director
- Founder
Steve is the founder and Executive Director of Pivot Point Family Growth Centre Inc. Click the link below to read more about WHY Steve started Pivot Point and discover what's behind the name.
Suki Lau holds a Master's Degree in Counselling (Special Needs) and has been working with individuals with ASD, ADHD, Intellectual Disability, mental disorders, challenging behaviours and learning difficulties since 2015.
I grew up in Williams Lake, BC and have lived in Abbotsford since 2014. Outside of work, I enjoy theatre, travel, kayaking and relaxing at home with my dog. Growing up, I was an active participant in my local Community Theatre and went on to major in Theatre at Thompson Rivers University.
Utami joined the Pivot Point admin team in December 2023 as the HR Assistant. Recently completing a diploma program in Human Resources and Payroll at Vancouver Career College, Utami brings prior experience in management roles focused on Recreation/Health and Wellness for seniors, as well as managing group homes and day programs for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Wendy's experience as a helper and educator dates back to high school, where she was a peer counsellor and was involved in outreach groups presenting on topics such as drug prevention, abuse in relationships, homophobia and AIDS. She did her undergrad in elementary education at the University of Victoria and studied art and psychology at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. She then went on to do her training as an Art Therapist at the Vancouver Art Therapy Institute and a Masters in Counselling Psychology through Yorkville University.