ASNL - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Property & Facilities Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Head of Front House / Server
Anna Burke is a young autistic self-advocate who was diagnosed in her mid-teen years. Between both her younger brother and herself, she has immense knowledge on life with ASD from both personal experience as an autistic person and from her relationship with her brother. Anna is a strong believer in the push for autism & neurodiversity acceptance, and wishes to spread the message of listening to the voices that need to be heard the most. She listens to the autistic community and brings fresh ideas to the table, and hopes to educate others on ASD in a new light.
Job Titles:
- Community Relations & Fund Development
Job Titles:
- Vice - Chair Clinician off - Avalon
Charlene is a Registered Psychologist with over a decade of experience providing services to children, adults and families. She is passionate about supporting persons with autism work through the many challenges that they face throughout life.
She is an ardent supporter of several health initiatives. As Campaign Patron for the Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador's capital campaign, Mrs. Dobbin was the driving force behind the raising of $1.9 million and the construction of Shamrock Farm/Elaine Dobbin Centre for Autism. She continues as Honorary Board Member and Patron for the Society.
Job Titles:
- Chairman Education Representative / Chair of Executive Committee
Having worked in the education system for over 30 years, Elizabeth brings extensive knowledge and leadership experience from all levels of our Newfoundland and Labrador Education System; School, District and Province. She is currently the Principal of Elizabeth Park Elementary located in Paradise, NL. Elizabeth joined the board in 2019 with the desire to focus on the school experience of persons with Autism and their families, recognizing the positive impact that individualized student programming can have.
Job Titles:
- Employment Works Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Treasurer
- Chartered Professional Accountant
Matthew is a Chartered Professional Accountant with over a decade of experience. Matthew has spent most of his career working in the financial services sector and has recently made a career transition to public accounting as a Controller for Hire. Matthew joined the board in 2022 as a volunteer to help advocate for persons with Autism.
Through both her personal and professional life Michelle has been involved with ASNL for many years and is passionate about the work that needs to be done to broaden the support and opportunities available to persons with Autism. Michelle is a parent of a child with Autism and has seen firsthand the benefits ASNL brings to the province, but also is keenly aware, there is still a lot to be done to ensure society fully embraces Neurodivergent individuals. Michelle is a Community Manager with RBC where she has worked for the last 27 years and is excited to bring her leadership and communication skills to the ASNL Board.
Job Titles:
- Parent Representative - on Avalon
Rebecca Furlong has received Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Special Education, and Master of Education degrees from Memorial University of Newfoundland. Having worked with Autistic individuals for well over twenty years in various capacities, she now works for the Provincial Government and volunteers as part of the administration team for Autism Newfoundland and Labrador on Facebook. A proud Autistic activist for both Autistic individuals and their families, Rebecca is very excited to be joining ASNL's Board of Directors to help us better serve the needs of our community. Since Rebecca lives in both worlds as an Autistic and as the parent of an Autistic child, her main goal is to help bridge the gap that currently exists in our community between Autistics and parents. She strongly believes that by getting everyone on the same page and working together, we can make a difference.
Shelly has completed the Child and Youth Care Program. For the last 21yrs she has been an active advocating for both of her children who are neurodiverse. Shelly worked as a Navigator for Inclusion Canada NL where she supported individuals with Soft Skill development. For the last 2yrs she has been working with Ready, Willing, and Able, where she works with Employers across Canada to increase labor force participation for individuals who self identify with Autism or an intellectual disability. Shelly also works with Community Partners to fund accommodations for people in employment, post-secondary and self-employment. She looks forward to continuing to advocate for neurodiversity in these sectors and considers it an honor to serve on the board of directors for the Autism Society.
Terry (T.C.) Bursey is a freelance journalist, chef, food writer, Newfoundland Science Fiction novelist, autism self-advocate and autism caregiver from CWT, Newfoundland and Labrador. He's previously worked as a print media journalist for SaltWire and Kingstonist as well as for various food and hospitality magazines across Canada. His immediate goals are to help spread the Neurodiversity Movement through his various works of writing, as well as through public speaking events.