Outreach Team
Shanelle Gilman, BA (Hons)
With a BA Psych (Hons) degree and seven years experience working for Neil Squire, Shanelle was excited to learn about MMC and wanted to expand her makers skills. Shanelle loves that the devices in our library can be altered for the individual to allow them more ease when using them. When not in the office, you can find Shanelle playing recreation sports and board games with friends.
Courtney Cameron
Courtney started with Neil Squire in 2017 as a Job Developer, but quickly began working on Makers Making Change as she found the project unique and exciting, and loved the new skills she acquired through building devices (who knew?!) Courtney loves the key turner as it was the first device she provided to a user in Nova Scotia and heard feedback about making a difference in their life – and it’s so handy for everyone! When not in the office, Courtney can usually be found at a park with her dog or enjoying food & drink at a local pub or restaurant.
Samantha Walters
Outreach Coordinator
I joined Makers Making Change as an Outreach Coordinator because I love helping people access supportive resources. I am super excited to be apart of a team that brings people together through innovation, inclusion, and the power of community.
Kris Stirling
Kris (she/they) is a longtime events worker and lifelong crafter turned outreach coordinator at Makers Making Change. They have a background in media and athletics around the Pacific Northwest and Ontario where they learned the importance of building equity in community spaces. MMC allows Kris to do hands-on work and see the impact Makers Making Change has on peoples' everyday lives. In her spare time, she loves fitness and photography.
Heather Buerfeind
With a background in educational outreach, Heather has always been motivated by the desire to help individuals find their own paths to success. Her passion for assistive technology began when she discovered Universal Design and its simple yet life-changing impact. She is especially driven to boost the availability of assistive technology and expand awareness, working to break down barriers and empower people to succeed on their own terms. Outside of her professional work, Heather is a dedicated maker, constantly exploring new ways to blend creativity with functionality.
Engineering Team
Jake McIvor, P.Eng, MASc
Jake is a maker and a lifelong learner. He's a jack of all trades and a master of at least one (biomedical engineering), and takes immense pride in applying all those skills to create, review, and refine assistive technologies that can improve someone's quality of life. Jake is particularly fond of the brush holder and mount that he developed with a local mouth painter that enables her to paint independently. When not in the office, you might find Jake out in the mountains with his family, gaming with his buds, or throwing stones at the curling rink.
Tyler Fentie, EIT, ATP, RET
Tyler (EIT, ATP, RET) saw a great fit working for Makers Making Change as he has had a lifelong passion to develop devices that were designed with the user at the forefront. Tyler has lived with type one diabetes since he was 7 and has used medical devices ever since. His frustrations with these medical devices not consulting users during the design process and having features difficult for users fed his drive to want to create. Tyler started working as a student while finishing up his degree in mechanical engineering and now has transitioned to a full time employee for the R&D team. Tyler's favorite device is the MMC60 adaptive switch. He loves this device as it allows alternative access to devices for users, is often peoples first build event experience with mmc, and has a neat flexure design.
Josie Versloot, EIT
With a background in mechanical engineering, Josie has always had an interest in biomechanical engineering and human centered design. Working in the assistive technology field introduced her to Makers Making Change and she was drawn to how they work to make assistive technology more accessible, customizable, and affordable. Josie is excited to be a member of the engineering team and to help with outreach in the Eastern region. Josie’s favourite device is the Light Touch Switch because it is a simple switch that is easy to make, easy to activate, and very affordable. Josie also loves how many things can be made possible using an accessible switch, whether it’s gaming, using the computer, controlling a switch adapted toy, or so much more! Outside of work, Josie likes to spend time with friends and family, try out new restaurants, or watch a good show.
Derrick Andrews
With his electronics background, Derrick has always been passionate about building gadgets to empower people. He joined MMC to apply electronics in service to people with disabilities. When not in the office, Derrick loves to design and build ultra low power radio circuits, run the Stanley Park seawall, or hike in the Vancouver north shore mountains.
Operations Team
Kristina Mok
Kristina joined the MMC team to solve challenges faced by people with disabilities from an industrial design lens. She believes designs should be built around the user, not the other way around. Her favourite device is the light proximity switch because users can independently adjust it to their needs. Outside of work, you can find her trying out new dishes and tending her garden.
Jorene Ng
I discovered the importance of accessibility as a code tutor for neurodivergent youths and that led to my passion for building software to improve everyday life. I'm excited to use and make technology more accessible for everyone. In my free time, I like to try new hobbies, run and play board games.
Chad Leaman, BA, CAE
Chad Leaman is the Director of Innovation for the Neil Squire Society and is responsible for partnership and fund development. Starting with Neil Squire Society in 2002 building computer literacy programs, he has focused his career on addressing the digital divide. He spends time outside of Neil Squire volunteering with other organizations that focus on technology, education, and accessibility. He’s a father of young twins which is the source of much joy, Lego, and scraped knees. His favourite OpenAT is the Raindrop switch, as it is a great starter project for people new to making. With a little soldering, a little 3D printing, and some hot glue, you have a solution that can be made in 15 minutes and is 95% more affordable than the commercial equivalent.
Harry Lew, P.Eng, CUA
Harry Lew joined the Neil Squire Society’s Research and Development Group in 1985 as an Electrical Engineer. He has extensive experience developing products for the unique needs of persons with disabilities using user centered design techniques. He also has experience in designing electronics devices from prototype to pre-production. As Manager of Research and Development, Harry is in charge of a robust engineering team that can develop specialized technology solutions for clients, all in house. He also is responsible for the development of new research and product initiatives in addition to creating and executing heuristic reviews and focus groups of products and services for accessibility and usability.
Gary Birch, O.C., O.B.C., PhD, P.Eng
Gary Birch was appointed Director of Research and Development at the Neil Squire Society in 1988 and then in 1994 was appointed Executive Director. He is responsible for the on-going operations at the Neil Squire Society including the supervision of a Research and Development team; the preparation and supervision of contract proposals and budgets for government sponsored service delivery projects; and the overall future direction and development of the Neil Squire Society.