Our Team
"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much" - Helen Keller
Meet Our Team
Michelle Hand and Keiri Porter, the owners of Butterfly Paediatric Therapy Inc., are Physiotherapists with a combined 45+ years experience in paediatrics, working in the community, at Children’s Treatment Centres, and in private practice.
While their focus and education have gone in slightly different directions, their treatment philosophies, passions and goals are similar. Butterfly’s vision is to be the #1 paediatric therapy service provider in the GTA, providing families with specialized care for their children.
Whether your child has special needs, an orthopaedic injury, sensory processing difficulties, fine motor delays and handwriting difficulties, feeding issues, challenges with school performance or a communication disorder, Butterfly’s multidisciplinary team of therapists will work one-on-one with your child to enhance performance, increase independence and decrease frustrations.
Butterfly’s goal is to increase access to care, provide a convenient location for families and offer multidisciplinary services in one central location. Butterfly is an environment designed specifically for children to be fun and motivating while also being therapeutic.
Occupational Therapy
Speech And Language Pathology
Physiotherapy Team
Michelle Hand
Physiotherapist – Clinic Owner
Working with children with special needs became a passion for Michelle when she was in school for Physiotherapy and inspired her to start her career at ErinoakKids Children’s Treatment Centre. Michelle’s skills as a therapist include Cuevas Medek Exercises (CME Level 3), Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT), functional strength and exercise, Kinesiotaping and gait training. Michelle believes in a hands-on treatment approach, and sees the potential in every child she works with, challenging them to be the best that they can be!
Opening Butterfly Paediatric Therapy with Keiri Porter was the most challenging and exciting thing Michelle has ever accomplished. Working with children of all abilities, in an environment that is created for them to thrive, is what gets Michelle out of bed every day. As a business owner and mentor, Michelle is looking forward to sharing her experiences and knowledge with the wonderful staff around her at Butterfly Paediatric Therapy in hopes of growing the business and helping more children spread their wings!
Learn More About Michelle:
- If Michelle could teleport anywhere in the world, she would go to the French Polynesian Islands.
- If Michelle had an elephant, she would have a water fight with it!
- Michelle is embarrassed to admit that the movie Jaws scares her.
Keiri Porter
Physiotherapist – Clinic Owner
When Keiri was first interested in being a physiotherapist she was passionate about anatomy, and loved teaching. With increased experience and a few opportunities to see children, Keiri realized how inspiring and empowering it was to use play as a tool to make therapy fun and result in functional change. As her education and career progressed, she was consistently drawn in by making meaningful physical change and creating connections with children and their families.
Keiri enjoys treating using a very hands-on approach – sometimes trying things that might fail, and being pleasantly surprised with the response. She likes to challenge the kids and then give the families ideas and tools to be involved and push their kids without it seeming like therapy. Keiri is amazed by the children that she treats every day!
The decision to start Butterfly Paediatric Therapy with Michelle Hand was a work in progress over a few years, one that comes with no regrets. Having the business actually allows Keiri to treat kids on a regular basis, to make change, to impact families, to work alongside an amazing friend and therapists everyday, and now – going back to her original passion – to teach and mentor others.
Over her career she has found that what works best for her is an eclectic approach. Having different options and therapy approaches depending on the needs or sometimes even the moods of the child provides for more meaningful change. Keiri has taken her 8 week Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT), has her Level 3 Cuevas Medek Exercise (CME), Paediatric Kinesiotaping, Functional Strength Training, Pilates for Neurological Impairments, Body Weight Support Treadmill Training and draws on these to create fun and functional treatment sessions.
Fun Facts About Keiri:
- If Keiri could be any animal, she would be an otter!
- If Keiri could only eat one food for the rest of her life it would be macaroni and cheese.
- If Keiri had a movie about her life, Anna Kendrick would play her role.
Lisa Ryley
Physiotherapist – Clinic Director Burlington & PT Clinical Lead
Lisa grew up playing competitive hockey, and as a result became fascinated by the human body’s ability to move, adapt and repair. This fascination led her to complete both an undergraduate Honours Bachelor of Science Kinesiology degree, as well as a Master’s of Physiotherapy degree from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. Since this time, she has completed her Level 1 and 2 Cuevas Medek Exercises (CME) practitioner certifications. She has also taken continuing education courses related to infant bodywork to support feeding, infantile torticollis and plagiocephaly, infant and toddler gross motor development, paediatric scoliosis, pain in paediatrics, musculoskeletal soft tissue release, concussion assessment and management. Most recently she has undergone further learning related to the use of neuromuscular electrical stimulation to aid in muscle activation and strengthening in various populations. Lisa is always seeking new opportunities to further her knowledge in order to provide effective care to her clients.
Lisa’s interest in paediatrics stems from her previous experiences both as a Summer Camp Counsellor and as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist where she worked with youth athletes of various ages and skill levels to help improve their performance in sport. Lisa continues to find joy in the paediatric population now working with infants, toddlers, children and adolescents on a daily basis. She has experience working with children with both neurological or genetic conditions, as well as musculoskeletal or orthopedic conditions. She loves coming to the clinic every day to see the smiling faces of her clients, while they work towards reaching their goals.
When not treating clients, Lisa has taken on leadership roles at Butterfly Paediatric Therapy, helping to mentor our physiotherapists and set them up for success. She continues to assist with the growth and function of our clinics on a daily basis to ensure families feel welcome and comfortable in our space as they enter the doors. Lisa enjoys spending time in the community making connections with other healthcare providers as well as educating families on our services and the importance of paediatric care.
Cassandra Bodrucky
Physiotherapist
Cassandra is a warm, energetic, and compassionate paediatric physiotherapist who loves helping children build confidence, reach milestones, and discover what their bodies are capable of through fun and engaging therapy. She believes physiotherapy should feel positive and empowering—for both children and their families.
Cassandra’s passion for movement began early through her involvement in sports, including skiing, gymnastics, dance, wrestling, and baseball. These experiences sparked a lifelong interest in human movement, the body, and injury management, leading her to complete a Diploma in Physiotherapy Assistant at Humber College. During a paediatric clinical placement, Cassandra discovered her love for working with children, where supporting young clients as they worked toward meaningful goals confirmed her path into paediatric care.
She went on to complete her Bachelor of Kinesiology at Lakehead University, followed by a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Science and a Master of Science in Physical Therapy at Queen’s University. Cassandra is deeply committed to providing evidence-based care and continually expanding her skills to best support her patients.
Cassandra has completed advanced training in the Contemporary Practice of Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT) for children with cerebral palsy and other neuromuscular disorders, Levels 1 and 2 of Infant Bodywork: Supporting Feeding and Mobility in Pediatric Care, and additional education in toe walking, torticollis and plagiocephaly, vestibular therapy, primitive reflex integration, and neuromuscular electrical stimulation for muscle activation and strengthening. She has also attended the SickKids Rehabilitation Summit: Strengthening Connections in Paediatric Rehabilitation and remains enthusiastic about ongoing professional development.
Her clinical experience includes working with children across a variety of settings, including remote northern communities such as Red Lake, Ontario, through her previous work with Firefly. Cassandra has experience assessing and enjoys creating creative, individualized treatment programs for children with neurological, musculoskeletal, genetic, and orthopaedic conditions.
Cassandra finds it incredibly rewarding to be part of life-changing therapy and loves watching her clients grow into more confident and independent versions of themselves. She believes in a collaborative, play-based, and hands-on approach, working closely with families to help each child reach their full potential, while celebrating every success along the way.
Question and Answer with Cassandra:
- If Cassandra could have a superpower, it would be teleportation.
- If Cassandra was on a deserted island and her needs were met, she would bring a book and a stand-up paddle board.
- If Cassandra was a celebrity, she would be famous for motivational speaking.
Elina Nezon
Physiotherapist
From a young age, Elina has been fascinated by the human body’s ability to adapt and react, and was intrigued by the concept of exercise as medicine. This led her to complete her Master of Science in Physical Therapy at the University of Toronto, following the successful completion of her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at McMaster University, determined to pursue a career in pediatric physiotherapy. Elina’s passion for physiotherapy lies in watching her clients transform into more independent and confident versions of themselves. Elina’s treatment style is straightforward and honest. She uses humour and empathy to guide her clients in achieving their own and their families’ therapeutic goals.
Elina has completed the “Functional Electrical Stimulation in Neurorehabilitation” course and is skilled in offering Functional Electrical Stimulation to her clients where appropriate. She has also completed the “Foundations of Infant Bodywork: Supporting Feeding and Mobility in Pediatric Care” course, as well as attending workshops on bracing and orthotics. She has experience working in both the private and public healthcare systems, including an internship at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital on the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Team during her physical therapy schooling.
Showcasing her commitment to lifelong learning, Elina is a PhD Candidate in the Rehabilitation Sciences with a collaborative specialization in Neurosciences at the University of Toronto. Her research focuses on interventions for balance and mobility in adults with cerebral palsy, as well as the implementation of functional electrical stimulation (FES) in pediatric physical and occupational therapy settings for children with cerebral palsy. She has authored numerous publications on these topics, as well as on chronic pain and cystic fibrosis. Additionally, she holds an adjunct lecturer position at the University of Toronto, Department of Physical Therapy, where she has experience as a guest lecturer, clinical facilitator and teaching assistant. For her work, she was awarded the Department of Physical Therapy Recognition Award by the University of Toronto in 2024 and the Canadian Physiotherapy Association Student Leadership Award of Excellence in 2022.
Sandy Tung
Physiotherapist
Sandy has always been fascinated and interested in the science and movement of the human body which steered her to choosing physiotherapy as a career. She was interested in sports science but during her training she was exposed to working with babies and children with medical, surgical, orthopedic, neurological and genetic conditions in a variety of different settings which changed the trajectory of her career path. It was very rewarding and Sandy quickly found that her interest and passion was being directed towards paediatrics with a special interest in paediatric neurology.
In order to pursue her career in paediatrics and to have a well-rounded approach, Sandy’s continuing education includes being trained in Neurodevelopmental Therapy (NDT), Cuevas Medek Exercises (CME) Level I and II, paediatric kinesiotaping, core stability, infant mental health, early intervention, Task Specific Electrical Stimulation (TASES), General Movement Assessment certification and Certified Infant Massage Instructor by the International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM).
Sandy is constantly seeking new ways and approaches to helping and treating the babies and children who are in her care in order for them to be the best that they can be.
What May Surprise You About Sandy:
- If Sandy could have a superpower, it would be to have photographic memory.
- One thing that Sandy could not live without is chocolate.
- Sandy’s hidden talent is that she can sing!
Madeleine Blott
Physiotherapist
Mississauga
Maddie is a caring and creative physiotherapist who is passionate about helping children reach their physical therapy goals through play-based techniques and sharing her love for exercise. She works with children of all ages and abilities and strongly believes in the importance of inclusive, active living. For this reason, her physiotherapy approach is largely play-based and functional to ensure that their goals in the clinic allow them to thrive both in play and in everyday activities.
Her passion for working with children began through spending several summers working at YMCA overnight camps, where she discovered the joy of teaching various outdoor sports and life skills to children. She also spent time volunteering for various children’s programs including the Waterloo Regional Track 3 Program which involves teaching children with physical and developmental challenges how to ski, and exercises programs targeted at supporting children with metabolic diseases.
Maddie grew up competitively dancing, swim racing and ski instructing. Her love of movement led her to pursue a career in physiotherapy. Maddie completed a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at the University of Waterloo, followed by a Master of Science in Physiotherapy at Leeds Beckett University in the UK. She later trained in Neurofunctional Medical Acupuncture through McMaster University and now integrates acupuncture into her physiotherapy treatments for children where appropriate. She has also received additional training in Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES). To better support her youngest clients, Maddie has obtained additional training in infant bodywork and oral motor development. This allows her to support infants experiencing neck tightness, tongue ties, and feeding challenges related to oral motor developmental delays.
Let’s learn a few fun facts about Maddie:
- If she could use rollerblades as her primary mode of transportation, she absolutely would.
- If she had to cook with only one ingredient for the rest of her life, she’d choose potatoes—endlessly versatile!
- Maddie would never turn down a craft night with friends and family
Tasneem Travadi
Physiotherapist
Mississauga
Tasneem completed her Bachelors of Physiotherapy in 2016 and during her internship, she discovered her deep interest in pediatric physiotherapy — realizing how profoundly physiotherapists can influence a child’s development and quality of life. Witnessing the impact of early intervention inspired her to pursue Masters of Physiotherapy in neurological conditions in 2018 from Saurashtra university, India.
Marly Mehani
Physiotherapist
Burlington
Marly is a passionate and upbeat physiotherapist who strives to make every session fun, motivating, and full of celebration. Her passion for movement began early through competitive swimming and squash, where she developed a deep appreciation for body mechanics, discipline, and the joy of achieving new milestones.
Marly completed her Honours Bachelor of Science with a Minor in Biology at the University of Waterloo, followed by her Master of Science in Physical Therapy at the University of Toronto. Throughout her training, she gravitated toward paediatrics and completed multiple clinical placements in the field, each one solidifying her love for working with children. She enjoys helping kids gain confidence in their bodies, reach meaningful goals, and celebrate every win along the way,big or small!
In the clinic, Marly brings a balance of creativity, compassion, and evidence-based care. She believes physiotherapy should feel like play while still being purposeful and empowering. Her favourite part of the job is building relationships with families and helping children discover just how capable they truly are.
Fun Facts About Marly:
✨ If Marly could choose a superpower, she’d pick time-travel
✨ If she were stranded on a deserted island (with all the essentials), she’d bring a good book and a speaker for endless music.
✨ If she could be any animal, she would be a dolphin
Occupational Therapy Team
ELIAS SALAME
Occupational Therapist - OT Clinical Lead
Elias holds a BSc in Occupational Therapy since 2004 from the Faculty of Public Health and a MSc in Neuropsychology since 2018 from the Faculty of Medical Sciences, both at the Lebanese University. He is certified in Sensory Integration from the University of Southern California, USA. He is also certified in the early childhood education curriculum High/Scope and in Cortical Visual Impairment, both from the USA as well.
He launched his career in 2004, in Kuwait, working in Paediatric Neurology initially at the Conductive Rehabilitation Institution, before moving to Hope School, where he was Lead Occupational Therapist for five years. He also worked in Community Based Rehabilitation with Palestinian and Syrian refugees, and his private practice furthermore covers adult neurology and elderly. Before moving to Canada, he was the Senior Occupational Therapist at the American Special Kids Clinic at the American University of Beirut Medical Center, AUBMC.
Throughout his 18 years of experience, he helped create, establish, and organize several OT departments, created and furnished various sensory rooms, attended numerous workshops, and participated as a speaker in national and international conferences. He has published one article about Screen Exposure and Autism and participated in another one about adaptation of RITA-T (Rapid Interactive Screening Test for Autism in Toddlers) for the Lebanese population. Between 2012 and 2021, he held the position of General Secretary of the Lebanese Occupational Therapy Association (LOTA) and is presently the WFOT delegate member of the Lebanese Occupational Therapists Syndicate (LOTS).
Get to know Elias:
- If Elias could teleport to anywhere in the world, he would teleport to Thailand.
- If Elias were to eat only one food for the rest of his life, he would eat Sushi.
- If Elias were to be an animal, he would be a bird so he could fly!
Rima Toop
Occupational Therapist
Rima’s passion for working with children and youth emerged from her early roles as a dance class assistant, camp counselor and cooking school instructor. With a background in competitive dance, Rima pursued a Bachelor of Science in Human Kinetics at the University of Guelph. Intrigued by the “non-traditional” and holistic perspective of Occupational Therapy, she furthered her education with a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto.
During her academic journey, Rima strengthened her skills in paediatric care through a clinical placement at SickKids Hospital in the neurology, neurosurgery and trauma unit. Here, she learned to use play as a form of assessment and intervention. She also gained international experience at an intensive neurorehabilitation centre in Madrid, Spain, working with individuals of all ages and integrating traditional therapy techniques with evidence-based technology.
Throughout her clinical placements, Rima has gained knowledge in wheelchair seating and positioning, feeding, upper extremity neuromotor interventions, and guided discovery methods such as the CO-OP approach. Drawing on her two years of experience as a personal trainer and fitness coach, she also brings a solid understanding of biomechanics to her practice, helping individuals work towards their personal goals.
Rima believes in using a strength-based approach to build motivation and self-efficacy in clients. One of the many reasons Rima loves occupational therapy is because it emphasizes that well being can be achieved through small, meaningful steps. As often has been said, the little things are really the big things!
Rima is committed to providing high-quality, family-centred care. She is a lifelong learner who looks forward to continually expanding her knowledge and making a positive impact on the lives of the children and families she serves at Butterfly Paediatric Therapy.
A few fun facts about Rima:
- Rima finds joy in cooking and unwinding with rom-coms during quality time with friends.
- Her ultimate treat for a lifetime? Dairy Milk fruit and nut chocolate bars would be her top pick.
- While no longer engaged in competitive dancing, Rima indulges her dance itch with impromptu sessions while house cleaning.
taryn Kieller
Occupational Therapist
Taryn completed her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto, following a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science from the University of Guelph. Taryn was drawn to Occupational Therapy as it allows her to combine her interests in neuroscience, mental health and wellness, and disability advocacy – helping people bridge the gap between where they are and where they want to be! Taryn supports children and youth ages 0-18 years with fine motor and gross motor development, emotional regulation, executive functioning, sensory processing, and feeding. She is a certified Powerfully You provider, offering a self-regulation curriculum
designed by OTs to help children feel connected, tune into their bodies, and develop effective emotional regulation strategies. As a neurodivergent person, Taryn strongly believes in using a strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming approach with her clients. She is passionate about helping kids and teens understand their brains and bodies, including celebrating our individual differences! She is committed to creating safe spaces where youth and families can show up authentically, engage in meaningful activities, and build positive social connections.
In her free time, Taryn loves hiking, camping, rock climbing, and spending time with her golden retriever, Promise.
Fun facts about Taryn:
- In between her undergrad and master’s degree, Taryn worked at a café as a baker.
- If Taryn were an animal, she would be an otter because they have special pockets of skin for storing their favourite rocks! They also hold hands with other otters when they sleep.
- If Taryn could only eat one food for the rest of her life, it would be sweet potato fries.
KIMBERLY HOLLI
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Mississauga & Burlington
Kimberly is a dynamic and vibrant therapy assistant who strives to optimize and empower children and youth through meaningful and family centered activities and skill acquisition.
Kimberly received her Occupational Therapy Assistant and Physiotherapy Assistant diploma from Centennial College after completing her undergraduate degree in International Relations and History with a minor in Political Science from York University, Glendon Campus. After working at a few summer camps for children with complex neurological conditions, Kimberly knew she had to pivot away from where her undergrad studies had taken her and find a way to work with children and their families full-time in opportunities that enables life-enhancing skills, self-esteem, confidence and above all, fun!
Kimberly dove headfirst into her passion and worked for the Geneva Centre for Autism in their Group Services stream supporting children, youth and adults with Autism. Kimberly had the opportunity to have clinical therapy assistant placements in a variety of settings including hospitals, fast-paced clinics, school-based care and children treatment centers around the GTA. In her spare time, you can find Kimberly exploring the great outdoors, visiting the Toronto Zoo any time she can get; spending time at her local Orange Theory Fitness classes and searching the world for the next best donuts!
Kyana Lyttle
Occupational Therapist
Mississauga
Kyana is a passionate and dedicated Occupational Therapist whose love for working with children has been the driving force throughout her career. Starting as a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE), Kyana discovered her deep commitment to helping children reach their fullest potential. During her time teaching, she worked closely with children of varying abilities, fostering a love for creating inclusive and supportive learning environments. This experience inspired Kyana to pursue a career in Occupational Therapy to further support children and families in meaningful ways.
Kyana is a recent graduate of Western University’s Occupational Therapy program and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Behaviour, specializing in Early Childhood Education, from McMaster University. With her background in early childhood education and experience in the field of Occupational Therapy, Kyana has a unique and holistic approach to supporting children’s growth and development. She is dedicated to using her knowledge and creativity to make therapy both fun and effective. Kyana had the opportunity to participate in Holland Bloorview’s Autism Coaching program, where she worked alongside experienced Occupational Therapists to learn and implement neuro-affirming therapy practices. This experience deepened her understanding of how to support children on the autism spectrum in ways that respect their individuality and promote their strengths. Kyana values a strengths-based approach and believes in focusing on each child’s unique abilities to foster growth and success.
Her time as a RECE, combined with clinical placements, has given Kyana a unique perspective on child development and the tools to support children with diverse needs, from sensory integration and behavior management to fine motor skill development. During her clinical placements, she gained valuable hands-on experience in areas such as feeding therapy, handwriting, and self-regulation, particularly using interventions like Zones of Regulation. Whether working on play-based learning, promoting positive social interactions, or fostering independence in daily activities, Kyana believes that therapy should be as enjoyable as it is effective. A strong advocate for fun, she incorporates play and creativity into every session, ensuring that therapy is both engaging and empowering for children.
Outside of work, Kyana enjoys spending time with her niece, going on adventures, exploring new places through travel, and curling up with a good book. Kyana is excited to partner with families to support children in achieving their goals, celebrating their successes, and navigating the challenges they may face along the way. She is committed to providing a warm, inclusive, and strengths-based approach to therapy that fosters growth, confidence, and independence for every child.
Fun Facts about Kyana:
- If Kyana could be any animal she’d be a polar bear because they’re resilient, thrive in
extreme environments, and their black skin and translucent fur is a reminder that there’s
always more than meets the eye! - If Kyana could have any superpower, it would be teleportation so she could explore the
world effortlessly! - Kyana loves reading, her favorite genres are drama and romance
Abigail Burdett
Occupational Therapist
Mississauga
Abby holds a Bachelor’s of Kinesiology from Brock University. During her undergraduate years, Abby worked as a children’s respite worker with Bethesda Community Services, which helped build her skills working with neurodiverse children and youth. Abby then went on to complete her Master’s of Science in Occupational Therapy from McMaster University, where she continued to follow her passion for working with children and youth. Abby was drawn to occupational therapy as it utilizes a holistic approach to help children and youth reach their goals and realize their greatest potential. She had several placements in pediatric care, including Niagara Children’s Centre and Canoe Therapy, a private paediatric clinic. These opportunities helped develop Abby’s knowledge and skills in early childhood developmental milestones, feeding therapy, handwriting, fine motor, executive functioning, sensory integration, and emotional regulation.
Abby started her occupational therapy career at McMaster Children’s Hospital, working on the pediatric medicine and complex care teams. Here, Abby strengthened her skills with infant feeding and development and pediatric neurorehabilitation. As a member of the multi-disciplinary team, Abby learned the importance of collaboration when providing care for her clients.
Abby is committed to utilizing a neuro-affirming and strengths-based approach in her occupational therapy practice to help foster a safe and supportive environment for her clients to grow. She values building strong, trusting relationships with each child and their family, recognizing that connection is at the heart of meaningful progress. In her practice, Abby focuses on celebrating each child’s unique abilities while supporting their development. She is passionate about creating playful, engaging sessions that meet children where they are and empower them to thrive in their own way.
Fun Facts about Abby:
- Abby grew up on the southern shores of Lake Huron and still thinks there is nothing
better than a sunny beach day with a good book - Abby is a huge sports fan and is always ready to talk about her favourite teams (Go
Habs Go!) - Abby is the godmother to her friend’s golden retriever Rosie
Speech and Language Pathology Team
LORI O’KEEFE
Speech Language Pathologist – Clinic Director Mississauga
Lori is a passionate Speech – Language Pathologist who comes to us from the East Coast. After graduating from St. Thomas University in New Brunswick with a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology, she pursued her Masters of Clinician Science in Speech- Language Pathology at Western University. Empowering and supporting families is important to Lori and she loves the opportunity Butterfly affords her to focus on this.
Lori is passionate about ensuring children have the absolute best start in life by utilizing their strengths to expand their communication skills. She enjoys working with children and their families and has experience in a number of areas including language development, social communication, stuttering, speech sound production and reading skills. Lori has a keen interest in motor speech difficulties and has taken a number of continuing education courses in this topic area in addition to being PROMPT certified. An avid reader, literacy is another passion of Lori’s and she is trained in the ‘ASCEND Smarter Intervention Structured Literacy Approach’ to help support struggling readers.
Get to know Lori:
- If Lori could only eat one food for the rest of her life, it would be french fries! Extra fun fact: she grew up in the French Fry Capital of the World.
- If Lori had to compare herself to a Disney character, it would be Rapunzel due to her long hair.
- Lori is embarrassed to admit the movie “Scooby Doo Zombie Island” scares her, but her sisters agree!
JESSICA LEGGETT
Speech Language Pathologist – Media/Marketing Lead - currently on maternity leave
Jessica received her Masters Degree in Speech Language Pathology from Western University. She has had many opportunities throughout her studies and years at Butterfly to work with children of all ages with a variety of communication difficulties including: speech sound disorders (articulation), language delays, fluency disorders (stuttering), and motor speech disorders. Jessica’s passion especially lies within early language learning and articulation therapy! She also believes wholeheartedly in family-centred care. She is passionate about helping children find their way to successful communication and loves to watch each of her clients find their voice and spread their wings!
Get to know Jess:
- If Jess could be an animal, she would be an octopus because she loves being in water, and octopi are extremely flexible and adaptable.
- If Jess could only eat one food for the rest of her life it would be pasta! She loves carbs, especially pasta.
- If Jess could live anywhere in the world, she would live in Slovenia! She was able to travel there recently and loved it so much, she would love to go back!
KELSEY ARGUE
Communicative Disorders Assistant
Kelsey is a passionate Communicative Disorders Assistant. She received her undergraduate degree from Western University and completed her Communicative Disorders Assistant program at Durham College. Kelsey is dedicated to helping individuals improve their communication skills and overcome any difficulties they may have in expressing themselves or understanding others. Kelsey has experience working with children of all ages, who have experienced a wide range of communication challenges, including speech and language delays, articulation and motor speech disorders, and fluency disorders.
Get to know Kelsey:
- Kelsey’s silliest talent is that she can fold her tongue into the shape of a clover! Only around 15% of people can do this!
- Kelsey couldn’t live without her chapstick. Specifically, Burt’s Bees Lip Balm (with Vitamin E & Peppermint)
- Kelsey is most like Belle from Beauty and the Beast as she is constantly seeking new knowledge and opportunities like Bell, and she is not afraid to define what she believes in.
JHANVI SHAH
Speech Language Pathologist & SLP Clinical Lead
Jhanvi is a Speech-Language Pathologist with a Bachelor of Arts in Cognitive Science of Language from McMaster University and a Masters Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Toronto. She has had many opportunities throughout her studies and time at Butterfly to work with children of all ages with a variety of communication difficulties including: language delays, speech sound disorders (articulation), fluency disorders (stuttering), and social communication disorders. She is also currently enjoying taking the “Meaningful Speech” course to help develop her knowledge about the other way of natural language development (Gestalt Language Processing) to better support her clients that acquire language this way. Jhanvi’s passion especially lies within early language learning! She is a strong advocate for early intervention, multimodal communication, and family-centred care. She truly enjoys helping children achieve successful communication in a fun, engaging way that focuses on using their strengths and abilities to help them spread their wings!
Get to know Jhanvi:
- If Jhanvi could be any animal, she would be a panda because she loves her naps as much as they do.
- Jhanvi’s superpower would be teleportation so that she can travel the whole world.
- Jhanvi is a bookworm! If given the opportunity, she can read 3+ novels in a day (while snuggled with a big cup of tea and a blanket of course!)
IMAD ALI
Speech Language Pathologist
Imad’s passion for speech-language pathology comes from his own experiences of growing up with speech difficulties. Up until late high school, Imad was unable to pronounce the R sound and showed signs of a fluency disorder called cluttering. For young Imad, being misunderstood or mocked for the way he spoke was a familiar experience. But with the help of a speech-language pathologist and his own determination, Imad overcame his speech difficulties. In honour of his younger self, Imad became dedicated to advocating for and supporting anyone with communication difficulties or disabilities.
Imad earned his master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Toronto and holds a bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience from McMaster University. He completed clinical placements in the Preschool Speech and Language program at ErinoakKids Children’s Treatment Centre and in the intensive stuttering treatment program at SickKids Hospital. He has experience in a number of areas including language development, speech sound production, motor speech disorders, and fluency disorders.
Imad is very passionate about empowering children with communication skills and enabling them to participate in their life more fully through communication. He is very excited to be part of a team at Butterfly that shares the same goals!
Fun Facts About Imad:
- If Imad was a celebrity, it would either be because of his passion for mushroom photography or his passion for Filipino martial arts.
- Imad loves learning new languages. If Imad could have a superpower, it would be the ability to speak every language in the world fluently.
- If Imad could only eat one food for the rest of his life, it would be his mom’s Chicken Qorma with Sheermal!
Nikki Warren
Communication Disorders Assistant
Get to know Nikki:
- If she could be an animal, it would be a wolf as they are very loyal, friendly and caring.
- If she could only eat one food for the rest of her life it would be pizza.
- If she could live anywhere in the world, it would be Switzerland as she loves exploring the beautiful mountains and blue lakes.
Marina Iskandar
Speech Language Pathologist
Burlington
With hands-on experience as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant, Marina has had the opportunity to support children of varying ages in their articulation difficulties, language delays, social communication abilities and much more. Marina is committed to providing personalized, evidence-based therapy to help her clients thrive. Marina is excited to grow in her knowledge and skills alongside her clients, and aims to empower each child to the best of their communicative potential!
Get to know Marina:
- If I was an animal, I’d be a giraffe!
- If I was a disney princess, I’d be Pocahontas
- If I had to pick one food, it would be sushi
Ummay Aiman
Speech Language Pathologist
Mississauga
Ummay has experience working with children of all ages with a variety of communication needs. She is particularly passionate in the following areas: Speech production (articulation, speech, and phonological concerns), literacy, early language development, and fluency (stuttering).
Get to know Ummay:
- If Ummay could have any superpower, it would be the ability to teleport anywhere in the world.
- If Ummay could be any animal, she would be a bird because she thinks flying would be fun.
- In her free time, Ummay enjoys expressing her creativity through painting and drawing.
Sophia Neufeld
Speech Language Pathologist
Burlington
Sophia completed her Bachelor’s degree in Child, Youth, and Family Studies at the University of Guelph before earning her Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology from Western University. Sophia is certified in the It Takes Two to Talk® Hanen Program and the Comprehensive Stuttering Program through the Institute for Stuttering and Research at the University of Alberta. She has experience supporting children of all ages across a wide range of communication needs and especially loves building meaningful connections with families, celebrating successes (big or small!) along the way.
Fun Facts about Sophia:
- Growing up in Niagara Falls, she knows all the best local spots.
- She loves to travel and has already explored 6 Canadian provinces (and counting!)
- If she had to pick one food to eat forever, it would definitely be pizza.
Client Experience Team
DANICA AREVALO
Client Experience Coordinator, Marketing Lead
Danica graduated in Social Services from Sheridan College. She completed placements at Youth Assisting Youth and in Childhood Education in multiple childcare centres. Ever since high school Danica has loved working with children, whether that be face to face or behind the scenes. Danica has always had an interest in working in a paediatric setting but never had an opportunity until finding Butterfly.
Danica loves being around positive individuals who are also passionate about helping children. She finds fulfillment in seeing happy families and knowing she can enhance their experience from behind the desk.
Some fun facts about Danica:
- If Danica could teleport anywhere in the world, she would go to South Korea, Spain and Japan.
- Time travel would be Danica’s superpower.
- The one thing Danica can not live without is music, she listens to music 24/7, loves playing instruments and singing!
Kym Waddell
Client Experience Coordinator
Burlington
Kym is our cheerful Client Experience Coordinator and is thrilled to be a part of the Butterfly family. She is excited to be able to support our therapists and clients to ensure everyone is comfortable and meets their individual goals. Kym’s background is customer service and she spent years volunteering in schools around Burlington working with students of all ages. As an empty nester, with 2 children away at University, Kym enjoys golfing, reading, gardening and anxiously awaiting school holidays so her family can all be under the same roof and spend time together.
Get to know Kym:
- If she could be any animal, she would be a bird, be able to fly, build cute little houses wherever it makes her happy and never have to deal with traffic jams!
- Kym loves ABBA and her theme song would be “Dancing Queen”
- If stranded on a desert island alone, all Kym would need is music, a good book and a large supply of lip balm.
Amelie Luba
Client Experience Coordinator
Mississauga
As the oldest sister of four, Amelie is passionate about helping kids become the best they can be! She has tutored kids of all ages, worked with children with special needs, and taught swimming lessons. She has recently graduated from McMaster University with a BA in Sociology and hopes to continue working in the realm of social sciences.
Getting to know Amelie:
- If Amelie could have a superpower, it would be the ability to fly!
- If Amelie could teleport anywhere in the world, she would go to the nearest salt water beach!
- If someone were to make a movie about Amelie’s life, Anne Hathaway would play her role.
Mariana kotsan
Client Experience Coordinator
Mississauga
Mariana has always loved working with people, and at Butterfly she is excited to be part of a team that makes a real difference in children’s lives. As a Client Experience Coordinator, she will ensure families feel welcome, supported, and informed throughout their therapy journey.
Mariana believes that communication is the key to building trust, especially when working with children and their families. Mariana’s background in customer service helps her connect with people from all walks of life, making sure every family feels heard and valued. It’s rewarding to be part of a space where kids can grow, learn, and reach their full potential!
Some fun facts about Mariana:
- If she could have any superpower, it would be understanding every language in the world (including whatever babies are trying to say!).
- If she were on a deserted island, she’d bring a good book, sunscreen, and maybe a talking parrot for company.
- She once drove for hours just to find the perfect hiking spot—because adventures (big or small) are always worth it!
Alicia Goodrum
Client Experience Coordinator
Burlington
Fun Facts:
- Alicia can play piano with her eyes closed!
- Her favourite woodwork project was crafting a chess board
- Alicia’s superpower would be teleportation
Angela Conn
Client Experience Coordinator
Mississauga
for helping others. A George Brown College Fashion Business graduate, she thrives in
fast-paced, customer-facing roles where her warmth and positivity shine.
Outside of work, Angela loves spin classes, walking dogs, and dreaming up her next big idea.
She’s excited to bring her energy, creativity, and compassion to the Butterfly team.
- If Angela could have a superpower, it would be time travel (mainly to relive good outfits)
- She hopes to one day live in New York and take her creativity to the next level
- Angela used to own a pet snake – ask her what she named it