Board of Directors

Tammy is a Special Education Coordinator for the Greater Essex County District School Board. She has received her Bachelor of Arts in Behavioural and Cognitive Neuropsychology, Bachelor of Education, Special Education Specialist, Math Specialist as well as obtaining her Principal Qualifications. As a parent of children with Learning Disabilities, Tammy became very invested into learning about and volunteering for the cause. She has worked with the Scottish Rite Learning Centre as both a Tutor and as the Centre Director in the past. She is also a trained and registered Parent Advocate. Tammy is on the SEA Coordinator Council for Southwestern Ontario as well as being a representative in Assistive Technology for the GECDSB. Tammy has been a member of the board for the LDAWE for ten years.

Nick is a former client of the LDAWE who has benefited from the LDAWE’s many programs including the AT training program, which assisted him to better understand his own learning disability and master the use of assistive technology. Nick has worked and volunteered for the Association for the past four years in several roles, including summer camp counselor, after-school tutor and in the ABC 123 program. Nick, has also served on the Association’s Joint Health and Safety Committee for two years and has been the consumer representative on the Board of Directors for the past year. In 2015, Nick graduated from the St. Clair College Developmental Service Worker program and is currently in his final semester of the Bachelor of Professional Arts in Human Services program through Athabasca University. He has also worked for a number of not-for-profit community-based organizations and schools supporting individuals with Developmental Disabilities.

Shannon Bacik, CPA, CGA was born and raised in Windsor, Ontario and currently is the Controller for Maryvale. She obtained her accounting designation in 2001. She has spent a number of years in both private and public industries and brings a wealth of knowledge around business administration, operational strategies, finance and accounting. Over the last few years Shannon has volunteered with a number of fundraising events held directly for Maryvale. In her spare time, she is passionate about helping her kids and community as co-manager for her daughter’s basketball team the Tecumseh Saints.

Lucy Coppola is a Registered Nurse and recently retired as the Director of Client Services at John McGivney Children’s Centre. She has her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and a Master of Health Studies. In addition, she has been certified to be a Capacity Assessor and works within the province of Ontario. Lucy has worked in many areas throughout her career including obstetrics, medical-surgical nursing, and home care. Lucy is a parent of an adult daughter who has a learning disability. She is passionate about advocating for those with learning disabilities for all stages of their lives to ensure their success academically, and in their careers. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family in Kingsville, Ontario and travelling.

Christian is an associate lawyer at Legal Focus LLP, where he practices business, real estate and tax law. He is a graduate of Western University’s Faculty of Law and the University of Windsor’s Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) program. In addition to legal experience, Christian has a background in finance, consulting, marketing, and operations management. He is passionate about supporting his community, having previously been involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters “Game On!” program and provided pro bono consulting services to local start-ups through the University of Windsor’s EPICentre.

Rubina is a current LDAWE parent, her family regularly access a variety of services including tutoring and assistive technology training. Rubina is dedicated to ensuring her children have the tools required to self-advocate and be actively involved in their learning journey. Currently, Rubina is employed as an adjudicator and is engaged in promoting anti-racism, and inclusion initiatives throughout the Canadian Federal Government. Rubina has a Bachelor of Arts, Masters of Arts in Community Studies, Certificate in Disability Management and is completing her Social Work degree. Rubina is committed to building empowering opportunities and fostering resilience for her family and community.

Anthony has worked as an Accessibility Advisor and Assistive Technologist with the University of Windsor for over two decades.

In this capacity, he primarily supports students with ADHD and learning disabilities diagnoses, ensuring that they have access to appropriate academic accommodations.

Through his involvement with the Inter-University Disability Issues Association and various provincial and local organizations, Anthony has built a career as an advocate for students with disabilities.

He believes in the potential of technology as an equalizer in the learning process.