About F2F: The Team »»

Janet Cregan → Program Coordinator / Master Guide F2F Programs
Janet is a parent with 2 boys, her older son has autism. Before having her sons Janet was a primary teacher for 12 years. Janet is the program coordinator and lead presenter for Friend 2 Friend as she feels that it is very important for children to learn about autism so that they can be more understanding towards their classmates who have autism.

Monique Hoekstra, MA SLP → Master Guide - F2F & IPG Programs / Trainer F2F Programs
Monique Hoekstra has a Bachelor of Arts degree in music and a Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She provides speech and language therapy to children with autism spectrum disorder and special needs and has worked with children with autism spectrum disorder for the past 10 years. Monique supports the delivery of the Friend 2 Friend Programs and coordinates Integrated Plays Groups for children aged 3-14 throughout the lower mainland of BC.

Maria Kehagias → Program Guide F2F Programs
Maria has a BA in History from Trent University in Ontario. Maria has been professionally involved in the Education and Support Care industry for individuals with developmental disabilities since moving to Vancouver in January 2008. Maria joined the F2F team in September 2008 and enjoys the opportunity to interact with the community, as well as promote play and friendships through the Puppet Play and Simulation Game Programs.

Joanne McCartney, MA → Program Coordinator / Master Guide F2F & IPG Programs
Joanne holds a Bachelor's degree in Speech Sciences and a Master of Arts in Special Education (focus on autism and developmental disabilities) from UBC. She has nine years of experience in supporting children with autism and other developmental disabilities and has been with the Friend 2 Friend team since 2005.

Heather McCracken → Founder / Executive Director
Heather McCracken is the founder and executive director of the Friend 2 Friend Social Learning Society based in Vancouver, BC. Heather is creator of the Friend 2 Friend (F2F) Model and programs and a mother of three (Katie, Iain and Emma), her son Iain is on the autism spectrum. Heather created the F2F Model and program over a decade ago to address the unique and sometimes challenging issues individuals on the autism spectrum face in peer relationships, play and friendships. Heather activity designs and delivers social and communication based programs to children aged 3 through 18 in schools and other community settings through North America. She is widely published and the author of That’s What’s Different About Me: Helping Children Understand Autism Spectrum Disorder, Learners on the Autism Spectrum: Preparing Highly Qualified Educators, Demystifying Autism: The Friend 2 Friend Simulation Game Program, and the soon to be released, Can I Play Too? Build Social Relationships, Play and Friendships between Individuals on the Autism Spectrum and their Peers, and The Autism Code: Designing Meaningful and Measurable Social Strategies for Individuals on the Autism Spectrum.

Melissa Romualdez → Program Guide Assistant F2F Programs
Melissa “Mel” graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Ateneo de Manila University (Philippines) in May 2006. Her undergraduate thesis was on “The Effects of Music Therapy on the Communication Skills of Filipino Children with Autism.” She also did her internship at an organization for children with autism in Manila. Mel moved to Vancouver in the fall of 2006 and has been working with Friend to Friend since September 2007. She loves doing volunteer work, learning new languages and traveling.

Diane Tucker → Office Manager
Diane is a mother of 2 boys, her youngest son has autism. Diane joined Friend 2 Friend as a volunteer in October 2003 after watching a presentation and seeing the impact of the puppets on the children. She believes knowledge and awareness are keys to fostering accepting differences between typical developing children and their special needs classmates.

Tanya Vipond → Communications Coordinator
Tanya Vipond holds a BA in Psychology from SFU. She has been actively supporting individuals with autism and other disabilities to form meaningful connections and relationships through community-based programs for the past fifteen-years. Tanya has supported the efforts of Friend 2 Friend Social Learning Society for the past three years through volunteer efforts - recently joining the team as communications coordinator.

Michelle Englar → Program Guide

Cyndi Gerlach → Special Projects

Monica Graham → Program Guide

Lynette Lumbuan → Program Guide

Kathryn Robbins → Special Projects

Iain Robbins → Special Projects

Emma Robbins → Special Projects

Angie Stallings → Program Guide Assistant

Jose Andres Mora → Special Projects

Friend 2 Friend Partner Teams

Marie-Claude Osterrath → Lead Presenter
Marie-Claude is a teacher and a mother of two fantastic kids. Her amazing 8 year old son who is on the autism spectrum and 6 year old typically developing daughter. Marie-Claude has lived and traveled all over the world and now happily calls Calgary, Alberta home. She enjoys being a Lead Presenter for Autism Calgary Association’s Friend 2 Friend Programs. Marie-Claude LOVES going into schools and meeting all the children as well as playing with puppets every week with her F2F team mates.

Lori Gibbs → Lead Presenter
Lori is a mother, stand-up comedian and music teacher. She has two son’s, one neurotypical (13) and one on the autism spectrum (9). Lori finds her work with Friend 2 Friend directly complements her comedy gigs. The children’s' delightful and surprising epiphanies and comments are a perfect training ground to deal with audiences of all ages. As a lead presenter, Lori finds great joy in the privilege of presenting the F2F model as it sends out a positive, caring and friendly message that benefits children and adults of all ages, with all different kinds of minds!

Valerie Bunz → Program Assistant / Program Coordinator
Valerie has a Masters Degree in Social Work and was working in health care and with non-profits before the birth of her two wonderful children. She has a 9 year old son who is on the Autism Spectrum and has Cerebral Palsy, and a 5 year old neurotypical daughter. Val learned about the Friend 2 Friend Program during an IPG seminar presented by Pamela Wolfberg in 2004 and was happy to join the Calgary Friend 2 Friend team in the fall of 2006. Val looks forward to the program growing to reach more children in Calgary and area.

Jeff Dewar → Program Presenter