Our Team

Our Staff

Executive Director – Mary-Lou Maclean

Mary-Lou’s passion is helping struggling learners reach their full potential. She has worked in the field of education for over 25 years, as a teacher, NILD Educational Therapist and speaker. Since 2004, Mary-Lou has instructed graduate courses with NILD Canada and became Executive Director for NILD Canada in 2013.

Director of Marketing – Diane Geerlinks

Diane is passionate about helping kids learn, developing their strengths and improving their weaknesses. She has worked in the field of education for the past 25 years. In 2009, Diane trained as an NILD Educational Therapist and opened up her own practice, GeerLINKS Educational Therapy & Consulting. She is currently the Director of Marketing for NILD Canada and speaks at educators’ conferences across Canada.

Administrative Assistant – Katie Porchak

Katie is a mother of 3 children. She has over 13 years experience working in the not-for-profit industry in various roles. Katie has been actively involved with her children’s educations, first in the public school and now as a homeschool mom to her younger two children. Katie has worked with children and youth as a youth leader, teaching classes as part of her local Homeschool Co-op, and overseeing & planning the curriculum for the children’s program at her church.

Board of Directors

Board Chair – Carla Vanderzaag

Carla has been involved in early childhood education as well as children with special needs for over 40 years as a classroom teacher, a homeschool mom and an Educational Therapist. Carla took the NILD training in the early 1990s and served as a therapist in her local Christian school in Alliston. Carla brings special skills to the Board table through her experience with her own registered charities in Canada and the Philippines. It has been her pleasure to be part of the NILD Canada Board of Directors as the organization became a registered non-profit organization and continued to expand its scope to train and serve Educational Therapists across Canada.

Board Member – Ed Pypker

Ed is a father of four and proud grandfather of four! Ed works for a global automation company as a HR leader. He has extensive experience managing the people aspect of a business and developing leadership in various countries. When his kids were younger Ed and his wife, Irene, co-lead numerous canoe trips with teenaged students. Besides his passion for outdoor adventure, Ed loves to see people grow and develop to their fullest potential!

Board Member – Marilyn Lambert

Marilyn has worked in education for over 35 years, as principal of K-W Fellowship Christian School, as a private practice NILD Educational Therapist, and as an NILD Canada instructor. Since Marilyn’s post graduate NILD training in 1994, she has worked with students in various settings: schools, a learning centre, clients’ homes, and her private therapy office. Marilyn is thankful to be part of the board of directors to help carry on the work, as she has witnessed first-hand the life-changing benefits of the NILD program; benefits that extend beyond the individual students to families, classrooms, and entire schools.

Director Emeritus – Trix Bradley

Trix was first introduced to NILD in 1991, signed up for training in the U.S. and set on the path to bring NILD to Canada! Trix served as NILD Canada’s Executive Director for 12 years, and is currently an instructor in our graduate courses. As a Psychometrist, Special Education Teacher, and NILD Certified Educational Therapist, Trix brings help and hope to struggling learners in her private practice.