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.
Marketing Specialist – Diana Rolston
Diana is passionate about unlocking the learning propensity of struggling children and encouraging their parents in this journey. While home-educating her three children, she trained as an NILD Professional Certified Educational Therapist, opening Spark Educational Therapy. At NILD Canada, Diana builds awareness of the incredible power of NILD techniques when teaching children with learning disabilities.
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 Member – Robert Lofthouse
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.
Board Member – Jane Hoogendam
Jane Hoogendam has worked as a classroom teacher, special education teacher, vice-principal and NILD Educational Therapist in various Christian schools, starting in Stratford in 1976. Jane worked at Knox Christian School in Bowmanville for 20 years, and while there took the NILD Level 1 training in Cambridge in 2000. Being an educational therapist has been very fulfilling, as the individual therapy is life-changing for the student. So many “AHA” moments are experienced by the therapist! After retiring from Knox, Jane continues to do educational therapy privately, as well as her other hobbies: reading, freelance writing, travelling and gardening. Also, the joy of having five grandchildren is a such a great blessing!
Director Emeritus/Board Member – 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.