Meet the Team
Maeghan James, PhD (c)
Co-Founder, President
Maeghan holds a BScKin from McMaster University and an MSc in Kinesiology from the University of Toronto. Maeghan is currently a PhD Candidate at the University of Toronto studying the impact of movement and social-emotional learning on children’s development. Maeghan has worked for many years as a coach in children’s programs including specialized one-to-one programs for children with physical disabilities and integrated physical activity programs. Maeghan hopes that through ICCan she can bridge her research and practical experiences to create a lasting change in communities.
Matthew Renaud, HBSc
Co-Founder, Vice-President
Matt is a Master’s student in Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at the University of Toronto where his research is focused on engineering a therapy to regenerate brain cells in Alzheimer’s disease. Matt is an alumnus of the University of Toronto Varsity Blues Football Team and is an active mentor to current and aspiring players. Matt has experience designing and implementing a variety of youth programs including programs aimed at addressing inequities faced by community members with disabilities. He is also the equity and diversity student representative for Laboratory Medicine at the University of Toronto and sits on the Wellness, Inclusion, Diversity and Equity committee within his department.
Syerra Jasmin, BA (Honours)
Director of Inclusive Education
Syerra is a Teacher Candidate at Brock University. She has experience working with neurodiverse populations in physical activity settings where she works with parents and volunteers to gain an understanding of children’s differences and create modifications and accommodations that allow them to fully participate. Syerra also works in the Brock University Recreation department as a head instructor for Youth University. She creates and advises other staff on the writing of inclusive programming in all streams of Youth University, ranging from outdoor recreation to technology, art and science-based camps.
STEPH BABIJ, msc
Finance Director
Stephanie is in her first year of her Master’s in Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology, as well as a Master’s degree in Exercise Science, looking at the impact of dance on physical literacy in children. Stephanie has experience working with children and youth of all abilities within research and in the community. She hopes to continue this work as a pediatric occupational therapist in the future. Beyond that, Stephanie’s research interests include child occupational development and adapted physical activity.”
Dragana Javorina, MSc
Director of Inclusive Recreation
Dragana is a recent master’s graduate from the University of Toronto in the Department of Kinesiology, where she worked under the supervision of Dr. Arbour-Nicitopoulos. Her master’s thesis focused on physical activity measurement in children and youth with mobility impairment-related disabilities. However, she is currently pursuing a master’s in Occupational Therapy to gain clinical experience. Dragana has been involved in a number of research projects focused on children and youth (with and without disabilities) at the University of Toronto and Holland Bloorview.
Louise Lesser, M. ed.
Assistant Director of Inclusive Education
Louise is a part time Professor at Sheridan College in their ECE department, and a supply Kindergarten DECE with the Halton District School Board. Her Master’s of Education research focused on using differentiated learning in the classroom to ensure inclusivity for all children. Her undergraduate research looked at if both teacher candidates and ECE students felt as if they were prepared to teach in a classroom that had children with exceptionalities based on their training. Louise is a graduate of Brock University where she obtained her Honours Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and her Master’s of Education.