MEET OUR SPEAKERS

Christine A. Jenkins (she/her) is a late-in-life identified ADHD and diagnosed Autistic cis white woman who has been an advocate since 2012 and a co-researcher since 2018.  She mentors other emerging career researchers.

The collision of perimenopause and sensory overload led to her assessment for autism at age 48.  The growing awareness of and allowance for this intersection initially caused grief and confusion, then led to validation and self acceptance.

Christine’s lived expertise is valuable.  She speaks in Canada and internationally on Autistic aging, late diagnosis (45+), menopause, and male gender bias.  Christine is a published author with chapters in several books, and papers in NAS Autism, International Journal of Disability and Social Justice, and Autism in Adulthood, on whose editorial board she serves.  “My aim is to help include Autistic voices at every stage in true co-production of research.”

Deepa Singal (PhD) is the Scientific Director of Autism Alliance of Canada where she provides strategic and scientific leadership, working at the intersection of research and policy. Dr. Singal has a Ph.D. in Community Health Sciences from the University of Manitoba and Executive Education in Public Policy at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard, and a decade of experience in academia, government, and the not-for-profit landscape. Her expertise in quantitative child and maternal health research and public policy drives her leadership in pan-Canadian, multidisciplinary initiatives. Dr. Singal’s mission focuses on generating community-driven evidence to shape national-level policy, advocating for the full inclusion of neurodivergent people in Canadian society.

Dr. Evdokia Anagnostou is a Child Neurologist and Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Toronto and Vice President of Holland Bloorview’s Research Institute. As a Senior Clinician Scientist, she co-leads the Autism Research Centre (ARC) at Holland Bloorview and University of Toronto. She holds the Canada Research Chair in Translational therapeutics in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and the Dr. Stuart D. Sims Chair in Autism at Holland Bloorview. Most recently she has been elected as a fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences.

Dr. Anagnostou has received extensive international funding to understand the underlying biological differences associated with ASD and other neurodevelopmental differences, translate such understandings into potential novel interventions. She is also funding health system innovation, stakeholder engagement, and in understanding the meaning and impact of ASD in marginalized populations. She serves on multiple government committees on improving diagnostic and intervention pathways, and several editorial boards and grant review panels. She has also been recognized for her contributions to training young clinicians and scientists and for her commitment to women in STEM. She currently represents the region of America- North on the INSAR Global Senior Leaders committee.

Grant Bruno is nêhiyaw (Plains Cree), a registered member of Samson Cree Nation and an assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the U of A. With a background rooted in nêhiyaw understandings of health, his work focuses on creating culturally responsive healthcare models that support Indigenous children and youth, particularly in the areas of neurodiversity and intellectual disability. As a proud First Nations scholar, his research weaves nêhiyaw knowledge systems and Western frameworks to create inclusive, decolonized approaches to healthcare. He is currently the Academic Lead Indigenous Child Health for the Women and Children’s Health Research Institute (WCHRI) and is the founder of the Ispimihk Awâsisak (Sky Children) Program and the Indigenous Caregiving Collective.

Jonathan A. Weiss, PhD (York University), is an affiliate scientist at the Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), a professor in the Department of Psychology at York University, and a clinical psychologist. He completed a pre-doctoral internship at Surrey Place Centre (Toronto) and a post-doctoral fellowship in the Dual Diagnosis Program at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and was a fellow in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto.

Areas of Research:
Dr. Weiss’s research focuses on mental health in autistic people or people with intellectual disabilities across the lifespan. He conducts studies into how people with developmental disabilities access mental health care, and is interested in their service needs, use, and experiences. His work is also focused on understanding and supporting family wellness when at least one family member has a developmental disability. He is interested in program development and evaluation, and in particular on the impact of Special Olympics on the psychological well-being of participants, and of psychosocial interventions to promote resilience and improve the mental health of children and adults with developmental disabilities.

Kristin Light brings her dynamic expertise as a senior engagement and accessibility strategist, tenacious advocate, and captivating storyteller to every stage she graces.

Multiply neurodivergent with a flair for turning real-life challenges into tangible insights, Kristin weaves cutting-edge research with candid stories, sharp strategy, and conscientious guidance — making complex ideas refreshingly relatable and driving meaningful change worth raving about.

A vibrant and unique corporate experience facilitator, Kristin taps into both her performance background and the nostalgic LEGO™ Serious Play methodology to create innovative and immersive experiences that have been met with stellar reviews from participants and executives alike.

Recently, Kristin channeled both her professional and lived experience to manage a federal grant (received through the Canadian Association for Supported Employment’s Innovation Lab program) to build neuroinclusive suicide prevention strategies for Canada’s rail construction sector.

Kristin is a proud Board Member with DiverseMinds, an organization dedicated to supporting neurodivergent women and girls; certified in ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills); a trained Mental Health First Aider; and a graduate of the University of New Brunswick’s Psychologically Safe Leadership program. Her work has been featured in both news media and industry blogs, and she has co-authored two highly acclaimed books on mental health and neurodiversity.

With her signature blend of theatrical humour, nostalgic charm, and executive-level insight, Kristin delivers engaging, impactful sessions that will resonate long after the workshop ends.

Maddy Dever (they/them) is a non-binary Autistic adult and parent of four who are all also Autistic, living in Smiths Falls in rural Eastern Ontario. Maddy advocates with both provincial and federal governments for inclusion and acceptance of Autistic individuals and for Autistic people to have their own voice in policy decisions. Maddy has been an advocate for change in education, affordable and accessible housing, as well as moving disability supports rates out of poverty levels.

Maddy is President of Autistic Bridge Inc., an Autistic-led organization fostering connections between Autistics, their families and those who support them, and a leader in the National Disability Strategy movement to build a nation-wide coalition of disability organizations to advocate for meeting all needs of all disabilities at all ages. They are the Interim Chair of the new National Autism Network, and former Vice-Chair and current member of the Board of directors of Autism Alliance of Canada (AAC formerly known as CASDA), where they are helping with aspects of developing a National Autism Strategy.

Whitney Hodgins is a Grade 5/6 teacher from Waskada School in Southwest Horizon School Division in Manitoba, Canada. She holds a Bachelor of Education degree as well as a Bachelor of Arts double majoring in Anthropology & History from Brandon University. In addition to this, Whitney is heavily involved in disability and mental health advocacy since age 16. In 2022, Whitney was named the inaugural Jim and Ginette Munson Autism Leadership Award recipient making her a nationally recognized voice who speaks about autism and disability issues. In March 2025, she became a King Charles III Coronation Medalist for dedicating 15 years to autism acceptance and inclusion and bringing credit to her region and to Canada. Most recently she presented at the 1 in 31 Connection Autism Summit where she spoke internationally for the first time about autism acceptance and educational leadership. When Whitney is not being an advocate or teacher, she likes to spend time playing video-games, reading, or practicing her photography skills.