Our People

Deborah Allard Usunier
Executive Director

Deborah has spent over thirty years working in the not-for-profit sector, the past 15 years as the Centre’s Executive Director. Her varied background includes Sessional Instructor at MacEwan University, Director of Provincial Programs and Services at the Canadian Mental Health Association – Alberta Division, and Manager of Health Promotions and Volunteer Development for Alberta & Northwest Territories at the Canadian Diabetes Association. She has served as a board member on a number of not-for-profits in Edmonton and was a provincial trainer for the Government of Alberta’s Board Development Program.

Mark Donovan M.A., R. Psych, BCBA
Director of Clinical Services (North)

Mark first joined the Centre team in 2009. He is a Registered Psychologist and Board Certified Behaviour Analyst who received his training in early intervention, general education, and community mental health settings. Mark’s work experiences include individualized supports for children and families in home and community settings, school-based assessments and consultation, developing and delivering staff training and professional workshops, facilitating therapeutic groups for children with autism and anxiety, teaching undergraduate-level courses on behaviour and professional ethics, and providing consultative services to school staff and families in remote, northern communities.

Kerry Campbell M.A., R. SLP, CCC-SLP
Director of Clinical Services (South)

Kerry has been with the Centre for Autism Services Alberta as the Director of Clinical Services for the south region since 2018. She has had a long career as a Speech-Language Pathologist, working with children and their families to help them achieve their goals and potential. Kerry has a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Dakota and she obtained her Master’s of Arts from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas. Kerry started her career in San Antonio, and this sparked a lifelong dedication to improving the lives of children with communication disorders. Over the years, Kerry has worked in numerous settings with many different populations, including autistic individuals.  Kerry is passionate about teaching and mentoring other professionals and she believes wholeheartedly in including families in their child’s therapeutic care.

Angele Fournier, M.Sc., R.SLP, S-LP (C)
Clinical Supervisor

Angele has been with the Centre since October 2014.  She received her Master’s Degree in Speech and Language Pathology as well as a Post Graduate Certificate in Francophone Practice from the University of Alberta in 2012. Her work experience includes working with children in the classroom setting and training parents on ways to support various aspects of speech and language development in the home and community. She has a keen interest in neurodiversity and the speech and language development of multi-language learners. She also enjoys delivering workshops to the broader community to help build awareness about neurodiversity, autism, and communication.

Elise Iwaniuk, M.A., BCBA
Clinical Supervisor

Elise has worked at the Centre since 2017 after completing her Bachelor of Science degree specializing in Psychology at the University of Alberta. Elise started as an interventionist and educational assistant at the Centre before moving into a Behavioural Case Manager role in 2018. Since then, Elise completed a master’s degree in Special Education with a focus on Applied Behavioural Analysis and met BACB requirements to become a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst. In November 2022, Elise moved into a Clinical Supervisor role at the Centre. She has a special interest in providing coaching and education about behaviour analysis and applies this when supporting staff training, parent workshops, and external presentations for community partners.

Renai Sveinson, MPEd. ABA, BCBA
Clinical Supervisor

Renai came to Edmonton in 2006 to complete her undergraduate degree in Psychology at the U of A. Along with this degree, she completed the cooperative work experience program through the Centre as a Psychology Intern/Interventionist role starting in 2009. The Centre provided her with the opportunity to work with them while pursuing her master’s degree in education in Applied Behaviour Analysis through Western University and to receive supervision to become a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst by 2016. Renai ventured to different work experiences in schools and private practice from 2018 to 2022 but always kept a role and relationship with the Centre during that time. Her passions lie in supporting individuals to increase independence within natural routines and to access their communities in ways they desire. Renai was on the Board of the Alberta Association for Behaviour Analysis from 2017 to 2023 in various positions, including President for 2 years.

Catherine Desmond, M.S., R.Psych, BCBA
Clinical Supervisor

Catherine joined the Centre team again in January 2024, after working there from 2006 to 2014 in various roles. She is a Registered Psychologist and Board Certified Behaviour Analyst. Catherine received her master’s degree from St. Cloud State University. For the majority of her 18-year career, Catherine has worked exclusively with autistic individuals and their families in school, home, and clinical settings. Her work experiences include developing and delivering individualized supports, school consultation, staff professional development, parent coaching, and assessment. Catherine is the current president of the Alberta Association for Behaviour Analysis after serving in various roles.