Our ExpertsWe have an impressive and diverse group of experts to support you along your journey. Experts in prenatal education, child development, and parenting are here…ready to answer your questions.
Attie Sandink, R.N. , IBCLC
Registered Nurse, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, and Childbirth Educator
Attie teaches child birth classes, provides breastfeeding support and education and assists at births. She is also part of a mentoring program that assists new students who want to become Lactation Consultants.
Brian Russell, M.S.
Parent Education Worker, LAMP Ontario Early Years Services in Toronto
Brian, the Provincial Coordinator for the Father Involvement Initiative - Ontario Network (FII-ON), focuses on working with fathers and encouraging them to be responsibly involved with their children.
Chaya Kulkarni, B.A.A. M.Ed., Ed.D.
Director at Infant Mental Health Promotion, Hospital for Sick Kids
Dr. Chaya Kulkarni is a Parenting and Child Development Expert with more than a decade of experience in the field of children’s services and early childhood education.
Giselle Garcia, M.S.W., R.S.W.
Acting Program Manager/Clinician, Assessment and Treatment Program at Boost Child Abuse Prevention and Intervention
For the past 5 years, Giselle has conducted trauma assessments for children 4 to 17 years old. She provides individual, family and group trauma treatment for children and their families who have experienced abuse and violence.
Greg Lubimiv, B.S.W., M.S.W., C.A.C.P.T.S
Executive Director, The Phoenix Centre for Children and Families
Greg, who has played a key role in developing the Welcome to Parenting Program, has experience as an administrator, clinician and trainer in children’s mental health. He is renowned nationally as an expert on the unique needs of parents and children in military families.
Karon Foster, R.N., BScN, M.Ed.
Registered Nurse, Retired
Karon, one of the authors of the Welcome to Parenting program. She has over 38 years of experience and is intimately familiar with the needs of expectant and new parents through her work conducting prenatal and parenting classes and working with parents as a public health nurse.
Liane Comeau, Ph.D.
Scientific Advisor, Institut national de santé publique du Québec
Dr. Comeau’s work focuses on supporting healthy child development during the first five years of life and on measures that promote mental health in the population and prevent mental disorders.
Marni Binder, Ed.D.
Assistant Professor, The School of Early Childhood at Ryerson University
Dr. Binder’s expertise involves children aged 3-8 in the areas of literacy and the arts, the creative arts, and family literacy practices. Her expertise is grounded in a holistic education framework.
Melissa Demers, RN, BScN, IBCLC
Welcome to Parenting Nurse Facilitator
Melissa is a registered nurse with over 17 years experience working with expectant parents, new parents and young families. She has worked in hospital, primary care and public health settings.
Moumita Sarkar, BSc., MSc., Ph.D.
Alcohol and Substance Use Counselor, The Motherisk Program, Hospital for Sick Children
Moumita is a highly skilled clinical researcher with an expertise in Maternal and Fetal Pharmacology. She currently serves as an advisory committee member for several task forces with respect to Alcohol and illicit substance use prevention.
Nikki Martyn-Capobianco, Ph.D.
Associate Director and Founder, MindWerx4Kids and Instructor at Ryerson University
Dr. Martyn-Capobianco works clinically with children in private practice conducting play therapy and developing interventions for children in childcare centres and schools.
Palmina Ioannone, Ph.D., RECE
Professor, School of Early Childhood, George Brown College
Dr. Ioannone currently teaches students in the Early Childhood Education Diploma Program and the Early Childhood Leadership Degree Program at George Brown College.
Paul Roumeliotis, MD, CM, MPH
Pediatrician
DR.PAUL Roumeliotis is a true health communications pioneer. Over the last two decades, he has educated millions worldwide through his ground-breaking website, audio cassettes, videos, and DVDs. DR.PAUL is also featured regularly on TV and for many years on his radio segments and shows.
Pearl Rimer, Dip.C.S., M.E.S.
Manager of Research and Training, Boost Child Abuse Prevention and Intervention
Pearl designs and conducts award-winning training for community service providers, children and youth, as well as designing psycho-educational groups for adolescent girls.
Richard Volpe, Ph.D.
Professor, Human Development and Applied Psychology, and Projects Director, Life Span Adaptation Projects, University of Toronto
Dr. Volpe’s research has led to numerous projects and publications on life span development, the prevention of intentional and unintentional injury, and the connection between theory, policy, and practice.
Robyn Stremler, R.N., Ph.D.
Associate Professor at the University of Toronto and Adjunct Scientist at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) Research Institute
Dr. Stremler is a nurse scientist whose research is aimed at improving sleep for families. She is also currently a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) New Investigator.
Sarah Naomi Shaw, MSW, EdM, EdD, MD, CCFP
Family Physician
Dr. Shaw provides care to families of all ages, but predominantly young families, women and children. Her medical practice encompasses newborn and well child care, prevention, acute care, and chronic disease management.
