Celine Vaillancourt

Director At Large

Celine Vaillancourt is proud to serve as a Director-at-Large on the AiLA Board. As a 32-year-old neurodivergent woman (with Autism and ADHD), she brings a diverse background in social work, data analytics, and community advocacy. With a Master of Social Work from York University and a Certificate in Data Analytics from NorQuest College, Celine thrives at the intersection of data-driven decision-making and community-focused solutions. Her professional journey has included roles in nonprofit organizations and social services, where she has honed skills in program development, data governance, and stakeholder collaboration.

As someone with lived experiences of disability and mental health challenges, she is deeply passionate about promoting accessibility, inclusion, and equity. She strives to bring unique perspectives and creative problem-solving to everything she does. In her free time, Celine enjoys listening to music, drawing, writing, and exploring her creativity. She is also working toward her goal of learning how to DJ!

Drewe Rowbotham

Director At Large

Drewe Rowbotham is the Housing Coordinator for Autism Edmonton and Autism Society Alberta. He hosts the Autism Housing Network of Alberta (AHNA) and is a board member with the Autism Independent Living Association (AILA). He has a B. Ed with distinction from the University of Alberta and has been in the business of housing for over 16 years since becoming a “land steward” aka landlord. His professional career includes serving at-risk youth, housing first and diversion management. Drewe is pleased to serve Autistic and neurodiverse individuals in improving access to and quality of housing across Alberta.

Leanne Carr

President

Leanne Carr is a mother of a son with Autism and became involved in housing and co-created Autism Independent Living Association (AiLA) because of concerns about what kind of housing her son would be able to live in. He needs support to live independently but does not need to live in a group home. He needs his own space, but he also needs to be part of a community. She is involved with AiLA because her involvement ensures that he will get what he needs to live a successful life as an autistic adult. She has worked in the disability field for 20 plus years and has seen many different supports, programs and housing options and believes there is a lack of suitable housing and supports for adults on the higher end of the Autism Spectrum. Her extensive experience working with different populations and in many different capacities brings a service provider perspective to the organization and will help to make the support offered person-centered and sustainable. She, along with the rest of the board of AiLA recently celebrated their 10th Year in service to the Autism Community.

Kyle Lobb

Vice President

Kyle Lobb is a 37-year-old man who has high functioning autism as well as Tourette’s Syndrome, Bipolar Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Attention Hyperactive Deficit. He has lived with these conditions his entire life but was only diagnosed with them when he was a young man. He has experienced firsthand how challenging these conditions can make life and being a fully functional adult. That is why he is excited to be a part of AILA to give him the opportunity to get independent living accommodations and accommodations to others living on the spectrum. He is also a part of numerous other groups and organizations dedicated to helping other individuals with autism to give them the skills and knowledge to be productive members of society. Kyle is also a personal fitness trainer who specializes in working with neurodivergent people.

Marcy Vautour

Co-Vice President

Marcy Vautour is a resident of Edmonton, AB. She has over a decade of experience in advocacy, non-profits, and housing. She has been a powerful voice for those with disabilities. Her strong interest in accessibility stems from her experiences as a person who has been hard of hearing since birth. Marcy is also the Founder and CEO of Disabilities without Limits, giving the voiceless a voice. They provide coaching & mentoring to those with a disability. Marcy Vautour sits on several boards at a local and global level. She is also a motivational speaker who speaks at conferences and online on numerous topics facing people with disabilities, including employment, accessibility, and homelessness. Marcy is a tea enthusiast and spends her free time training her dog.

Kate Wilson

Treasurer

Kate Wilson has 35 years experience in journalism in northern Alberta and has been involved with AILA for four years as a grant writer and most recently, as treasurer. She is a native plant enthusiast and a member of the Edmonton Native Plant Society. She spends her semi-retirement in her home in Peace River, Alberta with freelance writing, her garden and large yard, growing native wildflowers and shrubs of the aspen parkland, and exploring the slopes around her home. She was diagnosed with autism in her later years, and since then has been contributing to autism support networks in any way she can.

Murrisa Gardener

Secretary

Murrisa Gardener is the Secretary of the Board at Autism Independent Living Association (AiLA), as well as the Team Lead and Researcher for AiLA’s Residential Council Project. She currently holds her BA in Psychology from MacEwan University and is working towards her BEd from the University of Alberta where she is on the Education Students Association Council serving as the Third Year Representative for education students. She specializes in child developmental psychology and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and strives to become a child and family counsellor with a specialization in ASD. She has volunteered with various associations including AiLA, Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health (CASA), Hope Mission, the Bissell Center, Extendicare Eaux Claires, Misericordia Community Hospital, and Malmo Elementary School. Murrisa lives with her wife, Stephanie, and dog, Sadiey, and likes to spend time hiking, reading, and cooking. She joined the team at AiLA in 2021. She plans to continue to work for associations that help groups of individuals who deserve a better system than what was given to them.

Janae Mercier

Director At Large

Janae Mercier is a 36-year-old woman with Aspergers. She was diagnosed in grade four. She currently is working two temporary jobs in the non-profit sector. The first job is with the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation through a temp agency, an important organization which she has grown to love; while the second job is at Alberta Lung Association which she previously helped during the Christmas season in 2022 and also another amazing organization. She has previously worked at FedEx, Hope Mission, Ellerslie Gift & Garden, the post office, Providence Centre and the Canadian Federal Government. She has many years work experience in data entry, customer service and office administration. She lives with her parents and has two beautiful dogs - a black German shepherd named Jager and a red Irish terrier named Rosie. She has a boyfriend named Brandon who is also on the Autism spectrum. She loves to write, travel, go on road trips, see movies (especially with the AiLA Movie Club) and is a big Disney fan. She has been active in serving the community for many years including being a youth leader at her home church, volunteering with the Edmonton Humane Society and going on short trips to serve people overseas. She has been on the board for two years because she wants to make a difference in people’s lives that have autism in any way that is possible. She values the work that AiLA is doing since she knows what it is like to yearn to live in her own place, a dream that will become a reality one day!