Executive Director
Amanda DeVries
Amanda leads the Eagles Nest team and works with our Board of Directors to set future objectives. She says,
I love that we are a small organization, allowing us to individualize programming to best meet the needs of the people and families we support. I think the most valuable things we offer is our time to listen without judgement. Everyone deserves to be heard. I am inspired and motivated by the countless stories of hope I encounter every day at Eagles Nest and I am encouraged by our community that believes in what we do.
Apart from her role at Eagles Nest, Amanda loves spending time with family and friends over a good cup of coffee or while exploring a new hiking trail.
Amanda has worked in the charitable sector for over 15 years, with a focus on mental health and family trauma. She has a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology), a Bachelor of Education and is certified in Trauma & Loss for Children and Children’s Mental Health.
Program Manager
Melissa Abraham
Melissa manages the program team and coordinates the programs and services that Eagles Nest offers. She says,
I love working with an amazing team who are passionate about helping others and doing it in love. I’m encouraged by hearing the stories of individuals and families and seeing the courage they have as they bring us on their journey.
In her spare time, Melissa loves reading, getting outside with her family, and watching hockey.
Program Coordinator
Erin Nichiporuk
Erin supports the program team and coordinates programs and services at Eagles Nest. She says,
I love that I get to work in an environment that values inclusive access to quality mental health care where people can take courageous steps to impact their health and wellness.
Erin loves being outdoors, travelling and experiencing different places and cultures.
Office Administrator
Yolanda Battiston
Yolanda processes donations and manages internal processes at Eagles Nest. She says,
It is a privilege to be part of an organization that creates a safe and supportive environment for people to find hope and healing. I love knowing that my daily work supports a team that is dedicated to compassionately helping others.
Outside of work, Yolanda loves anything that lets her be creative: drawing, painting, knitting, house decorating and more.
Communication and Volunteer Manager
Jennifer Stevens
Jennifer is responsible for communication at Eagles Nest and also recruits and coordinates volunteers. She says,
We have all faced situations that were overwhelming. I love working for an organization that gives hope - new ways of thinking, new perspectives and new tools to use both today and in the future.
Jennifer loves strong coffee and good books. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours), a Professional Certificate in Communications and Public Relations and has worked in the charitable sector for over 15 years.
Marketing and Communications Specialist
Eszter Hilarice Marko
Eszter creates content for social media and assists with marketing and events.
She shares,
Our Mission emphasizes the restoration of hope, even in the darkest times that an individual can go through. I believe that with caring love, open arms and listening ears, we are providing a healing environment to everyone who knocks on our doors.
Eszter is fond of theatre and acting. When she lived in Budapest a few years ago, she enjoyed the endless opportunities that the city provided to watch amazing performances and plays.
Rescued & Restored Sales Associate
Sandy Anderson
Sandy works at Rescued & Restored, helping to lead our volunteer team, along with providing sales and customer service support. She says,
I believe in our mission statement so it’s very easy to explain our organization to customers, community and friends and family. It is easy to convey our message when you believe in it.
Sandy loves to thrift, make something out of nothing and meet new people.
Rescued & Restored Store Supervisor
Andrea Reynolds
Andrea works at Rescued & Restored, helping to lead our volunteer team and providing sales and customer service support. Andrea is also a past volunteer with Eagles Nest. She shares,
Since volunteering at Drummond House in the early 2000s, I have known that the kind of support that Eagles Nest offers is necessary and I am eager to help in any way I can.
She runs, cycles and has 5 kids that keep her busy outside of her work at Rescued & Restored.
Rescued & Restored Store Supervisor
Francine Winger
Francine works at Rescued & Restored, helping to lead our volunteer team and providing sales and customer service support. She says,
I love working for a non-profit that gives back and helps those that need help with love, compassion and no judgment.
Outside of her work at Rescued & Restored, Francine loves being a grandmother.
Rescued & Rescued Sales Associate
Rita Bognar
Rita works at Rescued & Restored, providing sales and customer service support. She says,
I'm motivated to make sure the store not only looks great but also has great items to sell. We have great customers who are passionate about our store and they love shopping with us. It makes me happy when sales are doing well because I know it helps families access more programs.
Apart from her work at Rescued & Restored, Rita is a member of a dance group that works to dispel stereotypes around aging and fitness.
Counselling Team Lead
Judy Emmerson (MA Counselling, RP)
Judy ensures clients are receiving appropriate care and works closely with Eagles Nest therapists to provide support, identify solutions and encourage professional development. She says,
I am passionate about helping others find freedom and joy, as well as assisting them in discovering new and healthy ways of managing the stresses of life. The compassion and genuine care displayed and modeled at Eagle's Nest is inspiring and the desire to see others live out their best lives in freedom and safety is encouraging.
Judy enjoys gardening, biking and travel.
Judy is a Registered Psychotherapist and is registered with The College of Registered Psychotherapists (CRPO). She has a Master’s degree in Counselling.
Therapist Supervisor
Stephanie Kolaski (Bowen), RP, PMH-C
Stephanie provides supervision to our therapists. She shares,
I believe that every individual should be able to access affordable and compassionate mental health supports. Therapy is about entering into a partnership, with the goal of identifying strategies and behavioural changes that move the individual towards a more rich and meaningful life. Eagles Nest provides this safe space, offering hope and healing to the community it services.
Stephanie has a passion for travel and hiking however lately you will find her chasing after her two toddlers.
Stephanie is a Registered Psychotherapist with the CRPO. She also holds a Perinatal Mental Health Certification with Postpartum Support International. She uses an integrated approach, unique to each individual. The main modalities she uses are Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy (ERP).
Therapist
Candice Chiu (M.Ed Counselling and Psychotherapy, RP {Qualifying})
Candice provides therapy at Eagles Nest.
She says,
I’m passionate about making sure individuals seeking therapy feel seen, heard, listened to without judgement, and understand that they are valued. It’s important for me to offer accessible mental health care from a place of love and compassion and Eagle’s Nest does just that. I love that our team not only proclaims our central values but also lives them out, especially with individuals accessing services.
In her spare time, Candice likes watching movies, playing video games and card games and enjoys getting creative with paint and art when she can.
Candice has a Master’s of Education degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy. She is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). She uses an integrative approach that draws from focusing-oriented therapy, polyvagal theory, acceptance and commitment therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy.
Therapist
Christina Forde (RP, Qualifying)
Christina provides therapy at Eagles Nest and works with both adults and young adults.
She says,
I like being able to provide support and a listening ear to people through the accessible services offered at Eagles Nest. I am passionate about showing love to people in a way that makes them feel safe to be authentic and to grow into the healthiest version of themselves.
In her leisure time Christina enjoys spending time in nature, trying new recipes, reading, painting, and travelling.
Christina has a Master’s of Divinity in Clinical Counselling and is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy and Family Systems Therapy in her sessions.
Therapist
Jordan Kolaski (BSW, MSW, RSW)
Jordan provides therapy at Eagles Nest and works with both youth and adults.
He says,
With everything occurring in the world these days, I love how Eagles Nest can provide accessible services to people from all different walks of life. At Eagles Nest everyone feels like a part of a bigger community and that they are able to have their own voice.
Outside of work, Jordan can either be found with his head in a book, playing video games, or playing tag with his niece and nephew.
Jordan has a Master’s of Social Work (MSW) and is registered with both the Ontario College of Social Work (OCSW) and Ontario Association of Social Work (OASW). He uses Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Crisis Intervention (CI) in his sessions.
Therapist
Wendy Shippam (RP)
Wendy provides counselling at Eagles Nest. She says,
Years ago, before I became a therapist, my husband and I had a bad marriage. Health insurance plans rarely covered marriage counselling and we didn’t have the money to pay for counselling ourselves. After that experience I am passionate about helping people that find themselves in that place because it is like being in a deep hole that you just can’t climb out of. I am grateful to the people who helped us and working at Eagles Nest is a way that I can give back.
Outside of work, Wendy enjoys playing badminton and is grateful for her marriage of over 40 years and her family.
Wendy is a Registered Psychotherapist and is registered with The College of Registered Psychotherapists (CRPO). She uses Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Emotional Focused Therapy (EFT) and Adlerian Therapy in her sessions.
Therapist
Bella Reis (MA Counselling, RP {Qualifying})
currently on maternity leave, not accepting new clients
Bella provides counselling at Eagles Nest. She shares,
Life can meet us with many challenges and choosing to seek help is no small act of courage. Relief in a broken world is possible. I’m passionate about helping others find relational and emotional health while providing a safe space for change and transformation. Trustworthiness, dignity and respect are the foundational values of Eagles Nest that inspire me to provide the best care to everyone who meets with me.
Bella has lived in different countries, has cross-cultural experience and enjoys waterfall hikes, film analysis, stargazing and road trips.
Bella has a Master’s degree in Counselling and uses a trauma-informed care perspective. She is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with The College of Registered Psychotherapists (CRPO). She uses an integrative approach and draws from modalities such as Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP).
Program Facilitator
Kat Giles (BSW, MSW, RSW)
Kat shares,
I like being part of an organization whose values align with my own. I’m especially drawn to Eagles Nest's value of compassion. Often individuals entering the counselling room are filled with shame around who they are or what they have done, entrapped in the ways that others see them. I am honoured to be in a space where individuals can be seen without shame and judgement.
Kat loves coffee, hikes and rock climbing.
Kat works for By Peaceful Waters Counselling Agency (BPW). BPW has partnered with Eagles Nest to provide programs. Kat has a Master’s of Social Work (MSW) and is registered with both the Ontario College of Social Work (OCSW) and Ontario Association of Social Work (OASW). Kat works from an attachment based, trauma informed model to guide her work. She takes an eclectic approach, drawing from theories and therapy models such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Narrative therapy, and Solution Focused therapies. She integrates creativity and play into her work with children and adolescents.
