Who We Are
Cathy McMillan, Chairman of the Board
Cathy McMillan, B.Sc.
Parent, Founding Member Dyslexia BC
Chairman of the Board
Cathy McMillan is one of the Founding Members for Dyslexia BC and the parent of two adult children diagnosed with dyslexia. Cathy worked for 3 to 4 years on the Board of Directors for the Learning Disabilities Association Fraser South Chapter. Cathy worked as a Manager of Special Projects and a Corporate Health and Safety Officer in the Environmental Engineering profession for 7 years. After her second child was diagnosed with dyslexia, she realized that she was dyslexic too.
Cathy is a tireless advocate for her own children and has helped many other parents and children with information to help them advocate and obtain resources. She has hosted countless public information events and facilitated professional development for teachers which included the award winning “The Big Picture – Rethinking Dyslexia” by James Redford and Dyslexia for a Day (dyslexia simulation kit) designed by Dr. Kelli Sandman-Hurley.
Cathy also advocates at all levels including school based meetings, school board meetings, to the Ministry and to the MLA’s and MPs within BC.
Cathy advises, “focus on your strengths, acknowledge your weaknesses and connect with other people with learning disabilities so that you realize that you are not alone”.
Laila Potvin, Secretary
Laila Potvin P.Eng, MBA
Parent, Founding Member Dyslexia BC
Secretary
Laila Potvin is one of the founding members for Dyslexia BC and the parent of two middle school children; the oldest diagnosed with dyslexia. With no prior background in education or what it means to have a learning disability – Laila has worked towards understanding and learning how to support her child and adjust academic methods to get to the results that work for the prescribed school system. Laila’s family lives rurally in the Cariboo, where resources for additional tutoring are limited. The elementary school support system has been fantastic.
Laila plans to be in attendance at local parent and family events. Her goal is to provide information to parents that want to support their child (or themselves) and to connect with a community of like-minded parents.
Vicki Nelson,B.Sc., Special Advisor
Vicki has been the Executive Director for the Learning Disabilities Association - Frasier South Chapter for 20 years. She has advocated for students with learning disabilities and put together programs for students with learning disabilities for well over 20 years. She has facilitated countless professional development days for teachers in British Columbia. She is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to services for students with learning disabilities.
Suzanne Perreault, Special Advisor
A Woman’s Counsellor with a focus on neurodiversities, DEI Consultant & Presenter, TEDx speaker, Disabilities Advocate and previous School Trustee, Suzanne Perreault also identifies as Autistic. She draws from lived and professional experience to support the lives of families with neurodiversities and anti-oppression. She is a strong local and international advocate for children facing barriers of inclusion. Suzanne has been an active participant in community development and mentorship for over 18 years. As parent of three children diagnosed Autistic. Suzanne knows first-hand the importance of holding tender the experiences of community and their loved ones walking the path of intersectionality and disabilities. She works alongside School Districts across the province on the important conversation of Inclusion and Trauma Informed Practices, while supporting these same conversations with SFU & FVU teacher and Youth and Childcare candidates. Her primary focus is fair and equitable access for students in education. Having been nominated for the Community Impact Award for Autism BC, a two-time Diversity Award nominee with the Fraser Valley Cultural & Diversity Awards, Suzanne has successfully supported advocacy into Autism BC for Diversity restructuring and training. Her steps demonstrate a strong passion for both equity and community relationships.