My role is to ensure the promotion, implementation and delivery of programs and services to people with epilepsy. This is only possible because I am a member of an outstanding team of staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure that we offer the best programs and resources. My job is to strive to eliminate the stigma and to dispel the myths surrounding epilepsy through advocacy and public education. Once again, a team of wonderful staff and volunteers are constantly reviewing and evaluating our presentations to ensure that they meet the needs of our community partners and individuals and families living with epilepsy. We also continually strive for excellence in our programming.

To this end, I believe it is my role to ensure that the organization has a positive public image and is always present in the community and media. Personally, I value partnerships and enjoy working with students from the University of Western Ontario, Fanshawe College and the local school boards. On a day to day basis, the Executive Director is responsible for the organization’s budget, fundraising, grant writing, internal and external communications and human resources management. It is truly a dynamic and inspiring role. Finally, the Executive Director needs to be flexible and willing to make changes within the organization. So, I welcome any comments or feedback about our programs, staff, volunteers and education presentations. Please feel free to contact me either by email, mail or phone.

Sincerely,

Mary Secco
Executive Director

My role at the Epilepsy Support Centre is three-fold. Firstly, I am the Education Outreach Coordinator for Oxford County, which involves classroom presentations, teacher in-services and community partner presentations. I whole-heartedly embrace our agency mission, as I firmly believe that education is the only way to keep people safer, reduce stigma and dispel myths.

Secondly, I am the Support Services Coordinator for the centre. This role encompasses the social supports for people living with epilepsy and their families. I am responsible for couselling, case management, programming and advocacy. If I had to name my favourite aspect of my job, this would be it. The members of the Epilepsy Support Centre themselves consistently demonstrate such admirable courage, determination and dedicated peer support. I truly feel honoured to work with our members who inspire me to live mindfully.

As the Managing Director, the final aspect of my job involves office management and Human Resource Management.

All of this keeps me on my toes (but I am never too busy for a coffee)! I have enjoyed my years at the Epilepsy Support Centre both personally and professionally, and am pleased to be part of such a great team.

Sincerely,

Michelle Franklin
Managing Director

I am excited to take on this new role of Youth Coordinator. Today’s young people are our future. What better way to support them than to plan, deliver and execute programs with youth being actively involved? I look forward to meeting new people through the Epilepsy Support Centre and learning how epilepsy has touched their lives.

I look forward to working with my new friends and colleagues at the Epilepsy Support Centre.
Sincerely,

Nicole Zwiers
Youth Coordinator

My background in Sociology, Education and Project Management has come in handy as I represent the Epilepsy Support Centre as a Public Education Coordinator. Observing elementary students learn and become passionate about seizure first aid and epilepsy awareness is both rewarding and motivating. In this position, I also get the opportunity to recruit, advocate for and enable youth. I know that London has exceptional young leaders and I truly believe in the value and rewards that volunteering brings to the individual and community. I am excited to participate in the excellent projects and programs the Epilepsy Support Centre continue to expand and create.

I look forward to working with my new friends and colleagues at the Epilepsy Support Centre.
Sincerely,

Rochelle Sorzano
Public Education Coordinator

The human brain has always been a fascination for me and continues to intrigue me. But most of all, the different ways that alterations in brain function, such as epilepsy, can impact a person's life and helping people find strategies to overcome these challenges is what I truly love. Each person's story is different and I feel privileged to have spoken with so many of our members so far and look forward to meeting more of you and hearing your stories.

I enjoy providing information about epilepsy to people living with the disorder, their families, as well as people in the community. Making sense of information and exciting new developments from the research world and helping to bring this knowledge individuals living with epilepsy and the general public is a key role that I will have with the Epilepsy Support Centre.

We have some amazing education programs at the Epilepsy Support Centre and are working to develop even more. Our goal is to increase awareness about epilepsy and seizure first aid. By educating the community we hope to dispel the stigma that is often association with epilepsy. If you have questions about epilepsy and would like more information than contact me.

Sincerely,

Suzanne Nurse, PhD
Education Liaison

I have worked in various Student Services Departments of the St. Clair Catholic School Board for many years. My career has been focused on working with families and youth who have experienced barriers or challenges in the education system. It has been a vocational journey in which I have leaned a great deal and been inspired by many individuals along the way. I have worked with various other organizations in a volunteer capacity including Sarnia Lambton Rebound.
My family includes my husband and three children and always a few canine friends. I enjoy the beauty of Lake Huron both in Sarnia and at our cottage in Georgian Bay. I am very excited about joining the Epilepsy Support Centre and becoming the representative for Lambton County. I look forward to connecting with individuals, families, and the community in fostering support and educational opportunities for those touched by epilepsy.
All the very best!

Sharon Berry Ross
Sarnia Lampton County Public Education Coordinator

One of my favourite parts of grad school was teaching. Whether it was in a traditional classroom of undergraduate students or at conferences around the world, I loved watching people’s faces light up as they got excited about new ideas. Now I get to enjoy those moments of connection as I teach Seizure 101 to families, community groups, and work colleagues, and present our curriculum-based education in classrooms around Windsor and Essex County, but I no longer have to mark papers!
Having recently returned to my hometown of Windsor, I look forward to providing educational, support, and advocacy services for the community in which I was raised.

Sincerely,

Nikki Porter, PhD
Windsor Essex County Communications Liaison