Rowan Guy
Rowan Guy holds a BA degree in Political Science from the University of British Columbia. Rowan previously volunteered as an Event Assistant with the Brockville and District Association for Community Involvement (BDACI), where he found a passion for disability advocacy and the non-profit sector. Rowan later worked as a Research Coordinator, securing Grant funding opportunities for nonprofit organizations while pursuing his degree. During the summer of 2023, he connected with ACT through the Canada Youth Summer Jobs Program, working as an Administrative Assistant and learning more about autistic advocacy before joining ACT’s Autistic Advisory Committee.
Javier Riveros
I am an autistic advocate based in Richmond, BC, committed to advancing autonomy, accessibility, and rights‑based supports for autistic people. I bring experience in community advisory work, cross‑border family support, and patient-centred research.
Elsbeth Dodman
Elsbeth is an Autistic woman living in London, Ontario, with her family and two cats. Elsbeth has a degree from the University of Toronto and has been working in Autism advocacy since she was 18. When not at work, Elsbeth loves to draw and make comics.
Siyu Chen
Siyu (Suzanna) Chen is an autistic self-advocate who is passionate about community-led advocacy for disability equality and youth leadership. Her activism spans everything from performing at a fundraising concert for a local autism non-profit in Greater Vancouver to representing disability-inclusive Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) campaigns by international charities at United Nations events. She was involved in establishing the National Autism Network – a charity driven by autistic people and their families to inform the federal government’s implementation of Canada’s first Autism Strategy. She was recognized by the Autism Alliance of Canada with the Jim & Ginette Munson Autism Leadership Award in 2024 for her advocacy
Kenzie Curby
Kenzie is an autistic and multiply neurodivergent self-advocate. Kenzie has supported autistic youth in the home, schools and the community for over 9 years. She works as an Integrated Child and Youth Peer Support Worker, supporting neurodivergent youth with mental health and substance use needs. She is also an Autistic Consultant supporting families, youth and service providers through a neuro-affirming lens grounded in lived experience. Kenzie is passionate about voicing the importance of understanding demand-avoidant profiles and co-occurring mental health disorders in autistic individuals. Ultimately, her goals are to help bring acceptance and understanding for all neurodivergent individuals.
Elleree Drews
My name is Elleree, and I have autism spectrum disorder. I’m in the 10th grade and attend school in South Surrey. I enjoy reading, watching movies, art, and listening to music!
Tom Jackman
Tom is a board member of the National Autism Network. Tom is the 2023 Jim and Ginette Munson Winner for Autism Leadership. He won a volunteer award from a running club called Athletics Northeast. It was called the Ian Ash Award; it was for volunteering to run events and community events.
Izabelle Stevens
An autistic, neurodiverse advocate and certified Social Support Worker, she has a strong sense of justice and a passion for improving services and treatment for the disabled and autistic community, which has led her to become a fierce voice for equity across British Columbia as well as within her local community on the Sunshine Coast. Through her advocacy, she has been granted opportunities like being a board member for the Family Support Institute of British Columbia (FSI), and working with Autism Community Training (ACT) as a member of their Self-Injurious Behaviour Committee, Autistic Advisory and Board of Directors, and a member of Foundry’s Provincial Youth Advisory. Her local efforts include being a member of the SD46 Accessibility Committee, Foundry: Sunshine Coast’s Youth Advisory and being a part of the Coast Inclusion Integration Team (CIIT).
Henry Au
Born in Hong Kong, Henry moved to Vancouver when he was 7 years old. He is passionate about sharing his experience growing up autistic, raising an autistic child and using his lived experience to help educate service providers working with individuals with autism, as well as the wider community, to be more neuro-affirming and disability friendly. Henry works as a Behaviour Interventionist and Behaviour Consultant with a Master’s in Special Studies: Autism Spectrum Disorder from St. Cloud State University in Minnesota.
