Senior Clinicians

Our team of autism professionals possesses extensive experience and specialized knowledge that enables them to provide effective assistance to individuals on the autism spectrum, facilitating their growth and success.
Vithangi Ramachandran, S-LP (C), MHSc., Reg. CASLPO
Director
Clinical Services, Speech-Language
Andrea McCormack, MPEd., R.B.A. (Ont.), BCBA
Director
Clinical Services, ABA
Jenilee Williams, MPEd., R.B.A. (Ont.), BCBA
Director
Clinical Services, ABA
Eileen Jeevakumar, M.ADS., R.B.A (Ont.), BCBA
Director
Clinical Services, ABA
Andrea Chouha, M.ADS., R.B.A. (Ont.), BCBA
Clinical Supervisor
ABA Services
Ahila Devaraj, MPEd., R.B.A. (Ont.), BCBA
Clinical Supervisor
ABA Services
Tatiana Zhirnova
Tatiana Zhirnova, MS, R.B.A. (Ont.), BCBA
Clinical Supervisor
ABA Services
Marisa Leuzzi, MSc, MPEd., R.B.A. (Ont.), BCBA
Clinical Supervisor
Urgent Response Service
Jamie Laframboise, OT Reg. (Ont.)
Occupational Therapist
Methuna Naganathan, OT Reg. (Ont.)
Occupational Therapist
Tataina Pickart, MSc
Supervising Therapist
ABA Services
Shobitha Jeyachandran
Shobitha Jeyachandran, MPed Candidate
Supervising Therapist
ABA Services

Senior Leadership

Our leadership is dedicated to fostering a supportive environment within our community and advancing our mission with determination and purpose.
Geetha Moorthy
Founder and Executive Director
Neshanth Shanmugalingam
Chief Program Officer
Programs & Services
Dr. Shivajan Sivapalan
Director
Early Childhood Development & Special Projects
Kingston Yogendran
Chief Development Officer
Dr. Kira Vimalakanthan
Director
Research and Mental Health Services

Board of Directors

Our Centre's Board of Directors play a pivotal role in steering the strategic direction of our organization. Leveraging their diverse expertise and passionate leadership, they ensure that our operations are aligned with our mission, values, and long-term objectives while also upholding transparency and accountability to all stakeholders.

I, along with my colleagues, are committed to removing the economic, cultural, and geographical barriers that prevent individuals and families from accessing quality autism support.

I am passionate about creating inclusive and accessible educational programs for persons with disabilities, leveraging my expertise to drive organizational improvements and strategic performance designs.

I joined the SAAAC team to contribute my expertise in child and adolescent psychiatry, especially in supporting marginalized communities with neurodevelopmental disorders and complex needs.

My goal to serve on SAAAC’s board is to advocate for individuals with autism. My contribution aims to break down barriers and cultural stigma with the hope of changing the discourse to ensure inclusion.

I’ve joined the SAAAC team to be able to support the ways that they improve the lives of autistic people and their families.

I want to help SAAAC utilize multiple forms of communication art to tell powerful stories, and help to articulate the experiences of individuals living with autism and their families.

My goal is to leverage the learnings from the Fintech space to guide SAAAC into the digital age of connecting families, volunteers and sponsors through a delightful experience.

I am committed to the safety and well-being of the community through seeking multi-sectoral collaborative partnerships to reduce risk in the community

I want to provide my expertise to help SAAAC develop a strong, reliable operational infrastructure, so the great professionals at the Centre can fulfill their mission.

I want to help the Centre develop its research capacity, so we can create more evidence-based approaches to helping underserved communities access critical autism services.

As a member of the Board I want to make sure more families, like my own, are able to benefit from this amazing organization.

Geetha Moorthy

Executive Director

From classical arts, and business/entrepreneurship, to community development, my professional journey has been unique as it has been fulfilling. Before beginning the SAAAC Autism Centre, I held senior roles in controllership and operations. My training and love for dance pushed me to establish the NarthanaI havelaya Centre for South Asian Dances in 1985, training hundreds of students across the Greater Toronto Area, which helped me forged deep ties with my community. It was at Narthanalaya that I first came across students who were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Touched by these students’ commitment to dance and learning of the cultural, financial, and social difficulties their families experienced, I established the SAAAC Autism Centre in 2008.

Dr. Lindy Zaretsky
Dr. Lindy Zaretsky

Board President

I specialize in enhancing educational and social service programs for people with disabilities. With over 25 years in education and disability sectors, my leadership focuses on organizational priorities and governance.

Dr. Biruntha Sritharan
Dr. Biruntha Sritharan

Director

I am Dr. Biruntha Sritharan, a Child and Adolescent psychiatrist at the Hospital for Sick Children and Ontario Shores. With a background in Developmental Psychology and Medicine, I’m passionate about equitable healthcare, curriculum development, and enhancing Child and Adolescent Psychiatry programs.

Dr. Meera Mather

Director

For over 25 years, I have been in leadership positions in the academic and not-for-profit sectors. As Chair of Humanities and Social Sciences at Centennial College, I am passionate about providing access to education for all and student success. In support of this value, I have developed a myriad of diverse programs and established many industry and academic partnerships.

Dr. Jonathan Weiss
Dr. Jonathan Weiss

Director

I am a Professor at York University in the Department of Psychology, and a Clinical Psychologist. Most of my work involves doing research to understand and promote mental health in autistic people and people with intellectual disabilities. I am interested in ways of helping individuals, families, and broader systems of support.

Sady Magendran

Director

For over 18 years, I’ve had the opportunity to work on some of Canada’s biggest media and sports brands including NBA, Tennis Canada among others as a Creative Director. I am driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, and am passionately involved in various startups and boutique agencies, with various application specialties. Currently, I am the Founder and Creative Director for Lukasu Road, a creative, content and branding agency.

Ajantha Ganeshalingam

GAM Innovation Lab

I was the Co-Founder and CEO of a start-up Fin-Tech called Wiser Investments which was acquired by RBC in 2017. Now I head an innovation lab for RBC Global Asset Management focused on most of the same Wiser goals with the benefit of having access to millions of customers to learn, test and iterate our products.

Nishan Duraiappah

Director

I began my career with Halton Police in December 1995 serving in a variety of assignments throughout my career including front line policing, specialized investigations and Diversity and Community relations. I was promoted to Deputy Chief of Halton Police in 2015 leading front line policing, community mobilization as well as innovation and technology. In October 2019, I was appointed to Chief of Peel Regional. I arrived with a mandate for change and the strategic goal of becoming the most progressive police service in Canada. I am proud to champion a re-emphasis on front line policing; to modernize traditional community policing; and to seek multi-sectoral collaborative partnerships to reduce risk in the community. I am proud to be part of this esteemed board, and look to provide my knowledge and experience to creating a community that is open, respectful, and accessible to individuals of all abilities.

Tony Balasingham

Director

Currently, I am the President of Lastman’s Bad Boy Furniture. I am a designated CMA with over 30 years of experience in finance management with a specialization in the furniture and appliance industry. As a SAAAC board member, I oversee outreach efforts in the community with a special focus on developing relationships with fundraising capacity.

Dr. Chris Pasarikovski

Director

I am a neurological surgery resident at the University of Toronto. I earned my medical degree from the University of Western Ontario before moving to Toronto for residency. I am enrolled in the Surgeon-Scientist Training Program and have been the recipient of multiple awards including: American Association of Neurological Surgeons Robert J. Dempsey resident award, Brain Aneurysm Foundation Ellie Helton Chair of Research, and the Canadian Institute of Heath Research Fellowship.

Erasiah Kobikrishna

Director

My first role at the SAAAC Autism Centre is that of a parent. I am proud to be the father of an energetic, kind-hearted young man. As a parent representative on the board, I look to articulate the needs of caregivers and work hard to support programming that increases access for more families to receive support.