Dana Hodgins, M.S., SLP(C) has been working as a speech-language pathologist since 2004. As a clinician and owner of Words by the Sea Speech & Language Services, Dana’s current focus is working with pediatric clients and their families to encourage and enhance overall communication skills. In addition to direct assessment and intervention, Dana has enjoyed presenting on various early intervention topics to ECEs in HRM over the past 8 years.

Anna Plaskett, BMus, MTA is the owner of Heartsparks Music Therapy. Anna currently provides music therapy services at Wee Care Developmental Centre, where she has helped to develop a music-assisted physiotherapy program as well as an adapted tai chi and music relaxation program. In her practice, Anna places a special focus on developing each individual’s unique potential through creative self-expression, integrating music and movement. Anna released her debut children’s album “To the Moon and Back” in 2017.

Carol McDougall & Shanda LaRamee-Jones two Nova Scotia authors who bring together their background in education, literacy and early reading promotion in the creation of Baby Steps, a series of board books specifically developed for baby's first years. Shanda is the Provincial Coordinator for Read to Me, Nova Scotia’s early literacy program and combines her teaching background and Master’s of Literacy to support early reading. She has created early reading resources for parents that are used in early literacy programs across Canada. Carol McDougall is a writer and editor who has worked in the field of children’s literature for over 40 years as children’s librarian with the Toronto Public Library, librarian for the Canadian Children’s Book Centre and founding Director of Read to Me.

Michael Silvester is a Professional Chef with over 25 years of experience. He has worked in 5-star hotels, award winning restaurants, universities, food banks and many other food service operations. He holds his Red Seal Certification as well as Advanced Food Safety Trainer Certification. Mike spent several years teaching cooking to many different levels of culinary students and he ran Feed Nova Scotia’s Learning Kitchen program. He is an active volunteer and has a huge passion for encouraging children to eat well and try new foods.

Jane Caudle has over 17 years of experience in the Human Resources field and is currently responsible for the strategic development of the Cherubini Group of Companies. Prior to working in her current role, Jane was a General Manager at a Home Health Care Company in Florida which primarily took care of children with catastrophic health care ailments.  Her time with this organization was a driving factor in Jane’s deep interest for early education and the care of our young children.