Meet The Team
Watermelon's commitment to inclusivity and support for neurodivergent individuals is commendable. By providing job opportunities and volunteer positions tailored to the unique strengths and needs of neurodivergent people, Watermelon fosters a diverse and dynamic work environment. Fostering an inclusive environment not only supports neurodivergent employees but can also contribute to a more dynamic, empathetic, and well-rounded company culture.
Sasha Lebedeva received her Master’s Degree in Speech Language Pathology and Child Psychology at the Wallenberg Institute of Special Education and Psychology, St Petersburg, Russia. She has been working with children and adults as a speech pathologist since 2010.
In 2013 Sasha moved to Canada and focused on working with individuals with diverse abilities. Watermelon Sessions was created by Sasha in 2017 to nurture independence; helping those with communication difficulties and teaching them how to interact with the world on their own terms.
Owner and Operator
Speech and Language Pathologist
Occupational Therapist
BCBA
Counselor
DIR Floor Consultant
Sara is a Pediatric Speech Language Pathologist. She has worked with various populations ranging from little babies and families in the neonatal intensive care unit up to teenagers and youth with traumatic brain injury. Additionally she has worked extensively with autistic children and youth over the past twelve years first in the capacity as a special education teacher, then an educational psychologist, and speech language pathologist.
During her free time, she enjoys hiking, running, playing basketball, and going to the gym.
Dan has been practicing as an occupational therapist in the area of pediatrics since 2018 after graduating from University of British Columbia. Dan’s approach to therapy is rooted in the belief that every child deserves the opportunity to engage in activities that are meaningful to them and bring joy to their lives. He works closely with families to create personalized strategies that support both developmental goals and daily routines. Whether it's improving fine motor skills, enhancing sensory processing, or increasing independence, Dan strives to empower children to thrive in all aspects of life.
When he's not working with kids, Dan enjoys exploring his creative side through crafts, biking the Seawall, or unwinding with a good TV show. His holistic approach to therapy and life ensures that every child can discover their potential in a fun, engaging, and supportive way.
Jenna is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who holds a Masters of Special Education with a concentration in Autism and Developmental Disabilities. With over 12 years experience supporting children and youth with Autism and other developmental disabilities across a variety of settings, Jenna specializes in trauma-informed, individualized and evidence-based interventions that empower individuals to build skills, confidence, and greater autonomy in their daily lives. Jenna values learning through connection, fun, and creativity, ensuring that skill development is engaging and empowering.
Dea Mehmeti has Master’s in Counselling Psychology from Adler University, she specializes in supporting youth ages 5-16 through evidence-based modalities such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). With over three years of professional experience in behaviour intervention, she is committed to helping neurodiverse youth overcome social, emotional, and behavioral challenges and build the skills they need to thrive.
Her educational foundation in Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, Sociology, and Mental Health informs her holistic approach, allowing her to consider the broader factors influencing a young person’s well-being. Driven by a passion for empowering youth and their families, she aims to provide practical tools and compassionate support to help them navigate life’s challenges and help kids shine in their own unique ways.
Ieva, originally from Lithuania, finished her master's in social work at Vilnius University in 2019. She discovered her passion while helping neurodiverse teenagers at Mentor Peers in Durango, USA, during her 2017 social work practice. Throughout her five-year career supporting the neurodiverse community, Ieva organized social groups, camps, and offered one-on-one support to kids of different ages and their families. In 2022, she moved to Canada and joined Watermelon Sessions. Ieva strongly believes in embracing neurodiversity rather than trying to cure it.
Irina Yurchenko finds joy in the company of children and in aiding others. Joining Watermelon Sessions in 2024 as a case manager, she brings a wealth of experience from her educational background. Always eager to expand her knowledge, Irina continually seeks to enhance her ability to assist families and children. Fluent in English, German, Spanish, Ukrainian, and Russian, she values communication across cultures. Outside of work, Irina cherishes moments with her family and relishes beach outings during her leisure time.
Case Manager
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Speech and Occupational Therapy Assistant
Chelsea Zhou received her Bachelor of Science at McMaster University in 2023, specializing in sensory motor systems and minoring in psychology. With a background as a competitive swim coach, lifeguard and swim instructor for children of all ages and abilities, Chelsea brings a unique blend of academic knowledge and practical skills to her role as a behavioural interventionist. Her competitive swimming background has instilled in her a deep appreciation for the positive impact of mentorship and guidance. Chelsea is passionately dedicated to enhancing the lives of neurodivergent individuals through personalized interventions rooted in patience, understanding, and continuous learning.
Katrina Sleptsova is a mother of twins. Her children were born with speech delay, and they spent their entire childhood working with speech therapists, neuro-neurologists, and psychologists. The diagnoses were discouraging, and doctors said to forget about learning other languages, just focusing on one would be hard enough. Currently, the children speak three languages. This marked the beginning of Katrina's journey into the profession of neuropsychology. Since 2018, she’s had a degree in neurolinguistics and neuropsychology, as well as a certificate in neurographic art therapy. She approaches learning as a game, believing that play itself is therapy.
Speech and Occupational Therapy Assistant
As an undergraduate student pursuing a degree in Criminology and Psychology, Ameer brings a unique blend of academic expertise to her role as a Behaviour Interventionist. She is deeply committed to understanding human behaviour and has a passion for working with children. Ameer thrives in one-on-one sessions where she can build meaningful relationships and celebrate neurodiversity at every step. Her work is characterized by patience, empathy and dedication, and she believes in fostering overall well-being and personal growth with all children.
Speech and Occupational Therapy Assistant
Tanya (Tatyana) Finkelshtein (Gendalf) holds a Master of Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University in Canada and is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC).
She specializes in working with adults. Her areas of expertise include trauma, grief, immigration, relationships, parenting, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, neurodiversity, loneliness, life transition, and more. With over ten years of experience supporting individuals with their mental health journey, her approach is person-centered, solution-based, and non-judgmental. She believes each person is unique in their strengths. She works with people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, races, religions, and languages, providing therapy in English, Russian, and Hebrew.
Message Copilot
Counsellor
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Andrew Gillingham is a passionate advocate for empowering children to thrive. With a background in film and storytelling, he excels at connecting with children in innovative and engaging ways. Inspired by his volunteer work with children, Andrew plans to study Occupational Therapy to make a meaningful impact. He is committed to helping children with autism develop their communication, social, and life skills. His warm demeanor creates a safe space for growth, and his collaborative mindset ensures strong partnerships with families and the community. Outside of work, Andrew channels his creativity into writing and filmmaking, telling authentic stories that inspire and connect. He is proud to be part of Watermelon Sessions, contributing to empowering children and their families.
Tina Punzo attained a Social Services Worker diploma in 2007. She has an extensive amount of experience working directly with children and adults with special needs. She currently works as Student Support Assistant with the Vancouver School Board and as a support worker at Watermelon Sessions. She is committed to supporting neurodivergent children and adults to best integrate them into living independently, as members in their community. On her spare time I like dancing, paddle boarding, hiking and spending time with family and friend’s.
Group Classes Coordinator
Simran Kang born and raised in Vancouver, and have completed Community Support Worker Diploma.
Recently diagnosed that with Autism and really enjoy helping
children and youth at Watermelon Session. Speaks Punjabi and English. On spare time likes to walk around the neighborhood, Pacific Spirt park, go to beaches, gardening, volunteering and
watching movies.
Autism Therapist
Rita has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Ukraine and is currently studying Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) at Capilano University. After years of working with neurodivergent kids, she believes in the importance of building strong connections and supporting each child in their unique journey while celebrating their strengths. Outside of work and study, she loves to spend time with my Abyssinian cat and enjoy simple pleasures - like a scoop of Earnest salted caramel ice cream.
Speech and Occupational Therapy Assistant
Jeremy Tobin, with a background in philosophy, approaches challenges with empathy, creative thinking, and a focus on finding solutions that work for everyone involved. He believes in understanding different perspectives to drive positive outcomes.
When not working, Jeremy enjoys unwinding with a good video game, tapping into some strategic thinking.
Always open to collaboration and new ideas, Jeremy welcomes connections from those who wish to reach out.
Autism Therapist
Yasmine Cho is a Registered Behavioural Technician and a licensed Early Childhood Educator with over three years of experience working with neurodivergent children. She is passionate about supporting children through therapeutic methods, particularly using art and yoga to promote developmental benefits. She believes that every child is unique and deserves the opportunity to thrive. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys yoga, painting, and hiking. she is excited to be a part of the Watermelon Sessions team and look forward to making a positive impact!
Autism Therapist
Kieran is a fourth year Psychology student at Simon Fraser University planning on pursuing graduate studies in counselling. Much of his undergraduate degree was spent studying development and abnormal psychology. Kieran has spent the last year working with neurodivergent children and getting to connect with awesome families!"