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
Marguerite is Speech-Language Pathologist with over 12 years of experience supporting children and adolescents in developing communication skills that feel meaningful and empowering. Her work includes language development, social communication, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), with a strong commitment to neurodiversity-affirming practice.
She believes communication grows through connection. She takes a relational, strengths-based approach and strive to create a space where children feel safe, understood, and valued. Therapy is playful, collaborative, and tailored to each child’s unique profile.
Her professional interests have expanded to include child and youth mental health. She has pursued additional training in Play Therapy, completed a counselling course, and attended a workshop in motivational interviewing. She is particularly interested in the intersection of communication, emotional regulation, and identity in neurodivergent individuals.
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Occupational Therapist
Sophie is a registered occupational therapist with experience working in pediatrics since 2017. She completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology at the University of Ottawa and her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto.
Sophie began her career as a school-based occupational therapist in Ottawa before moving to British Columbia in 2019. Currently, she also works part time at BC Children’s Hospital in outpatient clinics, including spinal cord and biochemical diseases clinics. She also serves as the provincial resource occupational therapist for plagiocephaly.
Sophie’s practice is neuro-affirming, evidence-based, and strengths-based. She is passionate about helping children and families build confidence and participate more fully in the activities that matter most to them.
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.
DIR Floor Consultant
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Speech and Occupational Therapy Assistant
Graciella, or Grashi, is currently completing her final year of the Master of Counselling Psychology: School and Youth degree at Adler University and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the Philippines. She has prior experience working with children and teens in the Philippines, as well as serving as a clinical practicum student here in British Columbia. She believes that meaningful change happens when sessions are collaborative and child-centered, allowing young clients to feel safe, empowered, and genuinely understood. Outside of work, Grashi enjoys playing video games, collecting stickers, hiking, and going on unplanned adventures with loved ones and friends.
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.
Care Plan Coordinator
Counsellor
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
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 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
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.