ASNL Board of Directors
The Board is interested in your thoughts. Specifically, they’d like you to tell us what ASNL should start doing, stop doing, do more of, and do less of.
If any member of the ASNL community would like to communicate directly with our Board of Directors, they can do so by sending an email to thecommunityfeedback@asnl.ca
Robert Thompson
Board Chair
Robert is a Health Policy Consultant, formerly the CEO of the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association, and formerly a longtime provincial public servant including the positions of Clerk of the Executive Council and Deputy Minister of Health and Community Services. He has volunteered for the Autism Society in the preparation of an advocacy strategy on pre-school services, as well as facilitating the Board’s strategic planning workshop. He is motivated by his autistic grandson and the need to build acceptance of neurodiverse individuals along with strengthened services and supports.
Sabrina Andrews
Secretary
Sabrina (she/they) is a registered social worker and autistic adult who brings both lived and professional experience in the disability sector. She believes in building systems that honour the full spectrum of autistic experiences and meet people’s needs across the lifespan. Sabrina is passionate about improving supports for autistic adults and addressing the gaps that too often emerge after childhood. She hopes to help create a future where all autistic people feel understood, valued, and supported at every stage of life. She is also an avid admirer of testudines (turtles), who remind her daily of the strength in moving at your own pace.
Dr. Allison Lamond
Dr. Allison Lamond is a Developmental Pediatrician at the Janeway Children’s Hospital. She completed her pediatrics training at Memorial University of Newfoundland and at the University of Alberta. She works with Autistic children, adolescents and their families, supporting them through the diagnostic process and ongoing follow up. She brings a unique lens as a clinician and the sibling of an Autistic adult.
Brendan Hanlon
Brendan Hanlon is a professional accountant who recently retired following more than 26 years with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. During his public-service career, he held senior leadership roles in finance, employment programs, municipal affairs, and corporate governance, most recently serving as Comptroller General with the Treasury Board Secretariat.
Brendan is also the father of an autistic son, giving him a personal connection to the work of the Autism Society and a strong appreciation for the importance of inclusion, understanding, advocacy, and meaningful support for autistic people and their families.
He is pleased to bring both his professional experience and his family perspective to the Board of Directors and looks forward to supporting the Society’s work throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
Elaine Dobbin
She is an ardent supporter of several health initiatives. As Campaign Patron for the Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador’s capital campaign, Mrs. Dobbin was the driving force behind the raising of $1.9 million and the construction of Shamrock Farm/Elaine Dobbin Centre for Autism. She continues as Honorary Board Member and Patron for the Society.
Rebecca Furlong
Vice Chair
Rebecca has received Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Special Education, and Master of Education degrees from Memorial University of Newfoundland. Having worked with Autistic individuals for well over twenty years in various capacities, she now runs the Autism Community of Newfoundland and Labrador group on Facebook. A proud Autistic activist for both Autistic individuals and their families, Rebecca is very happy to be on ASNL’s Board of Directors to help us better serve the needs of our community and bridge the gaps. She strongly believes that by getting everyone on the same page and working together, we can make a difference.
Elizabeth Churchill
Past Chair
Having worked in the education system for over 30 years, Elizabeth brings extensive knowledge and leadership experience from all levels of our Newfoundland and Labrador Education System; School, District and Province. She is currently the Principal of Elizabeth Park Elementary located in Paradise, NL. Elizabeth joined the board in 2019 with the desire to focus on the school experience of persons with Autism and their families, recognizing the positive impact that individualized student programming can have.
Melanie White
Melanie is a parent of an autistic child and a strong advocate for inclusion, accessibility, and family-centered supports. Through her lived experience, she understands the importance of timely services, meaningful inclusion, and community-based supports for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families.
Melanie is the Executive Director of Broadening Horizons in Gander, a non-profit organization that provides inclusive programs and meaningful employment opportunities for adults with intellectual disabilities. She brings a parent-focused, practical perspective to the Board, along with experience in nonprofit leadership and community advocacy.
Melanie lives in Gander with her family and is honoured to serve on the Board of Directors of the Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Ben Wiper
Ben is an operational finance leader and social enterprise strategist with over 20 years of experience driving economic development, financial governance, and community innovation across Atlantic Canada. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Waterloo and is a Certified Co-operative Developer. Throughout his career, Ben has held executive leadership roles across circular-economy biotech ventures, social enterprise portfolios, and municipal administration.
As an autistic adult and the parent of an autistic young child, Ben brings both valuable personal lived experience and a deeply dedicated family perspective. Residing in rural Newfoundland and Labrador, he is passionate about advancing accessibility and justice, neurodiversity acceptance in business and politics, and family-centered services. Ben is committed to leveraging his background in financial sustainability and community advocacy to help expand inclusive opportunities and support networks for autistic individuals and their families across the province.
Sarah Hollett
Dave Bartlett
Treasurer
Dave is a Senior Consultant with over 15 years of experience in the financial planning industry. He joined the ASNL Board of Directors following his daughter’s diagnosis with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and through seeing firsthand how access to the right supports can make a real and lasting difference for a teen and their family.Based in St. John’s, Dave brings a strong community voice to the board, informed by both his professional background and his lived experience as a parent navigating the autism support system. He is passionate about helping ensure families feel supported, informed, and less alone. Outside of work, Dave is part of a busy blended family of five teenagers, his partner Maria, along with their dogs.
Dawn White
Dawn is a Newfoundland-based business owner, community advocate, and parent. She serves on the Board of Directors with the Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador, bringing both lived experience and professional expertise to the role. As the mother of an autistic child, Dawn is deeply committed to improving access to inclusive services, reducing wait times, and ensuring families feel seen, supported, and heard. With a background in business operations, leadership, and community development, Dawn is passionate about bridging the gap between systems and real family needs, and using her voice to help create meaningful, lasting change for autistic individuals and their families.
Shelly England
Shelly has focused her career on working for and supporting different minority groups. Both her personal and professional life has been involved with supporting and working with autistic people. Shelly is a parent of two amazing young men who are Neurodiverse and strongly believes in the impact that ASNL has to the community and families across the province.
Chief Jenny Brake
Chief Jenny Brake is a proud Mi’kmaq leader and passionate community advocate whose work is grounded in caring for people, honouring culture, and helping create lasting opportunities for future generations. Elected Chief of Qalipu First Nation in 2024, after serving as Western Vice-Chief and Interim Chief, she is known for her collaborative leadership, strong connection to community, and commitment to advancing the priorities of her Nation.
Drawing on her experience as a tradesperson, she has been a dedicated advocate for skilled trades, workforce development, and Economic Reconciliation. Her leadership in the acquisition of NewDock helped establish Canada’s first Indigenous-owned shipyard.
As an artist, she works to elevate Mi'kmaq arts, culture, and storytelling to connect people, honour lived experiences and carry traditions and teachings from one generation to the next.
Chief Brake contributes to regional, provincial, and national initiatives through her service on various boards and committees, where she works to advance Indigenous environmental stewardship, social wellbeing, and economic prosperity.
Grounded by her family and guided by the voices of her community, Chief Brake works to ensure Mi'kmaq values, traditions, and culture remain central to building a stronger future for Qalipu First Nation and Newfoundland and Labrador.