Our Team
Mirjam Schut
Independent Facilitator
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Hello!
My name is Mirjam Schut, and I’m an Independent Facilitator for Facile Futures. I grew up in the Netherlands, earned my bachelor’s degree in Social Work, and worked as a social worker before moving to Canada in 2010.
My motto is: “Reach for the stars.” I believe in looking at possibilities, strengths, and passions, helping people dream big and achieve their goals. It’s an honour to walk alongside individuals and families, supporting them in building the life they want.
Leading Facile Futures was a rewarding experience, but my true passion lies in working directly with people and fostering strong, inclusive communities. I see community as a first resource — full of opportunities for connection, belonging, and growth.
Knocking on closed doors until they open, helping people become their own advocates, and seeing them flourish in their homes, workplaces, and relationships is what makes this work so meaningful.
I look forward to connecting and working with you!
Shannon Campbell
Independent Facilitator
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Hello!
My name is Shannon Campbell, and I am proud to serve as an Independent Facilitator for Facile Futures. I moved to Stratford 25 years ago, and since then, I have come to deeply appreciate everything this vibrant community has to offer.
Over the past 15 years, I have held a variety of roles within the Developmental Services Sector, providing me with the opportunity to deepen my knowledge and enhance my ability to serve others at a more meaningful and impactful level.
I am committed to creating spaces where ideas can flow freely, where collaboration thrives, and where everyone feels heard and valued. I pride myself on thinking outside of the box and empowering individuals to connect, grow, and achieve greater results through tailored facilitation and collaboration.
I am excited to help people unlock their full potential and drive impactful change.
Heidi Long
Independent Facilitator
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Hi!
My name is Hiedi Long and I am an Independent Facilitator for Facile Futures. I have lived in North Perth for over half of my life, and my family and I are proud to be active members in our community. I bring with me over 25 years of experience within the Developmental Services Sector. Throughout my career, I have had the absolute pleasure of meeting and working alongside many individuals and their families. I have helped facilitate opportunities for people to achieve their goals, discover new interests, build meaningful connections within their community, and experience all life has to offer.
I believe that every individual has the right to make their own choices, follow their interests, and be supported to live life in a way that is meaningful to them. I also believe that having fun, trying new things and discovering new possibilities are an important part of living a fulfilling life.
I am excited to work alongside individuals and their families to discover what matters most to them, and explore their hopes and dreams for the future. Together, we can create opportunities that support personal goals, build connections, encourage independence, and make dreams a reality. I look forward to meeting you, getting to know what is important to you and exploring what’s possible — together!
Emily Branje
Executive Director
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Hello my name is Emily Branje and I am the Executive Director of Facile Futures. I was raised and went to school in Perth and Huron counties before moving away and starting my career. I love living and working once again in the communities I am most passionate about.
My passion for this work is rooted in my personal relationships to people who have a disability and my desire to see people live meaningful lives firmly rooted in community. For the past 16 years, I have been an active member of the inclusion movement working in community development roles at the local, provincial and national levels. I have primarily worked with youth, families and survivors of institutions. I believe that community connection and reciprocal relationships are the beating heart of a good life. I am eager to work with people, their families, organizations and community neighborhoods who think creatively to implement strategies that are sustainable and offer people meaningful opportunities, valued participation, respect and belonging.
Danielle Schalk
Communications Coordinator
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My name is Danielle Schalk, and I am Facile Futures’s Communications Coordinator.
I grew up in North Perth before moving to Toronto to attend university. Now, living in Kitchener/Waterloo, I still feel deeply connected to Huron-Perth, as it is home to most of my friends and family.
I am an award-winning business writer, but my interests and expertise are wide ranging. My education in Journalism and Media Studies provided me with a broad foundation, and a decade of working in print and digital media has provided me with experience creating for a wide range of media platforms.
I also use my skills to express myself creatively. I am also a published poet, and I’m passionate about art and photography.
Board of Directors 2025-26
Manmeet Bedi, President
Manmeet, an entrepreneur focused on enhancing patient care outcomes through use of technology, has expertise in production, accounting, investments, and technology. Manmeet and his wife Sonia have two boys and they lived in India and Dubai, before relocating to Stratford in April 2024. Inspired by their experience supporting a son with an intellectual disability, they are committed to enhancing transition support for young adults with disabilities as they leave school. As an independent Passport Funding Service Provider serving Huron and Perth Counties, they support individuals and families in maximizing the effective use of their funding.
Nichola Taylor, Secretary
Nichola worked as an independent facilitator for Facile Futures in its early days and currently works as a social worker in private practice. She is a strong believer in independent facilitation and believes it can be very useful both within and outside of developmental services – helping people from all walks of life connect to their communities, fight loneliness, reduce isolation and ultimately lead full, meaningful lives.
Joe Lambert, Director
Joe is a public speaker and author. He sits on Canada’s National de-institutionalization task force. Joe’s lived experience and voice at board meetings is important to the integrity of our work. Joe and his wife have experienced independent facilitation themselves.
Martin Ritsma, Director
Martin is a retired high school principal and is a very active member in the Stratford community. Through his work as a high school principal he has seen the importance of inclusion and the importance of transition planning for those leaving the school system.
Christine Wick, Director
Christine is a parent member. Her son Nate will be transitioning from high school to life after school in the next few years. Christine believes in the importance of building belonging and community in order to live a life filled with purpose, meaning, and most of all genuine friendship and love.
Stephanie Gratton, Director
Stephanie invests her time in Facile Futures because she believes people with disabilities deserve real choices and meaningful lives rooted in community. Facile’s person-centred approach focuses on building natural supports, relationships, and opportunities for contribution, not just services.
Stephanie Powell, Director
After completing a double major BA at St Thomas University in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Stephanie spent the next decade travelling and living overseas. She returned home to Canada with her family in 2013, and moved to Stratford in 2016 to raise her two children with her husband. Stephanie has worked in the Developmental sector for over 10 years, and is currently the Operations Manager at Festival City Adult Living Support Organization. In this role, she works toward ensuring that all adults living with a disability are given a voice in our community, in their homes, and in their own pathways.
Hayley Dietz, Director
Hayley is a proud inclusion ally and loves all creative endeavours, including her role as a marketer at the North Perth Public Library. Her background includes being a part of inclusion advocacy groups, and working as a support worker for individuals with disabilities. She is also a former teacher who taught the arts, and worked as a special education resource teacher. All of Hayley’s work is rooted in the desire to connect people in our community, and she is excited to continue this through Facile Futures.