Lappano-Howe Consulting

Hi, I’m Elyse Lappano!

Partner

• LinkedIn

I’m a seasoned disability services and adapted physical activity professional with more than 15 years of experience working directly with disabled populations; and training support personnel in the community using an embodied perspective and applied approach. I’ve worked in a consultant role for organizations including: Autism Ontario, Lifesaving Society of Ontario, Niagara Support Services, and various Southern Ontario School Boards. These experiences have given me the opportunity to advocate and act in this realm with the aim of helping to create more inclusive spaces through education.

Being of service in my communities has always been important to me and I’ve been lucky to volunteer for numerous organizations in various capacities including: The Brock-Niagara Centre of Excellence in Inclusive & Adaptive Physical Activity, the North American Federation of Adapted Physical Activity, Niagara Health System, and the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STLHE). In addition to this, I’ve spent the last 13 years as a researcher and published scholar who advocates for dignified and authentic engagement of disabled groups in their communities.

My passion for informing systemic change and authentic community support, led to my current role as Manager of Student Information & Services within the Office of the Registrar & Enrolment Services at Brock University. I provide operational management and leadership of “Brock Central” which is the University’s “one-stop” for students. My background in disability service provision allows me to approach this work in a way that is equitable and ensures that policies developed are inclusive and accessible.

In 2015, I was part of a small group selected by Autism Ontario to be trained in PEERS® (Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills) by founder and director, Elizabeth Laugeson, Psy.D. Shortly thereafter, I was amongst the group of 4 who facilitated PEERS® for Young Adults for the first time in Ontario.

Specialties:

· Movement Education

· Inclusion/Accessibility

· Program design and evaluation

· Service-based provision

I am also a healthy Enneagram 1 for those familiar with this tool! On a daily basis I strive for excellence, pay attention to the finer details, and work toward equity and justice.

…and I’m Sandy Howe!

Partner

• LinkedIn

I’m an active citizen in my communities, a passionate educator, and seasoned post-secondary administrator with a background in mental health and crisis response, experiential learning, as well as decolonization and building relationships with Indigenous communities.

With a lifetime of focus on mental health, training and facilitation, I currently serve as the President of the Distress Centre Niagara’s Board of Directors and am a 10+ year facilitator and contract trainer with the Mental Health Commission of Canada. I specialize in the Mental Health First Aid (virtual, and those who interact with Youth) course, having certified approximately 1,000 Canadians to date.

Specialties:

· Mental Health First Aid and mental health training

· Indigenous methodologies (research) and decolonization support

· Community-engaged learning and relationship development

· Strategic planning

· Experiential learning and reflective practice

· Instructional Skills Workshop

· Performance management and coaching

· Change management

· Leadership coaching, mentorship, and personal growth workshops

With 20 years of experience working across Ontario Universities, I’ve had a diverse and amazing career! Beginning living on campuses to support students in their homes and responding to after-hours crises, most recently I launched a new Experiential Education department at Brock University, which quickly became a leader and example of best practice for hands-on, community-engaged learning in the country. As the current Director, Enrolment Supports and personal consultant, I specialize in change management and those working in complex, decentralized organizational structures. I’ve also had a life-changing experience completing my graduate studies with a focus on decolonizing experiential learning within university structure and environment. As a settler scholar, I was grateful to do this alongside a strong and enthusiastic community of Indigenous peoples with Indigenous methodologies at the heart of the work.

My Enneagram 7 shines when new opportunities cross my path as well as when values align with those around me and new innovations surface. The chance to bring positive energy, support and possibility to support others in their learning and development also lights me up!