Angela Taylor, PhD Candidate, MA, PBDE
Angela Taylor is SCT’s Chief Executive Office (CEO), and Founder. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree, her Post Baccalaureate in Education, focusing on inclusion and counselling, and a Masters in Disability Studies. She currently is completing her PhD in Education at the University of Manitoba, focusing on effective care as defined by the neurodivergent.
Angela has over 25 years of extensive experience with youth with various neurological differences, including trauma and autism. Throughout her career she has gathered valuable experiences through working with families with the Manitoba Government, caring for youth and children, working as a Clinical Case Manager, and volunteering over 20,000 hours with agencies in Winnipeg and British Columbia. She has won numerous awards for her work, including the Manitoba Heroes award (2019) and the CTV Mental Health Champion Award (2020).
Angela is a mother to 4 children, and celebrates psychological, cognitive and neurological differences within her family. She says her children have been her best teacher, and support her to learn about how each of us need additional support at different times in our lives, to use our gifts and talents to grow.
Angela is multiply neurodivergent. She spent much of her childhood in formal and informal foster care, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She uses her lived experience in connecting with individuals, youth and families who experience hardship and attachment disruption.
Her ability to understand the neurodivergent comes from her lived experience, and her passion to learn and grow with her community while seeing strengths in others, and adapting the environment to invite the community to thrive. She supports multiple social service teams throughout Canada, including specializing in expression of distress through violence of youth to family.
Our Team
Angela Taylor
PhD Candidate, MA, PBDEAngela Taylor is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Founder of SCT. She holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Post Baccalaureate in Education focusing on inclusion and counseling, and a Master’s in Disability Studies. Currently, she is completing her PhD in Education at the University of Manitoba, concentrating on effective care as defined by the neurodivergent.
As a multiply neurodivergent individual who spent much of her childhood in foster care in Winnipeg, Angela uses her lived experience to connect with individuals, youth, and families facing hardship and attachment disruption. Her understanding of neurodiversity stems from her passion for learning and growing with her community while recognizing strengths in others and adapting environments for collective thriving. Angela supports various social service teams across Canada, specializing in addressing youth distress and family violence.
Amanda Gauthier
MSW-IK, RSWAmanda Gauthier is an Indigenous woman raised in child welfare who is now a mother, pipe carrier, partner, and university graduate. Despite the impact of stereotypes, Amanda found love and stability in her partner and family. In 2023, she completed her Master of Social Work – Indigenous Knowledge degree.
Her determination drives her passion for helping families overcome challenges. With over 15 years of experience in youth engagement and advocacy, Amanda uses a trauma-informed and strength-based approach as a child welfare supervisor, focusing on decolonizing systems affecting Indigenous children.
From Amanda: “Leadership should be circular, allowing those impacted by systemic barriers to be heard.”
Scott Vandal
B.Sc.P.N.Scott received his degree in Psychiatric Nursing (B.Sc.P.N.) from Brandon University at the ripe age of 40 and began employment on a rehabilitation unit for individuals living with chronic and persistent mental illness. He possesses over 15 years’ experience working almost exclusively with youth and young adults in different helping professions from support/respite to educational assistant and currently as an Action Therapist for Inspire. Scott believes that lived experience along with an open mind and unconditional positive regard are key to establishing a therapeutic relationship and creating positive change in all individuals. He enjoys spending time with family, martial arts, sports, and the outdoors.
Emily Spence
BSW, RSWEmily earned her Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Manitoba and is deeply passionate about mental health advocacy, employing a strengths-based approach in her work. She believes in empowering the unique differences of every individual, recognizing the value of diverse perspectives. Outside of her professional life, Emily loves exploring nature and cherishing moments with her dog, finding inspiration in the outdoors.
From Emily: “I am enthusiastic about helping families and individuals feel supported within the community while building relationships grounded in kindness, respect, and understanding, as I believe these connections are essential for fostering a healthier society.”