Julie Smith, Executive Director
(902) 439-4607 | executivedirector@peiacl.org or familysupport@peiacl.org
Julie is both the Executive Director of PEIACL and carries out the Supporting Families Program as the Family Inclusion Facilitator. She has been an inclusion advocate for over 25 years and her goal is to ensure all individuals with intellectual disabilities are included, valued, and recognized as contributing members to the diverse communities in which we live.
Julie currently resides in western PEI with her husband and 2 sons, one of whom guides her vision and mission of inclusion for all. Through navigating the systems, Julie and her family have learned how to empower persons with intellectual disabilities. Julie is proud to have grown up on military bases across the country, including Slemon Park, as her father Brian is a Canadian military veteran with 28 years of service.
Adam Spence, Labour Market Facilitator, National Ready Willing and Able Program
902-394-0350 | rwa@peiacl.org
In his role as Labout Market Facilitator, Adam enjoys promoting understanding and awareness among employers while encouraging inclusive hiring and explaining the benefits of having a diverse workforce. Adam has over 15 years’ experience working as a small business owner, and has additional work experience in both the corporate and government worlds. With his experience with the PEI’s Department of Education, he had the opportunity to form relationships and make connections with great families, organizations, and community associations on the Island.
While living in Japan, Adam met his wife, Kyoko before moving to Australia for a couple of years where he worked/played in the sporting industry. His son, Jordan, is currently in his first-year university (Business Program) while also pursuing his dream of playing pro hockey. This past year he was drafted to the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL). Adam’s daughter, Kairi, is in high school and wants to work in the medical industry. Kairi is very active in volleyball, CrossFit, and is a student counsellor for her school.
Katrina Durdle, Support Match Coordinator
902-388-5432 | supportmatch@peiacl.org
As the Support Match Coordinator, Katrina’s goals are to assist individuals and/or their families in finding their perfect match with a Support Worker who will meet the individual at their level and needs and giving the individual, families and workers the opportunity succeed and thrive wonderfully.
Katrina is a recent graduate from Holland College’s Child and Youth Care Worker program and a mom to Tyson and Codilyn. In her spare time, you can find her at the ball field as the Sherwood/Parkdale Baseball U11 Coordinator and her son’s team Manager. Go Knights! In the winter, she will be at the Hockey rink or leading a Brownie meeting in Sherwood.
“I am super excited to be a part of such a wonderful Association that matches my values and passions!”
Jessica MacPherson, Project Coordinator
902-394-7555 | projectcoordinator@peiacl.org
As the Project Coordinator for PEIACL, Jessica’s work will be guided by the short term projects and grants that PEIACL has secured as well as any upcoming funding opportunities to support our vision and mission.
Jessica was born and raised in PEI. She grew up on a beef and potato farm and the love of growing and preserving her own food was born here. Jessica is never happier than when her hands are in the dirt in her garden with her chickens and ducks around her and with her toddler eating whatever’s in season next to her with her husband puttering in the yard.
Jessica has spent the past 15 plus years working in helping professions. She moved to Iqaluit after getting her Psychology degree to work and experience the Canadian Arctic. Jessica returned to PEI to take the Child and Youth worker program at Holland College. Something always calls her back to PEI; she has lived in Quebec, New Brunswick, Nunavut but is always called back by the salt air and the stunning coastal sunsets.
Jessica loves teaching and learning. She is a lifelong learner and loves sharing knowledge. She’s even taking a course on becoming a Beekeeper right now! When she’s not working with ACL you’ll find her in her garden or driving a tractor on her family farm. She’s so very excited for the current and future projects she will be taking on with ACL.