Meet the Team
We exist to build solutions with the neurodivergent community through asking, listening and being creative. Learn More About NANAWorksLearn more about coaching
Elizabeth Plouffe, Chief Minion
As an entrepreneur for the past 12 years, I’ve explored various business options and began Spero Careers Canada in 2018 as a way to build solutions to solve the autism unemployment crisis.
My son was diagnosed at 7 years old and is now a successful college student working towards a career in welding and fabrication. I’ve had the pleasure of working with the autism community through the Autism Job Club, CASDA, MentorAbility Ontario and membership in organizations such as CASE and CERIC.
I believe that being weird is a positive thing. I love Marvel movies, musicals and singing when it best embarrasses my kids. My husband is harder to rattle after 30 years 😉 I’m an avid baker, reader, gardener and collector of action figures.
Jason Little, Chief Product Nerd
I started my career in IT and while studying electronic engineering at DeVry during the day, I worked midnights programming placement machines that placed components on circuit boards. From there, I moved into call centre and desktop support where I started developing website using MS Access, Cold Fusion, and Classic ASP (Active Server Pages). My first major project was replacing binders full of call centre routing information with a web app.
In 1999 I fell victim to the dot-com bubble when the company I was working for went under and I started my own web design and development company. Shortly after that, I became 1 of the 3 first members of a startup that built a platform for selling ringtones and images. There, I created midi ringtones, wallpaper images, and built a backend licensing and content tracking tool with classic ASP.
Maddy Dever, Facilitator EmploymentWorks
I spent 25 years in IT, as a developer, web designer, project manager, trainer, mentor. I worked with small companies, big giant companies, and many many different types of people. The thing I love most is when I work with people one-on-one or in small groups coaching, training, sharing and leading. As an advocate, I channel my passion as interim chair of the National Autism Network and a Board member of the Autism Alliance of Canada.
I’m a non-binary, Autistic who manages life with a physical disablity. I have 4 kids who are also Autistic. 25 years of parenting and over 45 years of my own life experiences has given me a lot to share. What I’ve learned. The mistakes I have made. I’m excited to work with other parents, with clinicians and organizations as well as fellow Autistics.
I have an affinity for stuffed bunnies, colorful fedoras and channel my inner Rapunzel with outward punny gems.
Get in Touch with Elizabeth
elizabeth@sperocanada.ca
Get in Touch with Jason
jason@sperocanada.ca
Get in Touch with Maddy
maddy@sperocanada.ca
Paul Coleman
Chief Videographer
In addition to being the head of Creation Designs, Inc., Paul brings his expertise in trades, e-learning design and video design to the Spero team. Paul is part of the MOREWorks team and helps deliver neurodivergent inclusion trainings to employers across Canada.
Paul is the proud parent of 3 great adults and brings the magic of Christmas every year as an absolute outstanding Santa!
Sydney Elaine Butler
EmploymentWorks Team
It is Sydney’s understanding that their professional purpose must be to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to be successful regardless of barriers in their way, and they must as a professional dedicated to HR, as well as Diversity and Inclusion, Equity and Accessibility remove these barriers. They have written AODA policies, practices and procedures to ensure organizational compliance and positioned to better train employees to work alongside and provide support to clients with disabilities. They have since started speaking and consulting on how to be more Accessible and Inclusive from a human approach. This empowers organizations to recruit more diverse individuals through lens of Intersectionality and other areas of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in an authentic manner. They have spoken at numerous events about all sorts of Diversity and Inclusion topics; from Neurodiversity at Work and Creating an Inclusive Culture to the importance of Intersectionality.
Jason Bean
Chief Manufacturer
In North America alone, there are over 5 million adults with autism, yet 80% to 85% of them are severely underemployed or unemployed. This is a huge waste of valuable talent and skills that businesses need. Autistic employees are known for their strong orientation towards pattern recognition, attention to detail, analytical thinking, and high visualization skills. As an autistic individual with a successful career in advanced manufacturing for over 20 years, my goal is to help organizations understand the value of neurodivergent employees and create an opportunity for employment success.
Get in Touch with Paul
paul@sperocanada.ca
Get in Touch with Sydney
sydney@sperocanada.ca
Get in Touch with Jason
jbean@sperocanada.ca
Our Advisory Team
Reema Duggal
Adviser: E-commerce, Elearning expert
Reema is the President and founder of the Sitaran Group specializing in e-commerce and strategic digital development. Reema is also the co-founder of Silicon Halton.
Reema has a strong focus on creating digital e-learning platforms and valuable content.
Daniel Kube
Adviser: Product development, strategy, investment expert
Daniel is the CEO of servicePath and the co-founder of Kindal Enterprises Inc. He has two decades of success and experience in building successful technology companies, new venture start-ups, alliances, business development, sales and marketing for several leading organizations including Stericycle and PwC.
Shann McGrail, Co-founder Devreve
Adviser: Technology development and strategy expert
For me, it’s about developing and diversifying the talent in the technology industry. I combine the benefits and lessons learned from working in and with some of the biggest and most respected technology companies in the industry with a passion for people, achieving results and having some fun along the way. Senior level experience in Sales, Professional Services, Change Management, Communications and Operations have enabled me to gain perspective and put theory into practice.
Dave Gray, The School of the Possible
Adviser: Technology development and strategy expert
When I sold my company in 2022 and it was time to work on the next thing, I decided to focus on the question I get most when people reach out to me. The question goes something like this:
“How can I create the life I want for myself, where my work is meaningful to me, and I’m making a difference that matters?”
If that is your question, then you are the reason I’m developing the School of the Possible.
Office
801 – 5500 North Service Road
Burlington, ON
Contact Us
- elizabeth@sperocareerscanada.ca
- 905-220-5149