Over 50 years of providing quality foster care.
Meet the Team
Our team is dedicated and caring with a wide range of education and training that they readily share.
Dr. Jennifer Bruce, Executive Director
After completing her PhD in School/Applied Child Psychology at McGill University, Jennifer worked in several schools as a School Psychologist in Quebec and Ontario. She completed psycho-educational evaluations, and consulted with teachers and parents on issues related to child and youth mental health, learning disabilities, behavioural difficulties, and other childhood disorders. Jennifer has a passion for understanding child development, child and youth mental health, child welfare and systemic factors in order to better support children and families. Jennifer has been with Nairn Family Homes since November of 2019. Jennifer Bruce is the Executive Director at Nairn Family Homes.
Dr. Phillip Bruce, Associate Director
Since 1987, Phillip has been the Executive Director at Nairn Family Homes. While completing his Bachelor of Arts, Phillip worked at Ausable Springs Ranch as a houseparent and teacher for at-risk youth. Following this, he continued his schooling and obtained his Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology, while working as a social worker, and supervising and training house parents. Phillip then moved into the role of treatment coordinator at Bluewater Family Support Services. In 2014, Phillip obtained his Doctorate in psychology, focusing his research on parent-child relationships. Today, Phillip continues to serve as Associate Director for Nairn Family Homes. Along with overseeing all aspects of management and operations, Phillip focuses much of his attention on the clinical and treatment needs of the children as well as the training of support professionals and foster parents.
Doug Schade, Treatment Director
Doug completed a Bachelor's degree in Social Work at King's University College at Western University in 1990. He spent the first five years of his career in child protection with high risk families at Sarnia Lambton Children's Aid Society. Doug has a passion for and has spent his entire career learning to best serve and equip foster families to meet the needs of children. Doug has been with Nairn Family Homes since 1995 and is our Treatment Director.
Beth Reiber, Program Administrator
Although Beth’s history with Nairn Family Homes began in the 1970’s when her parents were recruited as foster parents, she began working for Nairn in 1995. Having worked in retail for a few years, the opportunity to work for Nairn provided Beth with the chance to integrate her B.A. in Psychology with her desire to serve others. It also made for a smooth transition to working full time as her son began school. She has taken on several roles while at Nairn, but has held the position of Office Administrator since 2001.
Dean Mullin, Resource Consultant
Dean received his Bachelor’s Degree at Tyndale University and his Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Wheaton College Graduate School in Chicago. Dean has been in the people helping professions for the last thirty-nine years. He has worked as a psychotherapist with the Institute of Family Living and as an Ordained Minister for the Christian and Missionary Alliance. Dean’s passion is to facilitate the development of strong, resilient foster families through training, support and collaboration. Dean has been with Nairn Family Homes since 1999 and is our Resource Consultant.
Melissa Andres, District Program Director
Melissa has a BA in sociology and gerontology and a BSW from McMaster University. She has also completed the Therapeutic Crisis Intervention train the trainer course. Prior to joining Nairn, Melissa worked in both child protection and long term care. During her 14 years at Nairn, Melissa has supported foster families by working with them to plan and advocate for the children placed in their care. Melissa also teaches the Therapeutic Crisis Intervention techniques at the Nairn foster parent training sessions and is currently working on courses towards achieving a trauma certificate through Laurier University. Child development, developmental trauma and attachment parenting are topics Melissa is passionate to learn about and utilize to support foster families in her work at Nairn Family Homes. Melissa has been a Family Supervisor with Nairn Family Homes since 2006 and now serves as our District Program Director.
Charity Klapwyk, Director of Support & Learning
Charity is both an adoptive mom and social worker and coffee drinker extraordinaire. She went to Tyndale University and received her Honours B.A. in Human Services and an Accelerated SSW Honours from Seneca College. She is a TBRI Practitioner and former TCI Train the Trainer. Charity empathizes and relates deeply with the foster parents she supervises. She believes that curiosity is the key to compassion in fostering. She counts it a great priviledge to walk along side families who join this journey of fostering. She loves to continue learning and implementing trauma informed practices in her work and at home.
Charity has been with Nairn Family Homes since 2012.
Mary Lynn Redmond, Operations Assistant
After completing her Bachelor of Applied Science in Family Studies at the University of Guelph, Mary Lynn started her career in Saskatchewan where she facilitated parenting programs and Life Skills training for Catholic Family Services. She returned to Ontario and worked for Dale Brain Injury Services as a Case Manager and Residential Manager. Mary Lynn spent several years working from home, raising her children and helping her husband in his business. Ready to return to work part time Mary Lynn worked as a Youth Ministry Coordinator and completed a Certificate in Youth Ministry. Mary Lynn found her true calling when she began working for Nairn Family Homes. She is passionate about serving others and encouraging them to be the best they can be. She receives great satisfaction from supporting the families and children. Mary Lynn has been with Nairn Family Homes since 2007.
Marilyn Wynes, Family Supervisor
After graduating from Social Services at Conestoga College Marilyn worked with young offenders in a youth facility followed by work in children’s programs with Family and Children’s services. Her work experience also included front line work with adults with Developmental disabilities. Working with children, youth and families has been a life passion for Marilyn. She participates in ongoing learning opportunities through conferences and seminars in relevant areas such as attachment theories, trauma awareness, crisis intervention and many more. Working with foster families and the children they parent continues to be a challenge and an honour. Marilyn has been a Family Supervisor with Nairn Family Homes since 2002.
Kelly Tournay, Family Supervisor
Kelly holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology from McMaster University and a Diploma in Adult Education from St. Francis Xavier University. She is a rostered Family Group Conferencing (FGC) Coordinator and Mentor with The George Hull Centre for Children and Families, has obtained certification from Family Mediation Training Ontario in Family Mediation and Family Arbitration, and is a member of The Ontario Association of Family Mediators (OAFM). Kelly began her career as a Child Protection Worker with The Children’s Aid Society of Hamilton, followed by COAST Hamilton as a Mental Health Worker, then with Catholic Family Services of Hamilton as a Partner Assault Response (PAR) Counsellor and FGC Coordinator and Mentor. Kelly has a passion for alternative dispute resolution, especially for advocating and empowering children, youth and families to have their voices heard. Kelly joined the Nairn Family Homes team in 2020.
Carla Rylett, Family Supervisor
Carla is both a biological and adoptive mom with many years experience as a foster parent. She graduated from Conestoga College in 1995 with an ECE Diploma and has an Early Childhood Resource Certificate from St Clair College. Carla has worked in Child Care Centres both as an ECE and a Support Worker with Children with Special Needs. She has worked as an Early Years Practitioner and as an ECE in Full Day Kindergarten. Carla is involved with The Adoption Council of Ontario as a Co-Lead of a Parent Support Group. Carla is a strong advocate for children, youth and families as well as a volunteer with youth in her Community. Carla joined the Nairn Team in 2022. Fun Facts: Carla is a huge animal rescuer and loves to dress up for Halloween and any other occasion deemed necessary.
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Jennifer Zehr, Family Supervisor
Jennifer has a BA in Sexuality, Marriage, and the Family from the University of Waterloo. She spent time working front line with youth in both developmental and youth justice programming in the Kitchener-Waterloo and London areas. Jennifer took time off work to raise her 3 children but continued her learning and is a Master Certified Coach Practitioner as well as an Accredited EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) Practitioner. Jennifer is always looking for ways to support her foster families through trauma and attachment informed lenses. She patiently meets her families where they are at in their fostering journey and guides them to develop the skills and resources needed for successful placements.
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Jeanie Oak, Family Supervisor
Jeanie completed her BSW at Wilfrid Laurier University, and her SSW at Mohawk College. She is registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. She worked as a Direct Support Facilitator in adult group living for 20 years at Community Living Hamilton. Jeanie is new to working in foster care, but has a passion for supporting children, youth, and families. Jeanie started working for Nairn Family Homes in 2023.
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