Community Speakers

Carolina Alvarez, RP, MACP, CCPT, RECE is a Registered Psychotherapist specializing in Child-Centered Play Therapy. With a background in early childhood education, she is passionate about helping children, families, and educators build stronger relationships through evidence-informed, attachment-based approaches. Carolina provides therapy, parent support, and professional training, empowering adults with practical skills to better understand children's behaviour and foster emotional growth.This can be tailored for your website, conference speaker bio, or workshop brochure if you need a different tone or length.

Angelina Mighty Osborne is a dynamic leader with more than 13 years of experience in the non-profit sector, supporting organizations through strategic planning and community-focused initiatives to address organizational and sector needs with a current focus on early learning environments. Driven by a commitment to equity, she leverages her background in psychology and extensive field experience to address root causes, remove barriers to access, and create lasting impact for underserved communities.

Alison (Jones) Grbic is a leader in education who’s been in the field of Education & Early Learning serving families & children ages 0-12 years old and managing staff teams of 25-40 employees for over 30 years. She originally started out teaching in the classroom and quickly moved her way up into managerial or leadership roles such as; Owner/operator of 2 child care centres, Manager of multiple child care centres, Manager of 5 Ontario Early Years Centres; Field Advisor at Seneca College and presently for the last 16 years as Senior Manager of 19 Early On Child & Family Centres with the Toronto Catholic District School Board and presenting to you today as Founder & Director of her Educational Training Business, On Eagles Wings Educational Training Co where she provides webinars & seminars to various educators, leaders, social workers and community workers all over Ontario. Lastly, she is Author of the newly released book “The Intuitive Compass” based on her own experience of overcoming a decade long adverse situation where she developed multiple intuitive practical strategies that can be applied to individuals, organizations, teams, educators, and leaders in the workplace to overcome trauma/adversity, cope, heal & transform their lives!
She is a strong advocate and provides webinars/seminars to professionals throughout Toronto, Niagara, Halton & Peel regions, on various topics in the field of Education & mental health/wellbeing in supporting individuals, communities and organizations who have experienced change, trauma, adversity or challenges and is committed to early childhood education, families/children and community growth & the development of mindful, intuitive teaching & leadership focused on the value and strengths of each individual to overcome adversity, toxic situations and challenges in both their personal and professional life as they move along the continuum of their own unique life journey to finding their life purpose and living as their true authentic self!
Alison has her Early Childhood Education, training in Neurosciences, Mindfulness and Mindfulness Meditation through the University of Toronto and Intuitive Development training through The Canadian School of Naturotherapies & Spiritual Development.

Rosalba Bortolotti is a professor, pedagogical mentor, author, and facilitator who has spent many years working alongside children, educators, families, students, and community organizations. As a local community member, she has worked closely with educators, directors, and early learning organizations throughout the region, building lasting relationships and supporting meaningful professional learning experiences.

Her work is grounded in a deep respect for children as capable citizens and rights holders, and in the belief that learning emerges through relationships, inquiry, research, and meaningful encounters with people, places, and materials. Through presentations, workshops, mentoring, and collaborative projects, Rosalba invites educators and families into thoughtful conversations about pedagogical documentation, curriculum design, learning environments, materials, children's thinking, and reflective practice.

Rosalba is the author of several Acorn mini-books and a contributing author to Realizing Children's Rights in a Global Context, a publication that explores children's rights, participation, and citizenship within contemporary educational settings. Her writing and facilitation work reflect a commitment to making learning visible, honouring diverse perspectives, and fostering cultures of curiosity, dialogue, and ongoing inquiry.

Passionate about learning alongside others, Rosalba works collaboratively with child care programs, schools, family support agencies, and community groups to create spaces where educators and families can think deeply together about teaching, learning, and community. Available for both in-person and virtual presentations, she brings a thoughtful, engaging, and relationship-centred approach that inspires reflection, connection, and new possibilities for practice.

Mary Hewitt, founder of Unlocking Childhood, is an experienced public speaker, writer, and consultant specializing in the well-being of children, parents, educators, and child-centered professionals. With 15 years in the Early Learning field as a classroom educator, early childhood education professor, and early years system leader—she leverages her expertise to develop engaging and meaningful learning experiences for her clients. Mary holds a Masters degree in Early Childhood Education, a Bachelor of Education degree, a diploma in Early Childhood Education, and a Psychology degree.

Mary dedicates much of her work to topics such as: well-being and mental health; the ‘childhood trauma-informed’ approach; how to develop an ‘attachment lens’; and nurturing emotional competence.

Jamie-Lee Wagler, RECE, OCT, BA, is a professor, consultant, and keynote speaker dedicated to uplifting and empowering early years and school-age professionals. As the founder of Miss Jamie RECE Consulting, she designs professional learning experiences that are hands-on, engaging, and rooted in reflection and play. Jamie combines her academic expertise with her passion for authentic connection — creating spaces where educators feel inspired, valued, and equipped to lead with heart. With experience spanning classroom teaching, leadership, and postsecondary instruction, Jamie’s sessions are described as dynamic, joyful, and transformative — reminding educators why their work matters and how powerful they are when they grow together.

Jamie-Lee Wagler, RECE, OCT, BA, is a professor, consultant, and keynote speaker dedicated to uplifting and empowering early years and school-age professionals. As the founder of Miss Jamie RECE Consulting, she designs professional learning experiences that are hands-on, engaging, and rooted in reflection and play. Jamie combines her academic expertise with her passion for authentic connection — creating spaces where educators feel inspired, valued, and equipped to lead with heart. With experience spanning classroom teaching, leadership, and postsecondary instruction, Jamie’s sessions are described as dynamic, joyful, and transformative — reminding educators why their work matters and how powerful they are when they grow together.