Board of Directors
La Fondation Place Coco is governed by a committed and experienced Board of Directors that provides strategic oversight, fiduciary responsibility, and organizational leadership. The composition of the Board intentionally reflects the Foundation’s core belief that meaningful and sustainable change occurs when professional expertise and lived experience come together to shape solutions.
Our Directors and members bring a diverse range of expertise spanning governance, finance, law, education, occupational therapy, social work, public policy, research, disability inclusion, accessibility, community engagement, and organizational leadership. The Board also includes individuals with direct lived experience as neurodivergent individuals, family members, caregivers, and community advocates. This combination of perspectives ensures that decisions are informed by both evidence and the realities of the children, families, and communities we serve.
The Board’s collective experience provides La Fondation Place Coco with the capacity to navigate complex challenges, strengthen partnerships, support organizational sustainability, and advance innovative approaches to inclusive service delivery. Members contribute their professional knowledge, community networks, and personal experiences to help guide strategic priorities and ensure that the Foundation remains responsive to evolving community needs.
Working collaboratively with the Executive Director, the Board establishes strategic direction, oversees implementation, ensures financial and organizational accountability, and maintains strong governance practices. Board members actively support the Foundation’s continued growth by contributing expertise in areas such as accessibility, program development, research translation, policy, fundraising, and community partnerships.
This governance model reflects La Fondation Place Coco’s commitment to co-design and inclusion. By ensuring that people with lived experience and those with professional expertise have meaningful roles in decision-making, the Foundation strengthens its ability to develop accessible, evidence-informed, and responsive solutions for children, families, and communities.
Sharon McCarry
President, Executive Director and Coco’s Mom
Sharon is the Founder and Executive Director of La Fondation Place Coco, which she established in 2008 to create more inclusive opportunities and supports for children and families. While the senior leadership team oversees the day-to-day operations of The Little Red Playhouse preschool and early intervention programs, Sharon leads the organization’s strategic direction, partnerships, fundraising, governance, research initiatives, and public policy engagement.
For nearly two decades, Sharon has worked at the intersection of family experience, community practice, research, and public policy. As both a parent, advocate, and consultant, she has navigated health, education, disability, and social service systems while working to improve outcomes for autistic individuals, neurodivergent children, caregivers, and families. Her work has focused on transforming lived experience into practical solutions across early intervention, inclusive education, caregiver support, accessibility, housing, and systems change at municipal, provincial, and national levels.
Sharon’s leadership is grounded in the belief that lived experience is expertise and that sustainable systems change requires meaningful partnership between communities, researchers, policymakers, and service providers. This philosophy has shaped La Fondation Place Coco’s approach to developing inclusive programs, engaging families, informing research, and advancing solutions that are responsive to the realities of the communities served.
Sharon has held numerous national leadership, research, and advisory roles. She was appointed to a four-year term as a member and Co-Chair of the Disability Advisory Committee to the Minister of National Revenue and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), where she contributed to four national reports focused on improving programs and services for Canadians with disabilities.
She previously served as Director of Engagement for the CHILD-BRIGHT Research Network, a CIHR-funded patient-oriented research network focused on improving outcomes for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families, and continues to advise the network on national research initiatives. Sharon is also a consultant with the Autism Alliance of Canada, serving as National Inclusion Lead for Research Governance, supporting the development of more inclusive approaches to research participation and decision-making.
In addition, Sharon serves as Co-Chair of the National Autism Network’s Economic Inclusion Committee, advancing initiatives that support the implementation of Canada’s National Autism Strategy through work focused on employment, economic participation, income security, and access to supports for autistic Canadians and their families. She is also a co-applicant on two Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) grant applications through the ADVANCE Network examining disability policy, service access, and systems of support.
Sharon is regularly invited to advise researchers, community organizations, and service providers, and to participate in national consultations, conferences, and engagement initiatives focused on disability inclusion, caregiver support, early intervention, and systems change. Her work bridges research, policy, and community practice, with a focus on translating evidence into accessible, scalable solutions that improve outcomes for families.
Before founding La Fondation Place Coco, Sharon built a successful career in corporate marketing and brand management with leading international organizations including Reebok, BMW Canada, Rollerblade Inc., Benetton, L’Oréal, Seagram’s, and Mega Bloks. She brings this experience in strategic planning, communications, partnership development, and organizational leadership to support the Foundation’s growth, sustainability, and national impact.
Sharon holds a Bachelor of Arts from McGill University and lives in Montreal, Quebec, with her two proudly neurodivergent young adults, her father, and their MIRA service dog, Teddy. LinkedIn
Clarissa McCarry
Director/Person With Lived Experience
Clarissa is the namesake and inspiration behind The Little Red Playhouse program. Her lived experience as a neurodivergent individual was the catalyst for establishing the Foundation and continues to guide its commitment to creating inclusive, accessible, and family-centred opportunities for children and families.
As a proud self-advocate, Clarissa brings an essential lived-experience perspective to the organization’s leadership and governance. She believes that individuals with disabilities should have meaningful opportunities to influence the decisions, services, and systems that affect their lives. Her participation reflects La Fondation Place Coco’s core philosophy that lived experience is a form of expertise and must be included in creating effective solutions.
Clarissa has contributed to national initiatives related to disability inclusion, including participating in research and engagement activities connected to Canada’s National Autism Strategy and serving as a member of the United Nations Youth Council on the Rights of the Child. She has also contributed to research and accessibility initiatives, including working as a part-time research assistant on intervention support projects at McMaster University and as an accessibility tester with Easy Surf in Vancouver.
Beyond her advocacy and research contributions, Clarissa is a creative entrepreneur and passionate filmmaker, as well as a V-Tuber with a major Japanese animation company. She is currently pursuing studies in Geospatial Technologies at Concordia University.
Through her leadership, creativity, and self-advocacy, Clarissa continues to inspire the mission of La Fondation Place Coco and reminds the organization of the importance of listening to and learning from the individuals and families it serves. LinkedIn
Suanne Stein-Day
Treasurer, Director
Suanne has served as a Director of La Fondation Place Coco since its inception in 2008 and currently serves as Treasurer of the Board. As a founding Board member, Suanne has played an essential role in establishing and maintaining the organization’s governance practices, financial oversight, and long-term sustainability. She continues to provide critical leadership in financial stewardship, including supporting annual audits, financial reviews, and accountability practices that ensure the Foundation operates with transparency and strong governance.
Suanne holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and is a Certified Management Consultant (CMC). She brings extensive experience in education leadership, governance, technology, and organizational management. She is the former Chair of the Lester B. Pearson School Board, the largest English-language school board in Quebec, representing 37 municipalities from Montreal West to the Ontario border. She also served as Vice-President of the Quebec English School Boards Association (QESBA), contributing to provincial initiatives that strengthened educational systems and services for English-speaking communities.
Throughout her career, Suanne has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing education and community development. She has led and contributed to initiatives involving technology integration, digital citizenship, and organizational improvement at both local and provincial levels. In addition to her education leadership, she works as an independent consultant specializing in accounting and computer systems.
Suanne’s combination of financial expertise, governance experience, and deep commitment to community service has been instrumental in strengthening La Fondation Place Coco. As a founding Director and Treasurer, she provides continuity, accountability, and strategic insight that supports the organization’s mission and continued growth. LinkedIn
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Liam Bienstock
Chair of the Board of Directors, Director
Liam is Chair of the Board of Directors of La Fondation Place Coco, having previously served as Secretary of the Board for two years before assuming the role of Chair. His leadership builds on the strong governance foundation established by the organization’s previous Chair, Campbell Stuart, and reflects the Foundation’s continued commitment to bringing diverse expertise and lived experience into its leadership.
Liam is a paediatric occupational therapist with specialized expertise in child development, inclusion, and accessible environments. He holds a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from McGill University and a second Master’s degree in Inclusive Design from OCAD University. This unique combination of clinical expertise and inclusive design knowledge has been instrumental in strengthening La Fondation Place Coco’s approach to developing innovative programs, community inclusion initiatives, and accessibility-focused grant proposals.
Throughout his career, Liam has worked with children and families across diverse settings, including the Douglas Mental Health University Institute in child psychiatry, the Mackay Centre School, and community-based camp programs. His clinical experience has provided him with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by children with developmental differences and their families, as well as the importance of creating environments that support participation, independence, and belonging.
Liam’s approach is grounded in strengths-based practice and family collaboration. He is a strong advocate for parent coaching and recognizes the importance of empowering families with practical strategies and supports that allow children to thrive in their everyday environments.
As Board Chair, Liam brings together clinical expertise, inclusive design principles, and strategic leadership to guide La Fondation Place Coco’s continued evolution. His perspective strengthens the organization’s ability to design accessible programs, develop community partnerships, and advance solutions that promote inclusion for children and families. LinkedIN
Campbell Stuart
Director, Former Chair (2010- 2024)
Campbell brings extensive experience in governance, law, community development, and public service to the Board of Directors of La Fondation Place Coco. He served as Chair of the Foundation from 2010 to 2024, providing strategic leadership and supporting the organization’s growth, sustainability, and commitment to inclusive services for children and families.
Campbell is the former Executive Director of St. Michael’s Mission, a downtown Montreal day shelter supporting individuals experiencing homelessness, food insecurity, and other social vulnerabilities. This experience reflects his longstanding commitment to community-based solutions and supporting individuals facing barriers and inequities.
A lawyer with more than three decades of experience, Campbell practises through Campbell Stuart Legal, focusing primarily on corporate, commercial, and information technology law. Previously, he was a partner at Colby Monet from 1992 to 2012. His legal expertise continues to support charitable organizations, community initiatives, and social impact projects.
Before entering law, Campbell worked on community development projects in Canada and Africa. He remains actively involved in advancing community and environmental initiatives, including as Vice President of the Legacy Fund for the Environment, which he founded in 2015. He has also contributed to public service as the former Mayor of Montreal West.
Campbell holds a Bachelor of Arts from Queen’s University and Common Law and Civil Law degrees from McGill University. He was called to the Quebec Bar in 1986. His combination of legal expertise, governance experience, and lifelong commitment to community service continues to strengthen La Fondation Place Coco’s leadership and mission. LinkedIn
Melanie Greenberg-Schwartz
Board Member
Melanie is a long-standing member of the Board of Directors of La Fondation Place Coco, bringing extensive experience in social work, child development, family support, and inclusive education. Her relationship with the organization began in 2009, when she worked as a social worker at The Little Red Playhouse through Ometz, supporting children and families and contributing to the organization’s early commitment to inclusive, child-centred practices. Following this experience, Melanie joined the Board of Directors, continuing her involvement in advancing the Foundation’s mission.
As a dedicated social worker, Melanie has developed deep expertise in supporting children with diverse social, emotional, behavioural, and developmental needs. She approaches each child holistically, considering their individual strengths, communication style, family context, and environment to better understand their needs and develop effective supports.
Throughout her career, Melanie has demonstrated a strong ability to build trusting relationships with children, families, educators, and community partners. She is skilled at fostering collaboration between families and professionals, supporting open communication, and helping teams develop responsive strategies that promote children’s success and well-being.
Melanie’s experience working alongside educators, clinicians, and families strengthens the Foundation’s ability to maintain a family-centred and evidence-informed approach. Her long-standing commitment to La Fondation Place Coco, combined with her professional expertise in social work and child development, continues to provide valuable guidance to the organization and the communities it serves. LinkedIn
Krista Leitham
Board Member
Krista brings extensive experience in national not-for-profit leadership, community engagement, bilingual communications, and partnership development to the Board of Directors of La Fondation Place Coco. Her career has been shaped by a strong belief that meaningful change happens when communities, organizations, and individuals come together through collaboration, shared learning, and collective action.
Krista currently serves as Membership Lead with the Autism Alliance of Canada, where she supports national engagement initiatives and coordinates French-language Town Halls across Canada, creating opportunities for autistic individuals, families, researchers, service providers, and community partners to share perspectives and contribute to national conversations on autism and inclusion. Her work reflects a deep commitment to ensuring that diverse voices, particularly within Official Language Minority Communities, are represented in discussions that shape services and policies.
Throughout her career with national not-for-profit organizations, Krista has led initiatives focused on community building, stakeholder engagement, events, and communications. A bilingual facilitator and communicator, fluent in both English and French, she has successfully led large-scale events, built cross-sector partnerships, and represented organizations as a spokesperson through radio and television.
Krista brings a unique ability to connect people and organizations, translate complex ideas into accessible messages, and create inclusive spaces for dialogue and collaboration. Her experience strengthening networks and engaging diverse communities supports La Fondation Place Coco’s commitment to co-design, accessibility, and relationship-based approaches.
Passionate about advancing equity and inclusion, Krista contributes valuable insight into how organizations can build stronger connections with the autism community and develop more responsive solutions for individuals and families.
Laura Fregeau
Board member
Laura brings a unique combination of professional expertise, lived experience, and deep knowledge of La Fondation Place Coco’s programs and community to the Board of Directors. Her relationship with the organization began through her work at The Little Red Playhouse, ad Camp Next Steps where she contributed as an educator and Occupational Therapist supporting children and families. She also experienced the program as a parent, with her children attending The Little Red Playhouse, providing her with a multi-dimensional understanding of the organization’s impact.
Laura is an occupational therapist and doctoral student at McGill University, with a longstanding commitment to the neurodivergent community in Montreal. Her connection to disability inclusion is both professional and personal, as a person with a disability, a sibling of a person with a disability, a parent of a neurodivergent child, and a community member who has been engaged in advocacy and support throughout her life.
Throughout her career, Laura has worked alongside children and families in inclusive educational and community settings. Her experience as a clinician, educator, parent, and community member provides valuable insight into the importance of accessible, family-centred, and strengths-based approaches.
When Laura left to pursue her doctoral studies at McGill University, La Fondation Place Coco invited her to join the Board of Directors to continue contributing her knowledge, experience, and commitment to the community. Laura’s perspective strengthens the Foundation’s ability to ensure that programs and decisions remain grounded in the realities of children, families, and neurodivergent individuals.
Alexandra McDermid
Secretary, Board member
Alexandra is a Policy Analyst with the federal government, bringing experience from Global Affairs, the Privy Council Office, and most recently, Housing and Infrastructure. With a background in Child Health, she began her career in healthcare and social services, working in a group home for adults with exceptionalities and serving as the coordinator of the Little Red Playhouse. Witnessing firsthand the gaps in services and barriers to affordable care, Alexandra pursued a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Public Administration to drive meaningful change at a systemic level. Passionate about community impact, she is excited to serve on the Board of Directors and contribute to the organization's vital mission.LinkedIn
