Welcome to Brain 1st

The Brain 1st Program emerged from passionate people who share a vision of helping children function at their best so they can navigate our (sometimes challenging) world with greater ease.

Their team, along with the input of educators and administrators, skillfully created an easy to use classroom platform that educators can utilize to create positive changes in their classroom and maximize academic achievement.

Our Team

Cally Bailey

Chief Executive Officer, Co-Founder

BBA, CHC. Cally has spent years studying and practicing a thoroughly researched form of mindfulness, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction. Strengthened by her own personal success story of overcoming mental health battles, she was inspired to bring this into classrooms. Cally's drives her team with her not-so-good jokes and undying passion.

Laura Dieleman

Chief Science Officer, Co-Founder

BSc. DC. While in the midst of having three children, she developed a growing concern for the increasing challenges children around her were facing. Due to this, Dr. Laura shifted her focus toward neuro-behavioural disorders in children and found an incredible link between learning, movement, behaviour and brain function. We're not sure where Brain 1st would be without Laura. She is a vital organ in developing the course content, leading the research and helping Cally's improve her joke literacy.

Kevin Dieleman

Physical Literacy Director

BKin. DC. Focused on proper movement development from infancy to adulthood, with the goal of instilling an active and healthy lifestyle in children and adults. Through his practice and having three children of his own, he understands the positive impacts that proper movement and physical development have on the growing body and brain. In addition to his incredible skillset, Kevin is a friend, team mate, and fellow jokster.

Lucas Penney

Head Web Developer

Experienced and passionate software developer who has taken the lead on Brain 1st web development and has made it happen since day 1! Lucas greets every challenge with a smile, a "can do" attitude, and a great sense of humour (he laughs at our jokes as well!).

Audrey Delorme

Brand Strategist, Graphic Designer

Seasoned graphic designer who specializes in creating a brand identity that lights up the unique character of Brain 1st beautifully. Audrey is an incredible team member and understands the importance of having fun during the creative process.

Artiom Shostak

UX Lead/Frontend

Established user experience designer and front-end developer. At Brain 1st, Art is the technology lead, working with the development team and spearheading the UI/UX.

Atlee James

Video Communication Specialist

Over 20 years experience in film/video and animation with extensive experience in the health and fitness industry. Atlee has a passion to tell compelling stories and help with education and child development. Atlee is an indispensable member of the Brain 1st team and brings his passion and positive spirit to every meeting (as well as his trail mix!).

Zia Hirji

Digital Marketing Consultant

Digital Marketer with 10+ years of experience executing campaigns for industry-leading companies ranging from BBTV to Epic Records. Zia has a heart of gold and his work efforts are a direct reflection of his authentic care for his team.

Anita Thomsen

Partner Development Manager

Credentialed teacher with Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education (K-7). Anita is a passionate and seasoned advocate of education and infusing technology to have a positive impact on student learning. At Brain 1st, Anita is our trailhead in business development and shares our desire to help maximize student achievement - we're thrilled to have her on the team!

Tanya Baker

Educational Resources Developer

B.Ed. Tanya is a certified teacher with 25 years experience in elementary education. She is passionate about blending mindfulness and brain-based learning approaches; observing growth not only in her students, but her own children, as well. Tanya is an avid lifelong learner, a self-proclaimed doodler, and teacherpreneur of IntergalacticLiteracy.com. She loves creating fun resources to inspire and motivate students and is thrilled to be part of the Brain 1st team!

Rebekah Asselstine

Voiceover Talent

Rebekah is an extremely talented artist who is known for her roles in a number of music videos, commercials, and films, including CWs "Charmed" and "Supergirl", and Hallmarks "Love on the Air, "Tributum", and "Road to Christmas". She is also known for her Voice Over work, playing and representing the role of "Bella" in Universal Motion picture "Barbie Video Game Hero". Rebekah's new venture is joining the Brain 1st Team, and plays the role and voice of "Belle". She is excited to spread awareness and engage kids along with being a part of a strong community that the Brain 1st Team has to offer.

Advisory Board

Rondi Shouse

Director of Marketing, Owner of Rondi Shouse Consulting. Rondi provides guidance and direction to Brain 1st related to market research and strategic planning. It is an added bonus that Rondi is so enjoyable to speak with!

Dawn Wattie

Corporate/commercial solicitor, qualified arbitrator and mediator assisting business clients for business success. Dawn has been an advisor since inception and has a special gift of empowering those around her. She is an incredibly valuable asset to the Brain 1st team.

Education Consultants

Bruce Nicholson

Bruce has served as a teacher, coach, counsellor, administrator, mentor and teacher developer while working in Canada, South America and the Caribbean. Bruce is a valuable advisor who brings an extrordinarily unqiue vision and perspective to the program.

Elisa-Maria Chong

Elisa is an elementary teacher and counsellor in the lower mainland. She has been teaching for 8 years and is in her first year of school counselling. She believes connection is key and enjoys helping kids work through problems both big and small. Elisa is a voice and advocate for Brain 1st and was one of the first users of the program in her classroom.

Clive Heah

Clive is a respected Principal at Cloverdale Catholic School in BC with years of experience in education, as well as a sessional instructor at TWU in the leadership program. Clive has used the Brain 1st Program in his schools since it launched and continues to provide his support and perspective as we continue to develop.

Catherine Hanna

Catherine has extensive experience as a classroom and special education teacher, SFU Faculty Associate and sessional instructor, and as an elementary school principal. She is passionate about learning through the arts as a means to support intellectual, aesthetic and social-emotional development of students. Her work with vulnerable students brings important insights for our program.