Randa Khattar
National President; Ontario Co-Director

Randa is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education at Western University, and serves as national president and Ontario Co-Director of the Canadian Association for Young Children.  Randa is interested in researching early childhood education cultures and contexts that create pedagogical encounters within complex social, cultural, historical and political systems.

Christine McLean
National Treasurer; Nova Scotia Director

Christine McLean (she/her) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Child and Youth Study, Mount Saint Vincent University located in Mi’kma’qi, specifically Halifax, Nova Scotia. She has been involved in the ECE field for four decades provincially (in Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia) and nationally through the National Advisory Committee on ELCC, the former Child Care Advocacy Association of Canada, and the former Child Care Human Resources Council. Christine is the treasurer of CAYC.

Peggie Olsen
National Secretary; Friends of Children Chair

Melanie Janzen
Manitoba Co-Director; Publications Co-Chair

Melanie Janzen is a professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, located on Treaty One Territory and Homeland of the Métis Nation. Prior to joining the faculty, Melanie was an early years classroom teacher and learning support teacher for 15 years. In the faculty she teaches graduate curriculum and teacher education courses and preservice early years literacy courses. As a researcher, Melanie is interested in understanding the effects that teaching has on teachers and the effects that school systems have on marginalized students. In so doing, she tries to highlight how public education could become more just, equitable, and ethical. She has been a member of CAYC for the duration of her career and is also an active member of People for Public Education Mb.

Xiaoxiao Du
Manitoba Co-Director

Dr. Xiaoxiao Du is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba. Her research interests include language and literacies in the early years, multimodal meaning making, culture and diversity, reflective practices, and identity construction. 

Angela Woodburn
Ontario Co-Director; Memberships Chair

Angela Woodburn is a Registered Early Childhood Educator and the Executive Director of London Bridge Child Care Services, a large childcare organization with locations throughout southwestern Ontario. With over 30 years of experience in early childhood education, she has held diverse roles that have enriched her understanding of early learning, leadership and community.  A passionate advocate for lifelong learning, Angela is dedicated to supporting and empowering early childhood educators, recognizing the critical role they play in building strong communities. Angela is the membership chair and the Ontario co-director of CAYC.

Katie Swales
Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon Director; Social Media Chair

Gabriela Arias de Sanchez
Prince Edward Island Director

Dr. Gabriela Arias de Sanchez is an Associate Professor at the UPEI Faculty of Education. A former ECE, school principal, and curriculum writer, Gabriela has decades of experience working in early years education in both Argentina and Canada. Her research focuses on early learning education, particularly play pedagogies and mathematics. She is also keenly interested in participatory methodologies that give voice to educators and children. Through her work, Gabriela foregrounds pedagogical approaches that support the happiness and well-being of the youngest. Gabriela is grateful to live, learn, and grow on the ancestral and unceded land of the Mi’kmaq Nation of the Wabanaki Confederacy, in the traditional district of Epekwitk.

Kim Stewart
New Brunswick Director

Sarah Kirby
Newfoundland Director

Shayna Veitch
Labrador Director

Emmanuela Rémy
Quebec Director; Publications Co-Chair

British Columbia Director (Vacant)

Director position for this province is currently vacant; interested members who wish to be considered for volunteering for this role are invited to contact info@cayc.ca.

Alberta Director (Vacant)

Director position for this province is currently vacant; interested members who wish to be considered for volunteering for this role are invited to contact info@cayc.ca.

Saskatchewan Director (Vacant)

Director position for this province is currently vacant; interested members who wish to be considered for volunteering for this role are invited to contact info@cayc.ca.