Board of Directors
Scott MacLean – President & Treasurer
BSc (Eng.), MBA
After graduating from Queens University with a degree in Geophysical Engineering and from York with an MBA, Scott joined Ford Motor Company as a financial analyst. Over 10 years Scott had a variety of positions in Product Development, Manufacturing and Marketing. Most of his Ford experience came in Detroit with shorter stints in Canada and Mexico.
In 1996 Scott returned to Canada and took a position with Teknion Furniture Systems, where he holds the title of VP of Product and Manufacturing Finance. In this role, Scott is involved with corporate strategic planning, product development and marketing and manufacturing accounting.
Scott has been on the board of ISIS for 15 years and President for 10. Working with ISIS has been profoundly rewarding for Scott as it has meant working with outstanding faculty and staff to develop and grow an organization that provides an important service to the community. He is extremely proud of the graduates of ISIS who continue to serve and improve the lives of countless people.
Julia Smith
Honours B.A., Kinesiology
Julia spent 17 years pursuing a career as an actress in the US and Canada. Memorable experiences include playing the monster Grendel in Beowulf at Chicago’s Organic Theatre, Celimene in The Misanthrope at the Banff Centre, Celia in a (deliberately) unrehearsed production of As You Like It at the World Stage Festival, two seasons in the Stratford Festival of Canada’s Young Company, and an all-female production of The Witch of Edmonton at Harbourfront.
In 1997 Julia switched careers, becoming a licensed instructor of The Nia Technique, Yoga and Pilates. She had her own studio in addition to teaching throughout York Region and the GTA until 2010. After returning to university as a mature student, she currently does rehabilitation therapy and case management with people who have experienced traumatic brain injury.
Julia discovered ISIS through the Introduction to Expressive Arts Therapy program and has joyfully been practicing expressive arts as a personal process ever since. She is thrilled to be associated with ISIS, and to be supporting students and practitioners of Expressive Arts Therapy.
Beth-Ann Little, B.A., E.C.E.
Beth-Ann graduated with a degree in Theatre and a diploma in Early Childhood Education. Her playful spirit and approachable manner are the qualities that have allowed her to remain dedicated in her career as a preschool educator. She has been acquainted with ISIS Canada for many years and has participated in ISIS events though her sister who was in ISIS Canada’s first graduating class. Beth-Ann is excited to be involved in helping the ISIS community.
Trish Sai-Chew, B.Arch., dipEXAT.
Trish graduated from ISIS in 2007. Since then she has been working as an Expressive Arts Therapist with adults with developmental disabilities and emotional disorders at MukiBaum Treatment Centres in Toronto. It is a real privilege to discover the trials and tribulations, as well as the unique perspectives, which life presents to the individuals she works with.
Initially Trish earned a Bachelor of Architecture in 1985 from the University of Toronto, and worked in architectural firms in Toronto, as well as farther afield in England and New Zealand. In New Zealand she also worked privately making jewellery and metalcraft. Here she trained in Massage and Energetic Therapies, as well as Holistic Nutrition. Upon returning to Canada, Trish was delighted to learn about Expressive Arts Therapy training at ISIS, for it felt like the right fit in combining her passion for the arts, community and working with people.
Anna MacKay-Smith
Anna MacKay-Smith was trained as an actress at The University of Ottawa for her B.A. in Theatre and English and then went on to theatre school in England, The Drama Centre, London for a three year acting program. Starting her professional career, she performed at regional theatres across Canada, including The Stratford Festival. Anna started teaching acting at C.A.S.T (Centre for Actors Study in Toronto) in the late 1980’s, where she had studied under the master teacher, Kurt Reis for many years. She returned to her studies at York University to obtain her MFA in Directing. Upon graduation she began to teach at York University, as well as, founding a full-time one-year foundation acting school in Toronto, called The Players Academy. Anna founded a professional play reading company The Motley Theatre, that has been in existence since 1996. Her company Life Lines, creates large performance pieces from the writings from men and women in the community. Anna works currently, as well, as a Creativity Life Coach, helping artists find their direction, inspiration and creativity. She currently teaches acting at George Brown College, University of Toronto Mississauga, Sheridan College and coaches privately. Anna is also a playwright and writes columns about life for a small newspaper.
Catherine Marrion
Catherine Marrion makes marks on paper (a poem or a picture), pets her cats and drinks coffee most mornings before going to work as a Voice and Movement professor in two acting programs at Humber College. She maintains a small Expressive Arts practice and sees clients for theatre coaching. Catherine is completing her Masters in Expressive Arts Therapy (European Graduate School) and also has a Masters of Fine Arts in Performance (York University). Most evenings, Catherine and her grandson make up stories about trucks, play piano and make marks on paper.
Leesa Landry
Taking her acquired skills and interest in Expressive Art Therapy, Coaching, NLP, and science (neuroscience, quantum physics and cellular biology), Leesa has created a unique approach to helping people discover their passions, define their purpose and break through self-limiting beliefs so they can experience more joy, fulfillment and success. She is a founding member and treasurer of the non-profit organization Miigam Wigwam-In the Spirit of Community Wellness as well as the author of the book “The Gift of Divorce” to be released in Fall 2013. Leesa began her journey with ISIS in the fall of 2002 when she started the Expressive Art Therapy program. She is delighted to come full circle and give back to the community which has given so much to her.