Photo of Joan Durrant.

Dr. Joan Durrant | Founder and Executive Director

Click here for Joan’s bio.

Email: JDurrant@dev29.my-dev-123.com


Naomi Curtis

Naomi Curtis | Administrative Assistant

I am currently completing a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the University of Manitoba. Working with PDEL allows me to pursue my passion for supporting children and their families.  I organize and maintain PDEL’s databases, address inquiries, assist Senior Trainers, and provide administrative support to the organization and its staff.

Email: ncurtis@dev29.my-dev-123.com


Gia Ly Jackson | Training and Logistics Coordinator

I hold a Master’s degree in Family Social Sciences and I have a background in early childhood education. I coordinate the roll-out of PDEL’s large training projects and oversee the collection and analysis of evaluation data. I am also the mother of a resourceful preschooler and I find it a wonderful and exciting privilege to watch her grow into her own person.

Email:  GlyJackson@dev29.my-dev-123.com


Janice MacAualay | Director of Operations

I bring many years of experience working in the voluntary sector to this position – first as Parent Education Coordinator at a community-based family resource program, followed by a long association with the Canadian Association for Family Resource Programs (now Families Canada), where I began as Project and Research Director before becoming the Executive Director for over a decade. I now oversee PDEL’s daily operations to ensure efficiency and integrity in all of its work.

Email: JMacaulay@dev29.my-dev-123.com


Jean Tinling | Director of Program Implementation and Training

I was an early years teacher for 30 years, followed by 12 years as Director of Family Programs at Mosaic Newcomer Family Resource Network.  As a PDEP Master Trainer since 2011, I have trained Country Trainers and Program Facilitators in Canada, Indonesia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, and Tanzania.  I guide the implementation of PDEP across Canada, overseeing the training and mentorship of new Facilitators and supporting those who have been trained previously.

Email: JTinling@dev29.my-dev-123.com


Cyma Tolaj | Project and Finance Officer

I hold a Master’s degree in Sociology.  I provide operational support to PDEL, coordinating and monitoring project plans, partnership agreements, and budgets for international and domestic projects.

Email:  CTolaj@dev29.my-dev-123.com


PDEL organizes training in positive discipline across Canada and around the world. The training is delivered by our teams of Master Trainers and Certified Country Trainers.