Meet the Team
Rachel
Operations Manager
and Board Liaison
Rachel Kleiman is a lifelong resident of Niagara and a proud alumna of both Brock University and Mohawk College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Social Service Worker Diploma. With substantial frontline and leadership experience in brain injury across both non-profit and private sectors, Rachel applies her expertise in fundraising and brain injury rehabilitation as the Operations Manager and Board Liaison for the Brain Injury Association of Niagara. She is committed to guiding the organization towards both present and future success
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Rachel has a rich history of volunteer work and is passionate about fostering community relationships and contributing to local initiatives. She previously held the position of Vice-President on the YWCA Niagara Region Board of Directors and currently serves as the Vice-President of the National Chronic Pain Society Board of Directors. Rachel is the proud recipient of the Hamilton (2021) and Niagara (2022) Top 40 Under Forty Business Achievement Awards.
Tamara
Program Coordinator
Tamara Little joined the Brain Injury Association of Niagara in September 2023 as the Program Coordinator, managing the daily operations of the Clubhouse as well as the delivery of programs and services offered at BIAN. She has an educational background in Occupational Therapy Assistant and Physiotherapy Assistant and Brain Disorder Management which lead her to working as a Case Manager in the Motor Vehicle Industry and joining the Board of the Directors for the Brain Injury Association of York Region prior to joining BIAN. Her passion lies in creating a supportive environment with meaningful activities and programs that foster recovery, growth, connection, creativity and the overall well-being of our Members.
Rachel I.
Support Group Facilitator
Rachel is a dedicated community advocate and social service worker with lived experience as both a brain injury survivor and a long-term caregiver. With a strong academic background, she attended the University of Toronto and earned a diploma in Grief Counselling with a focus on Ambiguous Loss after Illness from Wilfrid Laurier University. Currently, she is completing a degree in psychology, furthering her commitment to supporting others.
Rachel’s student practicum with the Brain Injury Association of Niagara (BIAN) provided not only valuable practical experience but also a profoundly compassionate and life-changing perspective on the importance of community support. She has also trained with Love Your Brain as a yoga and meditation teacher for healthcare professionals and facilitators, enhancing her ability to support individuals in their recovery journeys.
A strong believer in the power of community and connection, Rachel recognizes support groups as an essential component of recovery and healing. She is passionate about fostering inclusive and supportive environments that promote resilience and well-being.