Provincial Executive Biographies

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Jim Rea

President and SEAC Co-ordinator 

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As the father of two gifted children, Jim is deeply aware of the challenges that bright youth face in the public school system in order to thrive emotionally, socially and academically.  Jim is co-chair of the Provincial Parents Associations Advisory Committee on SEAC (PAAC on SEAC). He is also a Parent Mentor and a Community Manager for Uniquely Bright Life (formerly Bright & Quirky), an organization that provides education and support for parents of twice exceptional youth.


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Jennifer Luong-Yau is a public sector lawyer and the mother of a gifted son. She is a member of the Toronto chapter of ABC Ontario and believes in ensuring that gifted children receive equitable access to special education. She first got involved with ABC while appealing her son’s Identification, Placement, and Review Committee (IPRC) decision. At ABC Ontario, Jenn has chaired the By-Laws Committee and serves on the Advocacy Committee. 

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Jen Ellis has built her career around one core belief: that strong communities change lives. As Owner/Operator of Mommy Connections, she supports thousands of mothers and families across Peel and Halton each year through programs centered on social connection and perinatal education.

Before launching her business, Jen built a decade-long career in Corporate Communications, Branding, and Public Relations across Canadian and European markets. As Account Director, she worked with high-profile clients in the luxury, hospitality, and financial sectors — with highlights including the launch of Air Canada Rouge, global press trips, and marquee events at TIFF, the Bliss Ball in support of SickKids, and The Royal Geographical Society in London.

A true global citizen, Jen has lived in Shanghai, where she performed as a professional dance artist, and in London, where she first built her PR career. She brings that international perspective — and a deep appreciation for community — back home, where she also volunteers at her children's school and serves on the board of the Association for Bright Children of Ontario.

When she's not running her business, Jen can be found training for her next marathon, planning her next family trip, and cherishing time with her kids, husband and cats. She is proud to lend her voice to advocating for gifted children and their families.

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Yan Zhou is a dedicated parent, active school council executive member, and advocate for improving education in York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB) with a focus on Markham. He maintains a resource website for YCDSB parents at https://yanzhoueducation.ca. As a father of three boys, he understands the challenges that parents face when navigating the school system, and believes in empowering families with the knowledge and resources they need to support their children’s education.

Yan is actively involved in school councils, community initiatives, and advocacy efforts, ensuring that parents have a strong voice in shaping policies that impact their children’s learning experience. From fundraising for school resources to helping families access special education support, he is passionate about collaborating with parents, educators, and community members to improve our schools.

Yan has been recognized for his efforts in community service and advocacy. In 2022, he received the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Award and in 2025, he received the Markham Unionville Achievement Award for his contributions to the community.

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Melanie Harsch

Director of Resource and Volunteer Development 

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Melanie Harsch is a Registered Social Worker (RSW) with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), a Master of Social Work (MSW), and brings years of experience working with children, youth, and adults both locally and abroad. Melanie’s special interest in working with and supporting gifted children and their families grew out of her experience parenting two gifted daughters, experiencing the amazing guidance of the Davidson Young Scholars program (DYS), an organization for families with profoundly intelligent children, and volunteering with the gifted organization Partners for the Advancement of Gifted Education (PAGE), a gifted support organization.
 
Melanie began her therapy career at a clinic for children and families, and after a move to Qingdao, China, she enjoyed years working as a school counselor at an international school. Currently she sees clients in person at a clinic in East York and also works for an international agency, meeting virtually with clients across the globe.
 
Melanie is married to a registered psychotherapist. She and her husband have two daughters in university, a chubby gray cat, a very loud black kitty who loves whipped cream, and a fluffy black rescue puppy named Indie. In her spare time, Melanie volunteers with a community garden and is learning to play pickleball.
 
Wanda Backus-Kelly
Education Liaison 
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Wanda Backus-Kelly is a retired elementary teacher with over 20 years experience working with Gifted, Talented and Gifted 2e students. She worked for a decade as a member of a dedicated team of Enrichment teachers, and then went on to teach Gifted congregated classes. Her final years in teaching were spent as central staff, in the role of Gifted Teacher Consultant. She continues to support teachers to program for the Gifted through a network of informal connections and drop-in meetings in an on-line community. She is married, with two nearly- fully fledged children, and enjoys volunteering across a number of other worthy community causes.

 

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