Our People

RIRO is fortunate to have been developed and nurtured by the same core team of staff, supporters and advisors since it was first conceived.


Meet the people that think and do resilience everyday

Darlene Kordich Hall, RN, PhD
For more than 30 years, Darlene has been a researcher and clinician focused on mental health promotion in children and families. She is RIRO’s coordinator and co-developer of the program. She is responsible for RIRO’s ongoing evaluation and research. Before coming to RIRO, she developed and evaluated several early intervention programs including an evidence-based treatment program for young children at risk for maltreatment. She was a faculty member in the School of Nursing at York University as well as several universities in the United States. She is published and is a recognized trainer in the areas of child maltreatment, trauma and resilience. Darlene is the parent of two daughters who are a source of inspiration in her work on resilience.

Jennifer Pearson, BFA, Clinical Member, OSP
Jennifer is a psychotherapist in private practice and recognized trainer and consultant in education and mental health settings. Jennifer is co-developer and lead writer for RIRO’s skills training program. She directed RIRO's training videos and heads the train-the-trainer program. Prior to RIRO, Jennifer led clinical staff trainings in practical application of resilience theory with children and families, and co-developed and facilitated programs in family resilience, trauma assessment and fostering pro-social change in children with aggressive behaviour. She has directed several documentary-style training videos and has published on resilience promotion, and using the arts and therapeutic metaphor to promote creative expression and interpersonal skills in children at-risk socially and emotionally. Jennifer is a grateful grandmother of three spirited children.

...and RIRO trainers & volunteers
More than 175 RIRO Trainers bring the resiliency skills to their communities across Canada from large urban areas to small northern communities. Our volunteer RIRO Presenters offer presentations to increase public awareness about the importance of promoting resilience in young children. And Rolfe Morrison, PhD volunteers countless hours managing our database and providing statistical consultation that supports the ongoing evaluation of RIRO programs. Special acknowledgement goes to Paola Hohenadel and Tricia Holzworth for their contribution to the development of the skills training and to Karen Dykstra for her work on the pilot project.

Meet the sponsors that brought RIRO to life and continue to guide its development

Child and Family Partnership
Reaching IN...Reaching OUT (RIRO) is sponsored by the Child & Family Partnership, a group of four organizations committed to promoting resilience in children and families. This long-standing partnership has supported the development, evaluation and dissemination of RIRO.

The following members of the partnership have given their time, know-how, unflagging support and leadership since RIRO's inception:

Lorrie Huggins, MA, EdS
General Manager Child, Youth & Family Development
YMCA of Greater Toronto

Tony Diniz, MSW
Executive Director
Child Development Institute

Donna Lero, PhD
Jarislowsky Chair in Families and Work
Centre for Families, Work & Well-Being
University of Guelph

Kathleen Brophy, PhD
Professor, Department of Family Relations & Applied Nutrition
University of Guelph

Patricia Chorney-Rubin, BA
Chair, Early Childhood Program
George Brown College

Connie Winder, MA
Professor, Early Childhood Program
George Brown College




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