Our Team

We have over 70 years of combined experience in acquired brain injury.

Our Director

Jeff Tronetti

Jeff Tronetti, has accumulated 28 years of experience working directly with over 500 individuals of all ages who sustained an acquired brain injury. He obtained his extensive experience and knowledge while working for 9 years as a member of a transdisciplinary team at a hospital unit specializing in acquired brain injury and mental health, and at various residential and community-based agencies.

During this time period, Jeff also gained experience as a Child and Youth Worker in a wide range of settings: elementary and high school systems, open and closed-custody facilities, Children’s Aid Society group homes, foster care settings, adolescent psychiatric residential facilities and hospital units, and street youth resource centers. His experience further includes working in the capacity of a Residential Counsellor for adults with developmental disabilities. In addition, Jeff has been a certified fitness professional for 17 years, offering personalized exercise programs and fitness education to individuals who have sustained an acquired brain injury.

Genesis evolved from Jeff’s commitment to providing quality service, his devotion to acquiring a vast array of work experience and his dedication to offering a unique and comprehensive skill set. His sincere passion to help people with special needs and exceptional commitment to learn the essential techniques and principles for observing and communicating the emerging issues of his clientele serves as the cornerstone for the philosophy of Genesis Community Rehabilitation, Inc.

As the Director of Genesis, Jeff maintains and builds on his philosophy by providing open and continuous collaboration with his Managers, who in turn pass on his principles while providing guidance and supervision to his rehabilitation support workers. In addition, Jeff augments his knowledge and skills on an ongoing basis by providing one-to-one care as a rehabilitation support worker.

Behaviour Consultants

Empowering Recovery, Inspiring Resilience

Dwayne Robinson - Director of Behaviour Therapy

Mr. Dwayne Robinson has over 42 years of experience in Behaviour Therapy and Applied Behaviour Analysis, working with adults and children living with the effects of an acquired brain injury and/or mental health issues. He has extensive experience both in community and hospital in-patient settings.

He worked as a Behaviour Therapist for the Regional Rehabilitation Centre in the Neurobehavioural Rehabilitation Program at Hamilton Health Sciences in addition to owning and operating DRConsulting, a private practice providing Behaviour Consultation Services throughout the province of Ontario.

Previously, he worked as a Behaviour Therapist at St. Joseph’s Healthcare in the Acquired Brain Injury Program of Centre for Mountain Health Services (CMHS). Within his work at CMHS he was the Founder and Lead Consultant for the Behaviour Consultation team at that centre, which provided behaviour treatment strategies and data collection systems to all mental health units within the organization. His interest in Behaviour Therapy and its role in Psychiatric Hospitals resulted in extensive research in this area. In May 2004 he completed a 3-month Behaviour Consultation Pilot Project in which he delineated the needs, barriers and resources required to implement behaviour therapy at CMHS.

Dwayne has been a Concurrent Session Speaker at the 10th, 13th, 17th, and 23rd Annual Conferences on Neurobehavioural Rehabilitation in Acquired Brain Injury in June 2003, May 2006, May 2010, and May 2016.

In 2008, Dwayne joined Genesis as a Behaviour Consultant for the company. On January 1st, 2018, Mr. Robinson accepted a full-time position as Director of Behaviour Therapy for Genesis Community Rehabilitation, Inc.

Genesis behaviour consultants possess 45 years combined experience working with individuals with brain injuries and/or mental health issues who have complex behavioural needs. In addition, they have specialized expertise in the management and treatment of behaviours associated with conversion disorder, anxiety, depression and addiction. Their experience has involved working in the clinical setting, private practice and various community based rehabilitation agencies.

Under the direction of regulated health care professionals, our behaviour consultants conduct thorough assessments to obtain the scope of the behavioural issues and communicate the findings through detailed reports. They create and monitor behaviour treatment and management plans, evaluate measurable and quantifiable data, make recommendations for effective strategies and provide ongoing comprehensive management reports. Client progress is continually monitored and any required revisions to programming are implemented in a timely manner to ensure optimal outcomes. Throughout their involvement, the behaviour consultants provide ongoing supervision and guidance to the rehabilitation support workers, along with support for the client, the treatment team, caregivers and family members.

Alessandra Cutone - RBA (Ont.), BCBA

Alessandra Cutone is a seasoned Behaviour Analyst with 19 years of dedicated experience in the field of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA). Holding a Master of Science degree in applied behaviour analysis and a Registered Behaviour Analyst in Ontario (RBA (Ont.) and a Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA), Alessandra Cutone has spent her career specializing in the assessment and treatment of individuals with a wide range of behavioural and developmental disorders.

Alessandra’s extensive expertise includes working with children, adolescents, and adults, providing individualized therapy that addresses Acquired Brain Injury, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Mental Health Diagnosis such as ADHD, Anxiety Disorders, Depression, Mood Disorder, Dual Diagnosis and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Her therapeutic approach is rooted in evidence-based practices, ensuring that clients receive the most effective and compassionate care possible.

For the past 19 years, Alessandra has been an integral part of many teams and organizations throughout the Greater Toronto Area. In this role, she has collaborated with a variety of multidisciplinary clinicians to develop and implement comprehensive treatment plans tailored to each patient’s unique needs. Her work within the field of ABA has earned her a reputation for excellence in client care, as well as the respect and admiration of her colleagues.

Alessandra is passionate about empowering her clients and their families and caregivers through education and support. She regularly conducts workshops and training sessions for parents, caregivers, and educators, helping them to understand and effectively manage behavioural issues in various settings.
In addition to her clinical work, Alessandra is a member of the Association for Behaviour Analysis International (ABAI) and the Ontario Association for Behaviour Analysis (ONTABA). She is committed to staying current with the latest research and advancements in behavioural therapy to continually enhance her practice.
Alessandra’s dedication to her field is matched by her compassion for her clients, making her a trusted and valued therapist in her community.

Our Management Team

Leading with Vision, Empowering with Purpose

Cheryl Button - Managing Director

Cheryl Button completed a Master of Applied Disability Studies with a specialization in Applied Behaviour Analysis at Brock University and holds an honours degree in Psychology from McMaster University.

Cheryl has over 23 years of experience working with children and adults living with the effects of an acquired brain injury in both community and hospital settings. She worked as a senior rehabilitation therapist at the Centre for Behavioural Services at Hamilton Health Sciences, along with various private rehabilitation companies and as a child and youth worker in a behaviour treatment home for adolescents between the ages of 12-15. In 2009, Cheryl joined Genesis and became the Senior Manager then in January of 2016, she was promoted to Managing Director at Genesis Community Rehabilitation, Inc. She also continues to work as a rehabilitation support worker at Genesis, working with children and adults with acquired brain injury and/or mental health issues.

Ashley Preston - Manager

Ashley Preston holds an honours degree in Psychology from Trent University and earned an Advanced Diploma with Distinction in Behavioural Science Technology from St. Lawrence College.

Ashley has over 14 years experience working with children and adults living with the effects of an acquired brain injury and/or mental health illness in a variety of settings, including residential facilities and community-based outreach programs. Ashley joined Genesis in 2011 and has continued to gain experience working as a rehabilitation support worker assisting clients with complex needs and/or behavioural challenges, implementing rehabilitation programming under the direction of multidisciplinary treatment teams.
She currently holds a Management position at Genesis coordinating files, recruiting and supervising Rehabilitation Support Workers, Behaviour Therapy Assistants and Child and Youth Workers.

Christine Palya

Christine Palya holds a Social Service Worker diploma from Lambton College and has completed courses towards obtaining her bachelor’s degree in social work at Kings College at Western University.

She has over 16 years of experience working with children, adolescents and adults living with the effects of a traumatic brain injury and complex mental health illnesses in the community, residential and employment-based settings.

Christine joined Genesis in 2018 and began working on the front line as a rehabilitation support worker, assisting clients with various rehabilitation goals, reintegrating them back into the community while navigating complex behavioural and mental health challenges. In 2021, Christine transitioned into a management role, taking on responsibilities in recruitment, coordination, and training of rehabilitation support staff. She now oversees her team’s performance, providing guidance, supervision, and the highest standards of care. With a strong commitment to fostering client progress and supporting her team, Christine continues to make meaningful contributions at Genesis.

Our Office Team

The Heartbeat of Our Operations

Carly De Mello - Office Manager

Carly De Mello has been an integral part of Genesis since she joined the team in 2012. Starting her journey as an Administrative Assistant, Carly quickly demonstrated exceptional organizational skills and a strong commitment to supporting the day-to-day operations.

Over the years, Carly’s contributions to Genesis extended beyond her initial administrative responsibilities. She became involved in streamlining office processes, software development and improving workflow efficiency. Her dedication to Genesis and its mission eventually led to her being promoted to Office Manager in 2016, a position she has excelled in since taking on the responsibility.

As Office Manager, Carly continues to oversee a wide range of administrative functions, ensuring that operations run smoothly and efficiently. She works closely with both the leadership team, and staff members, helping to coordinate internal processes, manage office resources, and maintain a productive work environment.

David Tronetti - Finance Manager

David Tronetti has been a dedicated member of the Genesis Team since 2008, initially assisting with the development of the billing process.

With a strong background in finance and bookkeeping, David quickly became an essential part of the financial operations, ensuring the efficient management of resources and contributing to its growth and stability. Over the years, he has demonstrated exceptional skills in budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis, consistently delivering results that support the organization in the delivery of community service.

In 2016, David was promoted to Finance Manager and has been responsible for overseeing day-to-day financial operations, managing front and back-end financial reporting, providing input for software automation, and guiding key decisions that impact the overall strategic direction of the company.

Throughout his tenure, David has collaborated closely with our Director, Office Manager, and consultants to develop streamlined processes, offering valuable insights that have significantly enhanced the efficiency and long-term sustainability of the organization’s financial health.