About the Volunteer Co-Hosts
Gino Akbari
Gino Akbari is a global citizen with a passion for understanding the human experience. Having lived across multiple cultures and worked in a wide range of industries—from military training to acting, politics, and entrepreneurship—Gino has developed a deep appreciation for how people think, behave, and thrive within their environments.
With over 12 years of experience training military personnel, he brings discipline, adaptability, and leadership into every space he enters. A multilingual speaker and lifelong learner, Gino’s journey has also led him to the performing arts, where he owns a dance company and embraces movement as a form of expression and connection.
Today, Gino is a certified life coach with credentials across various disciplines. His mission is simple yet powerful: to explore what it means to live a truly full life—and to guide others on their own paths of growth, purpose, and continuous self-improvement.
Karen Habashi
Karen Habashi, a mother of three, was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 40.
Originally a dentist, she transitioned to writing, which fuels her passion for storytelling while also deepening her understanding of the science and research behind neurodivergence.
An Egyptian residing in Vancouver, BC, Karen aims to raise awareness and provide more education to her community.
Her writing encompasses a wide range of topics, including mental health, the experiences of BIPOC and immigrants, motherhood with a chronic illness, and many others.
You can find her work here or follow her on Instagram to delve deeper into the topics she shares.
Karen Habashi
https://karenhabashi.wixsite.com/karen-habashi
Letara Couto
Letara is a passionate advocate for neurodivergent voices, drawing from both lived experience and her work in accessible education.
Diagnosed with ADHD at 12, she faced years of academic and personal challenges before finding her footing in college---when starting ADHD medication, it transformed her ability to learn, focus, and thrive. That shift inspired a deeper journey into accessibility and inclusive education.
After studying Accessible Media Production in 2018, Letara began working at Accessible Learning Services within her college. Now a full-time Learning Strategist and Adaptive Technologist, she spends her days helping students understand their unique learning styles and adapt technology to support their success.
Letara is also a proud mom to two incredible neurodivergent kids: an 11-year-old son with ADHD and Autism and a 9-year-old daughter with ADHD and anxiety. Her personal and professional experiences continue to shape her commitment to advocacy, empathy, and creating spaces where neurodiversity is not only accepted but celebrated.
As a co-host of the Neurodiversity Voices Podcast, Letara brings heart, insight, and a deep belief in the power of sharing our stories.
Dr. Tayaba Khan
Dr Tayaba Khan is a dental surgeon, a medical editor, a coach & trainer, and a health management and communications professional. She has over 20 years of experience in clinical dentistry, management, healthcare communications, training and teaching, and ethics pertaining to advanced healthcare aspects such as stem cell research and patient involvement in healthcare.
Dr Khan has extensive experience in liaising with researchers and industry, managing university partnerships, developing health IT companies, contributing as a patient advisor, training medical postgraduates, and conducting project management for startups. She coordinated and executed the annual Aga Khan University International Ethics Thinking Group meetings in 2018 (London) and 2019 (Lisbon), actively contributing towards discussions on stem cell research and future human ethics perspectives with world renowned leaders, theologians, scientists, and lawyers.
Dr Khan is currently a faculty at Bow Valley College, Calgary Alberta. Prior to this, Dr Khan supported Alberta Health Services as a credentialed EPIC trainer for the launch of ConnectCare, providing training for OPTIME modules, and contributed during the Calgary launch phase of this historical provincial healthcare change.
She is currently a Board Member for Imagine Citizens Network; Member at International Advisory Committee of Strategic Patient-Oriented Research Evidence Alliance (SPOREA); and a Member of the Patient Advisors Network (PAN), Canada.
In her various roles and capacities, she demonstrated skills in coaching and training, medical writing, editing, and healthcare communications, public engagement, mentoring, and grant development.
Dr Khan is passionate about patient advocacy and creating solutions bridging information gaps between various stakeholders in the healthcare industry, with patients at the heart.
Livia Ward
Livia Ward is a dedicated and versatile professional with a strong academic background and diverse work experience. She recently graduated from the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, with a double major in English Literature and Psychology.
Livia has gained valuable industry experience, showcasing her adaptability and commitment to excellence. She worked as a Multimedia Writer for the Vancouver Arts Colloquium Society (June 2024–September 2024), where she wrote research articles, conducted interviews for documentaries, and presented findings at monthly salons. She is a Supervisor at Dunbar Theatre (October 2023–Present), managing ticket and concession sales, handling cash and credit transactions, operating projectors, and promoting events through newsletters and social media.
Livia is also actively involved in volunteer work, contributing to organizations such as the Vancouver Comics Festival (May 2024), The Ubyssey (February 2025–Present), and The Writer’s Exchange (March 2025–Present).
With her academic background, professional experience, and volunteer contributions, Livia Ward demonstrates a passion for creativity, community engagement, and personal growth.