Kaylen Burgess
(Executive Director)
I’m the Executive Director and have been with the agency since 2009. I truly love my job. I often joke that I grew up at this agency, as I’ve spent my entire professional career with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Sarnia-Lambton, and many of life’s biggest milestones have happened while I’ve been here, surrounded by an incredible team.
I entered this field because, as clichéd as it may sound, I wanted to make a difference. I’ve stayed because I get to see that difference every day. Over the years, I’ve held many roles at the agency, and I’ve found something meaningful in each one. As Executive Director, I feel at home. I get to support an extraordinary team as they carry out work that truly matters.
The best part of my job is the people. I’m grateful for our dedicated volunteers and for the families who welcome us into their lives and trust us with their stories. I also love connecting with donors, learning what inspires them, and helping carry their hopes for our work forward. And I’m lucky to have a team I truly enjoy working with. We share a vision, and we support one another. It means a lot to be part of a team that shows up for our community, and even better, each other.
I am a Christmas fanatic, and every year I put up 3 Christmas trees: one real and two artificial. One always stays up far too long, into March. I will only drink hot coffee out of a mug, even in the car. My hidden talent and favourite thing is kitchen karaoke with ladles, never a mic.
Melissa Matthews
(Fund Development and Administrative Assistant)
I started in January 2011 and worked as the big bunch coordinator, Go-girls coordinator & caseworker. I took a break from 2017-2022 after having my second son and to start up my own business, then came back in the Fall of 2022 – so a total of 10 years! I love working for an agency that I truly believe in and believe BBBS has an incredible impact on so many children & youth in our community. After working within most of the programs we offer, I saw through experience the positive effect they had on so many kids in need. Now, I am happy to work to raise funds so that our team can continue to do the amazing work they do. I am a mom of two boys, I wish summer was year round, and I love to travel.
Sarah McSwain
(1:1 Community Based Caseworker)
I am a 1:1 Community program Caseworker and have been with the agency for 26 years, including 20 years as ISM Coordinator and 6 as Community Caseworker. I believe there is no better feeling than being the catalyst that helps better the life of a child or youth in our community. I love everything about my job, including the feel good moments, the people and families we meet, the laughter, and best of all, my co-workers. I could not find a better place to work. I have been a Big Sister myself, Christmas is my favorite season, and I love reading a good mystery.
Autumn Hollinger
(1:1 Community Based Caseworker)
I am a 1:1 Community Based Caseworker and have been with the agency for 10 Years. I work at Big Brothers Big Sisters because I am passionate about supporting the growth and development of youth. I continue to love coming to work because I feel inspired by the clients and colleagues I see every day, all of whom are working toward bettering themselves and the community. In my spare time, I love scrapbooking, thrift shopping, and singing “Sweater Weather” on karaoke.
Aleah Piggott
(1:1 Community Based Caseworker/Group Mentorship Coordinator)
I’ve been a Community-Based Caseworker at Big Brothers Big Sisters Sarnia-Lambton since May 2024, and more recently, the coordinator of Big Bunch, our group mentorship program. I feel lucky to work with a team that helps build such meaningful connections. One of the things I love most about my job is being part of creating experiences that help youth feel supported, included, and encouraged to be themselves! Outside of work, I love standing rink side watching my two boys do what they love, running, thrifting, and a good DIY home project.
Phil Hazzard
(Caseworker/Community Based Group Mentoring Coordinator)
I’ve been with the agency since 2024. I do what I do at BBBS because I fully believe in the power of mentorship and that Sarnia – Lambton has the ability to ignite the potential in youth in our community. Mentoring youth is fun, sharing experiences is rewarding, and I also love empowering mentors to mentor the next generation and setting them up for success. Some mornings before work I bust out my guitar and sing and dance with my daughter in the kitchen, which goes great with coffee 🙂. I absolutely love food, nutrition, and living an active lifestyle. I also enjoy being a mentee to some and a mentor to others. We all have something to teach and to learn, in every stage of life.
Nicole Cook
(In School Mentoring Coordinator)
I am in my fourth year with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Sarnia-Lambton as the In-School Mentoring (ISM) Coordinator. In my role, I work with local schools, Lambton College students, volunteers, and other community partners to connect children with mentors who can provide friendship, encouragement, and support. I love being part of a program that helps children feel seen, supported, and confident in themselves. I believe that sometimes having just one person in your corner can make a big difference, and I love helping create those meaningful connections. Outside of work, I’m a huge music lover and enjoy playing acoustic guitar. I’m a proud mom and love spending time with my family, and I once went backpacking through Thailand for two months with my 7-month-old baby!
Samantha Hendrickx (leave)
(GO Girls and Game ON Coordinator)
I started with BBBS as a volunteer in 2015 as an In School Mentor and then completed a field placement with BBBS during college. I knew I wanted to continue being a part of the agency and I was ecstatic to become a staff member after I graduated in 2018. I was also a Big Sister and still remain close with my Little today. I’ve had a few different roles in the agency and am currently the coordinator for our school-based programs, GO Girls and Game ON, and coordinate our monthly match events for our Big and Little matches. I love that our agency is all about the impact of mentoring and highlights how just one person in someone’s life can make a difference. I feel so lucky to work with an amazing group of people and feel passionate about what I do each day. Outside of work, I rewatch the Hobbit every Christmas, love reading big books, enjoy family board game nights, and love kayaking with my husband.
Kurtis Lush
(GO Girls and Game ON Coordinator)
I have just joined the staff but have been a volunteer, as a Big, with BBBS since 2022. I love helping people and seeing kindness in action. The work at BBBS brings joy to so many people, not just the youth but also the adults involved. Nothing makes me happier than being a part of spreading kindness, joy and hope. I have travelled to 5 of the 7 continents in the world, and my favourite things to cook at home are the things I can’t commonly get on a menu here in Sarnia. I also love to volunteer in my community in unique ways, including helping diverse communities host cultural events, learning to be a lion dancer, hosting exchange students in my home, and helping Santas around town as an elf during the Christmas season. Everyone has a unique way they can help their community and, if more people follow their passions through volunteering, our community will become a better place because of it!