Our Team
Thyra Driver
Registered Speech-Language Pathologist and Clinic Owner
Thyra graduated from UBC as a Speech-Language Pathologist with a Master of Science in 2016. Since then, she worked in a variety of settings including the Burnaby School District, the Down Syndrome Resource Foundation, and the Gulf Islands School District, before starting Speechcombers Therapy. Speechcombers began on Salt Spring Island with Thyra working as the sole clinician. Her first clinic space was across the street from the beach, inspiring the name “Speechcombers”. Over the years, Speechcombers grew and in 2023, Thyra decided to fully focus her time and energy on supporting her Speechcombers clients. Thyra and Speechcombers moved to Vancouver in 2025, set up a welcoming clinic space, and expanded the team!
Thyra is passionate about helping kids, teens, and adults to achieve their communication goals - whether they are learning to advocate for themselves, trying to say a sound more clearly, navigating tricky social situations, or learning how to use an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device, for example. Thyra will work with you to establish and work toward goals that are meaningful to you.
Everyone has something to say, and we all deserve to be understood.
Outside of work, Thyra loves to spend time either out and about in nature, or inside and cozy with a hot cup of tea.
Olivia Meriano
Registered Speech-Language Pathologist
Olivia (“Liv”) is a Speech-Language Pathologist who completed her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology, with a minor in Audiology, at the University of British Columbia. Since graduating in 2016, she has worked with children, teens, and adults with developmental disabilities. Liv’s passion for supporting people with disabilities began early in life—she grew up with three siblings who have developmental disabilities and is a neurodivergent clinician herself. These personal experiences have shaped her approach to client-centred care and highlighted the importance of providing neurodiversity-affirming care. To Liv, this means recognizing that every brain is unique. In her practice, she seeks to understand and honour those differences, empowering individuals to become confident communicators. She focuses on providing support and accommodations that help people express themselves, connect with others, and feel truly seen, heard, and understood.
Her special interest areas include Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), and social-pragmatic communication. Liv’s undergraduate and graduate research explored the effects of drama-based theatre programs on the social communication of Autistic individuals. When she’s not working, Liv enjoys improvising with others on stage or spending quiet time alone in nature.
Jaiden Powell
Communication Health Assistant
Jaiden is a Communication Health Assistant who works under the supervision of our Speech-Language Pathologists. Prior to joining Speechcombers, Jaiden has supported families and children for three years as a Speech Therapy Assistant and a Behaviour Interventionist. She cannot imagine many more fulfilling career paths, and is pursuing schooling in speech and language development at UBC to keep learning about how to best support her clients and hopefully become a Speech-Language Pathologist.
When you work (and play!) with Jaiden, you can expect to also regularly see Thyra or Liv, and to receive more cost-effective speech-language pathology support.
Jaiden has a great many interests and it will be hard to find a topic that she does not find interesting. She has a big love for the arts as a big movie buff, frequent concert attendee and dancer. She can’t wait to get to know your or a loved ones’ interests as well!