Our team

Our award-winning team of trainers and therapists is changing lives in Bangkok and beyond. Find out who we are and how we can help you.

“Not just friends, not just trainees and job coaches, here at Steps we are ‘family’ who are always ready to accept, understand and support each other.”
– Pear, Bangkok team.

Our goal is to give our trainees a great future

We believe our trainees deserve the best, so we’re really proud to have built an outstanding team of professionals here at Steps. It’s not just that we share a personal passion to achieve our mission. Everyone, from our vocational trainers to our team of therapists, is qualified to the highest standard, and our vocational training programme is UK-accredited. We have won a number of awards in recognition of our dedication and expertise.

You can read about the team behind the Steps Therapy Centre here. Otherwise, read on to find out more about the team behind our vocational training centres.

Award winners

Our team has won a number of national and international awards in recognition of our dedication and expertise. Find out more about them.

Max Simpson – CEO/Founder

Max’s qualifications: MA Special Educational Needs & Inclusion, PG CERT Special Educational Needs Coordination

Max says:

I have been working with the neurodiverse community for the past 15 years and the longer I work alongside this community, the more evidence I have that they are value adding employees to any business.

Originally from the UK, I have worked in a variety of settings including learning support departments and with young people in care. I then went on to focus on transition to employment before moving to Bangkok and becoming deputy head of a special needs school.

After working there for 4 years, I saw the gap between education and employment and the need for transition services for people with special needs. I believe partnership is the key to creating a more inclusive society.

What I love about Steps: It is more than a training centre or coffee shop, it is a safe community space for all which promotes individuality. The community we work with have so many skills to offer and I love seeing them get the opportunity to do that in our real work environments.

photo of the director of partnerships, Uang

Uang Hotrakitya – Director of Partnerships/Founder

Uang’s qualifications: BA and MA in International Relations, MA in Social Innovation and Sustainability, Diploma in Patisserie and Thai Cuisine at Le Cordon Bleu Dusit Culinary School

Uang says:

From my work at the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to opening several social enterprises and co-founding Steps, I believe workplaces and society benefit hugely from inclusion. Social enterprise is a powerful tool to help create systemic impact for the neurodiverse community.

Providing employment opportunities for young neurodiverse adults is a topic close to my heart and something that is lacking in Bangkok. I am excited to see the many positive outcomes for our trainees and help them step towards a more independent and fulfilling future.

What I love about Steps: I love seeing our coffee shop staff develop into job coaches and advocates for our mission.

Pear Chainares – Head of Education

Pear’s qualifications: M.Sc. Mental Health

Pear says:

Working with the neurodivergent community has continuously been my passion since I was inspired by an amazing boy 6 years ago in a piano class.

Since received my M.Sc. and certification in applied behaviour analysis, I have provided behavioural therapy and differentiated education to children and young people at special learning centres and in school environments.

Now at Steps , I continue to work with my favourite people, facilitating and coaching them in all the functional skills they need for living independently, and for making their dream jobs come true.

What I love about Steps: Not just friends, not just trainees and job coaches, here at Steps we are ‘family’ who are always ready to accept, understand and support each other.

Yim Minchainant – Head of Centre

Yim’s qualifications: MSc Children and Young People’s Mental Health and Psychological Practice

Yim says:

I found my interest in developmental psychology whilst at school as three of my middle school classmates were children with learning differences.

Within the supportive environment of an inclusive school, I saw the different ways my friends interacted with the world and their ability to go beyond expectations. I pursued my passion in young people’s psychological growth through my higher education and now my career.

What I love about Steps: I believe in the vision of being an inclusive community, which at Steps starts with our models of inclusive employment. With hands-on experience in a real-life working environment and collaborative support from staff, I can see the positive changes happening amongst our trainees, which is the most rewarding part of my job.

Kik – Job Coach

Kik’s qualifications – Bachelor of Social Work Program

Kik says:

I am passionate about working with young people so I had decided to work as a volunteer teacher after I graduated from university. In addition, I worked at a small school in a Hill Tribe village. After working there for 4 months, I wanted to further my experience by working with the neurodivergent community and decided to join at Steps.

What I love about Steps: Steps is more than my workplace, it is a place that I call “home” and the people here are a pleasure to work with and make it enjoyable to come to work.

Nat Eiamsataporn – Project Manager, Neurodiversity at Work Research Centre (NWRC)

Nat’s qualifications: MA Special and Inclusive Education, Ph.D. candidate in Quality of Life Development for Persons with Disabilities.

Nat says:

I have been working as a Special Educational Needs teacher and job coach in Thailand for over 10 years at Steps, special education center, and private hospitals in Bangkok.

At the same time, I have been volunteering and working with various non-profit organizations to create equal opportunities and accessibility for everyone in the Thai neurodivergent community, regardless of their social background.

What I love about working at Steps: It is a place where all everyone can shine and show society how awesome and value adding they are!

Oui Termnuwong – Job Coach and Safeguarding Lead

Oui’s qualifications: BSc Occupational Therapy

Oui says:

I am always pleased to see our trainees be proud of themselves and see their own success. My role includes giving our trainees opportunities to show their maximum capability alongside helping them improve their basic skills. This helps to increase their independence for well being in work, leisure, and activities of daily living which is what I love about being an OT/Job Coach.

What I love about working at Steps:

One of my responsibilities is to oversee our Business Service Centre, a real, on-site inclusive business which provides both training and employment opportunities for our trainees and graduates. I get to use my skills as an OT to make different types of work accessible which become models for other organisations to use.

Dipika Mangal – Occupational Therapist

Dipika qualifications: BSc/MA in Occupational Therapy

Dipika says:

I get to help people do or get back to doing what is meaningful to them and their families. That inspires me everyday. These days, I’m mostly working with young children and I get to disguise learning and development with play, sensory experiences and motivating activities. When children are engaged and having fun, they push and challenge themselves without even thinking about it!

What I love about working at Steps:

What’s not to love?! We are inclusive, helping people live their best life and there’s coffee to go with it!

April-Joy Beresford – Job Coach

April’s qualifications: MA Disability Studies (specializing in Applied Behaviour Analysis ABA)

April says:

Over the last 20 years, I have worked in a variety of settings supporting the neurodiversity community. Having spent the last 6 years working in the Bangkok International School community, supporting Primary school children with disabilities, I am thrilled that I will now focus my skills on supporting young people in their transition to employment.

I really enjoy watching the trainees’ self-confidence build as they explore hands-on work experience in a real work environment. Being a part of this community means that I feel deeply inspired each day that I come to Steps. In this environment, I can do meaningful work that helps young adults realize their full potential and every day, without a doubt, the trainees put a smile on my face.

What I love about working at Steps:

The entire team at Steps are extremely dedicated to guiding and encouraging trainees to seek out employment opportunities. The trainees and their families always know they have our full support.

Yannina Redil – Job Coach

Yanni’s qualifications: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology/MBA

Yanni says:

My experience working with the neurodiverse community began when I volunteered at one of the Philippines’ Government schools. It was a wonderful experience, and it has become my passion since then. I have been working in international schools in Bangkok with a focus on helping neurodivergent young people and honing their skills. With my experience and skills, I am excited to give support to trainees in their transition into employment.

What I love about working at Steps:

The team is amazing; we are a family here. I like that we work together and build professional learning communities to give our trainees the best chance to do well and give them a sense of community and belonging.

Find out more

Our therapists

Read more about our team of professional therapists – friendly, highly qualified and ready to work with children aged three years and up.

Steps Therapy Centre

About us

We’re on a mission to change lives in Bangkok and beyond. Perhaps your child is neurodivergent or you are a teacher who wants to be more inclusive. Find out how we can help you.