Karen Brown
Karen Brown is the President and founder of SMILE Karen was a single mom of one son- Selassie when she founded SMILE. Karen has over 20 years of teaching experience in the education sector and currently serves as First Vice President of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario and Karen has a passion for helping others in need and knows first-hand the challenges of furthering her education while being a single mom. Karen believes that education is the great equalizer and is one of the key tools to lifting women and children out of poverty. Karen believes in transformational leadership and developing sustainable communities. Karen’s desire is to plant seeds of hope in the lives of single mothers and with smile’s support help them to blossom to their full potential. Karen is currently the first Black female President-Elect of the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario
Jackie Samuels
Jackie Samuels is a teacher with the Toronto District School Board and has served as a Smile volunteer for several years. Jackie is a mother of three and desires to help single mothers achieve their goals despite the obstacles they have encountered. Jackie hails from Jamaica and is delighted to be able to assist not only women in Canada but internationally. As a teacher Jackie knows the value of a good education and the doors it can open for women. Jackie looks forward to serving in her new role as Director and helping the next generation of women to soar to new heights.
Alethia Davis
Alethia Davis-Hecker is a founding member and the Director for Programs and Services for SMILE. Alethia graduated from the University of Windsor with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology. She has been in the field of employment consulting for over 10 years. She has worked with Youth and New Canadians for a not-for-profit organization in Toronto. Alethia currently works full-time as a Career Coordinator at the Ted Rogers School of Management, Ryerson University. Alethia enjoys spending time with her creative, loving and fun daughter. One of her greatest passions is encouraging individuals to live a fruitful life and always encouraging individuals to soar to their full potential.
Helen Hewitt
Helen Hewitt is a founding Director and Interim President of SMILE. She is a single mother of two beautiful boys. Along with Norma Anderson, Helen established smile’s international contact with the community of Prickley Pole Jamaica where smile’s first three international bursaries were distributed. Helen has experienced the joys and challenges of being a single mom. Helen is active in her local community and works with business partners to provide Christmas Hampers to single parents in need. Helen has an incredible ability to connect with people and she hopes her story of triumph will help other single mothers to aspire to be the best they can be. Helen is a Registered nurse at a Toronto Hospital.
Olive Creary-Satchell
Olive Creary-Satchell is a founding Director of SMILE. She is an educator who is passionate about teaching and learning and believes that all students can be successful if they are taught according to their specific learning needs. Olive is a Global Citizen who is dedicated to Equity in International Development and Social Justice, thus her involvement in helping to plant seeds of hope for single mothers who yearn to develop their academic, leadership/mentorship skills.
Sonia Ellis-Seguin
Sonia Ellis-Seguin is an Executive Assistant with The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario. Sonia Joined the Smile board in 2017 and is passionate about supporting single moms through parenting and leadership workshops. Sonia is a mother of four and as blended household she and her husband understand the challenges of dual and co-parenting. Sonia brings years of experience in the area of equity, social justice and empowering women to soar to great heights.