SPEAKERS

Heather is an extremely skilled, well sought-after social worker, consultant and mentor throughout the G.T.A. and Region of Peel. She was chosen as the 2022 recipient of the Ontario Association of Social Workers Distinguished Social Worker Award. Heather has strong advocacy and servant leadership skills. Through HM Youth Foundation, a Foundation Heather created in 2020 with a mission to combat Anti-Black racism and create a community of intensive Black youth leaders. In that role, she supports social justice, equity integration and inclusion.

Heather is a Black, Metis, Multiracial woman, practicing social work from an Africentric and anti-oppressive lens. She believes in the principles of servant leadership.  She has over 25 years of experience within the social work sector and supervised many social workers working with at-risk youth in the Region of Peel.

With formal education and experience in both fields of social work and journalism, Heather represents the Foundation doing media interviews on Daytime and other local shows airing within the community. She co-anchored a lifestyle one hour show called Daytime and anchored Peels local news show City Magazine. Heather has sat on several committees who ask for her expertise in combating Anti Black racism at community round table discussions including Halton Catholic and Peel school boards. Her ease with collaboration and public speaking has been a definite asset to fulfilling the Mission of HM Youth Foundation, ensuring excellent collaboration with community partners.

Her vision, resourcefulness and creativity helped her secure Ministry funding for programming the Student Family Advocate program for the past 3 years but more money is needed to expand programming and support for youth in Peel.

Heather’s extraordinary ability to connect with any audience is unmatched as she is driven by her passion of understanding all youth are our future and none can be left behind. She has the experience, talent and versatility to work with you to tailor her presentation to the exact needs of your audience. As a multiracial woman adopted in 1969 into a white family through the Toronto Catholic Children’s Aid Society; finding her birth family 28 years later, she will take you on an emotional journey. She has lived experience with a real message.

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