At Healthy Youth Network we bring together experts in the education, mental health and business sectors in order to build a healthy community where all youth can flourish.
Zobia is a Faculty lead for Engineering design and policy projects and Faculty Member of Engineering at McMaster University. She is an expert in water/wastewater treatment, climate change, governance/policy, and decision-support tools. She is passionate about empowering youth. She is also Director for an international youth organization, Youth Sahara. She brings valuable experiences and equity, diversity lens to HYN.
Sherri holds a degree in child psychology and has spent many years professionally and personally supporting youth. She has a passion for assisting youth who are struggling. In her career as a recruiter and mediator, assisting youth in their career path has been a strong focus. She has also taken the initiative to train and assist youth with unique struggles and challenges, believing empowerment is the key to their resilience and success.
Sherri is the Program Manager for “What’s Your Path”
Sophie is a graphic designer, operating her Waterdown-based studio, MediaBay Creative with her husband Len. Sophie has been a Strategic Partner with the Healthy Youth Network (formerly HC-HY Flamborough) since the very beginning, lending her design experience to HYN and its programs. An active volunteer in her community, she is happy to concentrate her efforts with the Healthy Youth Network.
Derek is Head of Student Services and teacher at Waterdown District High School. He has over 20 years of experience in educating students and supporting families within the Hamilton Wentworth District School Board. Derek is a dedicated advocate for youth, helping them find their voice, manage conflict, and empowering them to discover their passions.
Jonathan Schinkel is a dedicated educator and is currently in the role of Secondary Administrator with the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB). Jonathan has a background in science and the environment and sits as a Director with BARC (Bay Area Restoration Council) in Hamilton. He’s passionate about collaborating to improve student outcomes and prepare students to be thoughtful citizens.
Kayla is the Program Coordinator of the YMCA Employment Services in Waterdown.
Mackenzie is a Media Studies graduate from the University of Guelph-Humber. Throughout university, she was involved in the Consent Peer Educator Program, working to promote a culture of consent on campus. Born and raised in Waterdown, she loves to find ways to be involved in the community. She has a strong passion for social activism.
Mackenzie is the Program Coordinator for H.E.A.R.T.
Chris Pera is a Special Project Administrator for Hamilton Ward 15 Councillor Ted McMeekin. A PMP certified Project Manager, he has a professional background in Market Research and a BA in History and Political Science from the University of Windsor. He has enjoyed an eclectic employment history, ranging from driving boats on Georgian Bay to managing market research facilities across Canada. He recently made the decision to move into a career field that allows him to better serve his community, showing that it’s never too late to start over and follow your passions.
Gina is the founder of Radiant Girls Inc., an organization dedicated to increasing girls self esteem and leadership, through health. Radiant Girls programs empower girls through coaching, camps, retreats and school seminars.
Her extensive expertise in fitness & lifestyle coaching started over 20 years ago as a certified Personal Trainer, Trained Pilates Teacher, Certified Yoga teacher, Certified Life Coach, a Certified Trainer of NLP, MER and Hypnotherapy, a BioSignature Practitioner. Gina sits on the advisory board for George Brown College’s Health Sciences Programs. Learn more.
A former Ward 15 Trustee for HWDSB, Penny has a background in Marketing, Business and Leadership Development. In 2009, Penny founded the Healthy Youth Network (formerly HC-HY Flamborough). She believes strongly in creating collaborative solutions that benefit youth and, using that approach, helped to create “What’s Your Path” and “The Flamborough Paint Challenge”.