Nuestros equipos
Acerca de los directores de SMJC
Colin Lyons
Hola, me llamo Colin. Nací y crecí en Hamilton, Ontario, y acabo de graduarme en Sociología (Opción Especialista) en la Universidad McMaster, con especialización en Salud Mental y Adicciones e Historia. En la actualidad, trabajo en una sucursal de banca minorista y me estoy matriculando en un programa de formación consecutiva del profesorado. Mi papel con SMJC es Tesorero y miembro del Consejo de Administración.
Shannon Jackson — Board Chair & Educational Consultant
Shannon Jackson is a board chair with experience supporting children, youth, and families navigating mental health challenges, school absenteeism, and caregiving. Her work draws on family advocacy and a commitment to helping young people access compassionate, practical support.
Faye Billings — Board Member
Faye Billings brings experience in administration, project management, and municipal activities through her work with the City of Grimsby, healthcare offices, nonprofit organizations, and corporations. She is active on several boards, drawing on her professional background and community, nonprofit, and corporate experience.
YMHC Advisory Council
Aaliya Kadvil — Advisory Council
She/Her
First Year Student @ McMaster iSci | Human Rights Advocate
Greater Toronto Area, Canada
I am a first-year Integrated Science student at McMaster University with a strong interest in the intersection of science, public health, and law. My academic focus combines chemical biology with interdisciplinary problem-solving, allowing me to explore how scientific research can inform ethical decision-making, policy, and community well-being.
Through experience in neuroscience, pharmaceuticals, youth mental health initiatives, and science communication, I have developed strong skills in research, organization, communication, and critical thinking. Alongside my academic pursuits, I work as a freelance debate coach, helping students strengthen their argumentation, public speaking, and analytical reasoning. This role has reinforced my ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, collaborate with diverse individuals, and foster thoughtful, evidence-based discussion.
Beyond academics, I enjoy contributing to initiatives that promote education and community engagement. My interests in creative writing, music, and civic issues complement my scientific background by encouraging curiosity, empathy, and effective communication.
Ultimately, my goal is to bridge science and policy to create meaningful, evidence-based solutions that improve public health and strengthen communities.
Aaliya began working with YMHC in March 2026 as a high school co-op student. She has now joined the Advisory Council and hopes to enhance the youth perspective on the work we do.
Ante Cuvalo — Board Director
He/Him
MD Candidate, Degroote School of Medicine Class of 2029 I BHSc, McMaster University Alum I MCAT Instructor, Tutor and Coach I Mental Health & Child Adversity/Resilience Research Assistant
Greater Toronto Area, Canada
Ante is a diligent, results-oriented person with a passion for community advocacy, mental health awareness, and comprehensive teaching/tutoring opportunities that simultaneously support the education and healthcare systems to enhance educational access and equity. He founding McMaster’s Building Bridges Mentorship in 2023 to provide tutor, mentorship, and workshop opportunities for students in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. Since 2026, BBM has been under the umbrella of YMHC and expanded its reach with another McMaster student program, JDCC, to include students from across Canada.
Brianna Farinango — Advisory Council
Brianna is a graduate of the Applied Psychology, Human Behavior program at McMaster University. Her focus is on community-based, trauma-informed approaches that emphasize connection, cultural sensitivity, and resilience. She incorporates her culture in her work through creativity and using art as a meaningful tool for healing, story-telling, and strengthening community connections.
Chelsea Wong — Advisory Council
Chelsea Wong is a medical student at the University of Alberta with a BSc in Psychology from the University of Calgary. Since 2020, she has contributed to YMHC as a volunteer and Board member, supporting community initiatives that advance accessibility and inclusive environments. Her work is guided by a commitment to empowering youth through compassion and evidence-informed approaches to mental wellness.
Janey Dickinson — Advisory Council
Janey Dickinson is a social science graduate specializing in addictions and mental health. At YMHC, she coordinates the Building Bridges program, bringing academic knowledge and a compassionate, youth-centered approach to supporting connection, resilience, and wellbeing.
Kirsten MacAulay — Co-Chair
She/Her
Child & Family Support | Child & Youth Advocate | IBCLC | Researcher | Advocate for Young People with Chronic Illness/ Dynamic Disabilities
YMHC: Board Co-chair, Parent Coach
Lincoln, Ontario, Canada
My work providing interdisciplinary support for children and families has been shaped by experiences across healthcare, education, research, and community settings. Through these experiences, I have come to value an approach rooted in social justice that bridges evidence-based practice with accessible, meaningful support for children, youth, and families.
Grounded in lived experience, my research and advocacy focus on amplifying the voices and experiences of youth living with invisible and dynamic disabilities, with a particular emphasis on participation, education, and belonging. This work informs my advocacy for more inclusive and responsive systems that recognize and support the realities of youth living with dynamic disabilities.
Central to my work is cultivating spaces where care honours young people’s lived experiences, centres their voices, and supports their ability to make meaningful contributions. This aligns with YMHC’s commitment to accessible, meaningful resources that support the healthy growth of young people.
Tracey Bazso
Mi nombre es Tracey Bazso (ella/ellos), y he estado con YMCH desde 2020. Soy estudiante de Maestría en Psicología de Orientación en la Universidad de Yorkville, y soy un C.C.C-Q. Me gradué de la universidad con una doble licenciatura en Estudios Bíblicos y Teológicos, y Trabajo Social con honores, y un certificado en Asesoramiento de Adicciones. La atención basada en el trauma es una de mis pasiones para las personas que se enfrentan a problemas de salud mental. Al crecer, tuve que luchar contra mis propios problemas de salud mental y no sentía que tuviera a nadie con quien hablar, de ahí surgió mi pasión por la salud mental de los jóvenes. Haber vivido la experiencia de la enfermedad mental me ha dado una perspectiva única en mi papel profesional en el campo de la salud mental. También soy queer, tengo problemas de audición y múltiples discapacidades, lo que me da una perspectiva adicional de por qué un enfoque integral y holístico de la salud mental es tan importante.
Walden Wu — Advisory Council
Hello, my name is Walden, and I am from Nanaimo, British Columbia. I am currently an undergraduate student studying Health Sciences at Queen's University. I have been with YMHC since February 2026 and have helped develop and review educational course content. I joined the advisory council in September 2026. I am excited to continue supporting YMHC's meaningful work, including its values of educational equity, youth empowerment, student voice, and hope.
Acerca de los miembros del personal del SMJC
Sheryl Boswell
Sheryl Boswell es la Directora Ejecutiva y Fundadora de Salud Mental Juvenil Canadá (SMJC), una organización benéfica sin ánimo de lucro centrada en la participación de los jóvenes, las familias y la comunidad en la educación, el apoyo, la defensa y el cambio en materia de salud mental.
El camino de Sheryl hacia SMJC comenzó en Hamilton, su ciudad natal. Cuando era adolescente, trabajó con jóvenes con discapacidad, fue a la universidad para continuar sus estudios en el campo, y después de la universidad, vivió en Zimbabwe durante tres años y trabajó como profesora de Educación Especial.
En Canadá, Sheryl ha enseñado a estudiantes de educación primaria, secundaria, postsecundaria y de adultos. También ha recibido formación como Life Skills Coach y Career Counselor.
Sheryl ha sido defensora de la salud mental durante casi 20 años. Ha contribuido al cambio en la educación para apoyar a los estudiantes con discapacidades de salud mental. Ha proporcionado apoyo a estudiantes de todo Canadá.
Sheryl ha escrito cinco libros de trabajo sobre bienestar mental, ha producido un documental nacional sobre salud mental juvenil con 150 estudiantes de tres provincias y un concurso nacional de cine sobre salud mental juvenil, Directing Change Canada, ha creado la mayor plataforma en línea sobre salud mental de Canadá y las mayores plataformas de medios sociales sobre salud mental juvenil a escala internacional. Sheryl trabaja con muchos suicidólogos, expertos y organizaciones internacionales, y es una experta y colaboradora muy reconocida en este campo.
Sheryl ha sido miembro activo de la Asociación Americana de Suicidología, la Coalición Internacional para el Abordaje y la Comprensión de las Experiencias Suicidas y la Asociación Internacional de Salud Mental Juvenil. Ha presentado ponencias en numerosas conferencias en todo Canadá y a nivel internacional y ha impartido talleres sobre salud mental juvenil y cursos de formación sobre una amplia variedad de temas para escuelas, organizaciones comunitarias, profesionales y familias.
Sheryl es superviviente de un suicidio. La experiencia de la pérdida ha informado su comprensión de las experiencias suicidas y la prevención del suicidio.
Janey Dickinson — Building Bridges Coordinator
I’m Janey Dickinson, I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Social Science, specializing in Addictions and Mental Health. I bring both academic understanding and heartfelt compassion to the work I do.I believe that every young person carries within them a universe of strength, waiting to be seen and supported. I walk beside them with empathy and intention by listening, learning, and helping them rediscover their resilience. To me, mental health is not simply the absence of struggle, but the presence of connection, courage, and care. I started working with YMHC in 2025 as a placement student, joined the Board of Directors/Advisory Council, and now work part-time as a coordinator of the YMHC Building Bridges program.
Kaitlyn Boudreault
Kaitlyn se unió a SMJC en octubre de 2023 y ha tenido un impacto significativo en el equipo desde entonces. Durante los últimos meses, ha coordinado la donación de más de 100.000 dólares en recursos de salud mental a bibliotecas, consejos escolares, universidades, organizaciones indígenas y organizaciones comunitarias locales de GTHA. Apoya a SMJC con la coordinación de contenidos para las páginas de medios sociales y el sitio web de SMJC. Se licenció con honores en Psicología por la Universidad de Toronto y se enorgullece de haber recibido el premio Matthew Helmer Community Award por su importante labor comunitaria y de defensa de la salud mental. Habiendo trabajado anteriormente en funciones administrativas y de marketing para organizaciones educativas y de bienestar, espera utilizar su formación académica, experiencia laboral y conocimientos en los campos de la salud mental, la psicología y la educación para ayudar a promover la misión del SMJC.
Acerca de los contactores de SMJC
Alstra Solutions Ltd.
En Salud Mental Juvenil Canadá (SMJC) estamos inmensamente agradecidos por el excepcional apoyo y las horas pro bono aportadas por Alstra Solutions. Su dedicación para ayudarnos a entrar en la era digital ha sido inestimable, mejorando nuestra página web, nuestros sistemas informáticos y automatizando nuestros procesos.
Alstra Solutions ofrece una amplia gama de soluciones en línea que van más allá del diseño de páginas web. Están especializados en diseño de sitios web corporativos, optimización de motores de búsqueda, publicidad en línea y análisis de datos de inteligencia de tráfico.
Para organizaciones benéficas, organizaciones sin ánimo de lucro y proyectos de servicio público, Alstra ofrece importantes descuentos e incluso alojamiento gratuito de sitios web durante periodos prolongados. Visite el sitio web de Alstra https://alstra.ca para obtener más información.
Gracias, Alstra Solutions, por formar parte de nuestro viaje y ayudarnos a tener un impacto significativo en la salud mental de los jóvenes.
Diseño de sitios web corporativos.
Rita Bruno-Gallo
Hi, I’m Rita Bruno-Gallo, your dedicated partner behind Rita B Designs. My curiosity for marketing led me to study Advertising, and my career has taken me through various design and print shops in Hamilton and Toronto, where I honed my skills in design software and print techniques. In 2005, I started my own business, began to travel the world to fuel my creativity and inspiration and grow my business in a way that suited my lifestyle.
I’m now your trusted studio for all things branding, graphic design, and print. Nestled in the heart of downtown Hamilton, Ontario, we bring over 20 years of experience, combining fun creativity with strategic marketing to make your business shine within any budget. Our boutique approach ensures that every project is personalized, reflecting your unique vision while attracting your ideal clients and boosting your profits.
Now back in Hamilton; where I call home, I’m dedicated to helping businesses and entrepreneurs thrive with budget-friendly, effective design and print solutions. Whether you need brand strategy, logo design, or marketing materials, I’m here to support your success.
You can find me at the Cotton Factory, cuddled with my cat, Zelda in my home office, at a local coffee shop, or visiting clients in Niagara, Toronto, and beyond. Come join me and let’s create something amazing together!
B.I.G. Charity Accounting