Our Teams
About the YMHC Directors
Brianna Farinango
Brianna is a fourth year Applied Psychology student 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
Hi, I’m Chelsea. I have a BSc in Psychology from the University of Calgary and am currently a medical student at the University of Alberta. I have been part of YMHC since 2020 as a volunteer and a member of the Board of Directors. I am actively involved in community initiatives that support underrepresented youth, seniors, and families, emphasizing accessibility and inclusive, supportive environments. My work in both academic and community settings is driven by a commitment to empowering youth through compassion, collaboration, and evidence-informed approaches to mental wellness. Outside of academics, she is loves figure skating and baking/cooking for her food blog @freshandflavourful.
Colin Lyons
Hi my name is Colin. Born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario, I am a graduate of McMaster University’s Sociology (Specialist Option) program with minors in Mental Health and Addictions and History. Currently, I am enrolled at Wilfrid Laurier University in their Bachelor of Education program (Primary/Junior section). My role with YMHC is Treasurer and member of the Board of Directors.
Janey Dickinson
I’m Janey Dickinson, a fourth year student in the 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—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.
Kristen Zucker
Hello!! My name is Kristen Zucker. I am a recent graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University, where I finished with a Bachelor of Business Administration with a specialization in Marketing. I was born and raised in Ancaster Ontario and currently work as a Personal Banking Associate at TD Bank. In December of 2024, I joined Youth Mental Health Canada as a Member of the Board of Directors, and I am thrilled to be getting involved in my community!
Tracey Bazso-Page (she/they)
Tracey holds a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology, an Honours Bachelor degree in Social Work and Biblical and Theological Studies, a Certificate in Addiction Counselling, and ASL and Deaf studies. They are currently working with the Calgary Catholic School Board as a School Wellness Counsellor and a child and trauma specialist consultant with her own business, Turn the Page therapy and social services. Tracey has been with YMHC since 2020 and has expertise in child, youth, trauma, addiction, queer, and neurodiverse mental health and illness.
About the YMHC Staff Members
Sheryl Boswell
Sheryl Boswell is the Executive Director and Founder of Youth Mental Health Canada and an educator, career counsellor, and life skills coach.
Sheryl’s presentations, workshops, and courses consolidate her background in education, mental health and wellness, human rights and equity, and disability awareness and support.
Sheryl started her teaching career as a Special Education teacher in Zimbabwe, Africa, where she lived for three years. Sheryl brings broad teaching knowledge from working with elementary, secondary, postsecondary, and adult education students in various educational institutions and facilities. She is a passionate educator and lifelong learner.
Her work in the school attendance field as a Stay-in-School Coordinator began over thirty years ago. Since then, she has contributed to provincial and national educational change to support students with mental health disabilities and school attendance challenges by training education and mental health professionals, providing resources to support students, school staff, and mental health professionals, and contributing to policies, practice, and guidelines for accessible education and cultural and systemic change in education.
She has presented information to the media on school attendance challenges: CBC, Toronto Star, TVO’s The Agenda.
Sheryl has written Tier 1 resources for universal student support: five mental wellness journal workbooks, five booklets/printables, and an online course, the Youth Wellness Action Plan.
She has written Tier 2 and 3 resources for early intervention and targeted support: a guidebook on supporting students with school attendance challenges, a student workbook for upstream prevention, a comprehensive handbook, and an online course on school-wide strategies to support students.
She is the author of four evidence and strength-based, peer-reviewed resources on school attendance challenges:
- Guidebook on Supporting Students
- Handbook on School Attendance Challenges: Addressing Barriers to Education
- Student Workbook: “My Experience of School: Upstream Chronic Absenteeism Prevention”
- School-Wide Strategies to Support Students Online Course
Sheryl is a member of the International Association of Youth Mental Health,the International Network for School Attendance, the International Association for Suicide Prevention, and other organizations focused on youth mental health, suicide prevention, and school attendance.
Jim
Jim is the Digital Operations Manager and Chief Information Officer at Youth Mental Health Canada (YMHC), bringing extensive experience in web development, digital storytelling, and data-driven platform creation to support the organization’s mission. With a Master’s in Computer and Information Technology from the University of Pennsylvania, Jim has expertly led the development and maintenance of YMHC’s digital presence since 2015, initially as a volunteer and in a formal part-time capacity since 2022. His technical expertise spans a broad stack, which he has leveraged to enhance YMHC’s operational efficiency, public outreach, and advocacy for youth mental health in Canada.
Rita Bruno-Gallo
Hi! I’m Rita, owner, graphic designer and print manager for Rita B Designs. I have over 16 years of experience in graphic design and print.
I have a passion for design, print and paper, foods of the world, travel, coffee, oh and cats, I love cats! 🙂
Before venturing into the world of freelance, I worked for printing companies both big and small in Hamilton and Toronto.
There I learned everything from working in reception, customer service, accounting, designing, pre-press, printing, finishing and delivery. I became an experienced user in Adobe Lightroom, InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator and Acrobat, creating anything from logos, to postcards and colour correcting and retouching. In addition to design capabilities, I gained expertise in pre-press, production and finishing of various types of printing projects.
Years later, I decided to take my business on the road to travel, meet new people and get inspired! I travelled from Canada, to the US, to Europe and South East Asia for 13 months before returning to Hamilton, where I call home.
Now I dedicate my work to connecting to my community and help businesses and entrepreneurs get the designs and materials they need to thrive on an ongoing bases.
I can be found working on my lap-top in my little corner home office with a garden view, a quaint coffee shop downtown, or visiting my friends and clients in Niagara, Toronto, or anywhere in between.
I continue to grow my skills and knowledge in graphic design and I work closely with my print partners to get great quality at the best value.
About the YMHC Contactors
Alstra Solutions Ltd.
We at Youth Mental Health Canada (YMHC) are immensely grateful for the exceptional support and pro bono hours contributed by Alstra Solutions. Their dedication to helping us embrace the digital era has been invaluable, enhancing our website, IT systems, and automating our processes.
Alstra Solutions offers a comprehensive range of online solutions that extend beyond website design. They specialize in corporate website design, search engine optimization, online advertising, and traffic intelligence data analysis.
For charities, nonprofit organizations and public service projects, Alstra provides substantial discounts and even free website hosting for extended periods. Visit Alstra's website https://alstra.ca for more details.
Thank you, Alstra Solutions, for being a part of our journey and helping us make a significant impact in youth mental health.