KAY BOYD

Kay Boyd started her career in the manufacturing industry as an assembly worker and gradually moved into a Quality Management role where she spent 20-plus years working with manufacturing facilities. She decided to walk away from manufacturing and started working at the Compassion Society in September 2022, and has never looked back. “The volunteers are amazing; they are like family and working at the Compassion Society has felt like coming home”.

Kay moved from Atlantic Canada to Toronto in her early twenties with her now husband (Brian). After 6 years they moved to Burlington, where they settled to raise their two kids, (Mark and Michaela), who along with their Dad, volunteer at the CSH. Kay is an avid quilter and manages her own quilting business. She is involved with the Halton Quilter’s Guild Outreach program which sees that “comfort quilts”, made by the members of the HQG are donated to wonderful organizations in the Halton region. Kay is enjoying her time with the CSH, working with the staff, volunteers, and Board members to help the organization bring a positive impact to the residents of Halton.

SIERRA KERNICK

Sierra Kernick is an energetic, empathetic, and creative individual with a deep care for client needs. She has a drive for education and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Guelph, Developmental Service Worker Diploma from Fanshawe College, and has most recently become a Certified Practitioner for Multisensory Environments from Mohawk College. Before joining us at the CSH, Sierra worked with adults with disabilities, and clients and caregivers living with Dementia & Alzheimer’s, creating specialized Montessori programs based on clients’ needs. She runs an evening group for local adults with disabilities who enjoy sci-fi, video games, anime, D&D, and comics! She has been running this group for 2 years volunteering her time weekly to provide this program and has over 20 members.

Sierra also spent time last year with Community Living Burlington running monthly programs such as Healthy Relationships, a Grief and Loss workshop, and Internet Safety. Sierra grew up in Burlington, and as a youth was involved with the Burlington Teen Tour Band and the FIRST Robotics Team at Burlington Central. Some other accomplishments she has made in her life are performing in the pit band for Legally Blonde the Musical, receiving her Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do (and was 3rd in Canada for three years), was a video game judge for The Pokémon Company International/division Organized Play! traveling to North America and Europe for their competitive championship series. These unique opportunities have taught her perseverance, dedication & have strengthened her creative problem-solving and out-of-the-box thinking skills which she plans to utilize here at CSH.

AKEEL GHAIB

Akeel Ghaib is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in the printing industry. He is skilled in operational leadership, process optimization, and boosting employee engagement. Akeel's passion for lean methodology and continuous improvement has led to successful projects that reduce waste, enhance efficiency, and improve quality and safety.

Akeel is not just about business; he's actively involved in the community with two not-for-profit organizations in the Halton region, focusing on language tutoring and coaching in running and reading. Akeel holds a Bachelor's degree in Language Teaching and French Literature, along with a Master's in Linguistics. He is fluent in English, French, and Arabic. Outside of work, you'll find Akeel pursuing his passions. He's an enthusiastic runner, participating in races from 5k to marathons. Additionally, he enjoys exploring the world of wildlife photography as a hobby.

O'NEIL EDWARDS

O’neil Edwards is an award-winning education and non-profit professional who has two decades of senior leadership as a Global Education administrator for non-profits, secondary schools, and post-secondary institutions. During his over twenty dedicated years of leadership, O’neil has been instrumental in guiding planning processes in supporting the development of innovative programs and services that promote access, diversity, and inclusion.

O’neil has had the privilege of living and working in many different countries, bringing unique insights to his work. Building on a passion for developing people’s potential, O’neil continues to be part of programs that bring real social change. O’neil has extensive experience with DEI (Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion) and previously worked with Pathways to Education Canada, Nutrition for Learning & Toronto Metropolitan University. O’neil will be working closely with the CSH Board, staff, and volunteers to develop internal and external relationships, expand organizational capacity, and ensure the overall well-being of those in our communities.

"Long ago, I made a promise that I would never act against the best interests or the excellence of my own people – that I would do my best to ensure that we were worthy of the stewardship of our community and country. I made a promise that we leave a better world for generations to come. To make and keep such a promise is to understand that money and position are tools - not goals. Now is not the time for a failure of imagination."