Kayla Carneletto

Chair

Kayla has worked in community mental health for the past decade. She currently works for Region of Peel – Public Health and Canadian Mental Health Association Niagara. Kayla is also a Mental Health Works trainer, providing workshops to employers on workplace mental health. While Kayla’s work in helping individuals is mainly behind-the-scenes, it is her goal to bring mental health to the forefront, where it is openly discussed, accepted and supported in workplaces.

Kayla has served on Rainbow’s End board since 2017 and is currently the vice-chair.

Nazeer Essop

Director

Nazeer is a Partner at Deloitte with over 27 years of experience in the field of both private sector and public sector accounting, auditing and advisory services. He has a passion to support communities and not-for-profit organizations by sharing his professional experience and personal time. Nazeer had the privilege of being a Board member for over 10 years at Deloitte Africa and the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants. As the previous Government and Public Sector Leader for Deloitte Africa, he worked with several non-profit organizations (NPO), donor agencies and government entities. 

Nazeer is a CPA (Chartered Professional Accountant) and is currently an Audit and Assurance Partner in Deloitte Canada based in Toronto. Nazeer is currently the audit Partner on several NPOs in Canada.

Bilal Surahyo

Director

Fiona Wilson

Director

Fiona has been a strong advocate and educator within the mental health system for over two decades. She is the Professional Practice Lead for Peer Support and the Manager of Patient and Family Collaborative Support Services, at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton.

Fiona is the past Chair of the Certification Committee of Peer Support Accreditation and Certification Canada, and an Assistant Professor with the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University. Her professional and personal passion is to advocate for and develop meaningful and equitable opportunities for individuals living with mental illness and addiction.

Fiona is the key liaison with St Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton and a returning director, having been on the Board previously from 2009-2014.

Kathy Allen Fleet

Director

With over 19 years of experience in Community Health, Kathy has had the privilege of working closely with community members as a clinician, health educator and administrator.  She is a strong proponent for education, employment and economic support to ensure that individuals are able to achieve their ultimate health goals.

Kathy holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology, a diploma in Chiropody, a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Waterloo and has recently completed an Executive MBA from the University of Fredericton.  She currently works as a senior administrator at a Community Health Centre in the North End of Hamilton.

Leslea Peirson

Director

Leslea Peirson has lived in the Hamilton area for the past 26 years. She has gone to school, worked and raised a family in this community. Leslea has a master’s degree in community psychology from Wilfrid Laurier University, a PhD in health and behavioural science from the University of Toronto, and postdoctoral training at McMaster University focused on knowledge translation and evidence-informed decision making. Leslea has accumulated over three decades of experience studying, working, teaching and conducting research across a wide variety of health and human service settings. She has worked with a range of organizations, service providers, service users and community groups including mental health and children’s mental health centres, developmental services, child welfare organizations, public health departments, schools, criminal justice agencies, primary health care groups, guideline developers and government agents. Leslea currently uses her critical thinking, problem-solving and communications skills as an Advisor at the Region of Peel – Public Health. Leslea has experience as a board member and volunteer with other organizations and groups in Hamilton and is excited to begin serving the community on the Board of Directors for Rainbow’s End.

Ashley Stewart

Treasurer

Ashley is a Manager of Accounting and Assurance with Vine and Partners LLP. She has experience working with small businesses and not for profit organizations. Ashley brings exposure from the healthcare industry which includes overseeing the budget submissions and streamlining month and year end processes.

Ashley graduated from McMaster University with an Honours Bachelor of Commerce and completed her CPA designation. She has served as Treasurer on the Board of Garden City Toastmasters and MS Society of Canada, Timmins Chapter.

Chris Yendt

Former Chair

“View from the Big Chair”

Interview by David Williams with Christopher Yendt. Director and Chair Rainbow’s End from September 1st, 2015 to September 20th, 2022. This interview was recorded on 21 January, 2022.

Christopher holds both a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and a Bachelor of Education degree from Brock University. He an Ontario Certified Teacher (OCT) and a registered consultant with the Association of Registered Psychotherapists & Mental Health Professionals (OACCPP). He is researching mental health literacy (MHL) among pre-service teacher candidates through a master’s program at Brock.

After experiencing mental illness concerns first hand, Christopher chose to become involved as a volunteer in the mental health community and in addition to Rainbow’s End he currently serves as Vice-President for the Canadian Mental Health Association in Niagara, Vice-Chair of NEXTNiagara and as a Board Member of the North Hamilton Community Health Centre.