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Our Team and Board
The strength of Abuse Hurts lies in the dedication and expertise of our board and team. Their leadership, compassion, and guidance ensure our organization runs effectively and stays focused on our mission to support survivors. Together, they help turn vision into action—every day.
Team Section
Meet Our Team
Ellen Campbell
CEO and Founder
Ellen Campbell is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse who has dedicated her life to helping others heal. Her own long journey to recovery inspired her to create safe, supportive spaces for people who have experienced abuse.
While serving as Executive Director of the Starlight Children’s Foundation for over a decade, Ellen founded the Canadian Centre for Abuse Awareness (now known as Abuse Hurts). In 1993, she hosted Canada’s first National Conference for Adult Survivors of Sexual Abuse. This powerful milestone led to two more national conferences and the development of new programs for children in the years that followed.
As the Founder and CEO of Abuse Hurts, Ellen has become a trusted voice for prevention, awareness, and healing across Canada. Her commitment has earned national recognition. In 2006, she was appointed to the Minister’s Advisory Committee on Judicial Appointments for Ontario—a role she held until 2010. In 2014, Ellen was honoured with the Order of Ontario for her outstanding work supporting survivors.
Through compassion and courage, Ellen continues to be a champion for change, helping survivors find dignity, support, and hope.
Helena Kameka
President
Helena is a survivor who brings both lived experience and deep compassion to her work. For more than 13 years, she volunteered in Ontario correctional facilities, offering support and encouragement to others on their healing journey.
In 2008, she joined Abuse Hurts, where she found purpose in helping survivors on a larger scale.
With a strong background in the for-profit sector, Helena first served as our Director of Marketing & Communications. Her leadership, heart, and dedication led to her appointment as Vice President in 2013, and she became President of the organization in 2015.
Helena is also the Editor-in-Chief of the Abuse Hurts eZine—a quarterly online publication that shares educational and empowering stories and articles. The eZine helps raise awareness about the lasting impact of abuse and offers insight, hope, and resources for survivors, families, caregivers, and the wider community.
Gem Verly Ann Daya
Finance
Gem is the newest addition to our Abuse Hurts family, and we love her sweet personality. We will be posting her bio very shortly.
Susan Zeran
Program Coordinator
She has a sunny attitude, but is no stranger to experiencing abuse growing up. Despite her past, Suzi developed a great sense of care and compassion for people. She worked for many years in a daycare setting with children and then transitioned to working with patients at Southlake Regional Health Centre.
She volunteered for 1 year at Abuse Hurts before being hired to manage the charity’s annual toy drive. Then, she came on board, working part-time in the warehouse, where she oversaw the donations of clothing, household items, and many other essential items. Now she is Abuse Hurts’ Program Coordinator and is in her element, adding the facilitation of clients through the Delivering Hope program and make-over days to her duties.
Suzi loves to support clients give back to the community she’s lived in for 28 years.
Christina Sibley
Assistant
Growing up, Christina was surrounded by uncertainty, abuse and issues surrounding mental health. She was bullied, not able to stand up for herself and had very low self-esteem.
Since then, she has dedicated herself to showing and expressing love and kindness to all. She hopes to help people discover their true worth and finds immense joy in working at Abuse Hurts, where she helps make a difference in the lives of many.
Board Section
Meet Our Board
Jessica Williams
Chair and Conference Coordinator
Jessica brings strong leadership skills to the table with over 20 years of management experience – 12 of those years in the wealth management field (including Regional Directorship).
Having managed large teams, assisted in managing over 275 client relationships, and liaised with preferred clients in a $250M portfolio, Jessica is a diligent advocate of excellence in all business practices.
Ms. Williams also possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience in marketing and customer service, spanning both for-profit and non-profit sectors. She is a committed volunteer in her private charitable pursuits.
Sheldon Waters
Treasurer
With over 30 years of experience in various business ventures, the following companies comprise Sheldon’s current portfolio: INFOtrac Solutions Inc., Proprietary Innovation Labs Inc., and SiO2 Innovation Labs Inc.
NFOtrac Solutions Inc. is the developer of INFOtrac Software, an accounting-integrated CRM and business management system for Small and mid-sized companies, sold worldwide. Proprietary Innovation Labs Inc. is the creator of “Phantom Glass,” the next generation of screen protector for a multitude of devices from smartphones, tablets, Computers, Cameras and proprietary devices for medical, aviation, transportation and other industries. SiO2 Innovation Labs Inc. develops and sells advanced nano-technology-based surface coatings for glass, stone, fabric, and other surfaces to protect them through waterproofing and anti-viral/anti-bacterial protection, among other benefits.
Sheldon’s involvement and history of creating and working with companies that have unique deliverables have enabled him to gain experience and knowledge in business operations, product development, and executing market strategies to drive success for these companies.
Helen Davis
Secretary
Having worked in the Financial Services Industry in both Canada and the U.S. for over 20 years, I currently lead a team of 10 employees and work collaboratively with 9 Investment, Mortgage, and Commercial partners at the RBC Denison Commercial Banking Center.
As Branch Manager, I have led the team to achieve top-tier productivity levels and an 11% annual growth in our $1.9 billion book of business. My leadership expertise in change management and team development proved beneficial through the successful integration of 9 branches during the recent and historic RBC acquisition of HSBC.
In my personal time, aside from being a proud mother of two incredible young adults— Christopher & Alexandra —I am passionately involved in my community. As a founding member of 100 Women Who Care York Region in 2015, I have helped raise awareness and secured nearly $400,000 in donations in support of local charities. My designations include a master’s degree in business administration/MBA, Investment Funds of Canada License/IFFIC, and Branch Compliance Officer/BCO.
Donna Riddell
Director
Donna has had a very successful and long career (25 years) in publishing, serving as a National Buying Manager and Regional Category Manager/Buyer, and has had the pleasure of working with and meeting many great authors.
With an industry that showed limited growth, she decided to try her hand at a new career – Construction. Starting in the offices of Health & Safety, she trained to capture the importance of Safety not only in construction but in everyday life. She also received an Auditors Certificate in Training. Moving from H&S, Document Control became the next challenge. Working for 2 1/2 years as a document controller, she was promoted to a Management job, which she still holds.
On the side, she is also the Band Booking Manager and Event Manager for The Duke Live.com. An East End club that hosts live entertainment and events of all kinds. This is where it led me to Abuse Hurts and running a yearly Christmas Toy Drive with Q107. Abuse Hurts is dear to my heart and a vital resource for helping others. Very proud to be a part of this organization.
Charity DiPaola
Director
Charity is a business entrepreneur and has sat as the Chair of The Food Bank of York Region. She has also served as a Director with two international organizations that have helped alleviate poverty, build schools, and provide relief to those most in need.
Charity has been involved in politics, working behind the scenes for over 18 years, and has volunteered at all levels of government. She is currently also a Director on PCWIP “Women in Politics”. Charity is educated in public relations and has managed and spearheaded public relations tours across Canada, as well as held important roles with international corporations in Ontario. She is a strong advocate for health care issues that have affected people close to her, such as heart disease, stroke, and cancer awareness.
Charity was a business entrepreneur running her own successful, small business for over 18 years and currently runs her own firm helping with business and political advocacy. She is a wife, mother, and now grandmother who cares about helping others.
Robert DeFlece
Director
Robert is a seasoned executive with over 35 years of experience in senior leadership positions in the automotive and construction/development sectors. Throughout his career, he has acquired valuable knowledge and expertise in sales and marketing, business operations and planning, client relations, team leadership, and financial management.
Recently stepping back from full-time commitments and now a consultant assisting other businesses to improve in various areas, Robert will be dedicating a great deal of time to volunteerism and giving back to the community. He joined the Abuse Hurts Board as a Director in June of 2021 and looks forward to contributing in as many ways as possible.
Mike Cartwright
Director
Mike Cartwright is the Broker and Owner of Main Street Realty, a prominent real estate brokerage known for its client-centred approach and dedication to excellence. With years of experience in the industry, Mike has built a reputation for his in-depth market knowledge and commitment to helping clients achieve their real estate goals.
His leadership at Main Street Realty has fostered a culture of professionalism and integrity, driving success for both the agency and its clients.
In addition to his role at Main Street Realty, Mike also serves as a coach for Rob Vivian Coaching, where he guides and mentors real estate agents across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). His coaching focuses on developing agents’ skills, enhancing their business strategies, and helping them reach new levels of success in a highly competitive market. Mike’s passion for real estate and his dedication to helping others succeed make him a valued leader and mentor in the industry.