MEET THE UNSINKABLE TEAM

Hailey hechtman

Executive Director

  • Hailey is a social impact leader who has dedicated her career to empowering people to see their potential. She has spent 8+ years leading social service organizations and is passionate about mental health, youth wellness and taking a strength-based approach to community development. Some of her career highlights include founding the Yukon Distress & Support Line, establishing a collective impact strategy for northern disability-serving organizations, creating foundational training for front-line workers in the territories and becoming a thought leader for mental health in the workplace and inclusive hiring. She holds an honours degree in Psychology from Queen's University and a postgraduate certificate in Nonprofit Management from Simon Fraser University. Hailey is also a contributing writer to KBI Inspire Magazine, a digital publication focused on youth mental health and a coach for the Fora Network for Change Rise on Boards Program.

    In her free time, Hailey enjoys long walks through the forest, cooking delicious dishes, writing, watching a good Studio Ghibli movie with her partner, grabbing an ice coffee with friends and listening to copious podcasts.

  • "I now see how owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we will ever do"- Brene Brown

    "We rise by lifting others"-unknown

  • I live in Ottawa, ON which is located on the unceded territory of the Algonquin and Anishinaabeg peoples. I want to emphasize not only the importance of recognizing the traditional owners of this land but also the essential nature of uplifting Indigenous voices, and working with our communities towards reconciliation that is based in truth, dignity and respect.

  • Non-Fiction:

    Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual by Luvvie Ajayi Jones

    Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

    Fiction:

    The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

    Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

  • Rise & Conquer

    Coffee & a Good Vibe

    iWeigh

  • Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield

Maria Estrada

Program Manager, Unsinkable Youth

  • Maria Estrada is a passionate mental health advocate, speaker, educator, and professional Child & Youth Counsellor specializing in mental health and addiction. Having immigrated to Canada as a child, Maria faced mental health challenges and stigma firsthand. This led her on a journey of self-advocacy, diagnoses, relapse, and ultimately, recovery. Now, Maria uses her personal story to support others, especially youth with complex needs. She has been recognized with the 2017 United Way Halton Hamilton Community Speaker Award and the 2019 Vicky Award for Shine In Shine Out. She is currently writing a multi-disciplinary memoir that expands on existing Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) literature by exploring her lived experience on both sides of the mental healthcare system.

  • “Not all those who wander are lost” -J.R.R Tolkien

  • I gather on the treaty lands and territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee, Attawandaron, and the Huron-Wendat people. I understand that the land I recognize as Halton has been, and is, home to many First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples from across Turtle Island, and beyond. I also recognize the unique connections and relationships that Indigenous people and their ancestors have had with this place since time immemorial.

  • The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield

  • Kalyn’s Coffee Talk hosted by Kalyn Nicholson

TAYLOR LAWRENCE

Executive Administrator & Board Secretary

  • Taylor attended the University of Victoria to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. From there, Taylor used her experience to help those with intellectual disabilities with a focus on health, sport, and advocacy.

    When Taylor isn’t working you will find her: At the gym, sipping a London fog or taking videos of her dog!

  • “I’m not superstitious, but I am a little stitious”

    - Michael Scott The Office

  • I would like to acknowledge that I live, work and play on the unceded land of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

  • East of Eden by John Steinbeck

  • Stuff You Should Know - IHeartRadio - hosted by Josh and Chuck

Adeola Awogbemi

Manager, Fundraising

  • Adeola is a change agent dedicated to enhancing systems, empowering individuals, and fostering societal progress through impactful projects and dynamic leadership. With over a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector, she offers technical expertise in grant writing, fundraising, monitoring and evaluation, gender equality and nonprofit management; and has spearheaded local and regional projects in collaboration with diverse stakeholders.

    Holder of a Master’s degree in Political Science from the University of Lagos, Adeola has acquired additional professional certifications from Nigeria, Netherlands and Canada. Committed to advancing sustainable solutions for equal rights and opportunities, she has garnered awards for her leadership and established her own consulting firm as a thought leader in the field.

    Beyond her professional pursuits, Adeola enjoys traveling, reading, writing, and indulging her passion for photography. As a mentor, she actively supports women, girls, and youth in areas such as leadership, personal effectiveness, character development, and decision-making.

  • “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." - Philippians 4:6

    “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” – Nelson Mandela

  • I acknowledge with respect and gratitude the Indigenous peoples who have stewarded this territory for generations. I honor their enduring connection to this land, its waters, and its resources. May we strive to learn from their wisdom and preserve the sacredness of this land for future generations.

  • Dear Ijeawele, or A Feminist Manifesto - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

    Who moved my Cheese by Spencer Johnson

  • The Reith Lecture – The Four Freedoms

  • So Beautiful - Aṣa

    Newborn Friend - Seal

Mikaela Brewer

Braving The Waves Podcast Host

  • Mikaela Brewer is a multi-disciplinary published author and qualitative researcher. She has played basketball for Team Canada and Stanford University where she studied human biology (brain, behaviour, and mental health), creative writing, and science communication. Mikaela writes, speaks, and builds projects from her experiences as both a suicide attempt and loss survivor. Outside of work, she loves to run, read, and eat great food.

  • “And that feeling...that strange floating feeling of being there and not being there came back. One line led to another and a story slowly formed under my hands. To be able to stand not knowing long enough to let something alive take shape [...] to all the kids who quit drawing...come back!”

  • I live, work, and play on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg people, including the Odawa, Ojibwe, and Pottawatomi Nations (collectively known as the Three Fires Confederacy), as well as the Wendat Nation (Huron) who tended to these lands before the mid-17th century. To honour Indigenous history, culture, and life, I hope to continue centring healing, health, and justice for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people in my area, particularly through highlighting the work at The Barrie Native Friendship Centre.

  • To Shake the Sleeping Self (Jedidiah Jenkins)

  • The Changemaker (Marie Beecham) & Poetry Unbound (Pádraig Ó Tuama)

  • Mikrokosmos (BTS), Live Every Moment (REO Speedwagon), Make Your Own Kind of Music (Mama Cass)

Asante Haughton

Program Manager, Storytelling

  • Asante Haughton is a lot of things--entrepreneur, activist, organizer, speaker, writer, poet, and mental health worker--but stories and storytelling are at the heart of his work. Asante believes that stories have the ability to connect, build rapport, convey empathy, and forge linkages that support a shared endeavour in improving lives. Asante has leveraged stories, his own and others, to resounding success. His accomplishments include two TEDx talks and being named as one of Canada's top 150 influencers in mental health. Notably, he also co-founded the Reach Out Response Network, an organization whose advocacy directly paved the way to the Toronto Community Crisis Service, a new fourth emergency service that responds to folks experiencing mental health crises with mobile crisis teams instead of police officers.

    Though his achievements have earned Asante a significant public profile (and even a Wikipedia entry), he is most gratified when a client or consumer of his work conveys that he has changed their perspective or even their lives. Nothing is more important to him.

    A lover of celebrity gossip, finding the just the right .gif, and sports analogies, Asante's passion is for the betterment of all people as he is engaged in the lofty ambition of trying to change the world, one person and one community at a time.

  • Every saint has a past, every sinner has a future.

  • How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

  • The Diary of a CEO

  • The World is Yours by Nas

Jerushah Wright

Social Media Manager

  • Jerushah Wright stands as a committed advocate for change within Unsinkable, propelled by over 6 years of unwavering dedication in the nonprofit sector. Her advocacy extends to indigenous, Black, and LGBTQ2S+ communities across Ontario, where she fosters profound connections and pays tribute to their cultural heritage. Jerushah is deeply committed to promoting inclusivity, preserving cultural identity, and empowering community-driven initiatives through the art of storytelling.

    Thriving in environments centered around community, Jerushah excels at fostering collaboration and building bridges. With a steadfast dedication to embracing diverse perspectives, she sees Unsinkable as a platform for catalyzing transformative change. Jerushah's unwavering passion propels her tireless pursuit of meaningful transformation, making significant contributions to the remarkable growth and impact of our community and organization.

  • “Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality.” ― Martin Luther King Jr.

  • I humbly acknowledge that I work and reside on the traditional lands and territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples. This land now serves as a home to a vibrant community of diverse First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. Additionally, I honor the profound connections and enduring relationships that Indigenous people and their ancestors have shared with this land.

  • "101 Essays on the Way We Think" by Brianna Wiest

  • I host my own podcast called XCONVOS, which centers around speaking to the creator in you as an aspiring artist and entrepreneur.

  • It truly depends on my mood, but you can't go wrong with a song from Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill album.

Alice Leblanc

French Storytelling Lead

  • FRENCH

    Après 4 ans d’études en sciences politiques, études québécoises et littérature à l’Université McGill, Alice travaille pour l’Assemblée nationale du Québec et continue de porter ses fonctions de directrice pour Le Collectif NOUS, organisme jeunesse en santé mentale qu’elle a fondé en 2020. Grande passionnée de politique et fidèle militante pour la santé mentale, elle se démarque dans son milieu par ses divers projets communautaires, ses participations à des panels de discussions et des évènements d’action politique tels que les Rencontres action jeunesse. Elle écrit, voyage, cuisine, créer de la musique et fait de son mieux, comme plusieurs, pour vivre en harmonie avec son anxiété.

    ENGLISH

    After 4 years of studies in Political Science, Quebec Studies and Literature at McGill University, Alice works for the Quebec National Assembly and continues to serve as director of Le Collectif NOUS, a youth mental health organization she founded in 2020. An avid politician and mental health activist, she stands out in her community through her various community projects, her participation in panel discussions, and political action events such as Rencontres action jeunesse. She also writes, travels, cooks, makes music, and tries her best, like many people, to cultivate a healthy relationship with her anxiety.

    Though his achievements have earned Asante a significant public profile (and even a Wikipedia entry), he is most gratified when a client or consumer of his work conveys that he has changed their perspective or even their lives. Nothing is more important to him.

    A lover of celebrity gossip, finding the just the right .gif, and sports analogies, Asante's passion is for the betterment of all people as he is engaged in the lofty ambition of trying to change the world, one person and one community at a time.

  • “Il n’y a qu’un remède à l’amour: aimer davantage.”

    Henry David Thoreau, Journal

  • La ville de Québec est située sur un territoire traditionnel qui a longtemps servi de lieu de rencontre et d’échange entre diverses nations autochtones. J’honore, reconnaît et respecte les nations autochtones qui agissent aujourd'hui à titre de gardien de ce territoire, notamment la nation huronne-wendat

    Québec City is located on a traditional territory that has long served as a meeting place for various Indigenous nations. I honour, recognize and respect the Indigenous nations who act today as guardians of this territory, notably the Huron-Wendat nation.

  • Le joueur d’échecs

    Stefan Zweig

  • Dose de psy

  • La folie en quatre

    Daniel Bélanger

Afreina Noor

Manager of Community Engagement

  • Afreina Noor is a non-profit leader and C-suite advisor with over fifteen years of work experience across North America, South Asia, and Africa. She began her journey in 2006 by co-founding Pakistan's largest network of non-profits, rapidly expanding its reach to encompass 30 member organizations nationwide and 20,000 on-ground personnel. In 2012, she demonstrated her commitment to social impact by volunteering internationally with vulnerable and orphaned children in Botswana.

    Stepping into the corporate world in 2015, Afreina was handpicked to lead a core team at the CXO level that spearheaded digital transformation and the creation of new digital verticals for a thriving company.

    As a new immigrant in Montreal, she started hosting an online talk show, "Conversations with Women Immigrants in Montreal," while building a thriving virtual community on Facebook, “Women Who Freelance Montreal.” The group has organically grown to over 6,000 women freelancers and continues to embody the essence of women uplifting women.

    In her latest venture as a communications and marketing expert, Afreina has spearheaded content marketing strategies and digital marketing portfolios for Oil and Gas companies with US$100 million in annual revenues in three global markets: the USA, Canada, and Saudi Arabia.

    Afreina has contributed to Quebec's literary and mental health communities by serving as the Quebec Writers’ Federation Communications Officer and occasionally blogging for Vent Over Tea. She is the President of COCo and continues to serve on the QWF's Public Relations committee and the YES Montreal Fundraising committee. She is an international consultant for UNICEF and UNDP on national policies and frameworks for social policy.

    Afreina sees herself as a storyteller, improviser and poet living downtown Montreal with her feline companion, Monsieur Pause-Uddin Siddiqui.

    Afreina is a Fulbright scholar with a Master of Public Administration from UPenn.

  • "Trust thyself--every heart vibrates to that iron string" - Emerson

  • My existence is credited to the lands I have lived, nourished, and learned from.

    In Gaborone, The San, the Balala, the Nama, and the Tswana; in Islamabad, The Punjabi, Sindhi, Balochi, Pashtun, and Muhajir; in Philadelphia the Lenni-Lenape People of Lenapehoking and the Poutaxa, and in Montreal—where I now live and create on traditional territories of many First Peoples—Tiohtiá:ke, which is what Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk)—and now many others—call Montreal. This place has been and continues to be a historical gathering place for many Indigenous peoples.

    I am grateful to be part of a long and proud history of creating and sharing stories on these lands.

  • Non Fiction:

    Self-Reliance and Other Essays by Ralph Waldo Emerson

    Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz

    Fiction:

    Exhalation: Stories by Ted Chiang

    The House by the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune

  • The Diary of a CEO

    7 Good Minutes

    UnF*ck Your Brain: Feminist Self-Help for Everyone

  • Saranjaam (Accomplishment) - Meesha Shafi

Mike Avila Lopez

Student Placement

  • I am a Sheridan College 2nd year student, completing my Winter Co-op placement with Unsinkable as a Marketing and Social Media Assistant. I had previously completed an Advanced Diploma in Finance back in 2019, and currently am in the Honour’s Bachelor of Business Administration Marketing Management.

    Some of my passions include soccer, family, and my involvement in the gaming industry, primarily with esports. As a competitor and commentator, a lot of my experiences and personal growth has happened over the years which has led me to transitioning into a mentor and guidance role for people being introduced into the industry and communities in Ontario, helping to make every community a safe and expressive space for everyone.

    I am extremely thankful for the opportunity with Unsinkable for further growth and development, with the hope of being able to make an impact in this mental health organization that looks to empower people through their own storytelling. Along with my own personal experiences with mental health, I hope to be an advocate for men’s mental health.