Our Team

StepStones Leadership

Heather O’Keefe

Executive Director

Heather O’Keefe founded StepStones for Youth and has successfully brought this registered charity from a small grassroots volunteer-run organization to a respected industry leader

Liora Sobel

Chief Operating Officer

With over 15 years of leadership experience in the not-for-profit and charitable sectors, as well as lived experience in the child welfare system, Liora has a strong passion for supporting youth involved in child protection.

Jackson Walker

Director of Operations

Jackson (he/him) completed his degree in Media Studies at Queen’s University and has 10 years of experience working in youth programming in both a camp and education setting.

Brenna Lindsay

Director of Programs

With a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Psychology and a certificate in Addictions in Mental Health, Brenna has worked with children and youth in various settings.

Lucas Hunter

Clinical Supervisor

Lucas is a child and youth practitioner who has spent more than 14 years working with children, youth, and families with complex needs.

Ciara Loughran

Clinical Supervisor

Ciara has a Bachelor of Social Work degree and worked for Scotland's Children’s Aid Society equivalent before moving to Canada in March 2020.


StepStones Team

Ebony Laing-Asare

Connections Coordinator

Brittany Bernard

Connections Coordinator

Frankie Corrado

Connections Coordinator

Samantha Julien

Connections Coordinator

Catherine Daniels

Connections Coordinator

Rahwa Esayu

Connections Coordinator

Denise Ballon

Senior Connections Coordinator

Shalamar Brown-James

Connections Coordinator

Abhi Ruparelia

Development Coordinator

Mike Ryan

Development Coordinator

Pomaa Prempeh

Homelessness Prevention and Service Navigator

Richard Parker

Youth Amplifier

Alexis Forde

Connections Coordinator

Alexi Manis

Senior Development Coordinator

Kathi Nicoll

Community Engagement Volunteers and Event Coordinator

Gabriel Perez

Communications Coordinator

Tooba Dawood

Executive Assistant

careers at stepstones

Are you passionate about working with youth?

Careers at StepStones for Youth. StepStones Staff