Meet Some of Our Mentors: The Heart & Soul of The MentorWell
Our mentors are the heart and soul of everything we do. They’re kind, humble, emotionally intelligent and deeply human. Each one has walked their own road; some smooth, many not. They’ve faced loss, failure, uncertainty, and fear. Yet through it all, they’ve learned, grown, and chosen to give back.
They don’t show up with all the answers. They show up with stories, realness, and honesty. They listen. They care. They remember what it felt like to be lost, unsure or stuck. That’s why they’re here, to help
Julie N has a gift for seeing people—their strengths, struggles, and potential. As a People and Culture Coordinator, she’s mentored teens with Autism and ADHD, and women rebuilding confidence through Dress for Success. Her compassion comes from her own experiences with mental health challenges, loss, and family breakdown. Julie believes growth begins with connection and that everyone deserves someone in their corner. She creates space for honest conversations without judgment, letting each person move at their own pace. Her message is powerful: mistakes don’t define you, and you deserve to love yourself as much as you love others.
Kelly M is a natural mentor, both by profession and by heart. As a hypnotherapist and mom of three boys, her home became a safe space where kids showed up unannounced—often just to talk. Known affectionately as a “bonus mom,” Kelly has guided teens through heartbreak, school stress, and family challenges with warmth and understanding. She believes every young person deserves someone who will truly listen, without judgment. After decades supporting executives, she’s now focused on helping youth feel seen and heard. Her message is simple: it’s okay to talk about your feelings—you never have to suffer in silence.
Zac C lost his big sister and best friend, Maddie, to suicide in 2015. Since then, he’s made it his purpose to honour her memory by helping others. Zac has spoken to thousands of high school students about empathy, compassion, and the importance of watching out for those who may be silently struggling. He volunteers as a facilitator for a youth grief group, supporting kids who’ve lost close family members. Calm, grounded, and genuine, Zac leads with quiet confidence and kindness. He’s turned his pain into purpose and believes that even small acts of care can change the course of someone’s life.
Joe B has spent two decades helping students find their footing when life feels heavy. As an Education Assistant, he’s guided youth through academic challenges, emotional ups and downs, and the pressure to fit in. He’s faced his own mental health struggles, grief, and setbacks, which gives him deep empathy for others. Joe listens without judgment and connects through honesty and patience. His message is simple: be yourself, because everyone else is already taken. He believes growth starts when you feel heard, valued, and accepted exactly as you are.
Kristen’s story is one of strength, honesty, and resilience. She’s faced anxiety, depression, trauma, and loss, and at times, she nearly lost her life. But instead of running from pain, she faced it head-on. As a mom of two and an entrepreneur, Kristen knows what it means to rebuild, to do the hard work, and to choose healing every single day. She’s living proof that life can be hard but never impossible. Now, she wants to be the voice she once needed—a mentor who helps young people see that even in darkness, there’s always a path forward.
Jack P believes in living with purpose, compassion, and faith. As an Impact Clerk at SickKids Foundation, he brings warmth and care to everything he does. Before that, he mentored students at Pine River Institute, helping them adjust to new surroundings and find their footing during difficult times. His journey has included its share of challenges: mental health struggles, loss, and hardship, but those experiences shaped his empathy. They deepened his belief that kindness and love can change lives. Jack’s faith is his foundation. He sees his work and mentorship as part of God’s plan, striving to reflect the love of Jesus Christ through every interaction. His message is simple yet powerful: you are loved, you matter, and you are here for a reason.
young people find their footing through real conversations and lived experience.
Our mentors come from all walks of life, every background and culture you can imagine. What they share is a simple truth: life can be hard, but it’s easier when someone walks beside you.
We take great care in connecting your young person with the right mentor, someone who truly gets them, someone they can trust, and someone who will remind them that they’re never alone.
Isaiah N knows the power of mentorship because it shaped his own life. As a student and entrepreneur, he remembers the coaches and mentors who believed in him when he doubted himself. Now, he wants to be that person for someone else—the steady hand that helps them see what’s possible. Isaiah’s journey includes mental health struggles, discrimination, and setbacks from sports injuries, yet he’s turned each challenge into strength. His approach is active, inclusive, and real. He leads by example, showing youth that change starts small—one day at a time.
Tessa M knows what it feels like to lose your footing. After losing her best friend Maddie at 14, she faced her own battles with anxiety, grief, and depression. Later, losing a parent to addiction deepened her understanding of how complex mental health can be. Now, with an undergrad in Psychology, Tessa is determined to help others navigate the emotions she once felt alone in. She is now pursuing a Masters degree in Psychology Counselling. She believes the most powerful mentors are those who’ve lived through similar struggles and can listen without judgment. Tessa reminds young people that no one truly has it all figured out, and that finding purpose and peace in your own journey is what really matters.
Sue K brings over 17 years of coaching experience and a lifetime of genuine care for others. As a VP and professional coach, she’s guided countless people through self-discovery and growth. She understands firsthand the impact a mentor can have—she’s seen it in her own son’s journey and in her own life. Sue has faced challenges from mental health struggles to personal loss, and she meets every young person with empathy, honesty, and no agenda. Her message is heartfelt and steady: I see you. I believe in you. You are loved.
Chris turned unimaginable loss into purpose. After losing his daughter Maddie to suicide in 2015, he made it his mission to change how families, schools and workplaces talk about mental health. As a father, author, and mentor, Chris brings compassion shaped by grief, resilience, and years of listening to others who’ve walked similar paths. He believes conversations save lives and that early support can prevent crisis. Through MentorWell, he helps connect young people with mentors who understand struggle and remind them they’re not alone. Chris’s message is simple but powerful: healing begins when we choose connection over silence.