Meet The Team

Vince is in the latter part of his professional career and has been involved in various projects related to Indigenous communities. Having been resident in one most of his life, he has lived and seen the struggles of Indigenous peoples. He helped in setting up programs to help the people who were impacted by the colonial era including the residential school system. He also designed a healing program for an addictions rehabilitation centre. He has been in management for several years where his team made submissions for funding to help with capital and program costs. Most of these were successful and in one instance, the provincial government awarded funding to their organization to start and operate two new youth centres.

Mike is a Licensed Counselling Therapist (LCT) with the College of Counselling Therapists of New Brunswick (CCTNB) and a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). A member of Pabineau First Nation, one of Mike’s passions is improving mental health in First Nations across New Brunswick. He is qualified to work with clients dealing with mental health challenges associated with stress, anxiety, depression, family conflict, and more. He currently works in private practice with students in elementary schools and middle schools in New Brunswick. His clinical work with Indigenous students will inform the writing process and distribution of these resources.

Mike will lead this project by coordinating Advisory Committee meetings and liaising with publishers and focus groups. He will also co-author the books and accompanying resources in a collaborative writing process with Rachel Cole.

One of Rachel’s passions is improving mental health in children across New Brunswick. She is qualified to work with clients dealing with mental health challenges associated with stress, anxiety, depression, family conflict, and more. She has worked exclusively in a guidance counselling role at a band-operated school over the past two years, helping Indigenous students from K-5 build social emotional skills and working one-on-one with students. She has also provided counselling services to students in the public school system over the past year. Rachel will use her clinical experience to co-author these books and accompanying resources with Mike Hennessey. Her area of specialization is working with young children, which will be invaluable to this project.

With a diverse career as an educator and graphic designer along with working in various institutions in Ottawa and New Brunswick, Brandon is dedicated in transferring his knowledge and expertise as an artist to support Indigenous wellbeing. He has an extensive background in creating and publishing visual art that tells the stories of our shared history.

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His most recent accomplishment was being a part of the team that wrote and illustrated “This Place: 150 Years Retold”, which has received national acclaim for telling the story of Canadian history from an Indigenous perspective. As an Indigenous artist, he is perfectly suited to illustrating this book series and ensuring Indigenous imagery is represented throughout.

Kathy is a teacher with nine (9) years experience working in Anglophone School District West and supported teachers to become more effective practitioners as a Literacy Lead in ASD-W.

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She graduated from UNB’s Masters of Education program in 2017 with a focus on curriculum studies. She was involved in delivering PD and developing resources to assist teachers throughout her teaching career and while completing her Masters degree.

Matthew is a recent Master of Business Administration (MBA) graduate from the University of New Brunswick (UNB) and has a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA). Also a member of the Madawaska Maliseet First Nation (MMFN), Matthew has a passion for making positive impacts in Indigenous communities. He has performed business consulting services for Indigenous communities and organizations over the past two years. As a consultant, he worked on several projects that provided benefits to his community in economic development, infrastructure, and health.

Matthew has some experience working as an archeological monitor for his community and continues to monitor projects concerning MMFN. Matthew has worked with Indigenous communities for over five years in New Brunswick. He will be using his experience and education to provide administrative support to Ksalsuti Wellness Resources.

Brooke is a Clinical Psychology (MA/PhD) student with a strong research background. She completed her honours degree in psychology in 2022 with a minor in business administration and a minor in comparative cultural studies.

She has worked as a research assistant in several areas of research, including youth in the criminal justice system, access to key resources for children and youth with autism, transdiagnostic therapy for adolescents, and various studies within the field of cultural psychology.

​Luisa is an experienced professional with a proven record in securing funding from a variety of sources, including: proposal writing, partnership development, and creating revenue generating opportunities. In addition to Luisa’s experience in securing funding, she has worked with various organizations to grow and ensure long-term sustainability. Areas of expertise include: Human Resources, Business Plan creation, and Legislations and Regulations. In addition to her significant experience in business and organizational development, Luisa is also an experienced researcher and consultant in policy creation, with almost two decades of experience in gender, health and priority populations. Particular areas of interest are program outcome evaluations and culturally safe program creation.