Pillars
Independence
Independence
Independence
We provide young womxn with the resources to be self-reliant in their own powers rather than those of others, by shifting the narrative and exposing them to female role models and encouraging them to be their best selves.
Confidence
Independence
Independence
We provide a space as well as opportunities for young womxn to develop their confidence and their voice through activities aimed at fostering self-esteem and building connections in order to challenge the status quo and succeed as leaders.
Leadership
Independence
Leadership
Our goal is to work with our young ladies to build self-esteem and awareness by showing girls and womxn that what they have inside makes them beautiful, special and unique.
Board of Directors
Diana Gallo
Tanekia Sloley - Bertolacci
Tanekia Sloley - Bertolacci
CO-CHAIR
Diana Gallo serves as a member of the board of directors at EmpowHERto. An established leader and mentor, she is a social media, digital, content, and influencer marketer. She is intrigued by the ever-changing digital landscape and its impact on retail, content creation, consumption, and authenticity. In her spare time she binges on Netflix series and is an online shopping enthusiast.
Tanekia Sloley - Bertolacci
Tanekia Sloley - Bertolacci
Tanekia Sloley - Bertolacci
CO-CHAIR
Tanekia Sloley-Bertolacci works as a supervisor at a nonprofit youth employment agency in Toronto and serves as a member of the Board of Directors for EmpowHERto. She graduated with a degree in sociology from Laurentian University and holds numerous professional development certificates in counselling and mental health.
Helping pe
CO-CHAIR
Tanekia Sloley-Bertolacci works as a supervisor at a nonprofit youth employment agency in Toronto and serves as a member of the Board of Directors for EmpowHERto. She graduated with a degree in sociology from Laurentian University and holds numerous professional development certificates in counselling and mental health.
Helping people realize their full potential is her passion, and she looks forward to encouraging girls and young womxn to be themselves and hold their standards high through her work at EmpowHERto.
Maleena Thurston, CPA
Tanekia Sloley - Bertolacci
Maleena Thurston, CPA
TREASURER
Maleena Thurston is a finance professional at a leading cybersecurity company. Prior to this, she was an audit manager at a public accounting firm. Her previous roles as a Leadership Executive for a career development program and a Community Leadership Manager are a testament to her natural desire to help womxn achieve success i
TREASURER
Maleena Thurston is a finance professional at a leading cybersecurity company. Prior to this, she was an audit manager at a public accounting firm. Her previous roles as a Leadership Executive for a career development program and a Community Leadership Manager are a testament to her natural desire to help womxn achieve success in their careers.
“I value the importance of mentorship in developing both personally and professionally. I can attribute much of my success and opportunities to having great mentors in my life. I seek to act as a mentor for others and continue to build networks of people supporting and advocating for talented womxn.”
In her new role, Maleena hopes to provide strategic and financial guidance for the organization to be able to achieve its greatest impact. She also wants to inspire young womxn and girls to let go of their inhibitions in order to achieve their career goals.
Maleena graduated from Queen’s University in 2013 with a Bachelor’s in Life Science and obtained her Diploma in Accounting from the University of British Columbia in 2014. She obtained her Chartered Professional Accountant designation in 2017.
When she is off-duty, Maleena ventures to her local dog park with her toy poodle Millie, or she tends to her indoor plant collection.
Bethany Mckoy
Kirsten Ingham
Maleena Thurston, CPA
DIRECTOR
Bethany Mckoy is a lawyer at TAP Law, a female-owned and operated civil litigation boutique. Before joining TAP Law, Bethany articled and worked as an associate in the litigation department of a large international full-service law firm.
Bethany graduated from the University of Toronto in 2012 and received her J.D. from Osgoode Hal
DIRECTOR
Bethany Mckoy is a lawyer at TAP Law, a female-owned and operated civil litigation boutique. Before joining TAP Law, Bethany articled and worked as an associate in the litigation department of a large international full-service law firm.
Bethany graduated from the University of Toronto in 2012 and received her J.D. from Osgoode Hall in 2016. Prior to joining the board at EmpowHERto, Bethany acted as Chair of the Young Lawyers Division of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers. Bethany has always been focused on supporting youth through accessible programming and inclusive mentorship, and her professional and volunteer history reflects this passion.
When she’s not reading trashy novels or trying to perfect her lemon square recipe, Bethany is spending time with her daughter, Eva. She is excited to be a part of an organization that makes the world better for little girls just like hers.
Kirsten Ingham
Kirsten Ingham
Kirsten Ingham
DIRECTOR
Kirsten Ingham believes in being involved in organizations whose mission and values align with her own. The projects she works on and roles are chosen based on the tangible impact her decisions will make on her community and the growth of her organization. “I want to change the world, and have no qualms with making my voice heard.
DIRECTOR
Kirsten Ingham believes in being involved in organizations whose mission and values align with her own. The projects she works on and roles are chosen based on the tangible impact her decisions will make on her community and the growth of her organization. “I want to change the world, and have no qualms with making my voice heard.”
She joined the Canadian Autism Society's Board of Directors in 2020 but has been a lifelong advocate in public outreach, education, and advocacy for individuals on the autism spectrum and other disadvantaged communities.
As an EmpowHERto Board member, she hopes to take charge of the SHEleads program and maximize its impact on young womxn in the Greater Toronto Area to empower their personal and professional development.
“I am incredibly passionate about empowering young womxn to be leaders and to take hold of their own strengths – I’ve spent the past decade volunteering at numerous organizations dedicated to youth leadership.”
Currently, she is a Marketing Manager of Revenue Management at Yellow Pages/Pages-Jaune where she champions the new neighborhood economy. Over the course of her career, Kirsten has created and managed marketing offers for one of Canada’s largest online advertisers in English and French. As an avid small-business supporter, she is all about supporting local businesses.
She graduated with a degree in marketing from the University of Ottawa and has spent her career working in digital marketing strategy and revenue management. When not working, Kirsten is a competitive powerlifter and avid reader. She is also the proud owner of a retired racing greyhound named Beau and does freelance photography and flips vintage designer clothing as a hobby.
Jenny Jiang
Kirsten Ingham
Kirsten Ingham
DIRECTOR
Jenny Jiang serves as a member of the Board of Directors for EmpowHERto. She has an MBA from Western University, Ivey Business School, and became a designated CPA in 2015. Today she works in Strategy & Operations at Uber Eats. In her spare time, she enjoys painting and growing vegetables in her garden. On what she hopes to accomp
DIRECTOR
Jenny Jiang serves as a member of the Board of Directors for EmpowHERto. She has an MBA from Western University, Ivey Business School, and became a designated CPA in 2015. Today she works in Strategy & Operations at Uber Eats. In her spare time, she enjoys painting and growing vegetables in her garden. On what she hopes to accomplish while at EmpowHERto, she says, “The few but memorable female role models in my life played a big part in who I am today. I hope that through EmpowHERto, I can pay it forward and help create the next generation of strong female voices in our community.”
Christine Tan
Christine Tan
Christine Tan
DIRECTOR
Christine is AVP Portfolio Management at SLGI Global Investments, the investment manager of the Sun Life family of mutual funds. She feels very fortunate to be doing something she loves, and continues to learn every day even after more than 20 years in the financial industry. In addition to being a CFA charterholder, Christine ha
DIRECTOR
Christine is AVP Portfolio Management at SLGI Global Investments, the investment manager of the Sun Life family of mutual funds. She feels very fortunate to be doing something she loves, and continues to learn every day even after more than 20 years in the financial industry. In addition to being a CFA charterholder, Christine has a MBA from the Schulich School of Business and a BSc (Honours) from the University of Alberta.
She believes that womxn bring a powerful and different perspective to leadership, and the foundation of these next generation leaders are the young girls and young womxn of today. Womxn are also very important contributors to the family, society and the economy. “I joined the Board of EmpowHERto so I can help create programs and a safe environment for young womxn to explore, learn and achieve their potential. I would like to share advice I have received over the years: Be true to yourself. Be kind to yourself. Embrace failure as a step to success. Most important of all….. dare to try.”
In addition to being an avid traveler, Christine also enjoys yoga, music and reading a wide range of genres.
Executive Team
Janeen Brown
Francesca Bartella
Francesca Bartella
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & FOUNDER
Janeen Brown is the Executive Director and Founder of EmpowHERto,. She is an advocator for the well-being of womxn, building self-confidence, and female entrepreneurship. Previously, Janeen spent time managing a team for a television company, but felt she had a greater purpose to help improve the prospects fo
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & FOUNDER
Janeen Brown is the Executive Director and Founder of EmpowHERto,. She is an advocator for the well-being of womxn, building self-confidence, and female entrepreneurship. Previously, Janeen spent time managing a team for a television company, but felt she had a greater purpose to help improve the prospects for female leaders. She hosted a number of events that brought together womxn of different backgrounds to communicate and help each other, but wanted to have an even greater impact on their lives, which led her to found EmpowHERto. She became an entrepreneur in 2015, and has successfully created three companies.
Janeen is constantly inspired by the younger generations and has a drive to lead young womxn to success and achieve generational wealth.When Janeen is not hard at work you can find her continuing to nurture her passion for mentoring younger womxn..
Francesca Bartella
Francesca Bartella
Francesca Bartella
DIRECTOR OF LEADERSHIP AND DEVELOPMENT
Franca Bartella, Director of Leadership & Development at EmpowHERto, advises and oversees the management and strategic priorities of the Leadership Team.
Working closely with our Executive Director, Franca manages key external partnerships and stakeholder relationships, and ensures every senior leade
DIRECTOR OF LEADERSHIP AND DEVELOPMENT
Franca Bartella, Director of Leadership & Development at EmpowHERto, advises and oversees the management and strategic priorities of the Leadership Team.
Working closely with our Executive Director, Franca manages key external partnerships and stakeholder relationships, and ensures every senior leader is equipped to lead their team well and fulfill deliverables.
Prior to her current role, she served as Community Engagement and Volunteer Supervisor for EmpowHERto.
Franca has a background in Operations Management and Leadership and Planning development and also Volunteer and Community engagement.
On her role at EmpowHERto she says, “Being part of the team means I am aligned with my life’s passion of empowering womxn and girls all over the world. I believe that as womxn we need to lift each other up. Young womxn today are at a high risk of losing their sense of self-worth. If I have inspired one young mind, I am content. If I can reach many, I will have accomplished my life’s goal.”
Her experience with leadership and planning development has not kept her from also pursuing another passion of hers — writing. Franca has been working with children and families for over 20 years as an educator and author. She has published four children’s books: The Pancake Princess, Lucinda Queen of Everything, Simbala by the Seashore, and Bubble Blowing Bobby.
She holds a Certificate in Volunteer Management with a focus us on Leadership & Planning from Humber College, and a Diploma in Writing for Children and Teens from the Institute of Children’s Literature.
She enjoys freelance writing and blogging in her spare time, and is passionate about empowering womxn to take control of their emotional health.
Julia Brown
Julia Brown
Julia Brown
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
Julia Brown is the Director of Communications for EmpowHERto where she oversees Marketing & PR activities, assists
creative teams in producing materials and campaigns to promote
EmpowHERto, and is responsible for guiding the overall messaging to the public.
Julia’s journey with EmpowHERto began in 2019 as a volunt
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
Julia Brown is the Director of Communications for EmpowHERto where she oversees Marketing & PR activities, assists
creative teams in producing materials and campaigns to promote
EmpowHERto, and is responsible for guiding the overall messaging to the public.
Julia’s journey with EmpowHERto began in 2019 as a volunteer PR Coordinator.
She joined as a university student
looking for experience in the communications field, and a place where she could “use her communications abilities to support a cause close to my heart.” After one year
she was promoted to Director of Communications.
“I’m very passionate about breaking the barriers that society places on girls and in helping them overcome the struggles that many females face growing up. I think EmpowHERto can provide a lot of opportunities for leadership, self-development, and socialization that are crucial as girls navigate what can be a difficult time in their lives.”
Before managing communications for EmpowHERto, she volunteered as Co-Chair and Communications Director for the Trent University branch of Get Real for two years.
She worked other PR/Marketing jobs through the university’s fundraising department, for a candidate in a municipal election, and for a chamber of commerce.
Committed to her passion of helping womxn, she works for DesignHER Haus, a marketing & branding agency that helps female entrepreneurs take their businesses to the next level. She received a Bachelor's degree in Media Studies from Trent University and a Public Relations Certificate from York University. In her free time she plays with her
cat Indie, watches drag shows, rides along bike paths, and explores
museums.
Nia Davis
Julia Brown
Julia Brown
DIRECTOR OF CONTENT STRATEGY
As the Director of Content Strategy, Nia Davis leads EmpowHERto’s content marketing strategy creating content for a targeted audience across multiple platforms. Nia is a professional writer and editor with more than 18 years of experience crafting content for local, national, and international audiences. She ha
DIRECTOR OF CONTENT STRATEGY
As the Director of Content Strategy, Nia Davis leads EmpowHERto’s content marketing strategy creating content for a targeted audience across multiple platforms. Nia is a professional writer and editor with more than 18 years of experience crafting content for local, national, and international audiences. She has worked for award-winning publications, non-profits, and start-ups as a newspaper reporter, magazine contributor, managing editor, and communications specialist. Still, she finds working with EmpowHERto to be one of the most rewarding positions she's held.
"I'm excited to be a part of a team that values educating and guding young women and girls to be their best selves."
When not creating inspiring content for EmpowHERto, Nia is a freelance writer and runs an ESL tutoring company. In her spare time, she enjoys designing jewelry from repurposed objects and exploring new areas in her home city of Washington, D.C.