About Head2Core
We’re driven by our values
Mutual Respect
At Head2Core we recognize that we all come from different backgrounds and have different experiences, and we are focused on compassion and empathy by being accepting, encouraging, and supportive
Leadership
Head2Core was founded with an intense desire to involve and evolve, and we believe in serving the common good of the communities in which we live by being empowering, visionary, interconnected, generous and energetic
Self-Improvement
At Head2Core we encourage stepping outside of your own comfort zone to increase your happiness level. We commit to being encouraging, accepting and supportive
Philanthropy
Head2Core will focus on these values and principles to create pathways towards better mental health through sport with programs and initiatives for the betterment of the community.
Inclusivity
At Head2Core we recognize that we all come from different backgrounds and have different experiences, and we are focussed on compassion and empathy by being accepting, encouraging, and supportive
About the founders
Bio
Joanne Rossy is a lifetime Montrealer, and an immensely proud mom to her two grown sons, Philip and Eric. She is an interior designer and a sports enthusiast.
She has competed in triathlons and participates in a number of activities, cycling and skate skiing being amongst her favourites. Throughout her life she has enjoyed the wonderful physical, social, and mental health benefits from living an active lifestyle.
In addition, she has significant experience in non-profit work, having volunteered for numerous organizations in health and education. Each experience has led to this new and exciting chapter as a founder of Head2Core, combining her two favourite passions - mental health advocacy and fitness.
Bio
Susan was born and raised in a small town on the northern tip of Newfoundland. Sports served as an outlet for small town life and adolescence.
A graduate of Queen’s University at Kingston, she worked in the financial industry for most of her career until starting her own company in Corporate Transformation.
She is heavily involved in her community, volunteering with several not for profits and sports associations. She is still involved in athletics including cycling, running, kayaking, downhill skiing and soccer. She is a certified yoga instructor.She is married, has two wonderful children, Rafaëlle and Sasha, and is currently living in Montréal (QC) Canada.
Board of Directors
Bio
Gianni Venturino is the co-founder of Passion Soccer Boutique and works closely with the local Montreal soccer community. He is a graduate of Concordia University's John Molson School of Business in marketing.
He rediscovered his joy for running in 2019 and has recently added endurance sports to his passions. He has competed in everything from 5K road races to 55K trail runs, as well as two 70.3 Ironman triathlons.
He leads free weekly social runs with a run club he co-founded called CSB Runs (Courir Sans Ballon). Gianni feels very strongly about creating awareness for the cause of better mental health, in particular through sports, and is a proud supporter of several initiatives in Montreal. He is thrilled to share his expertise with Head2Core.
Bio
Catherine Parent has worked at Roynat Capital for 18+ years and has been head of Roynat Equity Partners Eastern Canada since 2014. Born in Quebec City, she grew up in Montreal and graduated from Concordia University's John Molson School of Business with a major in finance and minor in accounting. Catherine has been involved in her personal and work community for years, volunteering with a variety of non-profit organizations.
Married and proud mama of three teens, she encourages them in their chosen sports: gymnastics, athleticism, hockey, golf, baseball and soccer.
Active in badminton, running and fitness training, she strongly believes that a balanced and healthy life still starts with physical activity. With the increasing stress, high performance expectations and fast paced lifestyles, physical activity provides her an escape by reducing stress and anxiety. Catherine did not think twice when asked if she could get involved with Head2Core as it ticks a lot of boxes she strongly believes in.
Bio
A lifelong athlete, in 2008 Don White co-founded CoreXcellence, the Montreal fitness centre where he is director of athletic development.
He has more than 30 years of experience in the fitness and performance fields and has a broad range of clients, including pregnant women, post-rehab patients, amateur and high school athletes, and professional athletes.
Eating well and training right are the cornerstones of Don’s belief in healthy living. Over the years, his never-ending pursuit for knowledge and his dedication to improving both the performance and lives of his clients have made him one of the most sought-after performance specialists in Canada.
Bio
André La Forge joined the board of directors because he truly believes in the benefits of better mental through physical activity and wanted to be a part of an organization that promotes a better understanding and education. Whenever he is feeling stressed, depressed or overwhelmed a good run, bike ride or even long walk helps to clear his mind and reflect is extremely refreshing and helps to make important decisions that relieves pressure.
André possesses close to 40 years of hands-on practical experience working with medium sized business and their management teams, accompanying them throughout all facets of their corporate development. For the better part of the past 22 years André has been an active hands-on private equity investor with Borealis Private Equity (affiliated with the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS)), Kilmer Capital Partners, Roynat Equity Partners (a subsidiary of the Bank of Nova Scotia), Entrepreneur Capital and Champlain Financial Corporation. During this span André represented the controlling shareholder in some 18 businesses in various industry sectors. During this period André also held senior operational roles in 3 of those businesses.
André has an undergraduate degree in finance and economics from the John Molson School of Business (Concordia University) and an MBA in applied economics from Laval University.
André is married, has 3 children and 3 grandchildren and currently splits his time between Montréal and the Eastern Townships.
Bio
Radio personality Andrew Carter has been the morning man at CJAD – Montreal’s top-rated English-language AM radio station – since 2003. In 2017, Andrew revealed on air that he had been battling depression. His honest approach helped listeners get a handle on mental illness.
Through it all, Andrew never lost his good humour and remains one of Montreal’s favourite broadcasters.
Andrew was a champion curler, representing Quebec at the Canadian Curling championships three times, and he is an enthusiastic but average golfer. He has lent his support to many great charities, including the Cedars Cancer Foundation, the Camp Weredale Foundation, and the Theresa Dellar Palliative Care Residence.
Bio
Dr. Heather Bullock has an extensive background in health-care policy and knowledge translation, researching how large jurisdictions implement evidence-informed policy directions in mental health systems.
While working at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Heather developed and led a knowledge-exchange network for mental health and addictions aimed at building a better mental health and addictions system in Ontario.
She also works in an advisory and governance capacity on several provincial, national and international initiatives, including the International Knowledge Exchange Network for Mental Health and the Ontario HIV Treatment Network.
Heather enjoys a variety of physical activities, including rowing, swimming, walking her dog Jackie and — since the onset of COVID-19 — working out on her pandemic-acquired Peloton bike.
Advisors
Bio
Currently a Director at PwC Corporate Finance, Philippe Delorme brings his expertise as a seasoned CPA to deliver strategic financial insights, fostering sustainable growth for clients and projects alike. Born and raised in Montreal, Philippe's roots in the city shape his community-centered approach, which extends beyond his professional life.
A former university football player, Philippe remains deeply committed to the benefits of physical activity, prioritizing it as an essential component for sound mental health. His past service on the board at the École de Cirque de Verdun and current role as a minor football coach reflect his passion for supporting skill development and teamwork in young people. This commitment carries over to his own family life, where he actively encourages physical activity with his children, reinforcing a lifestyle of health and resilience.
Bio
With experience in team sports (soccer and competitive dance), I developed a love for being on a team and working with others towards a common goal. My experiences in sport yielded both positive (e.g., winning championships) and negative (e.g., getting benched) psychological experiences, and these experiences affected how I viewed sport. To me, sport is more than just playing the sport, it is an environment that forces you to train your body and your brain, something I had never experienced outside of sport. Of particular interest to me were the negative experiences I had in sport, and how this affected my performance. This prompted me to join the McGiIll Sport Psychology Research lab to explore this avenue through research. My main research area includes women in sport and the role of the coach in athletes development and success. Specifically, my thesis focuses on barriers faced by former professional female hockey players leading to their sport discontinuation. Outside academia, I enjoy volunteering at sport events such as the National Bank Open in Montreal every August, working summers at my family café, and playing rec soccer with friends.
Bio
Born in the United States and raised primarily in Canada, Frank worked in Music Production and Broadcast Media on both sides of the border during his 31 year professional career.
With over two decades experience sitting on numerous non-profit boards and committees, events both athletic and dînatoire, have become one of his fundraising strengths. However, his focus has always been on the operational, financial and legal components of philanthropy. A stickler for good governance, Frank has led many NPO’s & NGO’s into restructured modern standards.
Once only having been an athletic weekend warrior, exercise and training for major events and adventures became a full-time obsession and lifestyle choice. Having participated in countless professional and non-profit sporting events, the effort and meditative process of preparation, habit, choice and discipline, especially in the lead up and wake of major reconstructive surgeries and several years of illness has served to be invaluable to Frank’s mental and physical conditioning.
Bio
A dedicated mother of two young and active children, Jessica Lento brings close to twenty years of experience in private school environments, with a background in Admissions and Board roles at both daycare and elementary school levels. Currently, she is the Admissions and Development Coordinator at Solomon Schechter Academy, where her passion for fundraising was established. Jessica enjoys engaging in activities with her children and projects that inspire her creativity, believing that shared community experiences help reduce anxiety, foster lifelong connections with others, and set a positive example for her family.
Jessica and her family embrace the great outdoors camping each summer in their RV. She spends her nights camping under the stars, waking up to morning hikes and enjoys yoga on the beach, finding tranquility in some alone time. Jessica enjoys staying active with her children, often going for small runs or leisurely walks together. By prioritizing physical activities inspired by her husband and children, she finds balance and fulfillment, striving to be the best mother, spouse, and person she can be.
Bio
Kirstin Schell has worked as a personal trainer and nutrition coach for over 20 years, merging her competitive athletic background, her passion for all things wellness and her desire to help others. Kirstin has seen how regular exercise benefits her clients with mental health struggles, as well as many members of her own family.
Kirstin has a wealth of education in the fitness and health field and has presented at fitness conferences and events across Canada. She enjoys volleyball and softball and has completed many triathlons and marathons. She loves to keep moving!
Bio
Stefanie has been a marketing and communications specialist in the fitness, wellness, and the fashion industry for over 10 years. She strives for a healthy and balanced lifestyle in her personal life as well as her professional life.
She works with like-minded businesses all over the world to create, promote, and collaborate. From working at a yoga retreat in Sri Lanka, to managing a pilates studio in Montreal, Stefanie now works alongside fitness and wellness professionals on their social media presence, and also runs a small women-owned business!
Bio
Bio
Ora Loeub is an osteopath and athletic therapist at CoreXcellence, a Montreal fitness centre offering professional training, nutritional coaching and sports therapy to professional, amateur and everyday athletes.
Ora brings remarkable experience to the team, having worked as an athletic therapist and osteopath with Cirque du Soleil for four years and at the National Circus School for nine years.
She is the co-ordinator and head therapist for the Questo Rhythmic Gymnastics Club and has organized and managed the therapy program for two World Cup events held in Montreal.
Bio
Camille Charbonneau is a mental performance consultant with a master’s degree in performance and sport psychology. For the past six years, she has been helping athletes see the value that mental skills training has on performance and everyday life. Through tools and strategies based on sport psychology research, Cam helps athletes feel confident and focused.
Cam has worked with musicians, athletes, coaches, children and business leaders. Drawing on her experience as an educator, competitive athlete and personal trainer, she brings a holistic approach to helping athletes build lifelong skills that cultivate more balance, focus and enjoyment in their sport.
Bio
Loreen Pindera returned to running after a 20-year absence in 2002, as a way to manage anxiety and stress. A journalist with CBC News for 36 years, Loreen is an author, a mother and grandmother, an avid runner and cyclist, and an accomplished triathlete with more than 70 races under her belt.
She writes a column for Triathlon Magazine Canada, where she shares her reflections on her own challenges as an ageing triathlete and stories of other ordinary people who have turned to the sport of triathlon to help them lead healthier, more active and fulfilling lives.
Loreen is on the board of AmiQuébec, a community organization that helps families manage the effects of mental illness through support, education, guidance and advocacy.
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