Board Members
The board members of Fit Active Beautiful Foundation are from Southern Ontario, who are committed to empowering youth girls to reach their full potential, and grow into strong, confident women.
Dr. Leanne Gosse, Chair
Leanne holds a PhD in social and personality psychology from Brock University and an MA in Social and developmental psychology from Wilfrid Laurier University. She also completed a SSHRC Post-Doctoral research fellowship at the University of Waterloo in industrial-organizational psychology, with an emphasis on organizational justice. Leanne’s areas of scholarship include human rights and people with intellectual disabilities, the psychology of justice, eye-witness recall, and forgiveness. Leanne currently works as a Professor in the Community and Criminal Justice Degree Program at Conestoga College and as a Consultant in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. Leanne is active in the community, volunteering with Autism Services Waterloo Region, Friends of the Crime Prevention Council, St. Johns Ambulance, and working as Assistant Race Director of the Hamilton Road2Hope Marathon.
Sharon Gallant, Vice-Chair
Sharon’s passion is driven by first hand experience that, despite the circumstances surrounding us, we each have the capacity within us to be change agents in our lives and community. Sharon started FAB in 2009 to plant the seed of “I CAN” in the minds of girls facing poverty, or other barriers, one 5K run at a time; helping to develop the confidence and goal-setting skills necessary for each of them to lead an empowered life.
Ann Prawl, Treasurer
Ann has over 20 years of professional experience in the NFP Sector.
She has served on a number of boards as Treasurer, most recently on the Halton Women's Place Board, a charity that remains dear to Ann's beliefs in giving back to the community and helping women who are displaced. Her focus has now turned to FAB to help instill courage and self confidence in young girls, in a bid to prepare them for a successful future.
She has held numerous financial positions as branch Manager, Manager of Finance, Head of Finance and currently is the Financial Controller at the Community Living Cambridge.
Ann lives in Burlington with her family.
Amy Schafer, Secretary
Amy Schafer is a long-tenured compliance professional in the financial services industry. She holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Finance and Management from Northern State University (Aberdeen, South Dakota) and is a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist. She’s an active advocate for diversity, inclusion and belonging and is an accessibility champion at her workplace.
Amy is an avid Crossfitter with a passion for nutrition and healthy eating. In her spare time, she attends Broadway musicals and can be found listening to a true crime podcast. She resides in Burlington with her husband but often travels to her true home in the Midwest USA.
Ashley Stevens
Ashley has over 15 years working in the Technology space as a Human Resources leader, for medium to large sided corporations spanning across North America. Although she is still working in that space, her focus has turned to FAB to help encourage connection, strength, courage and leadership within young women today and for their future within our community.
When Ashley is not working, she is usually in the gym training for the annual IronGirl. She is an outdoors enthusiast, and enjoys spending time with her family. Ashley was born and raised in Hamilton, and possesses her Undergraduate Degree from McMaster University and Post-Graduate certification in Human Resources Management from Mohawk College.
Stephanie Moriarity
Stephanie is a proud graduate of McMaster University and Humber College.
Stephanie is an active member in the Hamilton community. She is passionate about volunteerism in Hamilton and has volunteered abroad in Tanzania, teaching youth English and working at Forever Angels BabyHome Orphanage.
In her spare time, Stephanie lives an active lifestyle and you can find her in a spin class at Spinco Hamilton or at the Bayfront catching an early morning sunrise!
Stephanie was a FAB coach for many years and has been actively involved with FAB since 2010! She believes every young girl deserves the opportunity to be inspired, feel confident and dream big!
Katherine Dziedzic
Kat holds an Honours BA in Kinesiology and Physical Education from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Bachelor's of Education from York University. After a few years as a classroom teacher, she pivoted to a career in children & youth recreation management and youth leadership development, melding her passions to provide young leaders unique opportunities to thrive and obtain a fitness education.
Outside of work, Kat is a parent to an 8-year old stepson and 11-year old stepdaughter, and understands the importance of building community and being active from a young age. She loves spending as much time outdoors as she possibly can with her kids, fiancé, and their Husky/American Bulldog mix, Seymour.
Lisa Knapper
Lisa Knapper, ND is a dedicated Naturopathic Doctor with 14 years of clinical experience as well as a diverse business and entrepreneurial background.
Her work as an ND has always been about promoting health and wellness and often focuses on lifestyle and physical activity as a means to better wellbeing.
Lisa is raising two daughters of her own, here in Hamilton. Being active with them, especially outdoors, is one of her greatest joys.
Thessa Dougan-Smith
Thessa Dougan-Smith is a CPA having qualified as accountant both in the UK and Canada. She also has an MBA from the Oxford Brookes University in the UK and holds a qualified Administrator certification from the Intercultural Development Inventory to support her strong conviction to equality and inclusivity.
Her international experience spans 5 countries and include accounting, auditing, budgets and financial operations in Government, NPO’s, Charities and small and medium size businesses.
Thessa enjoys making a difference in people’s lives especially children and youths and the elderly. She is also a member of the Board a for profit organization that supports small and medium size business in the Greater Toronto Area grow.
Elissa Molino
Elissa Molino is a seasoned operations leader and Certified Executive Career Coach. As General Manager of Energuy, a Brantford-based company, she oversees nationwide operations and drives strategic initiatives. Elissa holds a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and is a member of the Project Management Institute. She also runs a consulting business dedicated to empowering women in their professional development.
Her passion for volunteerism began in Ottawa, where she mentored youth through Big Sisters and supported children with cancer and their families at Camp Quality. Now based in Southwestern
Ontario, Elissa is excited to join FAB, an organization that closely aligns with her commitment to empowering young girls.
A lifelong athlete, Elissa played soccer at Humber College and attended a high-performance athletic high school. She attributes her professional success to the resilience and teamwork cultivated
through competitive sports.
As a FAB Foundation Board member, Elissa is dedicated to helping young girls realize their full potential and grow into confident leaders.