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.
Kelsey Boyer, Secretary
Kelsey Boyer’s passion is people; she spent 5+ years in the technical recruitment industry as a consulting partner and now has her own coaching business focused on empowering women and creating more female leaders. Kelsey has been involved with FAB since its infancy in many capacities such as Events volunteer, Coach, Coach Recruiter and now board member.
Kelsey is a huge health, fitness and recreational sports advocate playing ice hockey growing up and now co-ed floor hockey, has competed in multiple half marathons and marathons, is a regular at F45 training, and also holds various fitness certifications. Kelsey is eager to bring her passion and experience to FAB and finding more ways to empower youth girls to grow into strong, confident women.
Marianne Vrbanic
Marianne Vrbanic has been an employee with City Of Hamilton, with the Recreation Division for over 25 years. During this time with the City, Marianne has held a number of progressive roles that include: organizing and providing grass roots community recreation programs as well as the promotion of the Hamilton Fit for Life philosophy of well being, active living, and creating opportunities that enhance life long wellness. Marianne is a certified Fitness Instructor, who enjoys outdoor sports, leisure activities and sharing these moments with her daughters.
The need to enhance and embrace the entire person at a young age is what FAB does; this is a stepping stone to life long wellness.. Courage, determination and pride is what all girls are made of, FAB just strengthens those qualities…”
Kathy Uher
Kathy leverages her 25+ years of Executive Leadership in the Corporate world to support Boards and Non Profit organizations to fulfill their missions. Known for ‘getting things done’ Kathy inspires a culture of achievement and is passionate about the outdoors and supporting women in leadership. She holds an ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors, MBA from Wilfrid Laurier University and undergraduate degrees in Commerce and Psychology. An avid cyclist, hiker, kayaker, snowshoer and former runner, Kathy enjoys quality time with family and friends at the cottage in Ontario’s beautiful Kawartha Lakes.
Jessica Ciprietti-Mills
Jessica is a Licensed Investment Representative of the Byrne+Cohen group at the private client division of BMO Nesbitt Burns. Upon graduating from Wilfrid Laurier University, she started working at BMO Nesbitt Burns and has been there over 9 years. Jessica is ecstatic to be a part of the FAB Board and to devote her free time supporting girls to achieve their dreams and ambitions!
When not working, Jessica is an avid runner having completed two full marathons and countless charity runs. She also continues to play soccer; a passion since childhood, and enjoys being outdoors with her husband Matt and their Husky/ Shepherd Pup named Scherzer.
Hebba Fahmy
Hebba Fahmy holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Master of Industrial Relations from Queen’s University, specializing in human resource management. She later pursued Montessori teacher training and worked as an educator in both early childhood and elementary school settings. Hebba has spent many years in classrooms focusing on child-centered learning and student leadership, with special interests in nature conservation and global citizenship. She’s passionate about holistic development, wellness, and community building.
Hebba is also interested in children’s recreation and has completed various certifications with HIGH FIVE. She has experience managing communications and program development for a small sports and fitness business, promoting physical literacy and active living.
Rochelle Ivri
Rochelle Ivri is 1 of 10 citizenship judges in Canada and a paralegal professor at Mohawk College in Hamilton. She has a degree in Criminology from the University of Windsor, a post-graduate certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution from York University and has co-authored the textbook, Tribunal Practice and Procedure for Legal Professionals.
Rochelle served as a board member on the Niagara-on-the-Lake Public Library Board for 8 years and she was also appointed as a public member to the Council of the College of Midwives of Ontario, where she also served for 8 years, 2 of which involved being on the Executive Board. Additionally, Rochelle was a member of the Discipline, Appeal, and Review Committee of the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council. She currently sits on the board of “Bravo Niagara!”, the Niagara Region’s Women’s Advisory Committee, the Representation Committee of Black North, and is co-founder and facilitator of a mentorship program for Black youth. Rochelle and her husband, Eldean, have 4 children and she is passionate about human rights, the Charter, and encouraging good citizenship and civic engagement in youth. Rochelle is delighted to be joining to FAB Board and contributing her talents and expertise.
