Board Members & Advisors
Wendi Felician - Chair
Wendi is the founder and chair of ElLemuel, with over 20 years of experience in social services and community health. She specializes in case management, mental health, research, and advocacy, holding an MA in counseling and a certification in Volunteer Management Leadership, along with other certifications. Passionate about empowerment, Wendi focuses on creating safe, supportive environments and connecting people to vital resources. Known for her creativity, resourcefulness, and versatility, she also founded OuBél Beauty Inc. in 2022, a cosmetic brand specializing in non-toxic products. Guided by strong faith, Wendi embraces Helen Keller’s belief that “hope sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible.”
Michelle Brown - Secretary
Michelle is a registered Early Childhood Educator with the Durham District School Board; she's a dedicated wife and a nurturing mother to two remarkable daughters. Since its inception on August 1st, 2023, Michelle has played a pivotal role as the Secretary on the ElLemuel board. Her passion for children's development extends beyond her professional role; it's a fundamental part of who she is. At the heart of Michelle's work is her commitment to nurturing children's social and emotional skills. As a fervent advocate for child welfare, she believes in empowering young minds to navigate the complexities of the world with confidence and compassion. Beyond her involvement with ElLemuel, Michelle actively participates in youth mentorship programs, fostering a sense of belonging and connection among the younger generation. Michelle's attitude revolves around the idea that collective action yields profound results. Guided by Helen Keller's timeless wisdom, she firmly believes that unity is the cornerstone of impactful change. With her unwavering dedication and belief in the power of community, Michelle continues to inspire others to join her in creating a brighter, more inclusive future for all.
Delores Walters - Treasurer
Delores is a retired Principal with over 23 years of experience in education with the Toronto District School Board. She has led diverse school teams and managed complex budgets, mentorship programs, and multidisciplinary student support teams. Committed to community well-being, Delores has worked closely with families, educators, and local agencies to support vulnerable populations. Originally trained at Mico University College in Jamaica, Delores holds a BA in Geography and International Development (UWI) and a Master’s in Environmental Studies from York University, with a focus on social planning and international development. Her work spans education, urban planning, and international project management, including initiatives in Jamaica and Ghana. She is a certified Family Mediator (York University) and trained in Couple and Family Therapy (University of Guelph), and is currently preparing for licensing. She also holds certification in Mental Health First Aid. Delores actively supports women's counselling initiatives in Canada and Guyana, focusing on trauma recovery, relationship health, and empowerment. She brings a deep commitment to collaboration, equity, and community advancement.
Yonatan Ghebrey - Advisor
Yonatan brings a wealth of experience in social determinants of health, community development, community-based research, and evaluation, and building a culture of inquiry-based learning. He held various positions in non-profit and funding organizations; taught community development practices, grant writing, and program evaluation courses in college; and provided consulting services in evaluative capacity and culture building. Through these experiences, he developed a solid understanding of what it takes to bring about impactful change in social determinants of health, such as housing, education, employment. He is a firm believer in self-empowerment and agency as preconditions for individuals and communities to take control and influence their wellbeing. He also believes the challenges communities face are systemic in nature and require system level engagement, including engaging in difficult conversations that must first lead to personal transformation before community or societal transformation. He is learning to recognize the complexity and messiness of addressing wicked social issues, such as housing, health, employment, immigration, and settlement. He sees himself and the communities he is connected to as part of the broader system that must change for the better. Yonatan received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and master’s in education from York University. He is an alumnus of the Emerging Leaders Program, Management Certificate offered by United Way Toronto, Metcalf Foundation and York University’s Schulich School of Business, and Maytree Foundation’s Leaders for Change. As a passionate soccer player and amateur coach, he brings coaching principles and team spirit to his work.
Constantine Rhaich'al - Advisor
With over two decades of experience, Constantine has been at the forefront of executing enterprise projects and driving exceptional sales results. Constantine’s is skilled in the following areas: Sales Strategy and Execution | Digital Transformation | Hybrid Cloud Migration and Execution | Artificial Intelligence (AI) Application in Healthcare | Cybersecurity | Consultative Selling | Account Management | CRM And Pipeline Management | Leadership and Team Collaboration | Corporate & Regulatory Compliance | His passion lies in transforming ideas into next-generation digital solutions that fuel revenue growth and redefine business outcomes for enterprises of all sizes.
Kareen Turner - Advisor
Kareen is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in healthcare operations and stratigic leadership. With over 16 years of leadership experience in clinical healthcare, non-profit and for- profit environments, Kareen brings a wealth of knowledge to the table from diverse perspectives. Kareen's passion lies in fostering partnerships to create transformative change in the communities she serves.
Johnny Leacock - Advisor
Consistently ranking in the top 5% as an award-winning realtor, Johnny excels in both commercial and residential real-estate within Guelph and District Association of Realtors. He holds certification as an international realtor actively involved in projects spanning the Caribbean and Canada. Collaborating with an extensive international network of realtors, he actively promotes Guelph locally and globally. Additionally, Johnny serves as a member at City Hall, appointed to offer guidance and expertise in the renewal of downtown Guelph. He also contributes as a past member of the Board of Publication task force, instrumental in launching the independent realtor-owned publication, Real Estate Update. For the past seven years, he has been an advocate for downtown development through his involvement with the Downtown Renewal Committee. Johnny is also a founding member of the Guelph Black Heritage Society. His primary motivation stems from is deep love for the community.
Emelia Sekoh - Advisor
Born in Ghana, Emelia moved to Canada at the age of nine. Driven by a passion for healthcare, she pursued nursing, completing a four-year bachelor's program at Ryerson University. Emelia gained valuable experience working as a nurse in the ICU at Toronto General Hospital and Toronto Western Hospital. Committed to furthering her education, she earned a master's degree in nursing and nurse practitioner studies from York University. For the past decade, Emelia has been serving as a primary care provider at Unison Health and Community Services, making significant contributions to the community's health and wellbeing.