MEET OUR AMAZING TEAM

Danielle SmitH

Founder

Graduated with a BscN from the University of Ottawa and worked as a neonatal intensive care nurse for 25 years. She sees a very important need in the community to reach the underserved population, provide them with the life skills, leadership and confidence to do well in school and create a positive future for themselves. This will create more vibrant communities and families in years to come.

ASHLEY Wojdan

Volunteer Head Professional
​Business Advisor
Graduated from St. Francis Xavier University degree with a business degree with a major in accounting. She played competitive tennis and was ranked provincially and nationally. She completed her coach 1 and really makes it fun for the kids, where the kids improve technically under her direction, hit a ton of balls and love coming back each week. We are blessed to have someone so talented on our team.

Stephane St-ONGE

Volunteer Tennis Professional
Stephane works at the Montfort and has two amazing kids in our program. What a positive amazing attitude he brings to the courts, and helps all kids develop a passion for the game just like himself. He is an excellent role model to the kids, and they love to see him each week. He is a certified Tennis professional.
​

SIYR AMIRZODAH

Tennis Professional
Siyr used to play video games until he found a love for tennis where he lived on the courts, volunteered 400 hours for us and then took his Tennis Canada certification. He now is a role model for the kids, enjoys teaching them, and his enthusiasm makes it fun for every kid he teaches. He has graduated from Ridgemont and is heading to Carleton . All the best of luck!

RACHEL STYMIEST

Tennis Professional
We have known Rachel for over 8 years now, we taught her tennis at a young age and she brings her passion to the game to all the kids she teaches. Her amazing enthusiasm, organizational skills and communication makes tennis so much fun for everyone she teaches. The kids love her huge smile and commitment  to making sure all the kids have fun. She volunteered over 400 hours for us and received her Tennis Canada certification. She is off to Trent University for her second year!

Mariym AMIRZODAH

Business Consultant
Mariym was an honour student at Ridgemont when we first recruited her and now she is going into her third year at Ottawa U pursuing a commerce degree. She is truly a treasure, hard working, so smart and confident in her decisions which helps us continue to pursue our journey. She understands the need, and works closely with us, helping to put programs in place that help us with our success. She has helped in all aspects of the organization from teaching, volunteering and behind the scenes. A Truly valuable team member.

Myron Atta-Mensah

Tennis Professional
​Myron graduated from Ashbury and is going into his second year at the University of Toronto pursuing a business degree. He has an amazing attitude and is truly a terrific role model to the kids who love his enthusiasm. He is a terrific tennis player and the boys love to try to rally points against him. A hard working, positive attitude makes him a terrific team member.
​

ALEXANDRA LAHAM

Volunteer Tennis Professional
We are so blessed to have Alex come and help us out. She is also a Tennis Canada certified instructor who has an amazing way with the kids who love to have her teach them.  She is a student at Colonel By High School , playing tennis for about 10 years while taking lessons at the OAC.  Her positive attitude and amazing enthusiasm makes her such a valuable team member. 

Peter

 Volunteer Photographer
Peter has an amazing eye for detail and is so passionate about what he does. His enthusiasm and love for photography is exciting and he takes so many shots to make sure he gets a great one. He is able to capture the excitement the kids feel on court which is fantastic.
His attention to detail lets us tell the stories of the kids through pictures.

DANIEL

Tennis Professional
Daniel is in his last year of high school and has been a valuable member of our team by being so enthusiastic and passionate about tennis. He is a Tennis Canada certified pro and loves the kids. His organizational and communication skills, and his passion for the game help every child who comes enjoy tennis. 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

A truly inspirational team

Isabel THeberge

VICE PRESIDENT
Isabel has been involved in our organization from the ground up for 10 years. She has completed a kinesiology and physio degree and is now in her third year of medicine at the University of Ottawa. She is passionate about making a difference in the lives of kids.

Allan Wilson

Secretary
Allan is an amazing, organized, responsible and valuable member of our team. He works for the federal government but his amazing Comittment, dedication and kind ways has made working with Allan such a pleasure.

Luca Vella

Treasurer
Luca graduated fRom the uNiversity of Ottawa with a business degree with a major in accounting. He has a CPA and CMA designation but it is his excellent communication and the amazing way he organizes our finances that makes him such a valuable member of our team. He is so kind and Caring that it is such a pleasure having him on our team.