À propos de nous
MISSION
Notre mission est de permettre aux femmes de vivre librement et pleinement dans une communauté sûre et solidaire grâce à la guérison, à l'éducation, à la recherche et à la défense sociale.
VISION
Notre vision est d’être un phare de liberté , de justice et de progrès économique pour les femmes.
Valeurs fondamentales
Liberté
Nous éduquons et défendons la liberté des femmes de vivre sans peur ni oppression et de faire des choix qui correspondent à leur véritable identité.
Empathie
Nous nous écoutons, nous comprenons et nous nous soutenons mutuellement.
Respect
Nous honorons la dignité et la valeur de chaque individu.
Communauté
Nous construisons des communautés sûres et solidaires qui encouragent et inspirent les femmes à s'épanouir dans un espace sûr.
Guérison intérieure
Nous offrons des espaces et des ressources informatives aux femmes pour qu'elles puissent guérir des traumatismes passés et retrouver une force renouvelée.
Paix
Nous favorisons des environnements où les femmes peuvent trouver la paix intérieure et contribuer à des familles fortes et saines.
Confiance
Nous honorons la dignité et la valeur de chaque individu.
Our Team
Esther Hephzibah
ACTING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Esther Hephzibah is a visionary leader, advocate, and mentor dedicated to empowering historically marginalized women and visible minorities. As the Founder and Executive Director of Shine Gathering for Women Foundation (SGWF), she is committed to creating safe, healing-centered spaces where women can grow, lead, and thrive. With a deep understanding of the challenges faced by underserved communities, Esther works to break down systemic barriers, ensuring women have access to the resources, mentorship, and opportunities they need to step into leadership roles.
Beyond her leadership at SGWF, Esther is passionate about faith, personal growth, and mental well-being. She integrates these values into her work, inspiring women to embrace their purpose, overcome limitations, and lead with confidence. She also enjoys traveling to explore new cultures and perspectives, reading inspiring books on leadership and faith, and hosting soul-care retreats that help women find restoration and clarity. Esther finds joy in deep, meaningful conversations over a great cup of tea and treasures quality time with her teenagers and close-knit community.
Esther continues to champion initiatives that uplift, equip, and advocate for Black and minority women. Whether through coaching, speaking, or community engagement, her mission remains the same: to help women rise, heal, and shine.
Ifeoluwa Omaghomi
PROJECT COORDINATOR
Ifeoluwa is passionate about empowering historically/culturally marginalized women and fostering safe spaces for healing, growth, and leadership. As the Project coordinator at Shine Gathering For Women Foundation, she plays a key role in advancing our mission to support underserved women through mentorship, advocacy, and community-driven initiatives.
With a background in social work, women empowerment and wellbeing, nonprofit leadership, Ifeoluwa brings expertise in program development, resource coordination and community management. She is dedicated to creating inclusive and accessible opportunities for women to heal, build resilience and thrive beyond limits.
Beyond Shine Gathering, Ifeoluwa enjoys volunteering, reading, advocacy work, and dancing. She is committed to driving meaningful change and ensuring that every woman has the support and resources to thrive.
Kacy-Ann Walcott
EVENT COORDINATOR
Kacy-Ann Walcott is the Event Coordinator and Team Leader with Shine Gathering for Women Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to supporting Black immigrant women in their mental health and wellness journeys. Originally from Jamaica, Kacy-Ann immigrated to Canada in 2022 and currently resides in Moncton, New Brunswick.
Kacy-Ann’s personal journey as a Black immigrant woman informs her deep passion and commitment to Shine’s mission. Shortly after her arrival in Canada, she overcame significant personal challenges, including fleeing domestic violence and navigating life in the shelter system for nearly 10 months while facing immigration and legal barriers. During this difficult time, Shine Gathering for Women became a source of hope and community for her. The support and sisterhood she experienced inspired her to give back.
Today, Kacy-Ann leads and coordinates events for Shine, ensuring each gathering is thoughtfully organized and provides healthy, nourishing meals for participants. Her lived experience fuels her dedication to creating safe, empowering spaces where immigrant women can prioritize their mental health, build community, and feel supported as they adjust to life in Canada.
Kacy-Ann continues to advocate for Black immigrant women, using her story to inspire and encourage others who may be facing similar challenges.
Our Board of Directors
Esther Hephzibah
BOARD DIRECTOR & PRESIDENT
Esther Hephzibah is a visionary leader, advocate, and mentor dedicated to empowering historically marginalized women and visible minorities. As the Founder and Executive Director of Shine Gathering for Women Foundation (SGWF), she is committed to creating safe, healing-centered spaces where women can grow, lead, and thrive. With a deep understanding of the challenges faced by underserved communities, Esther works to break down systemic barriers, ensuring women have access to the resources, mentorship, and opportunities they need to step into leadership roles.
Beyond her leadership at SGWF, Esther is passionate about faith, personal growth, and mental well-being. She integrates these values into her work, inspiring women to embrace their purpose, overcome limitations, and lead with confidence. She also enjoys traveling to explore new cultures and perspectives, reading inspiring books on leadership and faith, and hosting soul-care retreats that help women find restoration and clarity. Esther finds joy in deep, meaningful conversations over a great cup of tea and treasures quality time with her teenagers and close-knit community.
Esther continues to champion initiatives that uplift, equip, and advocate for Black and minority women. Whether through coaching, speaking, or community engagement, her mission remains the same: to help women rise, heal, and shine.
Carolyn Solanke
BOARD DIRECTOR & TREASURER
Carolyn Solanke is a forward-thinking specialist in Financial Auditing, Special Projects Management, Corporate Governance, and Training and Professional Development, bringing over 20 years of progressive experience to Shine Gathering for Women Foundation. With a rich background in the management consulting, banking and finance, education, nonprofit, government, and tourism sectors, Carolyn has propelled the growth of various organizations by consistently driving strategic planning, adaptive leadership, and exceptional communication. She is known for her ability to stimulate not less than 30% annual growth in the companies she has worked with.
A globally trained professional development facilitator, Carolyn is passionate about translating project visions into reality and offering tangible results that align with client expectations. She is dedicated to creating comprehensive reports that analyze learning objectives, delivery success rates, training expenditures, and ROI. Carolyn is known for her resourcefulness, energy, and precision in meeting organizational training and development needs.
As a member of the Board of Directors at Shine Gathering for Women Foundation, Carolyn plays an integral role in establishing governance processes and ensuring the organization's objectives are met, risks are managed, and resources are used responsibly. Outside of her professional work, Carolyn enjoys traveling, creative arts, and meeting new people.
.jpg)
Ochuwa George, PhD
BOARD DIRECTOR & SECRETARY
Ochuwa is a dedicated advocate for workplace psychological health and safety, with a strong commitment to protecting vulnerable women. She is a certified CMHA Psychological Health and Safety professional with extensive experience in implementing workplace mental health and safety strategies.
An experienced business leader, international keynote speaker, certified management consultant, project management professional, and lead auditor, Ochuwa brings over 20 years of expertise in leadership, organizational development, and strategic planning.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, a Master’s degree, and a Doctoral degree in Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Management.
As a member of the board, she is committed to advancing Shine Gathering’s mission, ensuring that women in vulnerable situations receive the resources, advocacy, and support they need to thrive. She is eager to contribute her knowledge and experience to strengthen the foundation’s initiatives and create lasting change.
