Karen Stearne has been the Executive Director of Heart Niagara since 1997.Karen believes strongly in giving to our community.  Volunteer Recognition has included the Paul Harris Fellow Award presented by Niagara Falls Rotary Club for community service, (2004), Women of Recognition Niagara Falls Zonta Club, (2004), Niagara Region Smoke Free Champion (2006), Women in Business Community Spirit Award (2011), Niagara Falls Good Citizen Award (2012) Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012).Karen contributed to Healthy Living Niagara as part of her community service for more than 10 years.  Karen has served on the Board of Project Share and is an honorary member of their Board.Heart Niagara is committed to provide health services, public education, health promotion and  continues to build community linkages and partnerships.Karen and Heart Niagara have demonstrated social responsibility through supporting community causes in the Niagara Region including founding member of the Niagara Sports Commission,  Niagara on the Move, Take Action Workplace Cessation Project, Niagara Community of Practice for Tobacco Cessation,  Project Share – Honourary Board Member, Niagara Prosperity Initiative, Niagara Physician Recruitment Program

Jo-Anne has had the pleasure of working for Heart Niagara for over 20 years. Jo-Anne keeps the day to day operations of Heart Niagara running smoothly. She is also often the first person you speak to when you call or visit, making her integral to our commitment to excellent service.

Don Gibson, BScN, NP-PHC – Nurse Practitioner

Don is in his 17^th year with Heart Niagara and his 31st year in nursing.Don’s main contribution to Heart Niagara is in the areas of heart disease prevention assessment, and education, research and clinical services.Don works with parents, teachers, Public Health, researchers and Heart Niagara staff to deliver the Healthy Heart Schools’ Program. He also provides preventative clinical services to clients with cardiovascular disease and/or the risk factors for cardiovascular disease.Don earned his BScN and the Nurse Practitioner – Primary Health Care Certificate at McMaster University in Hamilton.As a health care professional, one of Don’s key area of interest is exploring new ways to support parents and teachers in their efforts to improve healthy lifestyle messaging for all students in all grades.

Anita Fiorentino – CPR/AED, First Aid Instructor, Health and Safety Manager 

Anita is Heart Niagara’s Lead CPR Instructor and has worked for Heart Niagara for over 10 years.Anita regularly teaches community CPR and AED courses as well as youth through the Healthy Heart Schools’ Program.

Michelle Durante, CSEP-CEP – HeartCORE Program Manager

Michelle is a Certified Exercise Physiologist® who has experience in personal training, group training, health promotion and clinical exercise settings.  In 2015, she received a Bachelor of Science with specialization in Human Kinetics, with a minor in Psychology.  In 2016, she received a graduate certificate in Exercise Science for health and performance. Michelle recently partnered with Exercise is Medicine® Canada as a level 2 recognized exercise professional.  Michelle is the HeartCORE program manager and an energy coach. Her focus is on achieving her client’s individual fitness needs, facility research, and development.  Recent studies and statistics indicate that progressively more people are suffering from preventable diseases.  Michelle is passionate about helping people gain the tools necessary to prevent and reduce the risk of disease, so they can live long healthy lives.

Rebecca Gicante – Corporate Development

In today’s highly competitive market, Heart Niagara’s corporate services and workplace wellness programs are more important than ever. They offer significant benefits to employers and their employees. It’s Rebecca’s responsibility to market these programs and cultivate Heart Niagara’s business relationships.  She has the tools to perform these duties following a nearly 20 year career in sales, multi-media administration and marketing. Additionally, Rebecca has completed several academic programs in integrated marketing communications.  Recently, she completed studies through The Corporate Health and Wellness Association (CHWA) and is a Certified Corporate Wellness Specialist®.

Jennifer Beaudry – HHSP Expeditor 

Jennifer works exclusively with the Healthy Heart Schools’ Program. Her role when going into the school is measuring the students’ height, weight and waist circumference and then heading back to the office to enter all data collected from cholesterol testing day.

Terra Pasco – Program Development

Terra completed her degree in Community Development, Family Studies and Leadership at Brescia University College at Western University.  In Spring 2015, she entered the Master of Education program.  Terra has over 10 years of experience in children’s programming.  CPR/AED and first aid certified, as well as a trained Food for Life and You’re the Chef Educator.

Terra has a passion for educating and empowering our future citizens.

Syed Masroor, BSc, PGD Accounting – Bookkeeper
Syed’s primary duties are to take care Heart Niagara’s accounting which includes A/P, A/R, payroll, CRA remittances, OHIP billing, assemble information for external auditors, prepare charity annual returns for CRA, bank deposits and receipts.  Syed is proud to be a part of the Heart Niagara team!

Nicole Jakob – Sonographer

Rocco Milana – Sonographer

–Brody Taylor – Kid’s Programming, Database Development

–Lauren Calvert – Health Promoter

–Jake Parrotta – Web Development

–Carly Zanatta – Health Promoter