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Industry Council
The Industry Council plays a critical role in the development and success of the Homeward Bound Halton program. The Industry Council is a group of senior executives from a variety of fields with decision-making authority who meet throughout the Homeward Bound Halton program to support the professional advancement of participants in the program. The Industry Council is a group made up of 8-12 representatives from organizations including private sector businesses, non-profit and public sector employers, community champions with influence in the local community and representatives from employment services at the local college, municipality or community services organization. A key success factor for Homeward Bound Halton participants is that the college programs available through the program are aligned to the local labour market opportunities with the organizations that sit on the Industry Council. If you work in one of the following fields, please consider joining our Industry Council; Advertising and Marketing, Architectural Technician, Business Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Chemical Laboratory Technician, Community and Justice Services, Computer engineering technician, computer programmer, computer systems technologies, Office Administration (legal, health, executive), Graphic Design, Visual Merchandising, Electrical Engineering Technician, Electromechanical Engineering Technician, Mechanical Engineering Technician—Tool Making, and Welding.
If interested or would like more information please contact sarac@homesuitehope.org
Role: Coach & Mentor
Hugo Breton
Hugo has a background in Electromechanical Engineering and brings extensive experience as a business and executive coach. Hugo’s career began in operations; he then joined Citibank, where he went on to lead the operations division. He combines technical expertise with strategic leadership to help achieve sustainable growth and high performance in both organizations and individuals. After relocating from Mexico City to Canada, Hugo founded his own coaching firm, continuing to help others enhance their performance and achieve lasting success.
Hugo joined the Industry Council because he loved the cause and wants to contribute to the growth of participant’s skills and mentality as they prepare for employment.
Role: Connector and Coach & Mentor
Bea Kwak
Bea has a Master of Public Administration at Queen’s University, with experience in employment counselling and a background in administration and marketing. Across her career, she’s worked in the engineering, arts administration and publishing sector, and currently working in the private consulting sector, supporting work on policy and private planning across the GTA and surrounding areas.
Bea joined the Industry Council to share her skill sets with the participants. She believes they could be of some benefit to them on their journey towards success. Bea is also eager to share her network and contacts to help participants develop their own networks and access opportunities.
Role: Coach & Mentor
Cheryl Pitt
Cheryl graduated from university in Barbados, where she then worked as a teacher for seven years. She then changed careers and worked in the healthcare industry for 20 years before transitioning to the pharmaceutical industry, where she spent another 20 years.
Cheryl still carries her passion for teaching and brings it into her current role. She is eager to bring that passion as a coach and mentor for participants, and support participants who are entering school and the workforce.
Role: Coach & Mentor
Mark McLaughlin
Mark graduated from the University of Western Ontario as a Chartered Accountant. For 30 years, he successfully ran his own business, gaining extensive experience that he now draws upon to advise small businesses.
Mark is eager to share his years of business experience with participants and provide them with honest feedback and a network of contacts.
Role: Coach & Mentor
Audrey Bailey
Audrey Bailey is a Burlington-based real estate broker and founder of The Village Realty Group, a collective built on the values of connection, collaboration, and community. With over 15 years of experience in real estate, Audrey has supported countless families through major life transitions while building a trusted network of local partners and businesses.
Audrey’s mission is to create ease, empowerment, and genuine support for her clients and the community. Beyond real estate, she is deeply committed to giving back – most recently through events like Village in the Park, which raised funds for Home Suite Hope’s important work with single-parent families.
Audrey believes that when people are supported by their community, they are able to thrive – and that’s the spirit she brings to everything she does.
Role: Coach and Mentor
Laura Edge
Laura Edge is an educator and curriculum consultant whose work bridges creativity, reflection, and community. With over two decades of experience in education, Laura has guided countless teachers and academic teams in designing meaningful, inclusive, and high-quality learning experiences across Ontario’s postsecondary and K–12 sectors.
Laura was drawn to supporting the Home Suite Hope Industry Council through her lived experience as a young single mother who worked her way through postsecondary education while navigating support services and systemic barriers. She is deeply committed to giving back by helping others who face similar challenges, and by fostering pathways that empower women, parents, and students to thrive.
Grounded in empathy and purpose, Laura brings a thoughtful and collaborative spirit to everything she does—whether she’s designing curriculum, mentoring educators, or contributing to community initiatives that create lasting change.
Role: Coach and Mentor
Melissa Bryant
Melissa holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education from Western University. She has over two decades of experience in the language services industry and has worked with government agencies, corporations, unions, and nonprofit organizations across Canada. Her background spans education, entrepreneurship, and executive leadership. She currently serves as CEO of Pendleton Translations, where she leads strategic growth and national service delivery.
Melissa joined the Industry Council to share her experience in business leadership, professional communication, and career development with participants. She is passionate about helping individuals recognize their strengths, build confidence, and navigate their professional paths.
Role: Connector and Coach & Mentor
Heather Charlton
Heather is the People Experience Coordinator at Nurse Next Door, where she supports caregivers and staff by helping to foster a positive and supportive workplace culture. In her role, she contributes to recruitment, onboarding, and employee engagement, ensuring team members feel valued and equipped to provide compassionate, high-quality care to clients in the community.
Heather was drawn to community-focused work through her passion for supporting people and building meaningful connections. She believes strongly in the power of collaboration and in creating opportunities that help individuals and families thrive.
Through her involvement on the industry Council, Heather is committed to contributing her perspective, supporting initiatives that strengthen the community, and helping create inclusive pathways that empower others to succeed.
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Role: Coach & Mentor
Sheel Webber
Sheel Webber has over 20 years of experience in HR and education, with a focus on career advancement for post-secondary business students at the University of Toronto. Her work includes one-on-one consulting, workshop development and facilitation, and building strong employer partnerships.
Sheel is most fulfilled through her volunteer work and enjoys collaborating creatively within her community. Her passion for supporting members of Home Suite Hope is rooted in her genuine joy of service.