Mentors

Andréa Speranza is a career Fire Fighter and the Founder /Executive Director of Camp Courage. Her remarkable life experience has culminated in a rare skill-set that allow her to combine the heart of a visionary, the strength of a world class athlete and the dedication of an entrepreneur.

She possesses a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from Laurentian University and has completed Sault College’s Enforcement Service Program. She is a small business owner and has worked in research, marketing and public relations for various corporations.

A former Recreation Director for the Canadian Military, she has worked as coach in various sports including swimming and soccer, among other leadership positions in the fitness industry. Andréa is an athlete in her own right competing in many sports but excelling at the toughest 2 minutes in sport…the Fire fighter Combat Challenge in single, tandem and team relay competition and placing 4^th in the World in two of the three categories in 2007.

In her role with the Halifax Regional Fire Service Andréa, has continually developed her professional skills. She has been a Rescue Technician, Pump Operator, Diver, first aid/ CPR Instructor and has participated in recruitment, outreach and bunker gear committees. Currently, she is a Hazardous Materials Technician, a Level 1 Fire Fighter Instructor and participates in outreach and recruiting committees.

Andréa is a vigilant volunteer and has been involved in community organizations such as Nova Scotia Fire fighter’s Burn Treatment Society, the Heart and Stoke Foundation, The Salvation Army, Metro Food Bank, Adopt a Family Program and the Lakeside Fire Department where her career began as a volunteer Fire Fighter.

In recent years her many contributions to the Fire Service and the community have been recognised by awards from the Nova Scotia Labour and Workforce Development Office and the Halifax Regional Fire Marshal. She has received the Director’s Award and the CAO’s Award for Diversity.

When she is not occupied with work or volunteering, Andréa is an accomplished motivational speaker, describing the steps to success and overcoming barriers, she has been invited by Emergency Services, schools and community groups nationally and internationally to share her vision, strength and the dedication to help motivate others to take action, as well as, to raise funds for Camp Courage.

Nadya-Lyse Paré is Vice President of Camp courage and has been there from inception. She is a single parent of 2 teens who in 1994, became one of the first female career firefighters in HRM she is now the first and only woman to achieve the rank of career Operational Captain. She was the first female volunteer fire fighter in Cold Lake Alberta and in Chezzetcook, Nova Scotia. Opening doors for others is what she has always done. She now runs her own business called Perspective consulting as one of the only Certified Diversity Professionals in the province. She and her business partner educate throughout Canada, the value of diversity in the workplace. She is a public speaker, a writer and an advocate.

Jodi Brown brings years of experience to the Camp from being a member of the Naval reserves and living abroad. Basing herself from Lower Sackville but indulging her love of travel at every opportunity, Jodi has worked with Emergency Health Service for four years as a Communications Officer and Primary Care Paramedic. Jodi is on the board of directors for the camp. She is one of the main paramedic coordinators.

Bio image of Holly Holly Thomas is a Halifax Regional Police Officer. She grew up in New Brunswick and attended Mount Allison University & UNB. She also attended Holland College in PEI. She graduated police academy with 36 people, 7 of which were female in 2001. She currently works in Halifax as a community response officer. She teaches bias free policing and certainly practices what she preaches. She is a mother of a young daughter and practices yoga as a hobby. She is one of the main police program coordinators.

Cst.Tammy Lobb has been a member of the RCMP since May 2007. She is currently the School Liaison Officer in Tantallon. There are 20 schools in the Tantallon Area, in which Cst. LOBB is responsible for. She delivers presentations on a variety of topics such as anti-bulling, drug awareness (DARE), relationship safety, youth violence, internet safety,etc. When she is not facilitating, Cst. LOBB works with individual schools on a case-by-case basis as concerns/issues arise. Her hobbies include camping, hiking, and canoeing. She began volunteering for Camp Courage in the summer of 2009 and she is looking forward to many more years to come. "I grew up in a small town in Ontario and I wish I would have had the opportunity to attend a camp such as Camp Courage when I was a teenager". She is one of the main police coordinators.

Liane Tessier was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She is our resident artist holding a bachelor of fine Arts from the Nova Scotia college of Arts and Design. She is the perfect example of balance to our young women. She is an artist through and through having created and sold some brilliant pieces. She supplements her income as a stevedore in the port of Halifax. A complete other extreme, handling heavy equipment such as yard tractors and front end loaders. She has served 11 years as a volunteer firefighter, 6 of which are in a supervisory position as a Captain. Her professional achievements are only outdone by her tremendous achievements in the world of sports. She spent years practising karate. She has run many marathons including the famous NYC marathon. She is a tri-athlete and has completed an Iron Man!!! She has been competing in combat challenge, a gruelling sport for firefighters and has taken home many medals representing Canada at the world level.

Picture Of Bob's Bio Bobby Wright was born in Newfoundland and is doing nothing to dispel the stereotype of the friendly Newfoundlander. He is a favourite at our camps since its inception bringing a much appreciated sense of humour and always there to help someone get through a bigger challenge. He plays rugby and loves to cook. He brings to our camp a great example of a male ally. He has been a volunteer firefighter for many years beginning his service in Truro and then joining Halifax regional in the Lakeside Volunteer fire department.

Shawna Stanhope joined us sacrificing what little time she had for what she believes in. She is a single mother of 4, she is a self employed business woman and a volunteer fire fighter. She runs a travel service and specialises in adventure tours. She is an adventure tour guide, kayaking, hiking and cycling. She is working towards her goal of expanding her adventure tours on the world scale. Camp courage is lucky to have her make time in her busy schedule to mentor our young sisters and guide them on their adventure called life.

Andrew Church has been a member of HRM Fire Station 59 for over ten years and has been posted as Captain for most of that time. Andrew holds a Red Seal Certificate as a Certified Chef and worked in the food Service industry for nearly 20 years. Through continuing education and fire Service training, Andrew was able to make a career change into the Occupational Health and Safety field in 2003. He has earned the Canadian Registered Safety Professional designation and is currently teaching Occupational Health and Safety at the Nova Scotia Community College. Andrew has been married for more than 20 years to his lovely wife Rose and resides in Hubley where they are raising three children. His interests include music, physical fitness and the environment.

Alishia Ivany has worked as a Primary Care Paramedic for Emergency Health Service for seven years. She enjoys promoting her profession and volunteers for many events for the community. When not working, Alishia takes great pleasure in scenic photography and outdoor activities.

Karen Comeauwas born & raised in the small French community of Meteghan, which is located along the South Western shore of NS in between Yarmouth & Digby. She works as an Advanced Care Paramedic in Milford, NS. Karen has been employed by Emergency Medical Care as a paramedic since 2001 and has worked in many different places, Annapolis, Yarmouth, Meteghan, Bridgetown and currently in Milford. She loves being a paramedic as it is a very rewarding career to help people in need as well as to meet all sorts of lovely new people in your every day travels. Karen enjoys volunteering for many for many different activities going on in the community and she always up for new and exciting adventures. Karen especially enjoys spending time with the girls for the paramedic days at Camp Courage...what a great camp and experience!

Debra Archibald joined us soon after becoming a career firefighter. She is a mother of two who leaves no question as to where her priorities are. She coaches her daughters’ sports teams and loves spending time encouraging them to achieve their goals. She is committed to helping young women and others reach for their career choices and is an active member of the Halifax Fire Outreach team. She speaks in schools of her experience and how she achieved her goals. She is a graduate of St.Mary’s university holding a BA and having played varsity soccer. She is a great addition and a positive role model to our young sisters.

Rose Luedee has been a member of HRM Fire Station 59 for 5.5 years. She has been recently promoted to Lieutenant, making her the first female officer in the station's history. Rose is a Red Seal Chef, an independent business owner of an after school childcare and Mary Kay Cosmetics business. Rose continues her fire service development by working at the Nova Scotia Fire School and training in Fire Investigation Skills. Rose resides in Hubley where she is raising three children with Andrew, her husband of 21 years. Her interests include photography, physical fitness and reading.

Leeann Meredith became a firefighter in 2007 for HRM Fire. She is a peer fitness trainer and a massage therapist. She is another great example to our young women of just how multifaceted and successful a woman can be.

Les Card has been a volunteer firefighter for 17 years at various departments. He is currently with the Brooklyn Fire Dept. He became an instructor at the Waverly Fire School 3 years ago and gained valuable skills as both an instructor and a mentor to young and upcoming firefighters across Nova Scotia. Les is part of a vehicle extrication team, who were regional champs for the past two years. He is currently attending the Maritime School of Paramedicine to become a paramedic.

Rik Trottier is the Camp Courage Videographer. When he’s not volunteering his time to help Camp Courage he works as a graphic artist for Aliant, Nortel, Blackberry and Logitech projects. He has been a drummer in a rock band, electronics technician, forklift driver and employment insurance collector. His passion is shooting live footage of his daughter’s band, The Ukeladies and Camp Courage events.

Sherry Dean has been a career firefighter for 4 years and was previously a volunteer firefighter in Blockhouse. She is a rope rescue technician, hazardous materials technician, a level 1 firefighter instructor and a Combat Challenge Champion. In her spare time she directs and acts in plays.