Board of Directors
Esther Hazzard - Chair
Esther has a passion for helping people. With over 20 years of working alongside children and parents in a healthcare setting, she strongly believes that families will grow and thrive when they are equipped with the right support. As a Registered Nurse and Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Esther has worked in many hospitals, an NGO in West Africa, and in her local community. She has been a part of vision committees, a BFI representative, and welcomes preceptorship opportunities for new nurses. The majority of her role currently focuses on Perinatal services for families in the community where she offers in-home consultation and support.
Esther’s passion for Women and Children's Health has been present throughout her career but flourished after the birth of her own four precious children. Her experience as a new mother being surrounded by a community of support was so empowering that she aspires to see other families benefit and succeed in their journeys. With an interest in perinatal services and leadership, she has a strong desire to effectively contribute as a member of Family Rootz Alliance Board of Directors.
Esther has a passion for helping people. With over 20 years of working alongside children and parents in a healthcare setting, she strongly believes that families will grow and thrive when they are equipped with the right support. As a Registered Nurse and Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Esther has worked in many hospitals, an NGO in West Africa, and in her local community. She has been a part of vision committees, a BFI representative, and welcomes preceptorship opportunities for new nurses. The majority of her role currently focuses on Perinatal services for families in the community where she offers in-home consultation and support.
Esther’s passion for Women and Children's Health has been present throughout her career but flourished after the birth of her own four precious children. Her experience as a new mother being surrounded by a community of support was so empowering that she aspires to see other families benefit and succeed in their journeys. With an interest in perinatal services and leadership, she has a strong desire to effectively contribute as a member of Family Rootz Alliance Board of Directors.
Elicia Zebroski
Elicia is an Early Childhood Educator by trade with 20 years of experience in both private and non profit childcare sectors, wife and mom of two; she has always had a passion for helping children and by extension, their families. Her specialty has always been the ability to work with children who have special needs and supporting their families in any way that she can, even if it's only to listen and validate their feelings or experiences. Working in the office as a Supervisor for five years, she has been able to learn the financial side of businesses and is expanding her knowledge base through continuing education to get her certification as a bookkeeper as well. She is very excited to a part of Family Rootz Alliance as a Board Member and Treasurer and looks forward to contributing to all the wonderful work Family Rootz Alliance will do for women and families before, during and after their pregnancies.
Elicia is an Early Childhood Educator by trade with 20 years of experience in both private and non profit childcare sectors, wife and mom of two; she has always had a passion for helping children and by extension, their families. Her specialty has always been the ability to work with children who have special needs and supporting their families in any way that she can, even if it's only to listen and validate their feelings or experiences. Working in the office as a Supervisor for five years, she has been able to learn the financial side of businesses and is expanding her knowledge base through continuing education to get her certification as a bookkeeper as well. She is very excited to a part of Family Rootz Alliance as a Board Member and Treasurer and looks forward to contributing to all the wonderful work Family Rootz Alliance will do for women and families before, during and after their pregnancies.
Michelle McVitte
Michelle McVittie is a child life specialist, parenting coach, author and parenting expert for CHCH Morning Live. Michelle has over two decades of experience in pediatric medical and mental health. Her first book, “I Quit! Oh, wait I’m the Mom” is a self-help book with practical tips to help Moms find their joy again in motherhood. Michelle specializes in ADHD, anxiety, strong-willed children, parenting teens, communication, collaborative problem-solving, and emotion coaching.
Michelle McVittie is a child life specialist, parenting coach, author and parenting expert for CHCH Morning Live. Michelle has over two decades of experience in pediatric medical and mental health. Her first book, “I Quit! Oh, wait I’m the Mom” is a self-help book with practical tips to help Moms find their joy again in motherhood. Michelle specializes in ADHD, anxiety, strong-willed children, parenting teens, communication, collaborative problem-solving, and emotion coaching.
Marley Tufts
Marley is a creative consultant based in Dundas, Ontario, with a strong focus on community engagement and thoughtful communication. She supports entrepreneurs, small businesses, and community organizations through digital strategy, creative copywriting, and social media guidance. Marley brings a collaborative, solutions-oriented mindset to board work and is passionate about fostering connection, creativity, and inclusive community growth.
Marley is a creative consultant based in Dundas, Ontario, with a strong focus on community engagement and thoughtful communication. She supports entrepreneurs, small businesses, and community organizations through digital strategy, creative copywriting, and social media guidance. Marley brings a collaborative, solutions-oriented mindset to board work and is passionate about fostering connection, creativity, and inclusive community growth.
Sabrina Bucci
Sabrina Bucci is a dedicated Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) and the owner of Baby College Hamilton, with over 15 years of experience in the field of early childhood development. Throughout her career, Sabrina has been a passionate advocate for the power of play-based learning and the importance of fostering strong, supportive communities for families.
Sabrina brings a unique, 360-degree perspective to the board, rooted in her diverse professional journey. Her experience spans from direct work in the classroom, to leadership roles as a Supervisor in licensed child care settings. As a business owner and entrepreneur, she understands the operational and strategic complexities of the early years sector, while her heart remains firmly planted in the daily interactions between caregivers and children.
As a facilitator, Sabrina specializes in creating inclusive environments where parents and children can connect through purposeful, developmental activities. Her work is rooted in the belief that every family deserves access to high-quality early childhood resources and a "village" that empowers them to thrive.
Sabrina Bucci is a dedicated Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) and the owner of Baby College Hamilton, with over 15 years of experience in the field of early childhood development. Throughout her career, Sabrina has been a passionate advocate for the power of play-based learning and the importance of fostering strong, supportive communities for families.
Sabrina brings a unique, 360-degree perspective to the board, rooted in her diverse professional journey. Her experience spans from direct work in the classroom, to leadership roles as a Supervisor in licensed child care settings. As a business owner and entrepreneur, she understands the operational and strategic complexities of the early years sector, while her heart remains firmly planted in the daily interactions between caregivers and children.
As a facilitator, Sabrina specializes in creating inclusive environments where parents and children can connect through purposeful, developmental activities. Her work is rooted in the belief that every family deserves access to high-quality early childhood resources and a "village" that empowers them to thrive.
Kianna Veinneau
Kianna holds a Bachelor of Global and International Studies with a concentration in Global Law and Social Justice and a minor in Sociology from Carleton University, and is currently pursuing a Master of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership. Her academic and professional work focuses on nonprofit sustainability, with a particular emphasis on understanding how organizations can create meaningful, long-term, and community-driven change.
In addition to her research and academic work, Kianna is the founder and host of Busy Mom Talk, The Podcast, a community-driven platform created to reduce isolation among mothers by connecting families to local resources, events, and peer support networks across Ontario. Through this work, she amplifies maternal voices and addresses the realities of early parenthood, including mental health, identity shifts, and access to support.
Kianna brings to the board a strong combination of governance literacy, digital communications expertise, and authentic community engagement. Grounded in both lived experience and systems-level thinking, she is deeply committed to transparency, inclusion, and impact-driven decision-making that supports mothers, particularly during the critical early years of parenthood.
Kianna holds a Bachelor of Global and International Studies with a concentration in Global Law and Social Justice and a minor in Sociology from Carleton University, and is currently pursuing a Master of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership. Her academic and professional work focuses on nonprofit sustainability, with a particular emphasis on understanding how organizations can create meaningful, long-term, and community-driven change.
In addition to her research and academic work, Kianna is the founder and host of Busy Mom Talk, The Podcast, a community-driven platform created to reduce isolation among mothers by connecting families to local resources, events, and peer support networks across Ontario. Through this work, she amplifies maternal voices and addresses the realities of early parenthood, including mental health, identity shifts, and access to support.
Kianna brings to the board a strong combination of governance literacy, digital communications expertise, and authentic community engagement. Grounded in both lived experience and systems-level thinking, she is deeply committed to transparency, inclusion, and impact-driven decision-making that supports mothers, particularly during the critical early years of parenthood.
