Our Team

Julie Schaafsma

Julie Schaafsma is the inspiring founder of Voices Against Bullying.
Without Julie, the rest of us would not be here. She is a parent with one child in the
Hamilton Wentworth District School Board. She has a strong commitment to leading positive, constructive change in the school system, as well as being a positive support to other
parents whose families are experiencing bullying. She has a passion for empowering the voices
of the students, parents and the community that supports them.
She has studied grief support, jurisprudence, and ethics courses.

Rev. Ryk Brown

Rev. Ryk Brown is a United Church minister who has worked as a leadership coach
and is trained in suicide intervention. He is a single parent of 2 kids, one still in the HWDSB. His family roots go back 180 years in Hamilton!
He has 25 years experience in community service, organizing and leadership.
Ryk was severely bullied as a child and uses that experience to motivate interest in bringing positive change for students today.

Kathleen Hilchey

Bringing along with her two decades of work within schools and recreation, Kathleen is an Anti-Bullying & Harassment Specialist.
She works with individuals, families, workplaces and schools. She teaches her program, “The Third Way” for anyone wanting to learn an effective way
to find resolution in bullying, conflict and harassment.
Kathleen’s business is based out of Dundas, Ontario but help is available globally as she is able to work remotely.

Emerson Edwards

Life experience has brought Emerson amazing strength to become a
Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Advocate. He is currently in Post-Grad at Waterdown District Highschool and has been working hard to make a difference within the high school with hopes to expand his ideas to help other schools.
Emerson is the winner of the 2020 Spirit of Hope Award in the Youth Category.
Emerson has been sharing his story to give a voice to those who may need one and to help strengthen those on the journey to healing.

Tracy Stewart

Spending many years filled with experience in dealing with bullying,
Tracy has always been involved in her children’s schools within the
Hamilton Wentworth District School Board advocating for change.
She has studied child psychology, has her ECE, is trained in
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and has worked extensively with behavioural children.

Julie Gushul

Working for many years within a union powered career, Julie understands the inner
workings of how policies and procedures are created and enforced.
She is passionate about making changes within our schools and communities.
Julie represents the Halton Voice for the Voices Against Bullying as she is a parent with children within the Halton District School Board.