The Team
Get to know our Leadership Team!
Cara Bradley – Acting Director
Effective February 17, 2023, Cara Bradley, Manager of Community Services, will be assuming the responsibilities of Acting Director at Heart Home Network (HHN) for the next three to six months. During this time of transition, we will continue to leverage the strengths of Cara and the rest of the team at HHN to continue our important work. A thorough selection process for the permanent leadership position will soon start and we will share this information as it becomes available.
Jasmin Maryniak – Manager, Operations and Client Support
I have been with The Heart Home Network since January 2018 and have taken on many roles during my employment. The energetic and enthusiastic Operations and Client Support team can be seen supporting front desk functions, assisting participants with various tasks, overall unit repairs and building cleanliness, as well as supporting move-ins, move-outs, and other landlord functions.
Christine Boyd – Manager, Child Development
I have spent my social work career in the non-profit sector and have been dedicated to working with families across the lifespan. My passion lies with supporting all children to be the most that they can be, and to surpass their dreams. I guide our tireless and dedicated Child Development Specialist team in creating and providing a childcare environment that is safe and nurturing, while supporting trauma integration, healthy attachment and development through activities and events within the organization and community.
Rita Spark – Manager, Client Services
Rita has 22 years’ experience working with children, youth and families as a counsellor, behaviour specialist and an advocate. She has been with HHN for 2 years. Rita has a Master of Science Degree in Clinical Psychology and is a Registered Clinical Hypnotherapist. She has worked with over 750 families in her career and feels it a privilege to be in her current role helping women and children transition from domestic violence.
Cara Bradley – Manager, Community Services & Impact
I have spent my human services career in the non-profit sector preceded by a strong background in business. I have always had a strong commitment to this work, but my passion for it grew exponentially during my time working the homeless sector with a primary focus on addictions and mental health. It was during this time that the importance of addressing the root causes of trauma, and its lifelong impacts, became apparent to me and I transitioned into the domestic violence sector.
I am dedicated to supporting our agency in creating much needed program offerings that work to address violence as the root of poverty and addiction across the lifespan.
I am always seeking creative solutions to address client needs and advocated for the successful implementation of an accredited facility dog program to support the important work at the HHN.
In my free time, I can usually be found by a body of water or in the woods seeking solace in the natural beauty and abundance of our province.
Taryn Ashdown – Manager, Resource Development
In my role, I lead our creative and hard-working Resource Development team. We are responsible for raising the necessary funds to support our mission. In addition to fundraising efforts, we build connections in our community, control our website and social media presence, organize in-kind donations we are fortunate to receive, and manage our incredible 123 volunteers. Our donors, volunteers and funders are integral to our organization’s accomplishments, and it is an honor to work closely with the generous supporters who make the work we do at Heart Home Network possible.