Meet the Management Team
Executive Director
Mallory Seely
Mallory joined First Steps as Executive Director at First Steps in April 2021. Mallory has been involved with not for profits for the last 3 years and has more than 10 year experience in management. Mallory has a passion to help others and provide guidance to those who need it most. All of her interactions will demonstrate compassion, warmth, encouragement, empathy and willingness to listen.
Mallory is a dedicated lifelong learner.Following University she continued her education and training related to mental health and Crisis Intervention and most recently undertaking Canada’s premier leadership development program,LMI.
She has extensive experience in leadership, strategy, public relations, team building and communications. Mallory also serves on the board of the Saint John Suicide Prevention Committee, F.A.C.E Family and Child Education, and spends her time volunteering as much as possible in the community. Her experience working with mental health, young expectant mothers, and vulnerable clients makes her a great leader for First Steps.
Mallory will help us continue First Steps legacy as a respectful, high-integrity, caring, accepting, inclusive, and stable environment that creates a warm and safe home for the residents.
Residential Director
Denise Morais
Denise graduated with honours from NBCC Human Services in 2005. She spent several years working with adults living with severe mental illness before joining the team at First Steps in 2009.
Denise started with First Steps in the role of Residential Support Staff. She has held several different positions over the years and has been the Residential Director since 2019.
Denise is dedicated and passionate about supporting the women and children in our community. She has a strong grasp of the needs of the vulnerable population we serve and she is committed to breaking the cycles of homelessness, poverty, childhood trauma, and intimate partner violence.
Finance & Marketing Manager
Jessica Finlay
Jessica is an experienced professional who brings 10 years executive administration experience to First Steps. She joined the First Steps management team in February 2021 as Administrative Coordinator, and advanced to Administration and Finance Manager in 2022.
She manages and oversees the office administration, and assists with fundraising projects and events. Jessica maintains donation collection, creates web and marketing content , as well as social media management. She is also responsible for our accounts payable, receivables and monthly billing.
Jessica has a passion for helping people in her community and is proud to be a part of the First Steps team. She enjoys bonding with the mothers and babies of First Steps and helping them reach their goals for a better future.
Development and Events Manager
Karen Beshara Vickers
Karen joined our team in April 2019 as a Residential Support Staff (RSS). Always up for a challenge, Karen has eagerly taken on a new role within the organization as the Development and Events Manager.
Karen's diploma in Business-Accounting combined with her experience as an Administrative Assistant, Personal Support Worker and Competitive Sports Organizer,
makes First Steps lucky to have her as part of our team.
Born and raised in Saint John, Karen proudly calls our community home. Her passion for our beautiful Port City has been evident in both her personal and professional endeavors.
Karen looks forward to collaborating with our community partners.
Daycare Coordinator
Amanda Finnamore
Amanda is Daycare Coordinator for First Steps Housing Project. She graduated from The University of New Brunswick in 2002 with a major in psychology. Following graduation, she
worked at Family Plus. She joined the first steps team in January of 2010. She is honored and grateful to be part of such a worthy and vital organization. She has held different positions within the organization but her true passion is caring for and teaching children. She is very dedicated to working with children as well
as families. She values collaboration and forming relationships based on respect and the wellbeing of children. She is currently enrolled in the Early Childhood Education Program at The New Brunswick Community College. Outside of work, some of her passions include: family, lifelong learning, and refinishing antique furniture.
Child Development Coordinator
Suzette Bruhier-White
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Meet the Board
Chair
Mary Ann Ketchum
Born in Moncton, NB and raised in Saint John, NB, Mary Ann’s (BN, MEd) involvement in the community throughout her personal and professional life has contributed in a positive manner to the city as a whole and is an asset to First Steps as she serves as the organization’s President of the Board for 2022 . Still a nurse at heart, but now a long time REALTOR, much of Mary Ann’s volunteer time is spent giving back to those in our community who benefit from additional care and services provided through the organizations to which she gives her time. During her professional career Mary Ann has worked with such organizations as the New Brunswick Kidney Foundation, Canadian Red Cross, New Brunswick Heart and Stroke, St Vincent's Alumnae Association, UNB Nursing Society, Saint John Real Estate Board, the New Brunswick Real Estate Association and the UNB Saint John Capital Fundraising Steering Committee.
Mary Ann and her husband Don have five adult children. In their spare time, they enjoy spending time with their family, getting out on the water in the summer months, and being with their seven grandchildren.
Vice Chair
Brian Ferris
Brian started his Government career of over 25 years with the Department of Social Development back in 1996. From there he has increased his skills and abilities by moving into his present Department of Post-Secondary Education Training and Labour as an employment counsellor then into programs where he is presently a Senior Workforce Consultant for the Province. Brian works with people and businesses within the Province assisting them in HR Management and program assistance. Brian joined the First Steps board in October of 2020 and is very proud to be an active member.
Treasure
Natalie Urquhart
Natalie was raised and has been working her whole life in the Maritimes. She has spent most of her adult life living in the Saint John, New Brunswick area and has now worked for J.D. Irving, Limited for over 25 years.
she has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Saint Mary’s University and a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation as well as an MBA from Western University.
Natalie has been the Treasurer on First Steps board since the fall of 2022.
Secretary
Johanne McInnis
Johanne McInnis has been involved with First Steps Housing in one form or another since its inception in 2002. She recently joined the Board of Directors as the Secretary in 2021. She is also part of the grants and contributions subcommittee and is very passionate about ensuring the continuation of our program’s success.
Member
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Member
Bruce Drost
Corporate Counsel
J. D. Irving, Limited
Member
Danielle Rice
Danielle is a Group Consultant with the Royal Bank of Canada and has been in the financial services for more than 14 years. She is a proud mother of her 26 year old son that came into her life when was 19. She recognizes the impact First Steps has in supporting local women and children as she would not have been able to raise her son without the loving support of friends and family.
Member
Krisanne Bishop
A corporate commercial lawyer practicing primarily in banking and finance, with experience in real property and bankruptcy and insolvency.
Member
Dr. Natalie Graves
Dr. Natalie Graves has been a board member of First Steps since March of 2020. She practices Family Medicine in the Saint John region with an interest in women's health and obstetrics. She holds faculty positions at Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick as well as Memorial University of Newfoundland.
Member
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Member
Lori Totten
Lori holds a certificate in Human Resources Management and is a certified Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR). She has achieved certifications from the Queen’s Industrial Relations Centre in Organizational Design, Managing Unionized Environments and Strategic Workforce Planning.
Member
Jocelyn Parker - Whalley
For the past 20 years, Jocelyn has been a local leader in the leasing business. She attributes her success to her ability to build strong relationships, have a creative vision and most of all, enjoy a good laugh. Outside of work, she is blessed to raise 4 fantastic kiddos and to be married to the person that makes her laugh the most! Jocelyn feels that giving back to other women and their children is a perfect match for what she feels passionate about and is fortunate to be on this board.