Staff

Julie Atkinson

Executive Director

Julie (she/her) is a community leader with previous experience in diverse settings, including universities, churches, camps and schools.

She joined the Sophia team in the summer of 2020. She strongly believes in the power of learning through interpersonal connection to make our community a better place for everyone to thrive.

Julie is deeply committed to Sophia’s vision of ensuring all women are empowered to achieve their goals

Julie Atkinson

Executive Director

Bio

Sam Flewelling

Program Director

Sam (she/her) is an experienced nurse with decades of work and life experiences.

Her career has been enriched with diverse experiences, including work in Emergency, Critical Care, Community Nursing, Public Health, Geriatrics, the Saint John Correctional Center, Clinical Instruction at both UNB and UNBSJ, and Mental Health and Addictions in both the adult and senior programs.

Sam is in recovery from a long nicotine addiction. She started smoking at age 14 and finally was able to conquer the addiction at age 49. She also came to realize that loss and toxic relationships had created many survival behaviors that were not serving her well. She discovered that recovery is a much happier place and feels blessed to share her discovery with other women at Sophia. Sam loves travel, the ocean, nature and bird watching.

Her spirit thrives in these places and activities.

Sam Flewellling

Program Director, Saint John

Bio

Kathy Gorman

Communications & Development Director

Kathy (she/her) is a highly strategic, award-winning marketer with over 20 years of experience working on top-tier consumer brands. Her interpersonal, mentoring, and creative problem-solving skills shine through everything she does.

A philanthropist at heart, Kathy has been an active community volunteer with She Recovers, Ronald McDonald House, Camp Oochigeas, and Children’s Aid.

She has lived an alcohol-free lifestyle since early 2019 and firmly believes in the power of compassion, community, and connection to solidify overall wellness. She loves to travel, is a certified yoga instructor, and her happiest place is on the water.

Kathy is thrilled to be working with a meaningful community organization supporting women.

Kathy Gorman

Director of Communications & Development and Outreach

Emily Rodas - Sophia Recovery Community Coordinator in St. Stephen

Bio

Emily Rodas, MSW

Community Coordinator Charlotte County

Emily (she/her) is a Registered Social Worker and has worked with a wide range of individuals (children, adolescents, persons with disabilities, palliative patients and seniors). However, she has always been very passionate about the idea of working predominantly with women in Charlotte County, and Sophia felt like a natural fit.

She is proudly LGBTQ+ , and loves engaging in social action within her community. She was recently elected as a Councillor for the Municipal District of St. Stephen, and looks forward to the opportunity to advocate for vulnerable populations within this role and foster positive change.

In her spare time, Emily loves to travel and adventure with her wife Katelyn and two boys, Desi and Cruz.

Emily Rodas

Program Director, Charlotte County

Bio

Ama Diafo

Office Manager & Human Resources Coordinator

Ama (she/her) joined Sophia in July 2022 as an MBA Co-op Intern to undertake a research project.

In September 2022, she began a new role as Office Manager & Human Resources Coordinator, a position she was beyond ecstatic to accept as she is committed to working in organizations that create long-lasting impact.

Ama is an Optometrist by profession with over 9 years of experience working with NGOs, the public and private sectors. Her Masters in Business Administration deepened her knowledge in strategy, communication, leadership, entrepreneurship, finance, marketing, data analysis, supply chain, operations, and project management.

Passionate about women in fitness and helping others excel, it is no surprise that her favourite quote is from Will Durant; “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act, but a habit.”

Ama Diafo

Business & HR Manager

Jacqueline McKinnon - Sophia Recovert Centre Peer Support Project Coordinator

Bio

Jacqueline MacKinnon

Peer Support Project Coordinator

Jacqueline (she/her) is a fierce advocate for all women. She is passionate about supporting the empowerment of women to flourish in their own right. She is a business owner, a Canadian Certified Counselor, and a Licensed Counselling Therapist Candidate. Jacqueline focuses her private practice on developing strong therapeutic alliances with an authentic approach. She brings that philosophy to her work at Sophia.

She believes in a holistic approach to well-being and caring for the physical, psychological, and social aspects of health as an integrated process. She carries this belief through both her personal and professional life.

At the top of her favourite things to do is simply being with her family. No matter what the activity, the MacKinnon’s love hanging out together, loving and laughing!

Jacqueline MacKinnon

Program Director, Kennebecasis Valley

Bio

Margot Stafford

Recovery Counsellor

Margot (she/her) is a Licensed Counselor Therapist-Candidate. She brings to Sophia her previous experience supporting victims of interpersonal violence to build safety and move from survival to thriving.

Margot takes a trauma-informed, collaborative approach to counselling that honours the inherent wisdom of each client. Besides therapy, she believes in the healing power of taking a deep breath, reading a poem, having a chat with a friend, making art, and taking a walk in nature.

Margot Stafford

Recovery Counsellor, Saint John

Bio

Renée Boivin

Recovery Peer

Renée is our newest addition to the Charlotte County team. As a Recovery Peer, Renée brings her resilient lived experience and a solid professional background in the healthcare field. Currently, she's actively pursuing her LPN certification, demonstrating her dedication to both professional growth and supporting others.

Originally hailing from north of Montreal, Quebec, Renée has recently made the move to New Brunswick with her spouse and their three energetic boys. An interesting tidbit about her is that she's fluent in both French and English.

Renée finds joy in nurturing her homestead and exploring hiking adventures. These reflect her grounded and adventurous nature and caring demeanor.

Renée Boivin

Recovery Peer, Charlotte County

Bio

Nicole Lee

Outreach Coordinator, Saint John

Nicole (she/her) is in recovery from alcohol and substance use. She started her recovery journey with the help of Sophia Recovery Centre in 2009.

Nicole has been working at the centre since 2019, providing peer support and recently transitioned to the role of Outreach Coordinator. Since getting sober it has always been a dream of hers to work with people, give back and share the gifts of recovery, as others have done for her.

She is a lover of nature and enjoys spending her time outdoors with her partner Mark and their two dogs, hiking, kayaking or exploring on her motorcycle or ATV.

Nicole Dunham

Recovery Peer and Outreach Coordinator, Saint John

Bio

Angela Curwin

Recovery Peer & Program Coordinator

Angela (she/her) joined the Sophia team in February 2022 after a 26 year career in aviation.

She has spent the past 18 years in recovery. Seeing her past as her greatest asset, she is very passionate about helping women who are in the same place she once was.

Angela thinks it’s very important that women have a supportive place like Sophia to turn to and feels that it is truly a gift to work at the centre each day.

In her spare time, Angela loves to garden, golf and restore antique furniture.

Angela Curwin

Recovery Peer & Program Coordinator, Kennebecasis Valley

Bio

Mary Stilwell

Peer Support

When Mary decided to stop drinking, and knowing that change can be hard, she visited Sophia to learn more about the services and programs available.

Weekly meditation offered friendships and a calming oasis. A peer support worker had practical strategies to plan for and accomplish goals.

Since her initial visits, Mary has participated in many of the programs offered at Sophia and is thrilled to support women and share the skills she has come to rely on herself.

As a former teacher, Mary brings wisdom, experience and resourcefulness to her role in peer support.

Mary Stilwell

Recovery Peer, Saint John

Bio

Tracey Douthwright

Peer Support

Tracey (she/her) moved to New Brunswick from Ontario in August 2021. Having been sober for 2 years she found recovery support in a new community with Sophia Charlotte County. After starting with Sophia she knew her spirit had found a safe place to connect with women in recovery. Now having worked in various programs she is so excited to join the Sophia team and to be able to walk with other women to discover their own strength on the road to recovery.

Tracey enjoys spending time outdoors with her two dogs, hiking, swimming, and connecting to nature.

Tracey Douthwright

Recovery & Family Support Peer, Charlotte County

Cecily van Oorschot - Sophia Recovery Centre Family Support Peer

Bio

Cecily van Oorscot

Family Support Peer

Cecily (she/her) has a lengthy career in vocational rehabilitation, working with individuals with varying needs. She has particular strength in helping and supporting people to set and achieve their goals.

She excels in connecting with, and supporting, family members whose loved ones struggle with mental illness and substance use disorder. Cecily brings compassion and empathy to her role as Family Support Peer and looks forward to continuing to create deep connections with our clients.

Outside work, Cecily enjoys spending time with family, going for walks, listening to music and podcasts, and reading.

Cecily van Oorschot

Familiy Support Peer

Bio

Hayley Smith (She/Her)

Indigenous Program Coordinator

Hayley Smith (She/Her) is our Indigenous Program Coordinator and has significant lived experience with overcoming hardship and loss.

She is very excited to not only provide Indigenous learning to our women at Sophia but to continue her personal learning journey in connecting with her Indigenous culture. Hayley has a true passion for helping others find their inner strength and help them believe in themselves like never before.

For fun, Hayley likes to spend quality playtime with her daughter and go for hikes with her family.

Hayley Smith (She/Her)

Indigenous Program Coordinator

Holly Dunham -Sophia Recvery Centre Social & Wellness Program Coordinator

Bio

Holly Durham

Social & Wellness Program Coordinator, Saint John

Holly (she/her) has in-depth experience working with women and youth in conflict with the law and also struggling with substance use disorders. On a personal level, she is on her own recovery path from depression and trauma. Her combined personal and professional experience gives her a compassionate outlook and a sincere sense of hope and inspiration.

She understands that the opposite of addiction isn't sobriety, but rather it’s connection. She thrives walking alongside women as they recover through reconnecting with themselves, others, and the world around them.

Holly lives in Saint John with her young family, and enjoys photography, playing the violin, reading, and gardening.

Holly Durham

Social & Wellness Program Coordinator, Saint John

Bio

Kelly Blanchard (She/Her)

Recovery Peer

Kelly is a recent graduate of the NBCC Social Services Community worker program and she is eager to support our guests. Her work as a PSW for several years, coupled with her natural passion to support and empower others, motivated her interest in the program.

After struggling with substance use since the age of 14, Kelly has been sober since 2017 — a true testament to her strength and resilience. Her deep understanding of the recovery process will help her connect with and guide our guests on their journey to wellness.

A proud mother of two young boys, Kelly enjoys spending quality time with them, whether they're having mini adventures, engaging in Nerf wars, or dancing together at home. She’s also passionately engaged in boxing as a Level 4 National Judge for Boxing New Brunswick. Boxing has been a lifelong love for Kelly, stemming from childhood memories of her father’s coaching and refereeing.

Staff

Julie Atkinson

Executive Director

Sam Flewellling

Program Director, Saint John

Kathy Gorman

Director of Communications & Development and Outreach

Emily Rodas

Program Director, Charlotte County

Ama Diafo

Business & HR Manager

Jacqueline MacKinnon

Program Director, Kennebecasis Valley

Margot Stafford

Recovery Counsellor, Saint John

Renée Boivin

Recovery Peer, Charlotte County

Nicole Dunham

Recovery Peer and Outreach Coordinator, Saint John

Angela Curwin

Recovery Peer & Program Coordinator, Kennebecasis Valley

Mary Stilwell

Recovery Peer, Saint John

Tracey Douthwright

Recovery & Family Support Peer, Charlotte County

Cecily van Oorschot

Familiy Support Peer

Hayley Smith (She/Her)

Indigenous Program Coordinator

Holly Durham

Social & Wellness Program Coordinator, Saint John

Kelly Blanchard

Recovery Peer, Kennebacasis Valley

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