Our Team
Our dedicated team is committed to creating a safe, nurturing, and supportive home where children and youth can heal, grow, and thrive.
Leadership Team
Guiding with care, integrity, and vision.
Child & Youth Care Team
Providing daily support, encouragement, and positive relationships.
Therapeutic & Clinical Team
Supporting emotional well-being and healing.
Support Services Team
Ensuring a safe, healthy, and stable environment.
Our Child and Youth Workers
Our Child and Youth Workers are the heart of Willow Harbour. Our team is made up of compassionate, dedicated professionals with backgrounds in child and youth care, psychology, social services, education, and related fields.
Each member of our team brings unique experiences, skills, and perspectives, while sharing a common commitment to creating safe, supportive, and nurturing environments for children and youth. Our CYWs are responsible for providing consistent day-to-day care, building meaningful relationships, supporting emotional and behavioural development, encouraging life skills and independence, and advocating for the individual needs of each child.
Through trauma-informed, child-centred, culturally responsive, and relationship-based practice, our CYWs work alongside children to help them feel safe, valued, understood, and a sense of belonging.
They are the people who turn Willow Harbour's philosophy of care into meaningful, everyday experiences for the children we serve.
Meet the Team
Cherie
Founder & Executive DirectorCherie is a Founder and Executive Director of Willow Harbour Children’s Residence. With years of experience as a licensed foster parent, she has cared for children from infancy through adolescence, including children with complex developmental, behavioural, medical, and trauma-related needs.
Her experience has shaped a deep commitment to individualized, trauma-informed, and relationship-based care. Cherie has worked closely with child welfare professionals, healthcare providers, therapists, educators, and community partners to advocate for children and coordinate the support they need to thrive.
Drawing on her background in childcare, business leadership, and foster care, Cherie founded Willow Harbour with a vision of creating a safe, nurturing, and welcoming home where children feel respected, supported, and connected. She is passionate about creating an environment where every child can grow, build confidence, develop life skills, and experience a genuine sense of belonging.
Jeremy
Founder & Indigenous Operations and Cultural DirectorJeremy is a Founder and Indigenous Operations and Cultural Director at Willow Harbour. Jeremy Brings years of foster-care experience, business ownership, operational leadership, and a strong connection to his First Nations identity and culture.
As an experienced foster parent, Jeremy has firsthand knowledge of Ontario’s child welfare system and the needs of children who have experienced trauma, loss, disruption, and significant transitions. He has supported children with complex developmental needs providing safety, consistency, advocacy, and a strong sense of belonging.
As a Status First Nations person, Jeremy’s Indigenous identity and cultural connection are an important part of his leadership. He recognizes the importance of identity, family, community, cultural continuity, and belonging for Indigenous children and is committed to supporting culturally responsive care and meaningful connections with each child.
Dr. Lara De Bono
Chief Operating OfficerDr. Lara N. De Bono, Ph.D., serves as Chief Operating Officer of Willow Harbour Children’s Residence, bringing extensive experience in clinical psychology, mental health, organizational leadership, program development, and clinical supervision.
Dr. De Bono holds a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (Ph.D.), Master of Science in Clinical Psychology, Master of Arts in Psychology, and a Bachelor’s degree majoring in Psychology. She is also a Registered Psychotherapist in Ontario, with specialized experience in vicarious trauma and autism.
Her clinical expertise includes trauma and complex trauma, anxiety, depression, emotional regulation, autism, ADHD, grief and loss, stress, and behavioural and developmental needs. She has worked with children, families, individuals, first responders, military personnel, and First Nations communities.
At Willow Harbour, Dr. De Bono supports the organization’s clinical and operational framework, working alongside the leadership team to promote safe, structured, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and child-centred care. Her combination of advanced clinical education and senior leadership experience contributes to Willow Harbour’s commitment to high-quality care and organizational excellence.
Kaleigh
Clinical DirectorKaleigh is the Clinical Director at Willow Harbour Children’s Residence, bringing a background in psychology, behavioural experience, and a strong commitment to the mental health, development, and well-being of children and youth.
Kaleigh completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology developing a strong foundation in mental health, counselling, and human development. She has supported children and youth with autism, developmental disabilities, mental health concerns, and dual diagnoses. Her experience includes supporting individualized plans, de-escalating challenging situations, and working collaboratively with individuals and families. Kaleigh is currently furthering her education in psychotherapy and mental health.
As Clinical Director, Kaleigh contributes to Willow Harbour’s clinical and behavioural programming, supporting trauma-informed, child-centered, and individualized approaches to care. Kaleigh’s approach is grounded in empathy, advocacy, consistency, and evidence-informed practice, with a commitment to creating an environment where every child feels safe, heard, supported, and empowered to grow.
Hailey
Operations ManagerHailey brings together extensive experience in business operations and leadership with a longstanding commitment to supporting children and youth.
Hailey’s passion for making a meaningful difference in the lives of children began at an early age and has remained an important part of her life ever since. For the past five years, Hailey has supported children involved with Family and Children’s Services, gaining firsthand experience with the child welfare system and the diverse needs of children in care. Her experience includes supporting children who have experienced trauma, abuse, neglect, and significant family instability, as well as children with autism and developmental and global delays. These experiences have strengthened her understanding of the importance of early support, stability, consistency, and individualized care.
Alongside her work with children, Hailey spent more than a decade building and managing a successful independent business, developing extensive experience in leadership, project management, communications, organization, and day-to-day operations.
Hailey brings these areas of experience together to support the development of strong operational systems and a well-organized, child-centered environment. She is passionate about helping build a residence where thoughtful operations support exceptional care and where every child, regardless of their background, abilities, or circumstances, has the opportunity to feel safe, valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.
Sheryl
Operations CoordinatorSheryl is the operations coordinator and brings extensive experience in administration, operations, scheduling, and team coordination to Willow Harbour Children’s Residence. With more than two decades of experience as an Administrative Supervisor and Front Desk Coordinator, she has developed strong skills in organization, documentation, logistics, communication, and cross-team collaboration.
Sheryl holds a diploma specializing in Operations Management and Business Administration and is experienced in coordinating schedules, maintaining accurate documentation, supporting day-to-day operations, and ensuring effective communication across teams.
With familiarity with the foster care system and a strong passion for supporting children and youth in need, Sheryl is committed to contributing to an environment where children feel safe, supported, and valued. At Willow Harbour, she supports the organization’s administrative and operational needs, helping ensure that staff, schedules, documentation, and daily processes remain organized and efficient.
Her strong attention to detail, reliability, and compassionate approach make her an important part of the Willow Harbour team and its commitment to providing consistent, child-centred care.
Jericha
Director of FinanceJericha brings a passion for business, finance, and meaningful impact to her role as Director of Finance. Having experienced a difficult upbringing herself, Jericha understands firsthand how deeply a child’s early environment can shape their sense of possibility and their path forward. This experience has given her a strong belief in the importance of creating safe, supportive environments where children feel seen, valued, and empowered to build a different future.
Jericha is excited to bring her skills for business and finance to an organization whose work creates meaningful change. She believes strong financial leadership is about more than numbers - it provides the stability, structure, and resources that allow an organization to grow, operate effectively, and expand its impact. Through her work, Jericha is proud to contribute to creating the support, opportunities, and foundation that children and young people deserve.
Tyler
Director of Human ResourcesTyler is a human resource professional with over 15 years of experience working with children and youth. He began coaching children’s hockey at age 13 and has continued mentoring young players ever since, helping them build confidence, teamwork, and resilience through sport.
Driven by a deep passion for people and child development, Tyler transitioned into human resources to create safe, nurturing, and compliant environments for children in care.
Guided by the belief that every child deserves stability, compassion, and the opportunity to thrive, Tyler combines HR expertise, frontline youth mentorship, and a strong understanding of Ontario’s childcare licensing standards to ensure Willow Harbour remains a place where healing, growth, and everyday childhood moments can happen.