our board members

With over 30 years of experience supporting families in both her birth country of Trinidad and Tobago and her home in Canada, Amanda has seen firsthand that a child’s emotional well‑being is the foundation for their success. Her career began in Trinidad and Tobago, where she spent more than two decades as an elementary school teacher and three years as a Parenting Facilitator for a national NGO. In these roles, she guided parents, supported children through critical developmental stages, and built strong, nurturing relationships with families across diverse communities. These early experiences shaped her belief that when children feel emotionally safe, confident, and valued, they are far more likely to thrive academically and socially.

After immigrating to Canada, Amanda continued her commitment to community empowerment through nearly a decade of executive non‑profit leadership. As an executive board member of the Caribbean Canadian Association of Waterloo Region, she played a key role in organizing fundraising initiatives, coordinating community‑building events, and serving on the scholarship committee to support youth pursuing higher education. Her leadership in this space strengthened her ability to build partnerships, mobilize communities, and promote programs that uplift children and families.

Recognizing that social and emotional hurdles are often the silent barriers to academic achievement, Amanda founded Spark Hope for Kids Inc. to provide children with the essential tools they need to thrive. She pairs her deep‑rooted passion for education with her extensive experience in family support, community leadership, and program development, ensuring that this non-profit community organization is as strategically sound as it is heart‑led.

At the heart of her work is a single, unwavering purpose: to ensure that lived experiences never limit a child’s potential but instead serve as a springboard for their future success. Through Spark Hope for Kids Inc., Amanda continues to champion environments where children feel empowered, supported, and ready to shine.

Nneka Edwin is a dedicated educator in the Waterloo Region whose work is grounded in a profound belief in every child’s potential. With extensive experience supporting children ages 6–10, she brings a steady commitment to nurturing confidence, joy, and capability in young learners. Her classroom is a place where curiosity is celebrated, creativity is encouraged, and every child is reminded of their inherent worth.

Nneka’s commitment to inclusion was shaped not only in schools but also through her meaningful work with KW Habilitation, where she supported individuals with disabilities in group home settings. This experience deepened her understanding of diverse needs, strengthened her capacity for empathy, and refined her ability to create environments where every person feels valued, respected, and supported. The patience, adaptability, and compassion she cultivated in this work continue to inform her teaching practice and her broader approach to community service.

As a lifelong learner, Nneka champions the transformative power of confidence-building. She integrates affirmations, gratitude practices, and meaningful skill development into her teaching, ensuring that children feel seen, capable, and empowered—both inside and outside the classroom. Her holistic approach reflects a belief that confidence, belonging, and emotional safety are essential foundations for growth.

In her role on the board, Nneka brings a thoughtful, community-centered leadership style shaped by her dual experience in education and disability support. She is committed to extending this work beyond the classroom and into the wider community, helping to build spaces where children of all abilities feel encouraged, supported, and inspired to thrive. Her passion for uplifting families and fostering inclusive environments aligns deeply with the mission of Spark Hope for Kids Inc.

Nneka is honored to serve and energized by the opportunity to contribute to meaningful, lasting impact. She looks forward to continuing this journey and helping shape a future where every child—regardless of background or ability—has the confidence and support they need to shine.