“Everybody needs a home team”
DAN MARTIN
Director
Dan has over 25 years of human service experience. Dan graduated from Social Work at McMaster University in 1994. Following which, Dan’s work saw him serving both children and adults in multiple settings in various capacities. This includes working at 4 different Child Welfare agencies in Ontario, Canada in front line, supervisory and managerial capacities across functions. Along with work in the Youth and Adult Mental Health and Addictions sector. Dan developed and trains the HEERO™ Model. He is focused on moving it forward in both Canada and the U.S.A, and further internationally.
Rhonda Konrad
HEERO Facilitator and Trainer
Rhonda Konrad resides in Sioux Lookout Ontario. She has worked in the field of child protection for over 30 years delivering services on the frontlines in intake, family services, emergency services, children’s services, adoption, resources and in management. Rhonda has worked in adult mental health and addictions and children’s mental health. Rhonda has a specialization in training, advocating and supporting caregivers, educators and social workers in the area of FASD. She has presented at various conferences domestically and internationally. Rhonda has participated in online trainings and podcasts in the field of FASD. Rhonda has worked closely with Indigenous organizations in social services with a focus in child welfare. Rhonda was a foster parent to several children and youth for over 20 years. Rhonda also is involved with Community Living Ontario and supports adults with developmental disabilities. Rhonda graduated with a Master of Social Work from Laurentian University in 2012. Rhonda joined the HEERO team several years ago. She is passionate about walking along side youth and supporting them to facilitate life long relationships.
RAVEN BARTMAN
Senior Staff Peer Navigator/ International Consultant
My name is Raven Bartman. I live in Ontario, Canada. I grew up in the Ontario foster care system as a Crown Ward until ageing out at twenty-one years old. I am currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in social work. Other areas that interest me include Indigenous studies and Gender and Women’s studies. I joined HEERO a number of years ago. I am passionate about our youth and children in care. There is an unspoken bond that is really incredible – a will and a want by those youth with lived experience to see youth in and from care do better; they are deserving of that better outcome. I am fortunate to walk alongside our participants as they gain a deeper sense of worthiness and connection. Not only do I aid in the process as a peer navigator but I have also completed the HEERO workshops first hand. This process allowed me to create my own network of individuals outside of the Children’s Aid Society. HEERO gave me an opportunity to be supported. I was able to heal the parts of myself that felt like I had to do life on my own. I now have a support system of my own choosing that I can and do fall back on.
ALICIA JOHNSON
Senior Staff Peer Navigator/ International Consultant
Hi my name is Alicia Johnson and I live in a little town called Forest, Ontario. I’m currently working in a group home supporting adults with disabilities. I first came into foster care when I was 3 years old and am now a former crown ward. I am a very intuitive person and a great problem solver; very quick to pick up little details and look beyond the surface. This allows me to think outside the box and often times above and beyond what is right in front of me to find a solution to the problem at hand. I’ve been with HEERO for a number of years now. For me, HEERO has been a very transformative experience in more than one way. HEERO has helped connect me with relationships that I never thought were possible or that I was worthy of and has also helped me to grow my self-confidence as well as my self-worth. I enjoy the opportunity as a peer navigator to help other youth see their strengths and move them toward network and support. HEERO is something I would recommend for everyone, not just current youth/former youth in care.
PEER NAVIGATORS
Shayne Bartman
Hey, my name is Shayne. I am currently 22 from Ontario Canada, previous a crown ward of CAS (Children’s Aid Society). My interests are sports, music as well as just making memories I will never forget. I have been a part of the HEERO workshops for almost a year now. HEERO has proven to me the ability we have to mend broken relationships for not only ourselves but for youth who have similar but unique stories to my own. When you go through this workshop it gives you the knowledge in order to give yourself the power you need to start your path on creating a circle of supports to get you to where you desire. One of my favourite things about helping support these workshops would be not only the growth I see in youth (not even just in my country!) but also the growth in their support workers and the eagerness to learn, then change.
Mirela Huber
Hi! My name is Mirela Huber and I live in Girard, Ohio. I grew up in the foster care system in Philadelphia. I spent most of my life in the foster care system until I was twenty-one. I currently work at a residential facility with troubled youth, and am working to obtain my master degree in clinical psychology. I’ve been working with HERRO for about 6 months now. One thing that I have been able to take away and support in my experience with working with HERRO, is the ability to continue to gain Connections and build a better foundation for my future and for those I work with. I believe HERRO has been making an impact in the lives of youth and allowing them to find and build connections so they are successful and supported in life.
Damien Cooper –
Hi, my name is Damien Cooper. I am a former crown ward from a South Western Ontario (Canada) CAS (Children’s Aid Society). I went into care at 11 and aged out at 21. I graduated western university in 2020 with a bachelors degree in criminology! I am currently working in a high behaviour group home. It is my dream to become a real estate investor with 10+ properties. I love soccer, basketball and weightlifting. I am a member of HEERO because I know the importance of peer navigators impacting young people we work with. As a former youth in care, I want to give back by providing supports for current youth facing challenges.
Heero Consulting 