Board of Directors

Ema Dantas

FOUNDER, CURRENT CHAIR OF BOARD

Ema Dantas is a professional motivational speaker, an author, As a professional motivational speaker, I share my quest and success in summiting Everest despite personal mountains, setbacks and challenges faced along the way. Audiences see how resilience, passion and strength helped guide me to the top of the highest points in each continent of world, not just physically but personally, professionally, and metaphorically. 

She is also an author. Her recent book Mental Mountains is not just another story of Everest or mountaineering. It is the account of a four-and-a-half-year jigsaw puzzle journey, where she shares how she refused to listen to the negative noise and kept focus in her beliefs.

She is a mountaineer, even though she really doesn’t fit the profile. She is afraid of heights, older, of small statured and female. However, she climbed the 7 (actually 8) summits of the world, including Everest in less than 5 years, and became the first Portuguese person to have done so and one of 124 Canadians (mostly men), as part of our & Summits for mental health event/fundraiser.

As an entrepreneur, she founded Language Marketplace in 2000 and in 2012, she became one of Canada’s Top Female Entrepreneurs. In 2013, she grew the company to the top Profit 500 list of Canada’s Fastest Growing Companies.

Language Marketplace became part of NATIONS Translation Group of Companies when she sold it in 2022, and she  held the position of VP of Interpretation Solutions until December 29, 2023. 

Ema founded Peaks for Change in 2017.

Patricia Dantas Johnson

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, EVENTS MANAGER

Patricia is currently working at Language Marketplace Inc. She is very excited to begin her journey with the Peaks for Change Foundation and is determined to help Ema Dantas reach her goal through many fun and memorable events along the way. She is passionate in event planning and loves to host. She is very organized and detailed driven. She looks forward to be working and collaborating with all the driven board members to empower the next generation and create positive change within the community while helping raise more awareness of the importance of a wholesome mental health care approach.

Nicole Dantas

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SOCIAL MEDIA AND CORPORATE RELATIONS MANAGER

Nicole Dantas is a registered nurse currently working in paediatrics. She is passionate about healthcare and helping people reach their health potential. Nicole graduated with honours from Western University in Health promotion, focusing on the holistic nature of health. After which she moved to BC in order to pursue her dreams of becoming a nurse. In 2015 she graduated from UBC and is now a RN and member of CNO . While in BC Nicole fell in love with the outdoors and living an active lifestyle as she was able to use nature as a way to recharge and refocus. She has also participated in numerous medical and volunteer missions abroad, which have strengthened her desire to help others and leave a positive impact on this World. She is very excited to be a part of Peaks for Change and cannot wait to help raise awareness and remove the stigma associated with mental health and wellbeing.

Emmanuel Monssen

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SOCIAL MEDIA AND CORPORATE RELATIONS MANAGER

Emmanuel Monssen has been an Advanced Care Tactical Paramedic for Toronto Paramedic Services since 1999. He is passionate about helping people and making a positive impact on the world. Emmanuel has done many years of volunteer work rebuilding communities. From orphanage and a women’s shelter in Guatemala in 1996 to building a school and working with Pharmacist Without Borders in Kyrgyzstan Central Asia in 2001 to organizing his own humanitarian trips to Central America for the past 6 years. Emmanuel is passionate about giving back to those in need. But where he goes to recharge is in the outdoors. He lives for it! Emmanuel has been guiding people all over the world for the past 20 years. Helping people reach new heights constantly surpassing their limits. Emmanuel is excited to be part of Peaks for Change.

Tyler Stone

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Tyler Stone is a Performance Enhancement Specialist going on 6 years at Circafit Training Centre located in Georgetown, ON. He obtained a degree in Fitness and Health Promotion from Humber College, followed by a Bachelor of Applied Science in Kinesiology from the University of Guelph-Humber and a Masters of Fitness Science from York University. His other certifications include; Certified Exercise Physiologist (Health and Fitness Federations of Canada), Performance Enhancement Specialist (National Academy of Sports Medicine), Fitness Nutrition Specialist (National Academy of Sports Medicine), and Pain Free Performance Specialist (PPSC). Tyler’s passion is aligned with helping the general population and athletes alike, in reaching their optimal potential in performance, health and fitness. He is an advocate in the use of physical activity and exercise not only to reach desired goals, but to aid in maintaining a well-balanced mental state and stress equilibrium. He is currently Training Peaks Chairwoman of Board Ema, to conquer the last of the seven summits in her quest to end mental health stigma.

Jessika Welch

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Jessika, DTATI Cand., is an Art Therapist student currently completing the Master’s Level Program at the Toronto Art Therapy Institute. She has always been passionate about health and wellness as well as the arts. Jessika was born in Trinidad and Tobago and immigrated to Canada in 2014. After completing her BFA at OCDAU, Jessika perused this journey of becoming an RP. Jessika’s aim is to promote creative exploration that encourage new and hopeful perspectives while supporting clients in building upon existing tools in order to foster wellness and self-reliance. She is very passionate about having conversations that aim to destigmatize mental health and normalize seeking support. Jessika has volunteered throughout her childhood in Trinidad & Tobago and continues to find opportunities in Canada to provide helpful service and connect with others. She is also very passionate about physical wellness, painting, cooking, traveling, learning about other cultures and the outdoors!

Dana Stewart

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dana is a Business & Mindset coach, She has graduated with Honours Degrees in Sociology / Social Work & Criminology / Psychology. She previously worked for both the Federal and Provincial Government before becoming the CEO of her own business. Dana is a survivor of PTSD and has done extensive research on cyber bullying & youth stalking. When Dana is not helping others make positive changes in their lives she can be found playing or watching sports, reading, or up at her cottage relaxing.