INTEGRATED EDUCATION & COMMUNITY ACTION
Sparked by a joint partnership in response to youth victimization, Strong Roots Initiative was founded on a commitment to reduce barriers, create space for unheard voices to be seen and believed, and provide support that genuinely meets people where they are.
Safety keeps us alive. Connection helps us live.
Amy Spence
Co-Founder
Advocate | Strategist | Community Safety Educator | Cross-Sector Collaborator | Fitness & Nutrition Coach
Amy Spence is an advocate, strategist, and former police officer with a passion for creating safer, healthier communities. Drawing on more than 18 years of experience in public safety, crisis response, and victim support, she has dedicated her career to serving vulnerable individuals and building collaborative solutions to complex social challenges.
Throughout her policing career, Amy specialized in child abuse, sexual exploitation, human trafficking, and crimes involving vulnerable populations. She also spent more than a decade as a crisis negotiator, ultimately leading and coordinating specialized response teams. Her expertise spans trauma-informed intervention, victim advocacy, forensic interviewing, and cross-sector collaboration.
With academic training in Kinesiology, Psychology, and Addictions Studies, Amy brings a unique blend of leadership, evidence-based practice, and frontline experience. She is committed to empowering individuals, strengthening communities, and developing innovative approaches that promote safety, resilience, and belonging.
Britt Brown
Co-Founder
Advocate | Educator | Purpose & Partnership Facilitator | Program & Curriculum Developer | Connection Builder
With more than 19 years of experience in community-based practice, legislated intervention, and cross-sector collaboration, Brittney has dedicated her career to supporting children, youth, families, and the professionals who serve them. Her work is grounded in the belief that meaningful change happens through relationships, shared responsibility, and communities working together.
Brittney's professional background includes education in Criminal Justice and Child and Youth Care Counselling, and she is currently completing a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies. Her graduate work reflects her commitment to breaking down traditional silos and advancing collaborative approaches to complex social issues, with a particular focus on community vulnerability during times of crisis and on supporting youth impacted by sexual exploitation, victimization, criminality, and systemic harm.
Through Strong Roots Initiative, Brittney intends to strengthen community capacity, empower others through education and collaboration, and develop practical, relationship-based solutions that help individuals, families, and communities grow stronger together.
Meet the rest of the Board
Director
Ali de Souza
Ali de Souza is a Registered Social Worker (RSW) holding a Master of Social Work (Clinical) with a deep professional dedication to clinical social work, forensic mental health, and supporting high-risk youth. Over her career, she has worked extensively with children, youth, and families navigating complex, intersecting challenges—including mental health struggles, addiction, homelessness, trauma, and sexual exploitation.
Her practice is rooted in coordinated, relationship-based service delivery. She believes that sustainable change for youth and families is only possible when they are supported by strong relationships within their broader community. She brings practical expertise in forensic risk assessment, court reporting, program collaboration across multiple service systems, and crisis management.
Ali brings clinical insight, sound judgment, and a strong understanding of complex youth and family needs to the Strong Roots Initiative board. Her experience across service systems and commitment to relationships will help guide responsive programs, strengthen community partnerships, and keep dignity, safety, and connection at the center of board decisions.
Director
Beth Smith
Beth Smith is a seasoned social services professional with 20 years of experience. She holds two academic degrees in Social Work and in Criminology, Philosophy, and Psychology. Her professional background includes frontline work in shelters, where she supported individuals experiencing crisis and instability, as well as volunteer service within a women’s correctional centre, providing meaningful engagement and support to incarcerated women. She has also delivered one-on-one mentorship and intervention with at-risk youth, and contributed to anti-gang initiatives focused on prevention, education, and community resilience.
In her long-standing role within child welfare and current role in public safety, Beth has specialized in child abuse cases, bringing a trauma-informed, compassionate, and systems-focused approach to her work. Her experience has strengthened her ability to navigate complex situations, advocate for vulnerable children and families, and collaborate across disciplines. Beth is committed to advancing equitable, community-focused solutions and contributes valuable frontline insight to the board. She is passionate about contributing to initiatives that strengthen communities and improve outcomes for those most at risk.
Director
Stephanie Nikolaou
Stephanie Nikolaou is a Registered Social Worker with more than 18 years of experience supporting children, youth, families, and multidisciplinary teams. She holds a Master of Social Work specializing in Clinical Social Work Practice, with expertise in trauma-informed care, program development, organizational and budget management, and reflective supervision.
Stephanie leads specialized therapeutic services for youth with complex needs, including those experiencing sexual exploitation, substance use, criminal involvement, and involvement across multiple systems. She builds collaborative, effective teams while ensuring quality care and responsible stewardship of resources.
As a Board Member with Strong Roots Initiative, Stephanie brings clinical insight, thoughtful leadership, and strong organizational and financial oversight. Her commitment to prevention, collaboration, and relationship-based practice will help strengthen program quality, guide responsible growth, and create opportunities for children, youth, families, and professionals to thrive.