Sera Mansueto

Sera is the founder and guiding force behind Walls of Hope.

In the early 80′s Sera started her career in Fashion Design and Merchandising, working in all areas of the business. Sera stayed home to raise her 2 girls for 13 years. As a stay at home mom she transferred her love of design to experimenting with paint and decorative finishes. She started to paint for family and friends which led to people wanting to hire her. When her marriage fell apart Sera was forced to go to work to provide for her girls. She started The Art of Paint, a residential home painting business that slowly grew. Eventually she was not only providing for herself but also had a team of all women working with her.It was this journey; her 2 careers, a failed marriage, losing everything and having to start from scratch that led to Walls of Hope and its first project in 2005.

Linda Graydon

Linda has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and brings over 27 years of public health nursing experience. In addition, Linda graduated from Sheridan College in the Interior Decorating Program and is also a Canadian Certified Staging Professional. She is owner/principal of Soulscape Interiors and is a member of the Canadian Decorators Association (CDECA) and the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA). Linda brings her professional experience to Walls of Hope by providing advice and hands on involvement in the decor aspects of its makeovers. Linda also manages Family Submissions for Walls of Hope. Her assessment skills and compassion are invaluable in the selection process for recipients. Linda believes homes need to be places for reflection and healing, and that everyone deserves a beautiful space regardless of their circumstances.

Paula Germain

Paula has been a member of the leadership team since 2009 and brings with her a wealth of knowledge in sales, marketing, and business management. In her past she sat on the Board of Directors at the Boys & Girls Club of Niagara Falls and has participated and helped organize several fundraising events. Paula’s main responsibilities for Walls of Hope are: Project, Volunteer and Social Media Coordinator. Paula executes a plan for each project that includes: scheduling, organization, communication and delegation for new and existing volunteers. Her duties also include distributing monthly updates via newsletter and social media to our database.

Allison Lane

Allison is Marketing and Sales professional, who has worked with many leading National Brands and Interactive Marketing & Advertising agencies for over 20 years. She has her own Marketing & Design Consultancy (Lane & Associates) which extends her experience and love in: Marketing & Operational Optimization, Event Planning,  Design and Renovations. Allison joined Walls of Hope in 2010 as a volunteer providing: drywall, tiling, painting assistance. She has become an active member of the leadership team; creating and executing the 2011 Integrated Strategic Marketing/Operations plan, leading Fundraising events, Website/Social media and acts as a Partner Agency Liaison for Walls of Hope.

Karen Buchanan

Karen Buchanan is a professional organizer, registered with the Professional Organizers of Canada (POC) and operates her business, Solutions 2 Organize U. She has a passion for helping families and individuals to improve their work or living spaces. She works with Walls of Hope families to de-clutter their spaces before the WOH renovation and assist them to organize their new space once the renovation has been completed.

Carla Leyer

Carla has been one of our volunteers who has been with Walls of Hope since the early days; joining in 2006. She has become known as the other half of the “Mural Experts” and Dream Rooms team, along with Wendi Speck, creating and painting wall designs and murals that capture the hearts of all. She also lends her creative painting talents to other non-profit and charitable organizations such as: Habitat Humanity Restore and Burlington 715 Air Cadet Squadron.
Carla has also been an invaluable contribution to the Sound of Music Festival since 2004. In 2008, she became the Director of Volunteers and is responsible for co-ordination of more than 1600 volunteers and implementation of digital resource processes.
In 2011, Carla will be leading a new area for Walls of Hope — Dream Rooms that will provide smaller, 1 room redecorating projects for children with terminal or life impeding illnesses.

Anna Montalbano

Anna is a Commercial Property Manager whose involvement with Walls of Hope began five years ago as a “handywoman” volunteer working on various home makeover projects.  Most recently, she has expanded her role and commitment to help take Walls of Hope to the next level. Anna is extremely excited to continue contributing her time and ideas as an active member of the leadership team.

Mike Leyer

Mike is our Walls of Hope General Contractor and has been a leader in the building industry for 25 years. He is the owner of Signature Custom Homes based out of Oakville. His company builds custom homes and large scale renovations. Mike is a director on the Walls of Hope leadership team and has been the “go to guy” for over 5 years.  Mike would not say outright, but he is the “Charlie” to our our “Angels”.

“The fulfillment I receive from helping others is indescribable and I’m proud to be part of this great organization”.

Liana Gualtieri

A Small business owner who, by chance, found the most amazing group of people at Walls of Hope. Liana contributes to the administration and event planning leadership team to make the work of this group easier. Liana is actively involved with: volunteer, supplier and donor acquisition, fund raising and helping families during renovations. “The feeling I get from helping these families is “WOW”.”

Lou Ward

Lou is a professional Interior Designer, focusing on residential design. Lou has been part of the Walls of Hope leadership team since 2010 and contributes to the project creative design and all related components from vision to execution of her layouts.

Linda Montalbano

Linda has over 20 years in the retail sector. As previously been Vice President of Store Operations for Danier Leather and she is currently VP at Graff Retail, Linda is a leading Management professional that also understands and acts upon the basis to “getting things done”  As part of the Walls of Hope leadership team over the years, she has assumed multiple roles to advocate and execute the “things that have to happen” to ensure this organization continues to grow and prosper

Wendi Speck

Wendi is the owner of Costume Works, based out of Mississauga, a company that specializes in custom design and creation of costumes and for the theater and dance industry. She started with Walls of Hope as a volunteer in 2005; providing much needed help with drapery and soft  furnishings. Over the years, Wendi has become an intregal part of the Walls of Hope leadership team. She is the “Go-to-Girl” for all for “making something out of nothing” and putting that final special touch to all rooms. She has now become one of our specialists for designing and executing “Dream Rooms” for the special children of our projects. Many of the volunteers wish that they had bedrooms like this when they were kids!

Kevin Porter

Kevin is a licensed Chartered Accountant. With his own practice, as a publicly licensed Chartered Accountant, Kevin has built a clientele over the past 17 years by catering to the owner/managed, Entrepreneurial sector of the business community. For the past 23 years, Kevin has been highly involved in the educational aspect of the CA profession by teaching numerous Professional Development courses to fellow CA’s and CA students. Kevin has been involved with Walls of Hope since 2009 and is responsible for the issuance of our annual financial statements.