Our Team
Our dedicated team is committed to restoring hope and healing for survivors of commercial sexual exploitation.With compassion and expertise, they provide support, mentorship, and advocacy to help women rebuild their lives and raise awareness in our community.
Meet Our Team
Katarina
Founder & Executive Director
Katarina MacLeod, the founder of Rising Angels, is a survivor of exploitation, sexual & physical abuse, drug addiction, forcible confinement, and domestic prostitution and trafficking. In 2008, she finally escaped ‘the game’ and now works to raise awareness regarding the truth behind this industry, as well as walk alongside women who, like her, want to start over and realize they cannot do it on their own. Katarina has a diploma in Addictions and Community Service, a certificate in Sexual Violence, and a Level 1 certificate in Trauma Counselling for Front Line Workers. She is a mother to 4 children and living proof of a life restored.
Lisa
Mentor
Lisa has a deep understanding of, and passion for, women who have been sexually exploited. She has ministered in this area for over 10 years, founding the Heat the Street Truck outreach ministry, receiving strip club outreach training and providing mentoring and spiritual direction to victims. With an ability to connect with people of all backgrounds, Lisa has had experience ministering to babies, children, youth, adults and seniors for over 30 years.
Read More
She has traveled to several countries in both full time and short term missions, as well as working various retail positions and home schooling her children. Lisa is very comfortable walking alongside those who struggle with addiction, are experiencing homelessness, or who are otherwise marginalized. She herself has experienced trauma and abuse. Lisa is a woman of God and a mother of two who has a heart for survivors and knows that having someone you can talk to and trust is the first step to healing.
Our Board of Directors
Kim
Board Chair
Kim is a sales and marketing professional educated at the University of New Brunswick Saint John. She also completed studies in Aesthetics and Make up artistry at L’institute jonRaymond. Having been personally affected by human trafficking and drug addiction of family members, Kim made it her mission to seek help and support for those affected by this human rights violation.
Sheila
Board Vice-Chair
Sheila spent more than two decades in the insurance industry, responsible for a portfolio of more than $ 1 million in premiums, before transitioning to working in the public library sector. She excels in a detail oriented, customer focused environment. In 2012, after becoming aware of the extent of commercial sexual exploitation in our communities, Sheila sought to become part of the solution.
Judi
Secretary
Judi is a retired nurse and graduate from the University of Toronto with both her Bachelor and Masters of Nursing Science. She has has held roles in hospital as Clinical Educator, Clinical Nurse Specialist and Management. Early in her nursing career she volunteered with Evergreen (Yonge Street Mission) and came alongside young women and men being sexually exploited in the GTA.
Read More
Her focus was on High Risk Obstetrics and Perinatology. The last two decades she worked in Public Health in the Family Health division. For years she worked with pregnant teens, many of which were in shelters or homeless. She came to know about Rising Angels through an acquaintance whose daughter had been sex trafficked. She also has personal experience with family member with addictions. Her health knowledge and experiences is an asset to the Board.
Anna
Treasurer
Anna had many personal encounters with young ladies that were caught in the sex trade. From these close encounters, Anna understands how desperate life circumstances can set lives on the wrong tracks. This experience made Anna passionate to support Rising Angels cause. She is proud to be a part of a solution to sex trafficking by serving as the Treasurer. She is a Ryerson graduate in accounting and finance, has successful experience with building a company from the ground up as well as being a valuable member to bigger teams. She believes Rising Angels will restore many lives and she will be a part of that as well.
Alejandria Bozek
Board Member
Alejandria is a Sr. National Key Account Manager with a background in strategic sales, business development, and national account management. She is passionate about building strong relationships, leading with integrity and creating meaningful impact both professionally and within her community.
Read More
Guided by her Christian faith, Alejandria has a heart for serving other and is committed to supporting initiatives that bring hope, restoration, and practical support to vulnerable individuals. She is honoured to serve on the Board of Directors for Rising Angels Awareness & Restorative Care, where she looks forward to using her professional experience and passion for community service to help advance the organizations mission.
Sara Turner
Board Member
Sara firmly believes that no one is beyond reach, no story is beyond redemption, and beauty can emerge from even the deepest ashes. This conviction drives her work in community development and in the human services sector. She has been deeply moved to walk alongside individuals who have navigated life’s most difficult trials; it is her honour to walk alongside survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation.
Read More
Guided by principles of equity, justice, and compassion, Sara believes in trauma recovery, female empowerment, and the transformative power of healing within a supportive community. She fully affirms the innate dignity and worth of every person and is truly grateful to stand with Rising Angels and its strong, caring framework dedicated to uplifting women and bringing Light to their darkest times.
Marcia Stephenson
Board Member
Marcia Stephenson is a Senior C-Suite Administrator & Executive Business Partner with a passion for supporting others, building meaningful relationships, and creating a positive impact within her organization and community. hroughout her career, Marcia has been dedicated to serving others through leadership, organization, and a strong commitment to helping those around her succeed.
Read More
Marcia’s foundation in service began with her education and experience working with children with mental and physical challenges, where she developed a deep appreciation for compassion, patience, and the importance of creating opportunities for others. She later expanded her professional skills by completing a Business Management Diploma, combining her passion for people with strong business and leadership capabilities.
Guided by her faith and values, Marcia believes in leading with compassion, humility, and a willingness to serve. Outside of her professional life, she is a proud wife and mother who values family, connection, and making the most of every opportunity to positively influence the lives of others.
Marcia is honoured to join the Board of Directors for Rising Angels Awareness & Restorative Care and looks forward to supporting the organization’s mission and the meaningful work it does within the community.
Melanie Knights
Board Member
Melanie Knights has dedicated more than a decade to advancing the response to human
trafficking through frontline service, education, program development, and systems change. Since entering the anti-human trafficking sector in 2011, she has worked in a variety of roles including crisis intervention, first response alongside law enforcement, case management, program development, and training multidisciplinary professionals across Ontario.
Read More
Melanie currently works as a contracted educator and trainer, equipping professionals across multiple sectors with the knowledge and skills to recognize and respond to human trafficking using trauma-informed, survivor-centred approaches.
Drawing on a background in healthcare and addictions, along with her professional and lived experience, Melanie is passionate about fostering hope, promoting restorative care, and strengthening communities’ capacity to support survivors throughout their recovery journey.
As a member of the Board of Directors for Rising Angels Awareness & Restorative Care, Melanie is committed to advancing survivor leadership and fostering collaborative, compassionate, and restorative supports that empower individuals impacted by human trafficking.
“Rising Angels has been an inspirational, professional and dedicated support system for many women in Ontario and across Canada. They have the compassion and understanding to support survivors and provide expert guidance to work with women to gain confidence in themselves. Their team of leaders and mentors are dedicated to helping others with dignity and respect.”
Sergeant, Professional Standards, Waterloo Regional Police Service