Mary Beaty is a former teacher and public librarian, and has been serving as the Humanist Chaplain at the University of Toronto for over a decade.  Along with Dr. Gail McCabe, the initial Humanist Chaplain at UofT, she helped found the Ontario Humanist Society, and serves as OHS Governing Official and former chair of the Ceremonies Committee.  She is a member of OHS, AHA, HAC, HAT and a supporter of IHEU. Mary represented the American Humanist Association at the United Nations (NY), working with both secular and faith-based groups on human rights and social justice issues. As a humanist officiant, she has conducted over 1500 secular ceremonies, in New York and Ontario, within a great variety of cultural traditions. Mary wishes to encourage new generations of students and the wider public to express humanist concerns (especially environmental, scientific, human rights and social justice issues) through activism and service.

Website: http://www.uthumanist.com/p/meet-us.html

Dr. Marty Shoemaker (known informally as Dr. Shoe by his students) is a semi-retired psychologist of 45 years, now committed and fully enjoying his encore career of engaging students and audiences in finding an ethical worldview which makes sense to them as a Humanist Chaplain at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Richmond, B.C. Campus, Multifaith Center. He is also a Volunteer Community Spiritual Care Practitioner at Vancouver General Hospital. He is a long-time member of the BC Humanist Association, Humanist Canada, American Humanist Association and a retired member of the Social Science faculty of Douglas College. An avid reader, Marty is currently working on a book on Inclusive Humanism for university audiences and is a proud father, grandfather, fly fisherman, football spectator and golfer. He is most pleased to be a part of the growing interest and career development of Humanist Chaplains and secular leaders in Canada and world-wide.

Website: https://www.kpu.ca/multifaith/our-chaplains

Martin Frith has a rich and diverse background providing meaningful relational services to people from all walks of life. Having worked in acute, long term, and rehabilitation settings as well as over 25 years of experience in psychotherapy with individuals, couples and groups, Martin is thrilled to be able to provide Chaplaincy services to the Humanist community. Martin also has a particular interest in end-of-life issues having worked for 15 years as bereavement coordinator for a funeral company and 10 years as the Client Support Coordinator at Dying With Dignity Canada. Passionate about serving his community, Martin is also the current President of Humanist Canada and a licensed Humanist Officiant providing a range of secular services. Martin holds a Master’s of Divinity (St. Michael’s College, U of T) and is a Clinical Fellow with the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy.

Need to set up a time to speak, click here.

Website: http://www.ceremonieswithchoice.ca

Srishti is a Kashmiri-Canadian who loves exploring ethical, existential, emotional, and equity issues. As a founding chaplain, Srishti is the youngest and first racialized accredited humanist chaplain in Canada, and was part of the leadership team that professionalized humanist chaplaincy across the country.

As a humanist chaplain, Srishti currently serves the community at the University of Ottawa. Srishti is a lifetime member of Humanist Canada, a Humanist officiant and a supporter of the AHA, Humanists UK, Humanists Australia and Humanists International. Srishti is passionate about creating spaces that maximize human potential by leveraging a trauma-informed and anti-oppressive lens. Srishti is especially moved by sound public policy, 2SLGBTQ+ issues including sexual, romantic and reproductive rights and health issues including social determinants and neurodiversity. Srishti holds a Master’s in Public Administration and is completing a cotutelle PhD in Population Health and Medical Anthropology.

Website: https://www2.uottawa.ca/campus-life/health-wellness/meet-chaplains
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srishti-hukku

Marie-Claire Khadij (she/her/elle) is a proud Franco-Canadian who speaks French, English and Spanish. She has always been passionate about meeting people from various backgrounds and learning about their cultures and views on life. She is a Women’s Rights advocate, and strives to be an ally to minorities, especially 2SLGBTQIA+ and POC communities.

She has been serving as a military chaplain since 2017 and became the first humanist chaplain in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in May 2022. Her aim is to continue to grow the number of humanists chaplains in the CAF to ensure that all members (including humanists, agnostics, atheists and all with secular worldviews) are represented and can access services specific to their values.

As a military spouse since 2007 who then became a military member herself, Marie-Claire has had the privilege of working with CAF members and their families at home and abroad. She sees the role of a chaplain as being present with people through the joys and challenges of military life. She hopes to continue to offer a caring presence to the military community for years to come.

Website: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/maple-leaf/defence/2022/06/caf-introduces-humanist-chaplain.html
Twitter: Meet Marie-Claire in 60 seconds

Oceanna Hall is a Clinical End of Life and Bereavement Specialist certified with the Canadian Association of Spiritual Care (CASC). She is currently serving as the Spiritual Health Practitioner for Island Health Authority at Saanich Peninsula Hospital on Vancouver Island.

She also facilitates community bereavement groups and hosts a monthly Death Café as a Death Walker/Grief Companion. Oceanna has extensive experience supporting vulnerable populations with mental health and addiction challenges and previously provided counseling at Our Place Society in Victoria. She was also an adjunct associate professor who taught leadership, psychology, and research writing at MacEwan University in Edmonton.

A former corporate controller, she shifted careers to focus on spiritual health and counseling, earning Master’s degrees in Oral Story Arts and Divinity. Oceanna also likes to share her alter-ego as “Sugar Magnolia,” a sassy, blue-haired therapeutic hospital clown, hosting Laughter Yoga and community workshops.

Website: https://www.islandhealth.ca/our-locations/spiritual-health-locations/spiritual-care-saanich-peninsula-hospital
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oceanna-hall-0100075/

Devin is, first and foremost, intensely curious. He is a scientist on a quest for knowledge: about himself, about the world, and especially about how best to live in the world. He is constantly reminded of the old aphorism, “the more I learn, the more I realize how little I know.”

Devin has a wide and ever-changing array of interests, and he likes it that way. As of the moment, he enjoys backcountry camping, Brazilian jiu jitsu, musical theatre, writing, and database design. He is passionate about mental health advocacy, sustainable food and energy systems, and community building, and guided by the principles of honesty, efficiency, and kindness.

Devin is the Chaplaincy Program Coordinator, and he is also honoured to offer chaplaincy support to the community of Humanist Canada members. You can reach out to him at devin@humanistcanada.ca.

Silvana Morales-Boiardi has never stopped asking questions. A critical thinker who is guided by a keen interest in science, history, and social justice issues, Silvana is passionate about women’s rights, reproductive rights, and Indigenous rights. Proud of her Cuban and Italian heritage, Silvana is fluent in Spanish and Italian, as well as French. She is also currently learning Anishinaabemowin.

Silvana holds a BA in Creative Writing and Religions and Cultures from Concordia University. She also holds a MA in Religion from Concordia University. Throughout her graduate degree, Silvana’s academic work focused on examining the religious habits of immigrant communities in Montreal, writing her thesis on members of the Montreal Cuban immigrant community and how their religious lives were impacted under Fidel Castro’s atheist policies.

A military spouse and mother, Silvana hopes to one day serve as a Humanist chaplain in the Canadian Armed Forces. When she is not busy caring for her five pets, she enjoys reading horror fiction, writing poetry, listening to heavy metal, planning for next Halloween, and foraging for mushrooms in the woods. She can be reached at silvana.morales@humanistcanada.ca.

Mars Van Vliet came to chaplaincy via academia. Studying behaviour lent a new lens on the way she views the human world and increased her sense of empathy for all of us living within it. As a zoologist who has focused on Homo sapiens, Mars uses a scientific approach in her chaplaincy as well as everyday life, which has informed her approach on connection as a means of developing health and happiness: connection to others, to self, and to nature. All of which are scientifically proven to have positive impacts on human health, both mental and physical.

Mars spends most of her time working in the school system as a social emotional learning teacher. She is also a personal trainer (helping people connect with their bodies), and a member of the Humanist Canada Chaplaincy Committee. Ever the optimist, Mars looks forward to the social emotional evolution of humanity, greatly believing that each new generation brings fresh ideas and strengths. She is always open to discussing ideas, collaborating, or supporting her community. Feel free to reach out at mars.vanvliet@humanistcanada.ca.