HEALTH & WELLNESS AWARD
For helping others achieve and promote well-being in her career or through community involvement.
Award Presented By: Jenna Petker, Physician Recruitment Lead at the Greater K-W Chamber of Commerce
HEALTH & WELLNESS NOMINEES
Lindsay Arbeau
Lindsay Arbeau is a dedicated coach and mentor who promotes physical and mental well-being through her work with youth sports, particularly in hockey. As Head Coach for the Waterloo Ravens and a long-time coach at Eastwood Collegiate Institute, Lindsay has had a profound and lasting impact on countless young players by fostering not only
athletic skills but also confidence, resilience, and personal growth. Lindsay’s commitment to health and wellness extends beyond hockey, as she leads initiatives to provide accessible sports opportunities and reduce barriers to physical activity for students, young girls and New Canadians in the community.
Cathy Ding
Cathy (Huijuan) Ding is a registered acupuncturist and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner with over 25 years of clinical experience. She holds both bachelor's and master's degrees in Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture from the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, a globally recognized institution. Since 2010, Cathy has been serving the Kitchener-Waterloo area, specializing in various treatments including pain management, women's and men's health, weight loss, cosmetic acupuncture, cancer support therapies, stress, insomnia, migraines, allergies, and respiratory health. Her dedication, expertise and community contribution have earned her the Best Acupuncturist award in Kitchener-Waterloo area for four consecutive years.
Chioma Efejedia
Chioma Janelle Efejedia is a registered social worker, psychotherapist, and founder of Inner Compass Well-being—a mental health agency and wellness app centering BIPOC communities. With over a decade of experience, Chioma blends clinical expertise with tech innovation to deliver culturally responsive care. She provides therapy, equity-focused training, and wellness programming for individuals, couples, schools, and organizations. Her work is redefining how health and wellness are accessed and experienced in the Waterloo Region, especially for underserved communities. Chioma is a visionary leader, educator, and changemaker—committed to closing the gaps in mental health with compassion and cultural relevance.
Julie Norcott
Since graduating as an Osteopathic Manual Therapist in 2020, Julie opened Arise Wellness & Osteopathy, a leading
clinic in Kitchener, and has grown her career alongside her greatest role yet: raising her three young children. Grounded, driven, and deeply supportive; Julie is a champion for women’s health, resilience, and the vibrant community we rise from.
Julie has built a strong foundation in wellness as a certified yoga teacher, fitness instructor and nutrition coach, bringing wellness to the work place for nearly 15 years. She returned to school in her 30s to deepen her impact while running a thriving corporate wellness company in the region.
Melissa Reid
Melissa is a Registered Social Worker with over 20 years of experience in providing support to those struggling with grief, bereavement, and trauma. Melissa is the owner and founder of Calming Tree Counselling in South Kitchener. As the head of Calming Tree, Melissa provides inspiring, compassionate and steadfast leadership to a diverse team of mental health professionals. She works hard to ensure that people in the KW community have access to mental health support that is compassionate, inclusive and person-centred. Melissa takes pride in fostering a workplace that is supportive and empowering for all.
Erin Seaton
Erin is a physiotherapist and the founder of Embark Physical Therapy & Wellness. After working in multidisciplinary clinics in Waterloo Region for nearly a decade, Erin sought to create Embark with the aim of redefining what patient-centered care truly means. Embark is a healthcare clinic dedicated to providing personalized and evidence-based care for individuals seeking rehabilitation and wellness services. They offer physiotherapy, massage therapy, and yoga services in
a collaborative and compassionate manner. With a strong emphasis on individualized care plans, the all-female team at Embark works closely with each patient to address their unique needs and goals. The first of it's kind, Embark truly is a healthcare clinic that puts the needs of the individual first!
Brookelynn Tookey
Brookelynn is the proud owner of a thriving medical spa in the heart of Ayr. Her mission is rooted in helping every client become the most confident version of themselves, inside and out. With a deep passion for overall well-being and a genuine desire to uplift others, Brookelynn’s warmth and dedication shine through in every session. She combines cutting edge technologies with a personalized approach, creating treatment plans tailored to each individual’s needs, never pushing unnecessary services for profit. Her focus is clear, to empower both her clients and her team to feel confident, capable, and truly their best.