Karl Hale
Founder and Chairman
Born in Falmouth Jamaica, Karl Hale played Davis Cup for Jamaica for 10 years. Karl is on the board of the PTR (largest tennis coaching organization worldwide with 15,000 members) and the TPA (Canada's tennis coaching organization with over 2,000 members). He also founded the Daniel Nestor Celebrity Charity Event which has raised over $700,000 for North York General Hospital and Tennis Canada Go for Gold Fund. While doing all of this he has maintained his tennis level being ranked #1 in the world over 40 in 2008. He is an active family man who does many philanthropic activities for the Jamaican community.
Alene Chen
Treasurer
Born in the Parish of Hanover, Alene Chen currently works for IBM, the world's largest information technology company. Having worked with other large companies, Alene comes with great experience having been President of Johnson & Johnson Alliance of Black Employees (JJABE), an affinity group. She is a past student of Rusea's High School and past President of Rusea's Old Students' Association Canada. Her experience comes from being involved in many community projects and also as the first Vice President of The Alliance of Jamaica Alumni Associations, a 30 year old Canadian Charity where she gets hands on experience.
Mark Josephs
Mark Josephs, born in Kingston, Jamaica, is the President of Kisko Products. His parents migrated to Canada with their family on Christmas Eve of 1975. Kisko is a number one brand in Canada and a family business, owning Kisko Freezies and the Mr. Freeze brand. Mark started his career in sales with Nestle before joining the family business full-time in 1988. Mark is actively involved in a number of charities and enjoys leadership development. Kisko has been built on strong Christian values, with one of the core values being to give to those that are less fortunate and to serve others. Mark is pleased to serve on the Board of the Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation with such a great team.
Bruce Chin
Bruce leads Deloitte’s National Audit Advisory practice, advising on complex accounting, business transactions, and finance modernization. In addition to being awarded the prestigious FCPA, Bruce is also a CA and CPA, working with public and private companies under both IFRS and US GAAP. He holds a Masters of Accounting from the University of Waterloo. With more than 20 years of experience, Bruce believes in building long-term relationships, and works to ensure finance teams are strategic partners for the businesses they support. He clearly understands the unique challenges that confront finance executives on an ongoing basis and takes an innovative approach to providing solutions to complicated business and finance issues.
Angella Bennett
Advisory Board Member
With almost 30 years of travel industry experience, Angella Bennett brings an impressive level of knowledge and passion to her role as Regional Director of Tourism for Canada at the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB). Leading the tourism board’s national sales team, she works closely with industry partners and travel agents across the country to build relationships, provide educational resources on the destination, and drive year-round tourism to Jamaica.
Originally from Montego Bay, Bennett has worked in hospitality sales and marketing positions across the globe in several international markets, the U.S., Europe, Latin America, and her native Jamaica.
Prior to joining the JTB, Bennett previously served as Director of Sales at RIU Hotels & Resorts, Jamaica, overseeing sales and revenue management activities for 2,500 rooms across five resorts. During her 13-year tenure with the organization, she successfully opened five of the six RIU Hotels in Jamaica and most recently launched the opening of the Melia Braco Village Hotel in Trelawny.
Bruce Croxon
Bruce Croxon is living the entrepreneurial dream, long before “social networking” became a buzzword, Bruce made his mark as a digital pioneer by co-founding Lavalife in 1988. Bruce is now taking his expertise to a new level; he currently helms Round13, a company dedicated to investing in growth-stage digital companies. With 20+ years of helping young companies grow and three years investing on CBC’s Dragon’s Den, Bruce has a wide range of deal exposure and practical advice. Bruce gives particular importance to the visions and values required to grow organizations in a fast moving business environment. Being a member of the Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation board provides a vehicle to give back to his maternal homeland of Jamaica, Bruce taken part in many of the Voluntourism builds with his daughter Addy; a philanthropist in her own right.
Tyler Smith
Advisory Board Member
Tyler brings 20 plus years of Real Estate sales, development and property management knowledge to the table. Tyler is an experienced negotiator who attributes his success to collaboration, teamwork and investment in people. Tyler is a strong community supporter who sits on the Bowmanville Hospital Fundraising Board and is a proud sponsor and supporter of girls hockey and soccer programs. He and his wife Hayley are excited for their three girls to further connect with their Jamaican heritage and are thrilled to add Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation to their existing philanthropic activities on the island.
Denise Jones
Denise was instrumental in developing the Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation. She tirelessly served on the Board for almost 15 years. Her passion for providing much-needed access to education for the children of Jamaica in the most vulnerable communities was infectious. She was one of our most dedicated champions.
Denise was a pillar of strength and guidance for so many of us. She leaves us with a legacy of giving and caring that will continue through every nail we hammer and every brushstroke we paint.
Our Board has chosen to dedicate the 24th School Build of the Goodwill Early Childhood Learning Center in Portland, Jamaica, in the memory of our dear Denise.
Kyc-Ann Scott
Education Coordination Jamaica
Kyc-Ann Scott is an early childhood educator with over 22 years of experience. She holds a Diploma in Early Childhood Education from St. Joseph's Teachers’ College, a First Class Honours Bachelor's Degree from the University of the West Indies and Shortwood Teachers’ College, and a Master's in Curriculum and Instruction from Florida International University. She is a third-year Doctoral candidate at the University of South Carolina, researching inclusive pedagogy in Jamaica's early childhood institutions.
Kyc-Ann started her teaching career at St. Andrew Preparatory and St. Joseph Basic Schools before serving as Principal at Mission House Methodist Basic School for 20 years, where she grew enrollment from 20 to 60 and expanded facilities. She is now Principal of Global Thinkers Academy 2 in Vineyard Town, dedicated to educational transformation. A registered educator with the Jamaica Teaching Council, she is certified in Pedagogical Strategies for Critical Thinking and Family Engagement through HarvardX. Kyc-Ann focuses on inclusive learning environments and improving access to quality education, significantly impacting early childhood education in Jamaica.
Amario Ebanks
Program Manager HHJF Jamaica office
Amario is the Program Manager of the Breds foundation. He has obtained a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with 1yr of experience in this field. Amario is a passionate individual who strive for excellence. Hard working, friendly, honesty and integrity can also be used to describe the person he is. Amario aims to make a positive impact on my community.