Board of Directors
A dedicated volunteer Board of Directors oversees the governance of Stella’s Circle.
Dr. Jasbir Gill, Chair 
Jasbir has 20 years experience in the area of mental health, forensic mental health, and correctional psychiatry. She is currently employed as a psychiatrist with Eastern Health. She is also an associate professor in Memorial University of Newfoundland’s Faculty of Medicine, in the Discipline of Psychiatry.
She holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degree from McGill University, and a medical degree from Memorial University of Newfoundland. She completed her residency in psychiatry at the University of Toronto, and then completed a fellowship in forensic psychiatry.
Connie Duffett, Vice Chair
Connie Duffett is a Human Resource Professional with over 17 years of experience. She has worked in healthcare and public sector industries and currently works with the St. John’s International Airport Authority as the Manager of Human Resources. Her experience is primarily in Employee and Labour Relations, Occupational Health and Safety, Compensation and Benefits, Talent Management, Performance Management and Policy Development. She has provided strategic and operational human resources advice and has been a part of the senior leadership team in multiple. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Master of Employment Relations from Memorial University and Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety from Ryerson.
Jacqueline Kudla, Treasurer
Jacqueline Kudla, CPA, CA joined Stella’s Circle Board of Directors after moving to Newfoundland in July 2019, leaving her roles as the Director of Corporate Services at the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), and the Treasurer of her Community Resource Centre in London, Ontario. These organizations provide community based support including mental health services, independent and supported housing, youth and adult social programs, employment services, and social enterprise.
Jacqueline is a strategic, accountable, and positive leader who promotes candid communication, teamwork, and continuous improvement. She is passionate about using her financial and accounting expertise in non-profit and public sector organizations in her community. Outside of work she enjoys playing hockey, practicing yoga, and hiking with her husband and dachshund.
Jim Carroll, Secretary
James William Carroll- Deputy Chief of Police (Retired) M.O.M, O. STJ. Born on Bell Island, Jim was raised in St. John’s. In 1982 he was sworn in as a police officer with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary where he dedicated the next 35 years to public service. Jim retired in 2017 at rank of Deputy Chief. In 2013 he was inducted into the Canadian Order of Merit for Police Officers. Jim is heavily involved in the community as a volunteer. He currently sits on the Board of Directors of St. John Ambulance and has been inducted into Canadian Order of St. John. He is the incoming President of the St. John’s Rotary Club and is also a serving member of the Governance Board of Director’s of Stella’s Circle. Jim enjoys rowing, hockey and curling.
Jim is married to Karen (nee Short) for past 37 years. They have two children and three incredible grandchildren.
Stephen B. Jewczyk, Past Chair
Stephen B. Jewczyk has been involved with the Governing Board of Stella’s Circle for over 16 years in various positions including Director of Supportive Housing and Development, Chair of the Governance Board and is currently Past Chair. Stephen is deeply compassionate about serving his community and ensuring that the most vulnerable individuals receive a hand up. He has been a professional land use planner for 44 years and is currently working as the Town Planner for the Town of Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cove.
Nena Abundo, Director
Nena has nearly 30 years experience working in the public, private and non-profit sectors in a variety of management and executive roles. Her background includes positions in employment and business services; gender equity and diversity; and more than 10 years as the executive director of NLOWE. She currently works as a Director with the provincial government. Nena is an active volunteer and has previously served on the Board of Directors for the Virginia Park Community Centre and the Community Centre Alliance, as well as the co-Run Director for the Canadian Cancer Society CIBC Run for the Cure.
Suzanne Fitzgerald, Director
Suzanne FitzGerald was born and raised in St. John’s, NL and has been serving Newfoundland and Labrador as a police officer for the last 15 years. Suzanne holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminology from Saint Mary’s University, and a Diploma in Police Studies from Memorial University. In addition to being a police officer, since 2012 Suzanne has been working as a Mental Health Educator and Consultant. She is a Certified Psychological Health and Safety Advisor (CMHA), a Compassion Fatigue Educator, a Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Debriefer and an R2MR instructor for the Department of National Defence (DND). She believes that Trauma-Informed practices are crucial in the workplace and provides pro bono Compassion Fatigue training to various trauma-exposed professionals in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Public Safety Specializations are in the areas of Domestic Violence, Criminal Investigations, Risk Management, Verbal De-escalation, Media Relations & Crisis Communication.
Suzanne is an avid gardener, a volunteer maintenance hiker for the East Coast Trails Association and tries to help protect the environment by living an eco-friendly lifestyle with her Husband Craig, their two children and their Yellow Labrador Retriever, named Lola.
Kevin Galway, Director
Kevin Galway is a Barrister & Solicitor at O’Dea, Earle Law Offices. Kevin’s legal practice includes Personal Injury, Real Estate, Wills & Estates, Employment, and Corporate and Commercial.
Kevin was born and raised in St. John’s and is a graduate of Memorial University and Dalhousie University. In addition to being a member of Stella’s Circle’s Governance Board of Directors, Kevin is a member of the Young Lawyers Section of the NL chapter of the Canadian Bar Association and provides pro bono legal services to several legal clinics in St. John’s.
Michelle Hawco, Director
Michelle has national experience in senior leadership roles in both the public and private sectors in the areas of justice (institutional and community) corrections, child welfare, and indigenous relations. Michelle is a registered social worker and has experience in leadership, change management, and client support in both the public and private sectors. Her career has focused on Criminal Justice Corrections which include positions with the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, and almost 20 years in multiple roles and locations within Correctional Services Canada including Parole Officer, Program Officer, Deputy Warden, Area Director, and Regional Director. Michelle has worked extensively in leading the development and implementation of services to support women offenders.
Michelle was a member of the 2018 team that completed the “Deaths in Custody Review” for the province of NL regarding deaths of four inmates in provincial custody. Michelle has also recently been in a leadership consultant role in Child Welfare and Child and Youth Care both with the provincial government, and with a community agency. In the last few years, she has been working directly with the Innu in Labrador (with Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation and the Shushepeshipan Ishpitentamun Mitshuap Inc) on a project that has led to increases services for Innu children and families in their community. Michelle is an ally of Indigenous people and speaks about how to contribute to reconciliation and decolonization.
Michelle now works with individual leaders, teams, and organizations of all sizes as a coach and mentor. She is a skilled transformational leader and has led major change and growth initiatives in corporate, not for profit and government organizations. Her current and past clients seek counsel on governance, executive mentorship, planning, and policy leadership.
Mica McCurdy, Director
Mica is an organizer and facilitator who cares about creating space for people to thrive. She is the Coordinator of International Projects and Consultancies in MUN’s Internationalization Office, where her work connects faculty and staff to international development opportunities around the world. Prior to working at MUN, she co-founded FreeForm Events, a facilitation and event planning company and has years of experience working in the non-profit sector in Toronto and St. John’s in fund development and marketing roles. Mica is trained in Human-Centred Design and Trauma-Informed Practice, and currently works with Happy City St. John’s as a Community Developer with the Living in Community project. She brings expertise in communications, marketing, and community engagement to the Stella’s Circle Board. Mica is a dedicated book club member and podcast enthusiast who lives in a sunshine yellow house.
Joe McKenna, Director
Joe McKenna is Partner and Chief Financial Officer at Killick Capital Inc. At Killick, Joe’s role involves the sourcing and structuring of private investments along with ongoing support to these portfolio companies, through serving on their boards.
Joe is a Canadian and Irish Chartered Accountant and has the ICD.D designation from the institute of corporate directors. Joe currently serves on eight private company boards and has extensive experience serving on not for profit boards including both the Treasurer and Chair roles.
Donna Stone, Director
Donna is an accomplished professional with over 20 years of volunteer experience in charitable and not for profit organizations. A critical thinker and visionary with active involvement in community driven organizations and public policy decisions. Expertise in organizational restructuring, strategic and financial planning. Donna recently retired from her position with CIBC Wood Gundy. She enjoyed a fulfilling career as an Investment Advisor where she specialized in Estate and Financial Planning.
