Not only did she start The Brides’ Project, but Helen has also been officiating weddings since 2006 and has conducted over 1000. She was voted by her peers in the wedding industry as the most popular wedding officiant in Toronto in the coveted annual Wedding Expert Awards 2015.
Her story began in NFLD, which undoubtedly contributed to her warm and genuine persona… and her sense of humour. She’s the daughter of a minister, and while non-religious in her personal outlook, it gave her a great respect for all religions and a profound understanding of the importance of social rituals, like weddings.
She’s always been fascinated by human connections, and completed all but her dissertation on her way to a Ph.D. in Psychology. She got distracted… and got involved in a myriad of extracurricular and philanthropic pursuits. After a successful career in management consulting, she decided to focus entirely on philanthropy, and began The Brides’ Project in 2004. That ‘little hobby’ has raised over $1.5 million in the fight against cancer, and brought her endless joy and fulfillment. And, just to mix it up, she left to volunteer overseas in India for a year in 2009, and learned a lot more about people, faith, and the importance of community.
A cherished friend and colleague introduced her to officiating in 2006 and she truly found her calling. What could possibly bring more joy than celebrating such an incredible moment in a couple’s life… while demystifying the process and making each and every ceremony as unique as the couples she meets.
It’s a match made in… well… Toronto!
