Co-Founders

Terry Stuart
Co-Founder, Board Chair

Terry Stuart is a big thinker with a deep love for innovation, creativity, and music. As a lifelong audiophile, he’s always been fascinated by the way sound can shape emotions, spark memories, and bring people together. A retired senior partner at Deloitte Canada, Terry has spent his career pushing boundaries and finding new ways to solve big challenges. But when someone close to him struggled with their mental health, he turned his focus to a different kind of problem—how music could play a bigger role in mental well-being.

That question led him to co-found The Awesome Music Project, blending his passion for music with his drive to make a difference. Today, he continues to explore new ways to connect people, ideas, and communities—one song at a time.

Rob Carli
Co-Founder, Board Member

For Rob Carli, music isn’t just a career—it’s a lifelong passion. A celebrated composer and performer, Rob has spent decades creating music that moves people, earning multiple Gemini and Canadian Screen Awards along the way. He’s best known for composing the score for 15 seasons of Murdoch Mysteries, and he regularly performs with top ensembles like the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and the National Arts Centre Orchestra. He also shares his love of music as a saxophone instructor at the University of Toronto.

But beyond the notes on a page, Rob has always been fascinated by the science of music—how rhythm, melody, and harmony can shape emotions, heal the mind, and improve well-being. His deep passion for both music and mental health led him to co-found The Awesome Music Project, where he explores how music can be a powerful tool for connection and healing. Whether composing, performing, or sharing his passion for the science of music, Rob is driven by a simple but powerful belief: music has the power to change lives.

Senior Leadership

Kim Slade
Executive Director

Kim is a passionate leader who believes in the power of prevention and innovation to create real change in mental health. With over 20 years of experience across the public, private, and charitable sectors, she has dedicated her career to finding new ways to support well-being and make a difference in people’s lives. Her work has earned her national recognition, including a 2017 award for advancing mental injury prevention for first responders. Most recently, she was honored with the King Charles III Coronation Medal for her commitment to community impact.

Beyond her work, Kim is also a novice musician who knows firsthand the power of music to heal, connect, and inspire. She brings that same creativity and passion to her leadership—believing that when we support mental health early, we build stronger, healthier communities for everyone.

Board of Directors

Scott Pollard
Board Member, Financial Committee Member

For Scott Pollard, music isn’t just part of his work—it’s part of who he is. As the president of Palmer Audio Inc., he has spent years bringing incredible live experiences to life, making sure every note, lyric, and beat sounds just right. A leading event production and audio-visual design expert, Scott has worked with top international clients, producing unforgettable events across four continents.

But beyond the technical side, Scott believes in the power of music to connect, inspire, and heal. A dedicated philanthropist, he’s passionate about using his skills and resources to make a real difference—helping bring The Awesome Music Project to more people and more communities.

Elizabett Cordeiro
Board Member, Finance Committee Member

For Liz Cordeiro, mental health isn’t just a cause—it’s personal. After nearly 30 years with the Toronto Police Service, she saw firsthand the toll that trauma, stress, and stigma can take on first responders. She worked on the ground, standing beside her colleagues through some of their toughest moments, and she understands the real challenges people face when trying to get help. That experience fuels her passion for breaking down barriers and creating real, accessible support.

Now a consultant in member wellness, Liz is dedicated to fostering a culture where first responders feel safe speaking up and getting the care they need. She believes deeply in the power of music and storytelling to help people process emotions, connect with others, and heal. Through her work, she’s making sure no one has to struggle alone—and that every voice and every story is heard.

Dr. Krystle Martin
Board Member, Fundraising Committee Member

Dr. Krystle Martin is a Clinical and Forensic Psychologist who believes in meeting people where they are and giving them the tools to care for their mental health. She specializes in working with first responders and military personnel, helping them navigate the unique challenges of their work. Her dedication to this community led her to support Edgewood Health Network’s Guardians Gateway Recovery Centre, where she provides consultation, program evaluation, and research support to improve care for those who serve.

Beyond her clinical work, Dr. Martin runs a private practice (www.drkrystlemartin.ca), offering therapy and training to help organizations build stronger, healthier workplaces. She also teaches and mentors future psychologists as an adjunct professor at Ontario Tech and York Universities. With a deep interest in innovative approaches to mental health, she is passionate about the role that music can play in healing and mental health —helping people process emotions, reduce stress, and reconnect with themselves and others.

Topher Stott
Board Member, Marketing and Finance Committee Member

Topher Stott has spent his life behind the drums, on the stage, and at the heart of creative innovation. A lifelong drummer, music director, and creative strategist, he’s worked with some of the world’s biggest brands, crafting unforgettable brand stories and experiences that bring people together. As the Chief Creative Officer at Cue, he leads fan engagement programs for pro sports teams around the globe, combining music, technology, and storytelling to create moments that stick.

But beyond the big stages, Topher believes deeply that music can heal—that a song, a beat, or a shared musical moment can help people process emotions, find connection, and build resilience. That passion drives his work with The Awesome Music Project, where he helps bring music’s transformative impact to more people and communities.