Angel Freedman
Angel Freedman is the president and founder of the Fill a Purse for a Sister Campaign, starting it all in her living room in Richmond Hill, Ontario in 2014 collecting 1500 filled purses with personal care items. To date the campaign has collected over 80,000 filled purses and donated to 4000 women’s shelters and social services throughout Ontario and parts of Canada. Angel is grateful for all the community leads who represent the campaign in their towns and cities. As well as all the volunteers, business owners, and donations both monetary and filled purses.Angel Freedman is a registered social worker in private practice in Stouffville, Ontario. She provides counselling to individuals and couples, including those going through separation and divorce, as well as youth and teens. Freedman holds the following additional diplomas: family mediation, parenting educator and trained in trauma. She believes in a holistic approach looking beyond the individual to their work life, family and relationships.
Angel is also a public speaker and is sought after especially during the campaign, speaking to schools, students, businesses, banks, community groups, and faith groups.
Angel is most proud of her two adult children, Sam and Gaby who are her joys and inspiration.
Gaby Freedman
My name is Gaby Freedman and I am driven by a strong sense of purpose, inspired by my mother’s vision and a commitment to doing the right thing.During the winter months, I work as a high-performance freestyle skiing coach, mentoring the next generation of athletes in Ontario. I have recently completed the Ontario Fire Academy and am pursuing a career in municipal firefighting to continue making a positive impact in my community.
Mary Kovacs, BA, CHRP, CHRL
Mary has been a dedicated supporter of Fill a Purse For a Sister Campaign since its inception 11 years ago and now proudly serves as a board member. A Certified Human Resources Professional with over 25 years of experience in the public sector, she brings deep expertise in advocacy, diversity, and human rights.Throughout her career, Mary has held key roles with the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, Cabinet Office, Ministry of Government Services, Elections Ontario, and the Law Society of Upper Canada. She is currently with the City of Toronto Administrative, Professional, Supervisory Association (COTAPSA), where she advocates for the rights of non-union employees at the City of Toronto.
Mary is passionate about supporting women and youth in crisis and is committed to using her voice and experience to advance the campaign’s mission of delivering dignity, hope, and compassion to those who need it most.
Debora Kelly
Mary has been a dedicated supporter of Fill a Purse For a Sister Campaign since its inception 11 years ago and now proudly serves as a board member. A Certified Human Resources Professional with over 25 years of experience in the public sector, she brings deep expertise in advocacy, diversity, and human rights.Throughout her career, Mary has held key roles with the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, Cabinet Office, Ministry of Government Services, Elections Ontario, and the Law Society of Upper Canada. She is currently with the City of Toronto Administrative, Professional, Supervisory Association (COTAPSA), where she advocates for the rights of non-union employees at the City of Toronto.
Mary is passionate about supporting women and youth in crisis and is committed to using her voice and experience to advance the campaign’s mission of delivering dignity, hope, and compassion to those who need it most.
Sterling Williams
Sterling believes in the power of women supporting women and that’s exactly what this campaign stands for! She is passionate about volunteering in her community and helping those who need it. She has been working with the Fill a Purse for a Sister Campaign for the last 10 years and also produced Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues, directed by Angel Freedman in Newmarket where the proceeds went to local women’s shelters.A colour specialist at Salon Chic in Aurora & artistic educator for Matrix, Sterling is deeply involved in her community and helping women be their best version of themselves.
Bridget Manu
Bridget Manu is a dedicated real estate professional and proud mother, bringing her passion for community support and women’s empowerment to her new role as a Board Member for the Fill a Purse for a Sister Campaign. As one of the members and Broker of a successful, women-led real estate team in Stouffville, she has seen firsthand the strength and resilience of women—and the critical importance of supporting them through every stage of their journey.Driven by a deep personal connection to the cause, Bridget is committed to helping women affected by domestic violence reclaim their dignity and hope. She is honoured to lend her voice, experience, and heart to this incredible initiative, and to stand beside others working to make a meaningful difference.