BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Virtues: Loyalty, Responsibility & Trustworthiness
Shawn Watson has been a facilitator and involved with The Virtues Project for over 30 years and was designated a Master Facilitator by Linda Kavelin Popov in the early days of The Virtues Project.
Shawn is an Architect/Engineer from the Illinois Institute of Technology with a Masters Degree from the University Of Stuttgart. She has teaching credentials in the state of California and Texas, and for 25 years was the owner of the International Early Education Center located in Finland and China. Shawn is also a Toastmaster.
She is married and has six lovely children.
Virtues: Idealism, Compassion & Service
Passion: Making a positive difference in the world by serving The Virtues Project.
Valerie is Virtues Project Master Facilitator and co-owner of Virtues Village, a virtues product and service company. Valerie’s passions include sharing The Virtues Project with others through workshops, training new facilitators and developing virtues products.
Valerie discovered the power of The Virtues Project during her 15 year career serving troubled youth, first as a foster parent where her passion for youth was ignited, followed by establishing four foster/group homes and Brilliant Stars Inc, a non profit to serve the needs of troubled youth. The Virtues Project would now become her mission, as she saw a more powerful way to foster youth by promoting safe and caring families, schools and communities around the world!
Valerie is a mother, grandmother, and caregiver, who is now enjoying family time, friends, travel, gardening and nature walks.
Virtues: Gentleness, Integrity, Service, and Compassion
Sumit has been associated with The Virtues Project since July 2025. He is currently part of the Board and serves in a governance capacity as Board Secretary for VPIA. Originally from India, Sumit has made Canada his home for several years and continues to contribute actively to both local and global communities. Sumit is passionate about helping individuals and communities discover their strengths through The Five Strategies of The Virtues Project.
Sumit brings over 15 years of experience in compliance, governance, finance and accounting, administration and member support, spanning various sectors in multinational organizations. He has contributed to and overseen multiple Corporate Social Responsibility and community welfare projects in India, especially in education and social upliftment, and continues to serve his community in Canada by supporting local schools and volunteering at the community temple.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce (B.Com. – Hons.) from Delhi University, India, a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from CCS University, India, and the professional designation of Associate Company Secretary (ACS) from the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI).
Soft-spoken and persuasive, Sumit is known for his calm, collaborative approach and dedication to service. He enjoys traveling, helping those in need, and spending joyful time with children. As Board Secretary, he is committed to strengthening governance and advancing the global mission of The Virtues Project through virtues-based leadership and compassionate community engagement.
Virtues: Caring, Diligence and Orderliness
Kathleen first learned about The Virtues Project in 1998 and became a facilitator in 2000 when the Founders offered a two-day “Bringing Virtues to Life” introduction followed by a three-day Facilitator Training on The Five Strategies.
As a career educator who has completed a Bachelor of Education and a Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Inclusive Education, Kathleen has introduced The Virtues Project to students, staff and parents in schools. She has offered workshops and professional development sessions to other educators. And by working in cooperation with other school administrators and parent councils,the Five Strategies of The Virtues Project became an integral part of the culture in the communities where she worked.
In 2016, Kathleen became a Master Facilitator for The Virtues Project and also began volunteering with Virtues Project International Association (VPIA). Her mission has been to connect Virtues Project facilitators from around the world, so they may share training opportunities with people interested in learning more. As a member of the Board of Directors, she continues to develop systems that keep Virtues enthusiasts connected.
She finds joy in her family, outdoor activities and connecting with people from all walks of life.
Virtues: Compassion, Accountability, Awe, Assertiveness
Passion: Empowering initiatives that are geared towards creating sustainable positive social change that make the world safer and happier.
Caroline is a business and fund development specialist who is passionate about empowering people-centered change in society. She holds a Diploma in Public Relations and Personnel Administration and has experience working with non-profit and for profit organizations in strategic planning, organizational development, partnership building, operations and imports/export marketing in healthcare supplies.
In 2021, she found the Virtues Project’s The Five Strategies when researching gentle parenting strategies. She immediately was sold on the idea of parenting with virtues and decided to do more research into it. It was an easy decision to volunteer with VPIA when the position was advertised in 2022. She has held the position of Fund Development Chair since April 2022.
Caroline is passionate about empowering and enhancing people-led change agents in society as a solution to societal vices, especially those that impart change without discrimination. She helps community-based organizations plan and implement fund development and sustainability strategies, income generating initiatives and outline participatory social change techniques.
Caroline is a Mom and business owner based in Nairobi, Kenya.
Virtues: Creativity, Awe & Wonder
Passion: Comedy Ventriloquist, Virtues Project Master Facilitator & Heart of Service
Val Hilliker brings a joyful spirit and a wealth of experience to everything she does. A mother of three and grandmother of five, Val has been a comedy ventriloquist since 1976, using laughter, puppetry, and storytelling to connect with audiences of all ages and stand up to bullying behavior. Her work empowers children and adults alike to express themselves with confidence, courage and compassion.
Val’s life changed when she discovered The Virtues Project, a global initiative that aligned deeply with her values. She became a Master Facilitator, weaving the Five Strategies of the Virtues Project into her work to help others build meaningful relationships and cultivate inner strength. For over 20 years, she traveled the world teaching “Chill Skills”—creative tools to build resilience, courage, and connection. Her book is her life's work utilizing The Five Strategies of the Virtues ProjectTM and the Chill skills, "Lilli's story of Assertiveness".
Now enjoying life by a beautiful lake in British Columbia, Canada, Val continues to serve in new ways. Since 2013, she has faithfully handled accounting and finance duties for the Virtues Project International Association (VPIA). If you've paid royalties or received an invoice from VPIA, chances are you've already connected with her work behind the scenes.
Beyond her professional roles, Val has a heart for service. Her efforts have supported causes such as Habitat for Humanity and local food security initiatives like the Harvest Sharing Hut and Coldest night of the year. She thrives on creativity—whether it's teaching art, running a preschool, building a house, or even chainsaw carving.
Val believes in the healing power of virtues: “When you heal the mind, the body heals itself.” Her life is a testament to playfulness in moderation, and her ability to relate, uplift, and serve makes her a beloved member of the Virtues Project family.
Virtues: Creativity, Loyalty, Trustworthiness, Service, Courage
Passion: Promoting the raising of Capacity in mankind, in families, communities and globally
Deborah (Debbi) has an eclectic makeup, with her Faith and The Virtues Project the central point of all
She was trained by Dan and Linda Kavelin Popov over 30 years ago, sustained with those learning she utilized them in her works. As a Recreational Therapist- called change agents serving the multi disabled population, this aligns perfectly with our goals.
Also, in roles such as Mother, Foster mother of 40 children, Grand /Great Grand mother, Agencies for troubled youth, Professional Clown and Magician, Eco Artist, plus Chairman of various boards and associations and owner of D’ Art of Living Among many awards and recognitions, most recent are Medals for: Year 2024 Category Cultural Luminary (“Pioneers”) over 30 years Cultural Artists and Creatives also the 2024 National Heros winner of the Heritage Cross – Lifetime achievement award for consistent and active, quality engagement in the preservation of Caymanian cultural heritage.
Debbi now focuses on family, community building, her arts and crafts, along with Virtues Project focused workshops and retreats.
Service and gratitude to the Virtues Project is her continued focus.
Virtues: Curiosity, Service, and Unity
Passion: Clearing, widening and making more firm, the paths that connect thoughts, ideas, land and people.
Noah's curiosity was evident at an early age. His path is that of service: starting with his LSA, the Boys and Girls Club and Extended Care Centers before moving to the Bahai World Centre for nineteen months followed by a further three months of service at the Temple in India. He was exposed to The Virtues Family Guide even before its publication, and he embraces the techniques and language in his leadership style with the food service industry.
After two years of cooking in the Caribbean, this career led him to experience hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. He redirected to grocery management for the second oldest company in Canada and later, reintegrated the need for creativity with a Fresh Meat and Fish specialty.
His latest adventure is with the Board of Directors for Virtues Project International Association, and upgrading modern skills after years living with independencein a cabin in the woods, chopping wood, hauling water and using oil lamps to read.