Meet the Founder: Jennifer Elizabeth Monteith
A Legacy of Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges, and Bold Reinvention
Born in Jamaica on December 21, 1952, Jennifer Elizabeth Monteith’s journey is one defined by resilience, trailblazing courage, and a lifelong mission to uplift others. From the fashion runway to the business boardroom, Jennifer has shattered stereotypes, challenged norms, and turned obstacles into opportunities.
In the late 1960s, she became one of Canada’s first Black catalogue models, featured in iconic publications such as Easton’s, Simpsons, JC Penny, and Sears & Roebuck. But Jennifer wasn’t just striking a pose — she was making a statement. She used fashion as a platform to push for diversity and representation long before it was a cultural buzzword.
In 1978, she founded Different Faces Model & Talent Agency, a pioneering firm that celebrated diversity in all its forms. Her agency gave models of all nationalities, body types, and backgrounds a place to belong — and a stage to shine. Jennifer redefined beauty standards, providing opportunity where it had once been gatekept.
Never one to settle, Jennifer brought that same visionary spirit into the events industry. In 1995, she launched The Exhibitor Support Centre — dubbed “The Office Away from the Office.” It revolutionized trade show logistics in the GTA, becoming an indispensable partner to venues like the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and The Enercare Centre at Exhibition Place. For 25 years, she ran operations with excellence until the COVID-19 pandemic required closure — but not surrender.
In 2010, Jennifer faced her most personal challenge: a heart transplant. With that second chance at life came a renewed calling — to advocate for organ and tissue donation and continue leading by example. Her message: life is a gift, and leadership is about lifting others as you rise.
Today, Jennifer brings her unstoppable energy and compassionate vision to My Wisdom Oasis — a space where seniors are honored, celebrated, and connected. It's not just a retreat. It's a reflection of her story: bold, inclusive, resilient, and full of heart.
A Voice for Equity and Representation
Jennifer’s founding of Different Faces Model & Talent Agency in 1978 was more than a business venture — it was a declaration. At a time when beauty was narrowly defined, she insisted that true representation must include every face, every body type, every background.
The agency became a launchpad for those long overlooked, proving that talent and beauty come in many forms. This literal commitment to showcasing “different faces” established Jennifer as a pioneer of equity in fashion and media, decades before inclusivity became a mainstream demand.
Wisdom Oasis as a Living Mission
Jennifer’s journey took its most profound turn in 2010 when she received a heart transplant — a true gift of life. With that second chance came not only renewed health, but also a calling: to serve as an ambassador for organ and tissue donation and to embody gratitude in action.
My Wisdom Oasis carries forward that spirit. It is more than a retreat — it is Jennifer’s living mission to honor every day as borrowed grace, to lift others as she was lifted, and to create a space where seniors are celebrated for the life, wisdom, and resilience they carry.
A Legacy That Builds Community
Looking ahead, Jennifer envisions My Wisdom Oasis as more than a gathering place.
It is a living legacy — a hub for storytelling, intergenerational connection, and cultural enrichment. With programs that invite elders to share their wisdom, services that support comfort and independence, and events that bring joy back into the everyday,
My Wisdom Oasis reflects Jennifer’s lifelong belief:
when we honor our elders, we strengthen the entire community.
Family as Her Greatest Legacy
Of all her accomplishments, Jennifer’s proudest “modelling gig” has been as a mother and inspiration to her two sons, both of whom have become innovative entrepreneurs in Toronto.
Shane "Spike" Desloges launched, owns, and operates
We Beautify Boats, carrying forward his mother’s commitment to service and creating youth job opportunities.
Christopher Desloges founded and operates the
Toronto Sign Language Interpreter Service (TSLIS), championing accessibility and giving voice to the deaf community both nationally and internationally. Through them, Jennifer’s legacy of service, inclusion, and innovation continues to grow.
About My Wisdom Oasis
Our Mission
At My Wisdom Oasis, our mission is to honor, uplift, and empower seniors by providing a sanctuary of connection, enrichment, and joy. We create spaces where life stories are celebrated, wisdom is shared, and every guest feels the dignity of belonging. Inspired by Jennifer Monteith’s journey of resilience and the gift of life she received, we are committed to making each day an opportunity for growth, gratitude, and community.
Our Vision
We envision a world where aging is embraced as a stage of fulfillment, purpose, and connection — not limitation. At Wisdom Oasis, seniors are recognized as culture-bearers, mentors, and community builders whose experiences enrich every generation. Our vision is to set a new standard for how society views and values its elders, by creating spaces that are vibrant, inclusive, and life-affirming.
- Cultural Celebration: Honoring diversity through food, music, storytelling, and traditions.
- Intergenerational Bridges: Connecting seniors with youth, families, and communities to share wisdom and strengthen bonds.
- Holistic Well-Being: Offering programs that nurture body, mind, and spirit.
- Empowered Aging: Providing opportunities for seniors to lead, teach, and inspire.
- Lasting Legacy: Building a model of care and connection that communities everywhere can replicate.
Our Values
At My Wisdom Oasis, our values guide everything we do — shaping how we serve, how we connect, and how we honor the people who make our community thrive.
- Dignity: We treat every individual with respect and compassion, honoring the fullness of their story.
- Diversity: We celebrate “different faces” and life experiences, ensuring inclusivity is at the heart of all we do.
- Community: We foster deep connections, reducing isolation and creating a sense of belonging.
- Gratitude: We live by the principle that life is a gift, and every day offers the chance to give back.
- Resilience: We embrace change and challenges as opportunities for growth and renewal.
- Joy: We believe laughter, music, storytelling, and shared experiences are essential to thriving at every age.
Join Us
Whether you’re an older adult, a family member, or a caregiver, Wisdom Oasis is here for you.
Explore, connect, and discover new ways to thrive in every season of life.
By joining us, you become part of a movement that honors wisdom, builds community, and redefines what it means to age with dignity and joy. Together, we can create a living legacy of connection, learning, and celebration.