In 2018 I changed my name from Sheila Fleming to Sheila DeLuca. Changing my last name to DeLuca has been an option since I was 16 years old, but what do you know at 16? Throughout my 20’s and 30’s I never gave it much thought since I always dreamed about getting married and changing my last name. During my 40th year I started to take my family history and name more seriously.  So, I decided to fill out the paperwork and submit it to the Government of Canada on May 28, 2018. With much personal growth and learning about and understanding my family history on October 31st, 2018 it became official, I, Sheila Fleming, would join my family in having the DeLuca last name.  I would finally be a DeLuca! Since I have changed my last name, I have found family members and “paisans” (a shortened word of paisano, meaning a fellow ethnic Italian) of my late grandparents, Giannino (John) and Dea DeLuca, with two Italian couples living just two blocks away from me in Niagara Falls, with one of the couples being the late Gino and Irma Giallonardo. 

The transition into a new chapter of my life, began with a new name, a new decade, and a new business.  DeLuca Leadership was born to create a legacy for me and my family.  I have never been a stranger to learning about civic duty to leadership, volunteering, working on committees and working with like-minded people to get a job done. Throughout my education career as a student I sat on many committees such as the Brock University Phys. Ed Student Council that was instrumental in the development of the new additions to the Physical Education Department including the gymnasiums and different courses being offered. Growing up in Port Colborne I always enjoyed volunteering with the city and the Recreation Department as a summer student, while having multiple summer jobs. I needed to be in the community, learning, growing, and serving from a young age.

As a secondary school teacher in Niagara Falls, I believe that one must practice what they preach and with Civics and Careers being two of my master subjects to teach, I currently sit on subcommittees of the Niagara Falls City Council; The Recreation Committee, The Environmental Action Committee, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee and Property Standards.  Added to my portfolio in 2022, I became a Board of Director for the Niagara Health Foundation and in 2025 I became a Program Advisory Member for the Honours Bachelor of Business Administration at the University of Niagara Falls Canada.  

With active involvement in community participation throughout my life, I have made many contacts and built a wide base of business, education, and charitable networks.  It is through my strength of community building, I realize, what I do naturally is connect people with meaningful work, diverse education, and fulfilling volunteer opportunities.  As an entity of DeLuca Leadership corporation, in 2025 The Atrium Growth Centre came to market to inspire, and guide students, post-secondary school students and newcomers to Canada down a path that is right for them.  The Atrium Growth Centre program teaches our students about soft skills, leadership skills; including resiliency, conflict resolution and team work, while connecting them to mentorships and networks in the Niagara Region and beyond for jobs, careers and community service. 

 If community is unity then as we bond, grow, and expand together, we can all build a strong community.