VTRA Board of Directors

Annie Brothwell, President

 

Annie is a Paramedic currently working for BC Ambulance Service, and the Regional Training Coordinator for Vancouver Island for the Justice Institute of BC.

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When she first emigrated to Canada, and prior to becoming a Paramedic, she worked at Sun Life in Vancouver as an Investment Solutions Executive. After relocating to Victoria, Annie began to volunteer with the VTRA which provides her with an amazing opportunity to be around people as well as horses.

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Annie enjoys all sports, including riding, field hockey, tennis, skiing and traveling the globe.

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Matt McNeil, Treasurer

 

Matt is a Chartered Professional Accountant and works for a local accounting firm called CPCM & Co.

 

Matt began riding when he was 8 years old and is actively involved in the horse world

with polo and hunter/jumper. CPCM & Co. has been a longtime supporter of VTRA and Matt’s life revolves around horses and numbers so joining the VTRA board as treasurer is the perfect fit.

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Karen Diederich, Secretary

 

Karen began volunteering at VTRA in 2018 after a 23-year career in the BC Public Sector. She was drawn to VTRA because its programs have an immediate positive impact on the lives of the people it serves.

 

Throughout her career, Karen acquired a broad set of skills including facilitation, strategic planning, project management, business analysis, public speaking, customer relations, administration and technical writing. Karen holds a B.A. (History) degree from the University of Victoria and certificates from Royal Roads University (project management) and McMaster University Centre for Continuing Education (consulting skills). Prior to retiring, Karen attained PMI’s Project Management Professional designation. She is also active in her Toastmasters Club.

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Heather Love, Director

 

Heather is an Investment Advisor and Portfolio Manager with Odlum Brown Limited. Professionally, she enjoys getting to know her clients to help them solve their financial puzzles to meet their goals. She hopes to bring the same level of enthusiastic problem-solving to the board of the VTRA.

 

A rider since age 4, Heather quickly found her family in the equestrian community on Vancouver Island. Throughout both her education and her career, she has maintained riding as an integral part of her life. VTRA stood out as an amazing organization that offers an opportunity to give back to the community in a way that speaks to her lifelong passion.

 

Heather is honoured to serve on the board with these other highly qualified and experienced board members for this wonderful organization.

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Anne Waterhouse, Director

 

Anne began riding horses at age 9 and participated in show jumping as a teenager in Alberta. She trained in physical and occupational therapy, then pursued experience in retail management, data entry in publishing, and production management for a not-for-profit organization supporting clients people with diverse in the Pacific Northwest.

 

Anne began volunteering as a side walker for VTRA over 20 years ago and continues to support farrier care of the VTRA horses and VTRA’s adapted cart driving program. Anne is the owner and manager of the property where VTRA is located.

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Sherry Niles, Director

 

Sherry is a Speech Language Pathologist for School District #62 on Vancouver Island. Sherry obtained a BSc degree in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology from the University of Alberta and then an MA degree in Speech Pathology from Western Washington University. She has worked as an SLP over the last 28 years, working with adults, preschoolers and school-aged children in both public and private practice.

 

Her interest in horses and riding began at age 8 at school and continued beyond graduation, participating in horse care, and riding activities including jumping, and dressage. Sherry was reintroduced to the incredible benefits of horses in 2006 through a client’s experience at the VTRA. Immediately drawn to VTRA programs, Sherry became a volunteer Horse Handler.

 

Sherry now lives in Saanichton with her family.

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Bonnie Campbell, Director

 

Raised on family values of hard work, dedication and respect for all people, Bonnie “cut her Teeth” in the business world working under her father, the innovator and legendary grocer, Alex Campbell. Bonnie was hands-on in the stores from a young age learning every aspect of the grocery trade eventually opening new stores and then, returning to head office where she was responsible for Operations, Training and Public Relations. Prior to retiring to raise her children, Bonnie was Vice President of Human Resources responsible for 2600 employees.

 

Bonnie joined the Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association as a board member in 2020. As a lifelong lover of horses, Bonnie is honored to be a part of the VTRA and support the important work they do. Most recently, Bonnie and her husband Frank purchased Bonnie Brae Farm and are looking forward to continuing their involvement in the Equine community.

 

Anne Silver, Director

 

Anne is a retired clinical pharmacist, and holds a degree in Pharmacy from the University of Toronto. Previously, Anne served on the Nominating Committee of the Glenlyon Norfolk School Board of Governors and contributed as a Judge Coordinator for the GNS Debate Program. She is a volunteer at Victoria Hospice and has sponsored Syrian refugee constituent groups supporting all aspects of their resettlement in Canada. Keen to build community at every opportunity, Anne is deeply committed to promoting healthy living and to breaking down the barriers that challenge all people’s wellbeing.

 

Appreciating the essential role that therapeutic riding and equine assisted activity plays for so many in our community, Anne feels privileged to be a part of VTRA. She has enjoyed board and committee teamwork and achievement since June 2018.

 

Carole Dohan, Director

 

Carol is a lifelong animal lover who admired horses from afar – until she discovered the VTRA in 2019. Since then, she has enjoyed wonderful volunteer opportunities as a side walker, demo rider and team support at summer camp. She is grateful for the pleasure and enrichment of working with VTRA horses and riders and the multi-talented VTRA instructors,

staff and volunteers.

 

Carol worked for 23 years for the Government of BC drafting legislation and serving in strategic and policy advisory roles. Prior to that, she worked in the private sector, first practicing law in Vancouver and then managing the Client Services Department in the BC office of a national trust company. She is now retired and lives with her husband Brian and their long-haired Dachshund, Rusty.

 

Tom Rock, Director

 

Tom relocated to Victoria from Ontario in 2021. He is a versatile, personable and recently-retired service-oriented lawyer, Law Professor and Dispute Resolution Mediator whose passions are law, teaching, mentoring, and serving his community, including serving on numerous municipal, community-based, charitable, non-profit, conservation and extra-provincial boards and committees. He is currently on VTRA's Board of Directors as well as James Bay New Horizons where he also chairs two weekly committees for seniors. He likes being of good service and looks forward to doing a bit of legal teaching and brisk exercise walking in Victoria.