Members at Large

Susan Paterson
Sherry Niles
Penny Ledoux
Leah Stone
Amy Thompson

Bob Climie (President)

Bob was born in Port Arthur, Ontario and graduated from Queen's University in Medicine in 1970. He was a member of the Canadian Forces Medical Officer Training Plan. He completed postgraduate studies in Community Medicine, attending the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and the London School of Economics, where he received Master's Degrees in Community Medicine and Social Policy and Planning. After completing residency training, he became a specialist in Community Medicine, and received his Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada. After 30 years in the Canadian Forces, he joined the Correctional Services of Canada as the Director General Health Services, retiring in 2000. He moved to Victoria with his wife Leslie in 1999, and became involved with VRDA as a side walker. He has served on the board of directors of the Visiting Homemakers Association of Ottawa, and continues to volunteer with the Canadian Executive Services Organization.

Bob has been struck by the benefits that the clients of VRDA experience as a result of their riding. Their joy is evident, and it is readily apparent that they derive physical and emotional value from their participation. His vision for VRDA is the continuing development of a highly efficient, well-functioning organization that safely meets the needs of all those disabled members of the community for whom it is felt riding would be appropriate and beneficial.

Leslie and Bob have 5 children and 5 grandchildren, and spend their time equally between Sidney and Delta, Ontario, where they have a summer cottage, close to their family. Top of Page

Leslie Climie (Secretary)

Leslie grew up in Thunder Bay Ontario and graduated from Queen’s University with a B.A. in 1965. After working a number of years in the field of social work, Leslie completed a Masters of Social Work at Carleton University in 1980. Leslie and her husband, Bob, have raised 5 children. While Bob was serving in the Canadian Armed Forces (CF) they lived in Ontario as well as in Lahr, Germany and London, England. Leslie was employed in the field of geriatrics both in England and again in Canada. In 1991 she was employed on a team at the National Defense Headquarters in Ottawa that was mandated to initiate and oversee the Military Family Support Program throughout the CF. This experience provided her with an opportunity to hone her community development skills and to acquire knowledge about the manner in which not-for-profit Boards of Directors operate.

When she and Bob retired they moved to Sidney in 2000, and she became a volunteer with VRDA. During the winter of 2006 when VRDA was short staffed she helped to co-ordinate volunteers until a paid position was established. She has volunteered as a horse handler, side walker, groom, and for one winter, recording Secretary for the Board. She is very pleased to note the way in which VRDA has grown and developed. Watching the pleasure that the program provides to people of all ages, both the clients and the volunteers, and seeing the manner in which many clients are assisted both physically and emotionally has confirmed her commitment. Top of Page

Susan Paterson (member at large)

Susan Paterson graduated from Oak Bay High in 1967 and continued on to UVIC where she received her Bachelor of Ed in 1971. To help pay for her tuition she worked at the Queen Alexandra Hospital for children for 3 summers and loved it. In 1979 Susan returned to teaching and taught at Gordon Head High School until her retirement in 2005. She keeps her hand in teaching by subbing at the Local Tribal School near her home. She also volunteers as a side walker for VRDA. Susan and Dave have 2 sons and 2 grandchildren. Top of Page

Sherry Niles (member at large)

Sherry grew up in the Cowichan Valley, graduting from High School there in 1980. After working a number of years, Sherry moved to Edmonton and graduated from the U of A with a Bachelor of Science in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology in 1991. She received her Masters Degree in Speech Language Pathology from Western Washington University in 1993. Sherry primarily worked in Peadiatric Speech pathology, in Duncan, Nanaimo and Campbell River. Moving to Victoria in 1998 with her husband Brian and daughter, she worked at Queen Alexander from 2000 to 2003, in the Autism program. From 2003 to 2007 Sherry managed her own practice, providing therapy to children and teens, especially those challenged with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Asperger Syndrome. Working with the client’s family, friends and teachers was a wonderful part of her work and it was a client and his family that led her to VRDA. Sherry has horse handled for 3 years at VRDA, and while growing up in Cowichan, was involved in English riding, showing, jumping and was a member of the Cadora Dressage Club. Top of Page

Penny Ledoux (member at large)

Penny spent her early years in small town Alberta riding horses with the cousins, picking berries and rounding up escaped cows during the summers. She has lived in Victoria for 35 years, married to Paul, has one daughter and enjoys hiking, kayaking and reading. Penny first became familiar with a similar riding program to VRDA while working as a care aid in Regina Saskatchewan. After moving to Victoria, she worked as a care aid while taking business courses at Camosun College. After college she shifted her career focus to accounting and has been a Certified General Accountant for 25 years working in both private practice and government. She is familiar with Registered Charity law and policy through professional and government practice.

Penny became a side walker with VRDA a year ago in response to a volunteer call in the newspaper. She has been very impressed with the dedicated staff and volunteers at VRDA and appreciates the joy and satisfaction that she sees in the clients who participate and benefit by this program. Penny believes that VRDA is a Charity that can make a difference. It is a growth organization that needs continued sound governance and stewardship, sound accountability, fundraising practices and policy, transparency and vision. She believes that she can contribute toward long term sustainability for VRDA by being part of the VRDA board. Top of Page

David Paterson (member at large)

Since 1979 Mr. Paterson has been a partner with Crawford Paterson and Campbell. He received his Bachelor of Science from UVic in 1969, his CA designation in 1973 and his FCA fellowship designation in 1991. For 29 years he has offered his services as a member, director or chair to a wide variety of committees, foundations and organizations. In recognition of his volunteer services he was awarded the Queens Golden Jubilee metal in December 2002 and the Governor General’s Caring Canadian award in September 2004. Top of Page

Leah Stone (member at large)

Leah grew up surrounded by horses, recreation and athletics. As an elite athlete Leah traveled throughout the globe competing, coaching and advocating for youth recreation and programming opportunities. As a volunteer at Queen Alexandra Centre for Children's Health Leah was privy to inspiring stories and enthusiasm from VRDA participants which led her to become a VRDA volunteer in 2006.
Leah holds degrees from the University of Victoria and the University of Wollongong Australia. Leah is currently completing an Advanced Management program through the Gustavson School of Business and was selected as one of the Minerva Foundation's Women Leading the Way. Current programming and volunteer involvement includes work with community recreation programs, high school athletics teams and in local classrooms.
Leah is a Manager within Enrolment Services at the University of Victoria and has strong interest and knowledge in the areas of communications and marketing. An avid volunteer, passionate community member, coach, writer and photographer Leah feels that her enthusiasm and knowledge in the areas of funding development, team development, promotion, communications and marketing would be a good fit with the VRDA board. Since her first day as a volunteer at VRDA Leah has been hooked on the positive influence VRDA has on participants, families, volunteers and the community and sees the opportunity to be a member on the VRDA board as a way to support and foster VRDA's continued success and growth. Top of Page

Amy Thompson (member at large)

Amy grew up riding horse on the back roads and trails of the Comox Valley. Now living in Victoria with her husband Darin, Amy keeps herself very busy raising their 3 young children and providing part-time contract work for local accounting firms. She heard about the VRDA in a CA newsletter and wanted to become involved immediately. She has a BSc (Biology) from UVic and a Chartered Accountant (CA) designation She loves horses, enjoys running, and her favourite place outside of Victoria is Hanoi Vietnam. Top of Page

Victoria Riding

for the

Disabled Association

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Executive