Leadership
Supporting the Parkinson’s community here on Vancouver Island requires an incredible team. We’re grateful to have some of the most brilliant and committed members guiding our organization.
Board of Directors
Made up of talented people, some on their own journeys with Parkinson’s disease, PWP’s board of directors guide our efforts to deliver research-based programs and services.
Don Manning
Chair
Don joined the Board to help with fundraising and, as the original Chair of the Marketing, Communications and Fundraising Committee, was the architect of a significant shift in PWP policy, away from charging for exercise classes and financing PWP activities through broadly-based community donations. Don gets immense personal satisfaction from: “being involved in my community, being connected with others and hopefully using my experience and skills to make a difference.” Don has been volunteering since graduating from UVIC in 1969, serving on boards of a long list of charitable organizations. He enjoyed a 35-year career in the retail sector, which included senior executive roles in mid-sized Canadian companies and ownership of a small business. Don and Katherine have been married for 50+ years and have two daughters and three grandchildren.
Andy Robinson
Vice-Chair
Andy was born in England and moved to Vancouver Island in 1968 at age 12. He has a BA from UVic and an MA from the University of Western Ontario both in Economics. Now retired, Andy worked in the BC Public service for almost 34 years with brief stints at the federal Department of Finance and the Ministry of Finance in Vietnam.
For much of his career Andy provided advice to the provincial government on tax policy, including 13 years as the Director of Tax Policy and 3 years as Assistant Deputy Minister responsible for Tax Policy and several other policy areas. He concluded his career in the public service as Vice President of Policy and Legal Services at BC Assessment. His Board experience includes eight years on the Board Service of which three years were as President, and two years on the Board of Victoria Epilepsy, including one year as President.
Andy was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2014 and has found the programs available through PWP and the people he has met through the organization to have been a huge help in his Parkinson’s journey.
John Heraghty
Treasurer
John spent 30 years with the international accounting firm, Ernst & Young. Starting in his hometown of Sydney Australia, he worked in Toronto, Victoria and finished his career with E&Y in Regina as managing partner for Saskatchewan, leaving the firm in 1997. Both the Victoria and Regina offices closed after he left, although there is no compelling evidence that these events are linked. Returning to Victoria in 1997, he joined the Chew Companies as CFO, running the finance operations of what were then eight separate lines of business. He orchestrated the divestiture of all but one business as part of the owners’ estate plans. He retired in 2015 but remained active as part-time CFO and partner in Victoria Harbour Ferry Co., a business he bought into in 2004. He sold his interest in it in July 2020.
John learned volunteering and teamwork when he joined a surf lifesaving club in Sydney at age 18. These were lessons that have served him well his entire career, volunteering for decades with United Way and Rotary, as well as service on several not-for-profit boards. He joined the PWP board because he was invited by a good friend who thought his business experience would be useful in starting and operating the PWP centre. He then realized he had friends and family with Parkinson’s who could have used what PWP is offering at its centre.
Lia Threlfall
Lia was born and raised in Victoria and attended the University of Victoria where she earned a BSc degree in Kinesiology while also playing varsity field hockey.
Lia’s love of sport has translated into a 23-year career in sport and event management with roles at Sport BC, BC Wheelchair Sports and the BC Games Society. She joined the public service in 2019 and is currently the Manager of Major Sport Events in the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport and is involved in the planning and hosting of events such as the Invictus Games.
Lia strongly believes that sport and active living are key contributors to physical and mental well-being. Throughout her work and volunteer roles, she has developed a keen interest in adaptive sport and has seen how sport can be a catalyst for community development and social change. Lia lives these values day to day by supporting the sport pursuits of her two active teenagers.
Lia is honoured to be part of the Board of PWP and is excited to contribute to the organization and the programs and services that make an impact in the lives of people living with Parkinson’s.
Terry Gorsuch
Terry started his career as a Radio Officer on a Coast Guard Weather Ship. Two years later he was transferred to Sandspit Marine Air Radio Station on Queen Charlotte Islands (now called Haida Gwaii). After 2 years as a Technical Maintenance Supervisor, he was transferred to the William Lake airport in a similar role. After a few years he left the Ministry of Transport and worked for the BC Forestry as a radio communication engineer. He got a Real Estate Salesman license and ended up owning and operating his own Real Estate company in Williams Lake.
Due to the 1981 financial crisis (when interest rates exceeded 15 %), there was a lack of sales, so Terry got a job in the Arctic on the DEW Line (Distance Early Warning system). After that he became an electronic instructor at Vancouver City College. With another dip in the economy, Terry received a layoff notice but then got a job with an Arctic Canadian Oil Drilling Company as an Electronic Maintenance Supervisor. Terry spent time on drill ships, ice breakers and supply boats in the arctic and Southeast Asia. Terry then went on and worked for an Oil Company in Yemen as a Telecommunications Maintenance Supervisor. Ten years later he retired. He then took a number of Income Tax courses and worked as a part time as an Income Tax Preparer.
Terry was diagnosed with having Parkinson’s in 2010. He has been an active participant in the PWP exercise programs since day one. He fills in as a facilitator with the PD Sidney Sharing group when required and has been a fund raiser for the annual Parkinson Superwalk.
Carole James
Carole James served as Minister of Finance and Deputy Premier of British Columbia from 2017 to 2020. She has been recognized for her work and leadership through her many elected appointments, locally, provincially, and nationally, serving in elected roles for over 25 years.
Her public service has included National Democratic Institute Elections Missions in Morocco, Algeria, and Georgia. Ms. James was a Director for Child and Family Services at Carrier Sekani Family Services and Coordinator for Northern Aboriginal Authority for Families.
Active in her community, she was Chair of the Greater Victoria School Board, President of the BC School Trustees Association, and First and Second Vice President of the Canadian School Boards Association.
Ms. James is an honourary life member of the Vancouver Island Cooperative Preschool Association and the B.C. School Trustees Association, and served as a foster parent for over 20 years for children and adults with developmental disabilities.
She is currently serving on the Boards of the Royal BC Museum, INBC, a BC Crown Corporation, and is Faculty Lead for the United Way Public Policy Institute. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2020, Carole values and utilizes the supports offered by PWP, and wants to contribute back.
Brian Skillen
Born in London England, Brian started his career working on the world’s first business computer – LEO 1 (Lyons Electronic Office). Progressing from computer operations to systems analysis, his final position in the UK was as Data Processing Manager for Heidelberg Printing Machines. In 1976 he was hired by the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce to work on their on-line banking systems in Toronto.
In 1980 he was hired by the BC Systems Corporation in Victoria where he held several positions including Director of Common Systems. He became a management consultant with Coopers & Lybrand specializing in strategic information systems planning. He assisted several ministries in the development of these plans including the ministries of Education, Finance, Health, Regional & Economic Development and the Royal BC Museum.
Outside of work he was an active member of the choir and parish council of St Mary’s Oak Bay Anglican Church. He was part of the committee to see the establishment of the Canadian College of Performing Arts at 1701 Elgin Road.
Throughout his working life he stayed active through playing football(soccer), cricket, tennis and squash. He served on the Cedar Hill Squash Club executive for many years and still enjoys playing about three games a week.
With his wife’s (Lindy) diagnosis of Parkinson’s in 2018 and her finding PWP, his focus has been to volunteer in the Rock Steady Boxing program and assist wherever he can. He is passionate about helping PWP participants in remaining active through the many programs offered.
Melinda Minkley
Melinda was born in England to an English mother and Canadian father. Arriving in Canada as a toddler, she grew up in North Vancouver and completed an undergraduate degree at Simon Fraser University in Geomorphology. Moving to Victoria with her husband John in the mid 1970’s she worked for the federal and provincial governments in the area of grants programs, policy and information and privacy.
Outside of working, passionate hobbies include the self sustainability of growing your own food and equestrian activities. Melinda is currently involved with promoting changing garden landscapes that support people and wildlife and is on the Board of Directors for a local equestrian society and is a Dressage Steward. Always interested in being part of community groups and believing in community service, Melinda likes to use her background in government to assist organizations in developing structures and policies to support their activities.
Secretary
Ken Ryan-Lloyd
Ken is an experienced community volunteer with a professional background in performance auditing, research and information management.
Ken was born in Burnaby and is a long-time resident of Victoria. His post-secondary education includes graduate degrees in philosophy, library and information science, and legislative studies. Ken worked for the provincial Office of the Auditor General for many years, first as a research specialist, then as a performance auditor.
As a public servant, Ken contributed to performance audits of many provincial programs including forest worker safety program, the upkeep of the provincial roads network, capital asset management, contract administration, and executive compensation disclosures. Ken also conducted preliminary investigations, responded to public inquiries, and met the strategic information needs of the Auditor General and their audit teams.
His governance and volunteer experience includes three years as a director on the Board of Saint Vincent de Paul of Vancouver Island, three years as secretary of Saint Patrick’s parish council, and a term as Treasurer for the Special Libraries Association (BC).
Ken was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2022. The support programs at PWP have provided Ken with a valuable physical activity schedule and expert wellness advice on his Parkinson’s journey. Ken and his partner of 28 years, Kate, have a son and two daughters. Ken enjoys cooking, fixing things, gardening and vigorous exercise with Theo, the dog.
Coleen Heenan
After starting life in St. John’s Newfoundland, with stops in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Alberta, Coleen settled in BC with her parents and siblings. Coleen attended UBC for her Bachelors of Nursing, the University of Portland (Oregon) for her MS (Nursing) and BCIT for her post graduate certificate as an Adult Nurse Practitioner. Over her career she combined her passions for nursing practice and education, always working as a clinical nurse while also working in nursing education (St. Paul’s Hospital, BCIT, UVIC) or patient/family education (Vancouver General Hospital, GF Strong Rehab Centre).
Coleen valued her work with patients and families and continues to admire and be amazed by the resilience of folks when faced with physical and mental health challenges. Her work as an NP included: the Seniors Outpatient Clinic at Royal Jubilee Hospital (seeing many folks with PD), locum services for NP practices, NP Clinical leadership role supporting NP practice throughout Vancouver Island. Her final clinical role before retiring was as the NP at the Movement Disorders Clinic at RJH where she was first introduced to the great work being done at PWP.
During her career, Coleen participated in local, regional, and provincial education committees and worked closely with the non-profit, BC Paraplegic Association (now Spinal Cord Injury BC). She is currently the secretary of the Board of the Victoria Primary Care Society.
Coleen is excited to work with such a dynamic group at Parkinson’s Wellness Project!
Shea Lehr
Sharon feels privileged to enjoy a career as a senior health care leader with over 30 years of experience in government and in academic health care environments in both
Alberta and Newfoundland and Labrador. Specifically, her career allowed her to develop considerable operational and strategic leadership skills and enabled her to gain a unique understanding of the delivery of clinical and operational services and their interdependency across the care continuum within health authorities, provincially and nationally. Sharon has acquired progressive leadership skills and expertise in the areas of operational best practice, program management, financial and budget development, and decision support in academic health care environments.
Since retiring from her role with Alberta Health Services, Sharon has applied her expertise and knowledge to consulting activities for private and public sector organizations and am now excited to give back through governance and volunteering to her new community.
Malcolm Read
Malcolm moved to Victoria in 2010 after retiring from teaching in schools, colleges and universities in Alberta for the previous 30+ years. His area of interest and focus was Early Intervention; working with families that had children with developmental challenges.
Malcolm has three children, two of whom live in Victoria and five grandchildren.
Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2022, the PWP community has provided information, support and understanding. He is particularly appreciative of the staff, volunteers and instructors – all of whom generously share their expertise and wisdom and demonstrate care for each person they meet. If there is an upside to Parkinson’s for Malcolm – it is that it has brought him in touch with many wonderful people that he would not otherwise have met.
He looks forward to working with others in the community and on the board to sustain and build on the positive platform that already exists.
Jillian Carson
Honorary Board Member
Founder, fundraiser and fanatical fighter in the war on Parkinson’s, Jillian is the force of nature who invented the original ParkinGo and propelled the successor Parkinson Wellness Project (PWP) forward. Jillian was a physiotherapist in Victoria forced in 2007 to give up her profession and her practice as a result of parkinsonism. She has relentlessly built awareness of Parkinson’s disease on Vancouver Island and across Canada, secured international partnerships with organizations such as Davis Phinney Foundation and become a respected ambassador for the World Parkinson Coalition. Jill’s personal Parkinson’s contacts stretch around the world. She’s also found time to ride bicycles in fundraisers and bake cookies for Board meetings.
Jill saw the need for a Parkinson’s support organization and brought people together to make it happen. Having guided PWP through formation of a volunteer board, development of the strategic plan to launch a community wellness centre and, most importantly, turning PWP’s new centre into reality, Jillian remains the public face of PWP.
Dr. Keiran Tuck (Neurologist, Movement Disorder Specialist)
Medical Advisor to the Board
Dr. Keiran Tuck, MBBS, grew up in the USA and studied medicine at the University of Sydney in Australia. He completed his neurology residency and a fellowship in movement disorders at the Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Oregon. Since then, his research on palliative care in Parkinson’s disease has been published and he was named the co-director of the Legacy Portland Parkinson's Program. Recently, Dr. Tuck moved to Victoria, BC to start a Parkinson's and Movement Disorders clinic at Royal Jubilee.
Staff
Bailey Martin
Executive Director
Bailey graduated from Camosun College with a Bachelor of Athletic and Exercise Therapy as a Certified Athletic Therapist and a Clinical Exercise Physiologist. In her educational experiences, she was drawn towards working with clients across a spectrum of neurological conditions, and initially pursued this at a private neurological rehabilitation clinic. In that time, she was motivated by her experiences with clients diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and sought to deepen her knowledge in the field by becoming a Parkinson Wellness Recovery (PWR) Therapist.
Bailey grew up in Kamloops, BC, and after travelling and living abroad, she has called Victoria home since 2004. She has various interests including travel, archery, running, and cycling. She is driven by a want to continue learning and developing her skills, and enjoys the prospect of taking on challenges. In her role as the Executive Director at PWP, she looks forward to bringing this drive to help the organization thrive.
Delilah Smyth
Office Assistant
Delilah joined the staff of Parkinson Wellness Projects in September of 2018. She has spent her life working in the non-profit world. A professional ballet dancer from 1987-2007, Delilah started her off stage career as the Director of Education for the Louisville Ballet. In that role Delilah worked extensively with the public, community leaders, and educators to ensure that she was providing the best possible programming for her audiences. A team player with a great sense of community, Delilah was invited to join three separate community planning committees for the development of three public performing arts magnet schools. Detail oriented, she oversaw programs in over 57 schools annually.
Delilah is overjoyed to have found a place in the PWP family. Often the first voice you will hear, Delilah relishes the opportunity to introduce new participants to this amazing organization. The sense of community and the desire to run a wellness center that is constantly growing and learning for and from its community is a gift.
Suzan Doricic
Office Assistant
Suzan joined us at PWP in September 2018. Her first day on the job as a part-time Office Assistant happened on the day of our Official Grand Opening – so it started with a bang, feet first, and running! It was on that auspicious day that Suzan realized she had landed at the right place …. the buzz, the people, the atmosphere, and the goals all made for a terrifically uplifting atmosphere. Who doesn’t aspire to having that in their lives?
Prior to joining PWP, Suzan worked for many years on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, followed by work in federal, provincial, and local government offices. She also worked with VIHA in a variety of health clinics, providing administrative and client support. Throughout her work history, Suzan focused on and gravitated towards opportunities that serviced the public, working as a caseworker, events planner and organizer, and researcher. Given her love of learning from and interacting with people, Suzan considers her work with PWP as a natural extension to her career path as it allows her to engage with its vibrant and inspiring community.
Alongside this delight, Suzan, together with her husband, takes pride in watching their two children flourish and thrive as university students. Family contact and cementing those forever relationships is of paramount importance to her. Last, but certainly not least, Henry, Suzan’s furry little pal, likewise manages to plaster a smile on her face in addition to ensuring she gets out walking – rain, snow, hail, or shine.
Jake Lawson
Kinesiologist
Jake completed his Bachelor's in Kinesiology at the University of Victoria in 2023. From university courses and volunteer experiences, Jake has become very passionate about working with the neurologically atypical population and sharing the joy of physical activity with everyone.
Throughout his life, he has enjoyed a wide range of physical activity and has coached/instructed sports ranging from basketball to paddleboarding providing a holistic approach to health and fitness. During his free time, Jake enjoys playing guitar, reading, and exploring the great outdoors.
Christina Asia
Fundraising and Communications Coordinator
Christina joined us at Parkinson Wellness Projects (PWP) in March of 2023. While studying at the University of British Columbia, they interned in several communications roles in the non-profit and financial sectors. One of these roles was with the British Columbia Lung Association in Vancouver, where they provided administrative, communications, fundraising and event planning support for the Developments team. They also contributed to the university paper - “The Ubyssey” - as a volunteer writer, and supported the media monitoring efforts of Scholars at Risk, an international network of institutions and individuals who protect and promote academic freedom. Now in Victoria, Christina is excited to begin their post-graduate career working as the Fundraising and Communications Coordinator for the PWP community.
Christina grew up in Singapore, a tiny island south of Malaysia in Southeast Asia. They enjoy playing Dungeons & Dragons with their friends, reading science-fiction and fantasy books, and painting with watercolors. Christina is a bright addition to the team and is always happy to help wherever they can!
Dr. Linda Franchi
Community Counsellor
Dr. Franchi brings an incredible breadth of experience and passion to PWP, and we are honoured to have her join our team providing care to people with Parkinson’s across the region.
After three decades serving the Deaf and hard of hearing communities in a variety of leadership and counselling capacities in Vancouver, British Columbia, Linda relocated to Victoria in 2020.
She holds a PhD from Simon Fraser University, examining accessible communication, family and community relationships and end of life care. She is a certified Death Doula and Advance Care Planner.
Inspired by the human spirit’s ability to transcend enormous challenges and achieve monumental success when quality, accessible services are created and delivered in communities of caring, Linda strongly believes that life is best when we feel connected to ourselves, each other and our communities. She strives to assist her clients in creating and sustaining those connections.
In her spare time, Linda and her family can be found in the garden with their honey bees or out exploring their new community or playing pickle ball. Her family always finds time for a little beauty and laughter which they share with their two furry dog elders, Frida and Sukha, who never fail to entertain.