Board of Directors
Victoria DePass, R/TRO, CTRS
President
Executive Committee, Advocacy Committee Chair, Standards of Practice Working Group
Victoria works in forensic mental health; however, she has experience in geriatrics, stroke rehabilitation, acquired brain and spinal cord injury. Victoria’s personal goals are to see TRO become a regulated health professional organization and to run a full marathon before the age of 35. Victoria’s favorite leisure activity is going hiking with her dog, Bailey, and reading a good book with a glass of red wine. Victoria also participates in a running club with her family, hot yoga, two book clubs and enjoying a nice coffee while on a walk with her dog. Victoria sees the future of TR becoming more pronounced and understood in the health care field. She hopes for this practice to be seen as an asset to patient recovery and used as a tool to help rehabilitate those with mental health and addictions back into society.
Yvonne Ng-Gerritsen, R/TRO, CTRS
Vice-President
Executive Committee, TRPESC Committee Chair
Yvonne is a Professor and Program Coordinator at Seneca Polytechnic in the Honours Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation degree program. She has worked in the field of TR for 15+ years. This is Yvonne’s 3rd term serving on the TRO BOD since 2011. Her goal is to collaborate within the field of TR to help advance the profession forward in Canada. Her hope for the future is for EVERYONE to recognize the value of Therapeutic Recreation. In her leisure time, you can find her spending time with family/friends, doing yoga, or reading!
Chelsea Lazar, R/TRO, CTRS
Secretary, DEIB Co-Committee Chair, Standards of Practice Working Group
Chelsea (she/her) is a Recreation Therapist in the Forensic Psychiatry Program at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, and maintains R/TRO designation and CTRS with Behavioural Health Specialization. She has worked in TR for 15+ years in both community and hospital settings, with experience supporting individuals receiving support for mental health; dual diagnosis or developmental disability; precarious housing and homelessness and; responsive behaviours in LTC. Her goal is to broaden the voices of all TRO members for their visions to be represented in the growth and development of the profession. She is keen in holding spaces accountable to prioritize the values of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. She loves watching football, gardening, camping and playing outside with her family. You might catch her singing TS songs while walking her dog along the river in Caledonia, Ontario.
Stephen Corradino, R/TRO, CTRS
Professional Development Committee
Stephen brings five years of experience supporting individuals experiencing mental health and addiction challenges to improve their quality of life. A graduate of Seneca Polytechnic’s Honours Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation program and a Master of Health Studies candidate at Athabasca University, Stephen currently works in an acute inpatient mental health setting, with previous experience in community rehabilitation.
Stephen brings a passion for collaboration, lifelong learning, and professional growth to the Board. He joined the Board with the collective goal of strengthening therapeutic recreation by contributing to a shared vision for a profession that is positioned for continued growth and recognition. Outside of work, he enjoys hockey, pickleball, football, and spending time with his growing family.
Alicia Kuhr, CTRS, R/TRO
Advocacy Committee, Mental Health Community of Practice Lead
Alicia holds a Diploma in Recreation Therapy, a Bachelor of Recreation and Leisure Studies specializing in Therapeutic Recreation with a minor in Psychology, and a Master of Arts in Applied Health Sciences. Her experience includes working in Forensic Psychiatry at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton and teaching at the post-secondary level. She holds both the CTRS and R/TRO designations, is a member of CTRA, and is a certified Heart & Stroke First Aid and CPR Instructor.
Alicia is currently a Patient Experience Advisor at Waterloo Regional Health Network, where she applies a therapeutic recreation lens to her role, demonstrating the profession’s value across diverse healthcare settings beyond traditional clinical practice. Alicia has authored two publications and is currently preparing her master’s research for publication, exploring the role of recreation therapists in forensic psychiatry and proposing an adapted strengths-based model of care.
Alicia is passionate about education, mentorship, and supporting the continued growth of the profession. Outside of work, you can find Alicia exploring her small rural hometown of Rockton with her chocolate lab, Hudson, playing one of her 184 board/card games, or volunteering as a Hockey Trainer for a local youth hockey team.
Suneel Saini, R/TRO
Professional Development Committee, Mental Health Community of Practice Lead
In the past, Suneel has been co-chair on the Conference Committee. Since joining the field, Suneel has worked in the mental health setting.
In his free time Suneel enjoys going for a run and playing basketball or simply spending time with friends and family. He hopes to continue building on the work already done by TRO and push the field to new and higher levels of respect in the healthcare field.
Lauren Waite, R/TRO
Professional Development Committee
Lauren currently lives in London, Ontario working as a TRS with the older adult population in Long-Term Care. She has two young children at home who always liven up her day and bring her so much joy. When she’s not busy with her family, Lauren enjoys staying active in organized sport, and has a creative side; a love for crafting and DIY! She has been following the happenings of TRO since her days as a student and is excited to join the BOD to continue sailing TRO in a positive and innovative direction!
Cindy Marshall, R/TRO
Executive Member
Cindy has worked as a Recreation Therapist for almost 20 years and currently works on an adult acute inpatient mental health program. Cindy has always been interested in getting more involved with TRO and felt like this was a good time both personally and professionally to step into the role. Cindy is a passionate advocate for recreation therapy in mental health care and sits on many committees and working groups at her organization. Cindy lives In Victoria Harbour with her husband, daughter and their dog. They love hiking, biking and spending time outdoors. She is excited to bring her knowledge and passion to her role on the Board of Directors.
Jessica Sue, R/TRO
Practice Review Committee
Jessica Sue, R/TRO, MI, is a Recreation Therapist with seven years of professional experience and eight years of service on TRO’s Practice Review Committee (PRC). She currently works at Bruyère Health in Ottawa, specializing in Transitional Care for individuals with dementia and complex mental health needs in a hospital setting. As the Professional Contribution Credits Chair for TRO, Jessica oversees professional development application reviews and coordinates content approval for webinars and conferences. She is also the founder of Good Fortune Puzzle Co., a games company that promotes cultural diversity through art and mindful play. Jessica is passionate about exploring creative and engaging ways to innovate and enhance therapeutic recreation services in today’s increasingly digital world. She remains dedicated to supporting TRO, its members, and the broader therapeutic recreation community, and looks forward to continuing her work in shaping educational pathways within the organization.
Taylor Hartop
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Amber Hall, R/TRO
Advocacy Committee
Amber is the Professional & Education Leader of the Recreation Therapy Team at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre as well as a practicing Recreation Therapist at the Holland Campus, part of Sunnybrook. Amber is a Therapeutic Recreation Graduate from the University of Waterloo and completed her Master’s Degree in Education. She has 17 years of experience in Recreation Therapy at Sunnybrook working in various patient care settings. These areas include the Veteran Centre, Mental Health, Geriatric Day Hospital, Acute Care, and her current position at the Holland Centre for transitional patients. Amber has led numerous priority projects at Sunnybrook including the pilot project for Recreation Therapy practice on C5 and D5, and Sunny Guides, a practical approach to helping patients facilitate virtual visits during the COVID pandemic. As a professional and education leader, Amber works to advance excellence in Recreation Therapy in the domains of practice, education, research and leadership, within an interprofessional context. Amber has been an R/TRO member of TRO since 2008 as well as part of the Recreation Therapy Practice Network of Canada and the Recreation Therapy Georgian College committee. During her free time Amber enjoys spending time with her two year old son, going for runs, baking, and reading.
Olivia Barron, R/TRO
Professional Development Committee
Olivia lives in the Niagara region and brings a deep commitment to supporting people across every stage of life. Her career in Recreation Therapy began in long-term care, where she worked closely with older adults and their families. She now works in the non-profit sector at a cancer centre, supporting a diverse community that ranges from children to older adults.
Olivia first became involved as a volunteer on the PRC committee, where her passion for the organization’s work grew into a desire to contribute even more. She is excited to join the Board of Directors and looks forward to helping shape the organization’s future. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, going on walks or hikes with her dogs and baking.
Past Board Members
We have the deepest gratitude for our past board members. Their contributions have had a lasting impact on the direction and success of TRO, and we are truly grateful for the time and expertise they invested.
Adrienne Gilbert, Alana Kozlowski, Alexis Moore, Alison Wideman, Amanda Brown, Blair Chard, Brian Bennison, Callum Thompson, Carol Phillips, Carolyn Triemstra, Carrie Strub, Cheryl Hemphill, Cheryl Ramburn, Chris Richard, Christine Wilkinson, Colleen Pittam, Colleen Whyte, Debbie-ann Fender, Erin Apothecary-Reid, Erin LeDrew, Erin Wilkie, Heather Green, Jackie Frail, Jeff Gall, Jenna Davis, Jenn Acton, Jessica Korchowiec, Jill Gibson, Joanne Brohman, Joellyn Leblanc, Judy Beitz, Kamila Gemin, Katherine Lee, Katherine Plested, Katie Elliott, Keli Cristofaro, Kim Fitzpatrick, Leanne Hughes, Lindsay Webber, Lindsey Oretan, Melissa Konat, Monica Almas, Nancy Bowers-Ivanski, Nancy de Vera, Nancy Kahl, Nicole Chudzinski, Rebecca Thompson, Shannon Hebblethwaite, Shannon McCallum, Siobhan McSharry, Sonia Roul, Stacey Solvason, Stacy Jowett, Sue Verrilli, Suzie Lane, Tina Tytko, Vicki Di Giovanni, Heidi Slotegraaf, Emma Story.