Our Board

Traverse Independence is governed by a board of up to nine directors who are skill-based, drawing on local volunteers with a significant variety of experience, expertise and backgrounds. They are responsible for ongoing review of the mission, vision and values that are the foundation of Traverse Independence and they actively review and update the Traverse Independence strategic plan. They are accountable for the quality of care for the clients and use an ethics framework to support a standardized approach to resolving issues, addressing conflict and making decisions.

Their focus is not only inward. They are also charged with strengthening relationships with stakeholders and the community. They are accountable for achieving sustainable results using quality, risk management and performance measurement tools. Paramount to the Board's accountability is the provision of client and family centered care, client safety and continuous quality improvement.

Interested in joining our Board? To submit your application for board membership, please send us your resume together with your reason for wanting to join our board, and the contribution you hope to make here.

Our Board Members

	Adrienne Farrell, President A little about Adrienne: "Volunteering is a key part of my desire to support my community. I have been a lifelong volunteer for many different organizations and events which support community health and wellness. My volunteer experience is diverse - ranging from speaking engagements for local hospitals, to fostering for sighthound rescue organizations, to advocating for rare disease research. Originally from Fergus, I am now living in Kitchener and working in Cybersecurity for a large local software company. I enjoy sports, outdoor activities, working on my house and garden, live music, and socializing with friends and family."
	Margaret Penner, Vice President A little about Margaret: "I have 20+ years of experience in the non-profit employment services field. I take great interest in encouraging and motivating all job seekers to aspire to attain their career and educational goals. My passion as a leader is to build efficiencies to support teams and inspire them to embrace the continuous improvement model in their day-to-day work activities. I enjoy spending time with my family, especially my niece who is the light of my life. In my spare time, I love traveling, reading and have a knack for remembering quirky, inane facts."
	Mike Simpson, Secretary/Treasurer A little about Mike: "I am happy to return to the Traverse board of directors, having first served as Secretary-Treasurer for nine years from 2004 to 2013. I agreed to rejoin because of my continuing interest in the work of Traverse. After graduating from Laurier with my BBA, for the past forty years, I have worked in financial accounting, auditing and tax services within the public accounting, private and non-profit sectors. I also held an eight-year position providing private investment, insurance, and mortgage services with a national Canadian investment firm. Most importantly, my personal background involves living with a family member with life-long exceptionalities, who has been involved with local medical, educational and community services, while seeking to maximize their enjoyment of life."
	Lynn Rubinstein, Director A little about Lynn: "I have worked within not-for-profit and health care organizations for over forty years and have always been a champion for healthy workplaces where staff are supported and recognized as the key factor in the provision of excellent client service. I am delighted to join the Board of Traverse Independence and to continue contributing to equitable and healthy communities where individuals are able to thrive."
	Vic Maciulis, Director A little about Vic: “I am a retired senior finance professional who switched gears from the corporate world, to a role as a Finance Manager for a not-for-profit agency, a position I held for 10 years. I found this move to be most rewarding on both a personal and professional level. In my free time I like to go cycling and downhill skiing. I look forward to working with the Board and hope that my years of experience in management and finance add value to the Board.”
	Alykhan Esmail, Director A little about Alykhan: "As a lifelong resident of the Waterloo Region, and a Corporate and Commercial Lawyer, I am deeply committed to giving back to my community. I bring a wealth of expertise and a passion for making a meaningful impact to my role on the Board of Directors for Traverse. In my spare time, I enjoy traveling and staying up-to-date with current events, which enhances my perspective and approach to board responsibilities."

Supporting the Board

Toby Harris, CEO

A little about Toby: "Working with people with disabilities has been my passion and purpose since I was a young teenager. Prior to my twenty years at Traverse Independence, I spent a solid number of years at March of Dimes Canada working with adults with physical disabilities. I started my career providing personal support and have a working knowledge of the activities and challenges that front line workers face each day. My vision for our organization is to provide quality support to two customers: our clients and our employees. To this end, I am committed to listening, learning, innovating, with a focus on constant improvement. I live in rural Wellington County, where I walk my beautiful German Shepherd and spend time with my grandchildren. I love gardening, cross-country, skiing, reading and a good cup of tea. Nothing gives me greater joy than a cold walk in winter."

Aaron Willmott, Director of Client Services

A little about Aaron: "As the Director of Client Services at Traverse, I not only have a background in behavioural support, but addictions as well, having just completed my addictions certificate from Wilfrid Laurier University. I have worked in the social service sector for the last 24 years, most of that time specifically with survivors of Acquired Brain Injury. Prior to my work in the ABI field, I’ve worked in child welfare and have a strong passion for watching individuals improve in their independence and live in the community. In my spare time, I love to do archery, fish and camp with my family."

Contact Us

Traverse Independence
Head Office
1382 Weber Street East, Unit 1
Kitchener, ON, N2A 1C4
Phone: 519-741-5845
Fax: 519-741-8731

Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that we are located on the Haldimand Tract, traditional and unceded territory of the Anishnaabe, Haudenosaunee and Neutral Peoples. It encompasses 980,000 acres of land that was given to the Six Nations in 1784, 10 kilometers on each side of the Grand River.

Continue to read full land acknowledgement