Board Members
Independent Living Canada Board of Directors 2009/2010
Holly Bartlett - Provincial Delegate for Nova Scotia
Paul-Claude Bérubé - Member at Large
Earl Black - Member at Large
Cecilia Carroll - Secretary
Beverley Elliott - Member at Large
Rick Goodfellow - Past Chairperson
Jim Harnden - Executive Member at Large / Provincial Delegate for British Columbia
Tracy Knutson - First Vice Chairperson
Diane Kreuger - Treasurer / Provincial Delegate for Alberta
Jacques Lapointe - 2nd Vice Chairperson / Provincial Delegate - Quebec
Arisma Losier - Provincial Delegate for New Brunswick
Vince Miele - Member at Large
Kelly J. Nadeau - National Chairperson
Katie Paialunga - Provincial Delegate - Ontario
Mike Richter - Provincial Delegate - Saskatchewan
Catherine Rodgers - Provincial Delegate – Newfoundland and Labrador
Meenu Sikand - Executive Member at Large
Holly Bartlett
Provincial Delegate for Nova Scotia
Holly Bartlett has been involved with Independent Living in Nova Scotia over the past 7 years in various capacities. First as an employee and most recently as a board member of the Independent Living Association of Nova Scotia (ILNS).
Prior to this, Holly represented Nova Scotia on the National Educational Association of Disabled Students “NEADS” while a student. She also sat on the Students with Disabilities committee at St. Francis Xavier University.
Since her employment with ILNS, Holly returned to the Nova Scotia Community College to complete a diploma in Human Resource Management. Shortly thereafter, Holly began her career with the Government of Nova Scotia. Holly is currently working as a research and statistics officer and completing a Masters in Public Administration at Dalhousie University.
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Paul-Claude Bérubé
Member at Large
Paul-Claude Bérubé has a commitment to disability issues of long standing. He was a founding member of IL Canada, holding the position of first vice chair and he was also a founding member of the Independent Living Resource Centre in Trois-Pistoles. He has been vice president of COPOH and on two occasions was a delegate to Disabled Persons International, the first instance being the 2nd conference and the second being the 6th conference held this past year in Sapporo, Japan in October. He has been mayor of Mont Saint-Grégoire and has served on a number of Boards other than Independent Living Canada. Paul-Claude has traveled widely in the world and it is his particular dream to see the Canadian federal and provincial governments take leadership in the financial support of Independent Living Resource Centres whose funding has been frozen since 1988. Called to the Bar in December of 1984, Paul-Claude is married to Gaétane Beaulieu and they have three children, Marie-Pierre and attended the Sapporo meeting with her father, William and Jean-Michel.
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Earl Black has been employed as the coordinator of Special Needs at Laurentian University in Sudbury Ontario since 1989. He founded the Independent Living Resource Centre in Sudbury and Manitoulin in 2001 and is chairperson to date. He was previously involved with past organizations such as Persons United for Self Help (P.U.S.H.), absolute abilities and other disability grass root organizations. He was a former member of the Accessibility Advisory Committee for the Province of Ontario for disabled persons from 1990-1995, and has been recently involved with the Transportation’s Standards Committee in 2006 as well as the Employment Standards Committee for the Province of Ontario in 2007. All of which were appointments by Ministers within Ontario Governments. He is also Chair of the Accessibility Advisory Panel for the City of Greater Sudbury since 2003. Since his diving accident in 1975 he has been committed to the integration and equality of disabled persons.
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Cecilia Carroll has been volunteering within the disability community in St. John's, NL for over 15 years. Cecilia says that this experience has taught her that respect for one another, hard work and some fun along the way go hand in hand. Her focus for the last several years has been the Independent Living Movement. She is a very strong believer in the IL Philosophy and its Guiding principals of Consumer Controlled, Community Based organizations which offer services designed by and for people with disabilities. Some of her volunteer work includes: Treasurer - Independent Living Canada Board of Directors, Chairperson - Independent Living Canada Accreditation Committee, Chairperson - Independent Living Resource Centre, St. John's, NL, Member - Coalition of Persons with Disabilities.
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Beverley Elliott
Member at Large
Re-locating to Toronto, I began a fifteen year career with the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC). Working in the Wheel-Trans Dept., I started at a time when the Toronto Transit Commission was just taking over responsibility for accessible transportation. I worked in various positions of management during an exciting time in the history of accessible transit.
I left the TTC to accept the position of Executive Director of a supportive housing project in Toronto. During my ten years in this position many accomplishments were seen in the Independent Living movement.
All during my twenty-five plus years in Toronto, I was involved with work being done on numerous disability issues. In the early days I was involved with the work of David Lapofsky and the Ontario Disability Act. I worked with David Baker, then E. D. of ARCH, supporting his efforts in improving VIA Rail and Union Station. I have served for many years on the Board of the Centre for Independent Living in Toronto(CILT). I currently hold the position of Chair.
Four years ago I returned to the Haliburton Highlands and opened an antique glass and china shop. My customers are primarily people from the thousand of cottagers who come to our area each year. During the winter, I travel mostly in the U.S., to attend estate and auction sales in search of treasures for my shop.
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Rick Goodfellow
Past Chairperson
Rick Goodfellow is the Executive Director of Challenge Vocational Alternatives and CEO Career Industries Ltd. in Whitehorse, YT.
He is presently serving as a member of the Yukon Human Rights Commission, the Chair of the Persons with Disabilities Advisory Committee to the City of Whitehorse, a member of the Accessibility Committee with the Calgary Airport Authority and is a private consultant to governments on accessibility issues.
Rick served as Program Planner/Manger of Disability Related Employment Supports program for the Government of Alberta, sat on the Minister’s Employability Council, co-chaired the Alberta Disabilities Forum, and was ED of the ILRC Calgary for 6 years.
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Jim Harnden
Executive Member at Large
Provincial Delegate - British Columbia
Jim for many years worked as a rehabilitation officer for the province of British Columbia and is currently Executive Director of the Disability Resource Centre (DRC) in Cowichan Valley (Duncan). He has over 25 years experience working in the human services field working both in vocational rehab and in management. Some of his academic background includes taking business management courses, training as a Life Skills Coach and taking courses in counseling psychology and human development. A DRC employee since 2001, Jims knowledge and understanding of working with the disabled community, together with his innate interpersonal and management skills, reflects in his ability to identify the needs of the disabled community and to create programs and services based on those needs. Jim joined the Independent Living Canada Board of Directors in the Fall of 2005 as the Provincial Representative of British Columbia.
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Tracy Knutson
First Vice Chairperson
“Tell us about yourself.” Well, isn’t that a challenge!
I’m Tracy Knutson. I was born and raised in rural Saskatchewan in fabulous small town named Norquay. I have had the privilege of living, working and learning in and around Regina for the past 17 years. My teachers and role models are varied and wise, including people with disabilities, Aboriginal people, men and women, elders and youth and people who have come from other countries to make Canada their home.
My passions are people, potential and progress. I believe strongly in the inherent value, gifts and resiliency of all people and our communities. These passions and beliefs lead me to many wonderful places and people in my life journey. At present these include working with Leadership Regina, the Dream Broker initiative and several other community based projects. Volunteering is a large part of my life as well, which includes the Independent Living Canada, SEED Regina, Saskatchewan Association of Licensed Practical Nurses and Community Development Society of Saskatchewan.
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Diane Kreuger
Treasurer
Provincial Delegate - Alberta
Diane has been a Board member for two years with the Calgary Centre. In that time she was acting Executive Director for 4 months and then became vice-chair of the Board. She is a new Board member to Independent Living Canada.
For the past 10 years, her passion has been with the over-all well being of persons with disabilities and their communication needs. She has been particularly involved with the deaf community. Through her involvement with the deaf community and work as a community and employment facilitator, she has become acutely aware of the need to enhance the quality of life for deaf, deaf/blind and hard of hearing individuals within their community and at home.
Diane is self-employed as a Career Advisor where she assists individuals with disabilities with their career planning as well as job search. For the past 7 years Diane has volunteered with the Calgary Association of Disabled Skiers. She is also the Chairperson for the Career Development Association of Calgary and is a member of the Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians. She is a member of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Association in Calgary and works closely with several agencies and organizations that advocate and promote independence in daily living, community, volunteer and employment.
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Jacques Lapointe
2nd Vice Chairperson
Provincial Delegate - Quebec
As the father of an adopted son with cerebral palsy, Jacques Lapointe has spent nearly 20 years defending the rights of people with disabilities. Being concerned about his son’s future, he has worked as a volunteer on various committees in order to become thoroughly familiar with the issues his son will have to face in future and to identify possible solutions. As a fervent promoter of the independence of people with disabilities, he has dealt with files on issues such as accessibility, respite care, education, home support, employment, accessible housing, and many others.
He is a management graduate and has worked for over 30 years in the field of communications, marketing and advertising, including 22 years operating his own company, Prisme Communications Inc., with offices in Montreal, Toronto and Atlanta.
Jacques is currently the president of the Envol du Haut-Richelieu Inc., a day and respite centre for people with physical disabilities primarily 15 to 35 years of age. He also sits on the board of directors of Regroupement des Personnes Handicapées Région du Haut-Richelieu and he is currently Assistant Director of the Regroupement des Personnes Handicapées Région du Haut-Richelieu (CRVA Montérégie). He has recently been asked to coordinate the Francophone network of independent living resource centres and to represent the Province of Quebec on the Independent Living Canada Board of Directors
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Arisma Losier
Provincial Delegate - New Brunswick
In 1958 Arisma Losier began his teachers training at the Normal School in Fredericton. After several years of teaching at the school in Tracadie, he enrolled at the University of Moncton in 1967 where he completed a BA and an MA in Education in 1969.
From 1970 to 1995, he served as educational consultant to school district 09. He completed his doctoral studies in educational psychology at Laval University (1982), and taught at the University of Montreal (1986). He has taught numerous courses in continuing education from the University of Moncton, Shippagan Campus.
Since his retirement in 1995 he devoted much of his time to volunteering, to associations and organizations such as: le Carnaval de l’Acadie, Inc.; la Fondation Père-J.-A.-Trudel; le Comité d’animation culturelle du patrimoine; the President of la Fondation de l’Hôpital de Tracadie; la Fondation de l’Hôpital Chaleur de Bathurst; l’Association des amies et anciennes du Centre Universitaire de Shippagan; la Commission et la Fondation des bibliothèques publiques du Nouveau-Brunswick; president of the board of the Centre de ressources de Vie autonome de la Péninsule acadienne pour les personnes handicapées; and vice President of the Musée Historique de Tracadie.
For the past five years, he has volunteered five days a week as a trainer of facilitators of the program “Une qualité de vie…pourquoi pas !” aimed at single mothers. He was also responsible for the training 5 leaders of the Centres d’animation jeunesse de la Péninsule acadienne.
Being of service always motivates him to learn because, as he sees it, motivation is life. His greatest satisfaction comes from preparing a presentation, report or letter free of charge for someone who is unable to pay for a consultant. Volunteering enables him to engage with life and do his part, since, at the end of the day, we’re all here to “pay it forward” in some way.
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Vincent Miele
Executive Member at Large
Vince is a member of the Marketing and Fundraising Committee and he is Independent Living Canada's representative to the important ACAT meetings of Transport Canada. In his past work with the B.C Paraplegic Association. His duties included overseeing caseloads as well as assisting counselors to ensure their duties meet the organizations written standards and procedures. He prepared annual regional budgets, developed fund raising ideas and represents B.C.P.A. nationally and locally on government and non profit meetings, workshops and seminars. Before this, Vince worked for ten years as a Rehabilitation Counsellor/Vocational Rehabilitation Counsellor, again with the Canadian Paraplegic Association, B.C. Division. He was awarded the Canadian Association of Rehabilitation Professionals (CARPs) Fellowship award in recognition of outstanding services in the field of Rehabilitation. Vince is Chair of the Richmond Committee on Disability that has succeeded many times in bringing about change, often through legal avenues, to improve accessibility in the Vancouver area. He was a proud host when the Independent Living Canada meeting was in Richmond: there was much to be proud of at Independent Living Canada's Centre in Richmond.
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Kelly J. Nadeau
National Chairperson
Kelly pushes himself to strive for quality and strength. Visually impaired since birth, he was diagnosed legally blind in 1994, due to cone-rod dystrophy. He met this new obstacle with courage and an open mind ignited by a passionate spirit. Since this turning point and his introduction to IL in 1992, he has continued to develop new skills through promoting the philosophy of Independent Living encouraging others to empower themselves to utilize their abilities.
True to his words, Kelly is a remarkable role model. He uses adaptive software and hardware to use a computer and magnification to read printed material. As a snowboarder, he locates the tree line and shadows to judge distances.
Kelly has been working in the field of career development since 2000 specializing in supporting persons with disabilities who face barriers to employment, education and volunteering. As a Certified Career Development Professional, Kelly works as a team member with Prospect Human Services Society www.prospectnow.ca in Calgary. Alberta.
“Think not of ones’ disability, but think of their Ability!”
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Katie Paialunga
Provincial Delegate - Ontario
Leading up to the position as Executive Director at the Ottawa Independent Living Resource Centre Katie was a Human Resource Manager with a large High Tech company in Ottawa. She has now been in her current position for over 12 years working with various community organizations, Government, and individuals supporting the development of a greater community. Katie has raised two children and also has been very active at different level in a variety of wheelchair sports. Currently she is a recipient of Quest for Gold funding for Wheelchair Curling.
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Mike Richter
Provincial Delegate - Saskatchewan
Michael is currently the Executive Director of SSILC (South Saskatchewan Independent Living Centre). He has worked for various community and political organizations over the last nine years, and has first-hand experience with advocacy, systemic barriers, crisis intervention and community network development.
At Saskatchewan Ministry of Social Services, he was involved with the Saskatchewan Assured Income for people with Disabilities (SAID) program, the Program Implementation Advisory Team (PIAT), as well as being involved in a Task Team which recommended benefit structure and administration of a separate income support program for persons with work-limiting disabilities in Saskatchewan.
His professional affiliations include the Saskatchewan Ministry of Social Services, Collaborative Advisory Team Member, Mayor’s Task Force on Access, Customer Service Consulting with Service Canada College and Application and Review Committee Member for the Opportunities Fund.
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Catherine Rodgers
Provincial Delegate – Newfoundland and Labrador
Born and raised in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Catherine Rodgers has been working in the disability field and the disability movement for more than fifteen years. During that time, she has worked for, with, and on behalf of persons with disabilities both provincially and nationally.
A long time supporter of independent living principles, Catherine is a member of the ILRC, and COD-NL. She also volunteers with People First of NL, the ILRC, and the St. John’s Status of Women Centre. She is the Community Inclusion and Resource Coordinator for People First of Canada.
Catherine has a wide variety of interests, hobbies, and skills and, among other activities, enjoys writing, photography, and multimedia craftwork.
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Meenu Sikand
Executive Member at Large
Ever since she was small growing up in a small city in the north of India, Meenu has wanted to be independent. Her strong and wise Sikh mother insisted that she study to stretch her mind so Meenu studied physics, chemistry and mathematics. Shortly after arriving in Canada she sustained a spinal injury that dramatically changed her life. This accident made Meenu fiercely determined not to be totally dependent on anyone else for the rest of her life. The meeting with CILT, the local Toronto Centre for Independent Living was love at first sight: Meenu had found her new family. Meenu became a strong self-advocate, and she modified the IL model to fit her individual needs. As a model she has shown clothes for top fashion designers, appeared on the cover of magazines, and been profiled in articles showing her parenting skills or discussing post-partum depression. Meenu has been chairperson of CILT and she currently sits on three committees for Independent Living Canada, on the Governance and Marketing Committees and she is Co-Chair of the International Committee. She has participated in forums on Disability issues in Russia, Beijing and the United States, each time raising the funds to go there. Meenu took part in the Loud, Proud and Passionate a Mobility International USA project which brought women with disabilities from around the world to the table to discuss issues of leadership. Meenu was awarded a fellowship to participate in IDEAS 2000 which documented key issues and strategies for leadership training and micro-credit programs such as entrepreneurship, for women with disabilities. Today Meenu is a policy developer for a provincial organization. She is a daughter, sister, a wife and mother of a son, Manav Kumar. Living with IL principles at the core of her being Meenu believes that there is nothing she would change about her life if given the chance.
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