leadership

I look forward to working with my fellow BCTRA Board members to advocate for, and advance the field and profession of therapeutic recreation. I have been a long time faculty member in the Therapeutic Recreation department at Douglas College and over these many years I have enjoyed working with students as they make the journey to become members of the TR profession. My career highlight was taking the lead in the development of the Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation. Since the BTR launched in 2006 I have continued to work to strengthen its foundation, to look for ways to create pathways and partnerships for academic pursuits for current TR practitioners, faculty and students and to ensure we remain on the “cutting edge”.

I’m an ardent advocate for the importance of physical recreation in all people’s lives. It has always played a big role in my life and as I read more and more research extolling its benefits, not only its physiological benefits, but also its benefits for brain health, I’m motivated to continue to have it play a central role in my leisure. Currently travel and exploring family heritage along with my love of reading give me wonderful opportunities to experience “flow.

This position is currently vacant. Please contact: info@bctra.org if you are interested in this role.

Hi Everyone! As the Director of Communications, I look forward to connecting with so many passionate recreation professionals. While completing my Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation degree at Douglas College in 2020, my studies largely focused on the benefits of recreation and leisure in the areas of older adult care and mental health. The more I completed research and various projects the more my enthusiasm for the field of therapeutic recreation grew. Since graduating I have been working with older adults in a long-term care setting and truly enjoy my work connecting with my clients through a therapeutic recreation lens. When I am not working, my leisure time is spent in nature, creating, and learning!

Hello BCTRA members! I am very excited to continue my term on the Board of Directors as your Director of Education. I grew up in North Vancouver and began my post-secondary education in Ontario with a degree in Kinesiology. My Therapeutic Recreation education journey started at Mohawk College in Hamilton, and I later transferred into the third year of the degree program at Douglas College. While my passion in TR is working with older adults, I had many great experiences during student placements in community mental health programs that helped shape me as a Recreation Therapist and as a person. After graduating with my TR degree in 2017, I worked in a long-term care facility before taking a job as Recreation Manager at an Assisted and Independent Living community in Vancouver.

I look forward to supporting your continuing education and professional development as best I can!

Hello BCTRA Members! I am excited to be continuing my involvement with BCTRA as the Director at Large responsible for the Regulations Portfolio. I have previously been involved with BCTRA as the Northern Ambassador and as a member of the Regulations Task Group. I graduated from Brock University in the Fall of 2013 and soon after traveled from my home province of Nova Scotia to British Columbia. I am passionate about the role of Recreation Therapy in the field of mental health and substance use and have been fortunate to have worked in acute psychiatric and rehabilitation sites across the province. When not at work, I am an avid cyclist and enjoy riding Vancouver’s bike lanes. In the winter, I can be found on my skis.

I am very excited to be returning to the Board of Directors in my second year as Secretary/Treasurer. I previously served as Student Liaison (2014-2016) and Director of Regulations (2017-2019), during which time I developed an enthusiasm for developing and implementing strategic planning and branding initiatives.

I completed my Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation degree at Douglas College in 2017, and I am currently pursuing my Master of Rehabilitation Science degree at the University of British Columbia. I have a passion for working in mental health and I am working as a Recreation Therapist with mental health, substance use, and primary care clients in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

This position is currently vacant. Please contact: info@bctra.org if you are interested in this role.

I graduated with my degree in Therapeutic Recreation in 2018 while working in Long-term care. I have a passion for working with the older adult population but also found it very rewarding to learn about mental health during a practicum experience. I have worked on the coast and currently live and work within the Interior. My greatest joys are my family and spending time doing what we enjoy together; skiing, hockey and renovations are just a few of our favourite hobbies. I enjoy volunteering and have had many enriching experiences with different organizations.

Last year I assisted with the Education Committee and was honored to be nominated for the Regional Director position. I look forward to working with the board members while continuing to promote the TR career and grow as a practitioner.

This position is currently vacant. Please contact: info@bctra.org if you are interested in this role.

This position is currently vacant. Please contact: info@bctra.org if you are interested in this role.

I live by the Oyster River in Comox Valley, on Vancouver Island. I am very excited to support some much needed advocacy for TR in the North Island region! Currently I work for Comox Valley Family Services as an Outreach Worker. I support moms facing various challenges in a pre/postnatal health & wellness program. I have previously worked in a wide variety of settings and with most populations. Connecting with older adults through TR has been a true gift, and I also very much enjoy the dynamic field of mental health. My specialty areas are nature/ horticultural therapy and end of life / grief work.

I completed my bachelor degree in Therapeutic Recreation from Douglas College, after which I obtained my CTRS designation. I also have a certificate in horticulture as well as community counseling.

My leisure time often consists of reading a book by my woodstove, photographing wildflowers, foraging for mushrooms, playing with my cat Cholo, and shakin it on the dance floor!

This position is currently vacant. Please contact: regionalambassadors@bctra.org if you are interested in this role.

My name is Jennifer Davis, I was raised in Northern British Columbia and I began my career in 2009 when I graduated from the College of New Caledonia with a certificate in Long term Care/Home support.
I worked for The Northern Health Authority in both a Long Term Care facility and in 3 Mental Health and Addiction group homes. In 2013, I continued my studies and completed a diploma in Therapeutic Recreation from Saskatchewan Polytechnic (SIAST).

In 2015 my husband and I moved to Kelowna and I began working as a Recreation Therapy Worker at the Interior Health Authority and Baptist Housing. I am planning on continuing my education as I am passionate about Therapeutic Recreation as a profession and helping those in need.

A few of my interests and hobbies include hiking, gardening, painting, baking, camping, fishing and spending time with my family.

Jane is originally from Nova Scotia. She grew up on a military base and graduated from Concordia University in Recreation. She has a wonder husband and two beautiful girls.  She loves skiing, quilting, canning, gardening, exercising, hiking, travelling and the list goes on.

This position is currently vacant. Please contact: regionalambassadors@bctra.org if you are interested in this role.

This position is currently vacant. Please contact: regionalambassadors@bctra.org if you are interested in this role.