Meet our Board Members
Bev Knight, Chair
Bev is an artist, teacher and alumni member at The Art Studios. It was because of her passionate belief in the program that she founded the Vancouver Recovery Through Art Society. Her love for art has been a lifelong vocation.
Ann Webborn, Vice Chair
Despite being somewhat retired from her career as an occupational therapist, Ann has worked at The Art Studios since its inception in 1992, where she teaches a beginners and intermediate printmaking class. Ann strongly believes in the benefits of making art and being part of an art community for individuals with a mental illness and/or addictions.
Asifa Hirji, Treasurer
Asifa, an Audit Senior Manager at KPMG, has ten years of audit experience with various not-for-profit and charitable organizations (NPOs). She is an active member of KPMG’s Public Sector and NPO practice group in BC.
Susan Martell, Secretary
Passionate about improving the organizations she has worked for in the UK and Canada, Susan is currently a senior manager at BC Hydro stewarding business process improvement. Her love of art and belief in its importance in people’s lives motivates her to support the worthy cause of Recovery Through Art and to do all that she can to see the survival and continued growth of the Art Studios.
Pearl Martin, Director
Pearl is a participant at The Art Studios where she teaches Art and Creativity. She is an expert potter as well as manager of her company, Green Tea Services.
Dr. Ron Gibson MD, FRCPC, DTM&H, Director
Ron is a Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at UBC, is in private practice, as well as travels regularly to Haida Gwaii to see patients for Vancouver Coastal Health.
Cynthia Bouchard, Director
Cynthia works for the federal government as Manager of the BC Federal Council. She believes in giving back to the community and has been part of multiple fundraising campaigns. Her passion is wellness and mental health, and she believes every person can reach their full potential through hope and transformational initiatives like The Art Studios.
Annalies Camfferman, Director
Annalies is a retired psychiatric nurse dedicated to creating a vibrant arts scene in Vancouver. She is a recipient of the Mayor’s Arts Awards, an avid volunteer, and a former member of The Cultch’s Board of Directors. Her support for Vancouver Recovery Through Art is a perfect combination of her interest in art and former career in mental health.
Kevin Love, Director
Kevin is a lawyer whose current practice focuses largely on mental health law at the Community Legal Assistance Society. He helps clients with their legal issues, at often a very difficult time in their lives, but is excited to help our charity that takes a much broader view of recovery and wellness. He looks forward to working with the Board to secure stable funding that will allow this organization to do its amazing work now and into the future.
Ryley Mennie, Director
Ryley is a lawyer with passion for meaningful advocacy, and in particular, with respect to matters involving mental illness. His strong insights, due to his pro bono work on behalf of clients who have been detained under the Mental Health Act, make him a valuable contributor to our charity’s vision. His background, which includes coming from a family where his father is a professional artist and his wife a psychiatrist, gives him a great understanding of the power of art.