Lynn Courey, President

Lynn, C.S.W., graduated from McGill University in marketing and entrepreneurship. In 2017, Lynn was National Recipient of “CAMH difference makers – 150 Leading Canadians for Mental Health”. She is trained as Family Connections leader representing NEABPD in Canada. Along with her husband Mike, her daughter Kayla and the help of many friends and relatives, Lynn is a founding member of The Sashbear Foundation created in memory of her daughter Sasha. Lynn brings a notable family perspective from lived experience.

Rick Goldsmith, Treasurer

Rick is a Fellow of the Chartered Professional Accountants Association of Ontario. He recently retired from KPMG where he worked his entire professional career, including as a Corporate Finance and Risk Management Partner in its Advisory practice. Rick has always been involved with community organizations, including on the Boards of the Toronto Public Library, the Rotary Club and its Foundation, and the Toronto Community Foundation, respectively.

Rick and his wife, Robin are recent participants in Sashbear’s Family Connections program.

Terry Crosby, Director of Indigenous Relations

As an Indigenous person with knowledge of the culture, and as the son of a residential school survivor, Terry (B.A., M.A.) has the privilege to speak with others about issues pertaining to his mother’s experience in residential schools and to encourage participation in the truth and reconciliation process. Terry works alongside Indigenous youth and families, and partners with Indigenous communities, to foster healing and restoration to lives affected by residential school traumas. Sashbear has been an essential part of hope for himself, and for loved ones struggling with emotional dysregulation. Terry first facilitated Family Connections in 2018 and continues support Sashbear in his role as Director, giving back to help others move forward with hope and skills.

Dr. Julie Jomphe, Director

Dr. Julie Jomphe has been a practicing psychiatrist at Lanaudière regional hospital (CISSS Lanaudière, Montréal, Quebec, since 2001. She was appointed as an assistant professor of psychiatry at University of Montreal in 2021. In 2003, Dr. Jomphe was introduced to the DBT and received training with Dr. Marsha Linehan in 2005 and 2013. After having completed the intensive DBT training in 2015 and the Family Connection training with Alan Fruzzetti in 2016, she collaborated with Sashbear to implement the first Family Connections program in French in Quebec in 2017. Since 2021, she sits as a member of the Board of the directors at Sashbear Foundation.

Kathy Hunter, Director of Education

Kathy earned an honours degree in Marketing from York University in Toronto, Ontario and has more than 15 years in the food & beverage industry, with a focus on developing and marketing powerhouse brands to a variety of audiences. Kathy is a member of the Women’s Foodservice Forum. Kathy began facilitating Family Connections in 2015.

Jill Townsend, Director of Family Engagement, Diversity and Inclusion

Jill, B.A., M.A., has over 25 years of experience in litigation research and management. She is a Family Connections Facilitator, and passionate about helping families, with skills connection and hope. Jill has ASIST suicide first aid, trauma and resilience, and MBSR and self-compassion mindfulness training. Jill also sits on numerous BC mental health committees, and in 2022 joins the ISSPD Board (as a Family Partner, experience supporting loved ones with BPD). Nothing for us – without us, & no one left behind. Together, we make change.

Christiane Devaud, Director of French Programming

With degrees in three languages, literature, and executive administration, and a certification in French-English translation, Christiane is now working for a large organization in Toronto. She has always volunteered in some capacity in her life. Since 2014, she has volunteered primarily with Sashbear, helping wherever she is needed. Christiane has been a Family Connections facilitator for several years; she has been facilitating in French since 2020.

Vanessa Dreyer, Secretary

Vanessa brings over 16 years of Corporate Executive Administration experience to Sashbear. Currently in an HR Specialist role, she is excited to return to her strengths of attention to detail, event planning, and leadership support. Vanessa and her husband David have completed the Sashbear Family Connections program and found it so transformative in supporting their daughter with emotional dysregulation. Vanessa is passionate about supporting Sashbear’s Vision and Mission Statement and is thrilled to be part of the Sashbear Family.