Board of Directors

Carissa is excited to be serving the Family Transition Place (FTP) and its stakeholders as a member of the Board.  She and her husband are long time Hockley Valley residents, and along with their two children believe it is important be active in supporting their local community.  With a professional background of marketing, design, analytics, communications and branding, Cari is looking forward to contributing to the continued success of FTP.

Denyse is very honored to be selected to the FTP Board of Directors and to uphold the vision, mission and values of this very important and much needed organization.

As a former employee of Community Living Dufferin, where she worked for 22 years, Denyse enjoyed supporting people directly and then managing staff teams. She brought to these roles her belief and understanding of dignity and respect for all. These are the same values and reason she was drawn to become involved with FTP.

Denyse has been a resident of Orangeville for 25 years and feels very fortunate to have the opportunities a community such as ours provides. From raising her two children, being a local volunteer and working towards new goals, Denyse knows and appreciates the good fortune many in our community enjoy. She now looks forward to her role with FTP and to be able to give back to her community.

Tony Maxwell is a writer and communications professional who has been involved with FTP over the years in several capacities, focusing in particular on raising awareness among men and boys that violence against women and girls “is a men’s issue.” As part of MENtors, a group of local men supporting the work of FTP, he has organized fundraising events for FTP, including WALK IN HER SHOES (pink heels) walks, poster campaigns, and spoken to service clubs and churches. Tony has worked in communications in the House of Commons, at Queen’s Park and now in the municipal sector, at the Town of Caledon. He is owner of Headwaters Media, a local communications/marketing company. For many years he has been a minor hockey referee in Caledon and Orangeville.  He enjoys fitness, dog-walking, photography and reading.

Kimberly Van Ryn is a Child and Youth Worker, Human Services BA, Registered Yoga Teacher, owner and executive director of Branching Out Support Services, community developer, training to be a trauma specialist, volunteer, peace lover and life-long learner. Although Kim has worked for non-profit charities in the past, this is her first opportunity to serve on a non-profit board and she is so thrilled to give back to Family Transition Place and serve the community in this way. Currently with Branching Out, Kim’s work focuses on people who have a neuro-diversity (developmental or cognitive disability) but, all of her work focuses on community FIRST and Kim loves promoting connection, strengths-based care solutions, empowerment of ALL people to live and thrive in their chosen communities and fostering both inclusion and diversity. When not working, you can catch Kim on her yoga mat, out on the trail, sitting in women’s circles, reading and spending time with her partner and the families they support.

Bio to come.