About Us

“It’s hard to find someone who hasn’t been touched by cancer in our family or friendship circle and I am no exception.” Lynda is passionate about helping others and Brooksong Retreat & Cancer Support Centre has a profound way to help people with cancer. Lynda worked in the public service for 35 years in a variety of roles including as a Director of Human Resources. She has effectively used strategic thinking and strong leadership to achieve organizational goals. Lynda’s skills include leadership development, labour relations, financial and operational management. She is an avid reader, lifelong learner and enjoys fishing, swimming, canoeing and martial arts.

Thea is a Haliburton resident who comes to Brooksong Retreat & Cancer Support Centre with a wealth of teaching and curriculum-building experience. In addition to her experience in Canadian schools, Thea was an active volunteer internationally implementing literacy, nutrition, and health programs for children in India and educational HIV/AIDS programmes in Africa. She is a volunteer with several other local community organizations.A cancer diagnosis for her daughter, and later, her husband, profoundly affected her relationship towards this disease. In her words, “both had cancers that were life threatening involving surgery and heavy treatments with debilitating side effects and the caregiver role fell to me. Caring for a loved one with cancer becomes a lifelong task; the fear of recurrence is ever present.”It was the search for wholeness and stability in the midst of living with a cancer diagnosis, that led Thea to help establish the Brooksong Retreat & Cancer Support Centre. The hope was that participants might find a community of support, understanding and care to nurture and mitigate the discombobulating effects of cancer for both caregiver and cancer participant.

Max lives in the village of Minden and enjoys rural life; swimming, camping, hiking, canoeing, growing a garden, and flying a Cessna 172 (private pilot!). The Reverend Max Ward is an Ordained United Church of Canada Minister. Max volunteers in the community in a number of ways.“As a cancer survivor myself, I know how cancer can really change your life and your perspective on life.  I was diagnosed with skin cancer, Melanoma, in 2005. It rocked my world. Fortunately, it was caught in time. I feel I have been given a second chance at life! I want to help others to experience the care and support I received.  Not everyone comes from a supportive community so that is why I support the programs of Brooksong Retreat & Cancer Support Centre. It means the world to me that I can actively help so many other people in my own small way.”

“My experiences with Brooksong Retreat & Cancer Support Centre helped me find my way back to joy; in turn, I brought my energy and skills back to Brooksong. I have been a participant, a volunteer, a therapist, and now a Board Member with this impactful organization.”Jennifer’s first profession, as a Massage Therapist, allows her to apply therapeutic skills with empathy and caring through the lens of whole-person care. In 2019, she completed advanced training as a Combined Decongestive Therapist (CDT) to treat lymphedema and provide cancer care. Jennifer’s second career, in education, allows her to work with others to support transformational growth and deep connection in a safe environment.“There is deep trauma from cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery but an immense opportunity for growth and change. The priority can be to find meaning in how you fill your days. Now I seek out challenges and connections outside of her comfort zone. I find it a great adventure and an honour to be part of the Brooksong team.”

Georgiena enjoys rural living and has lived in the Haliburton Highlands for over 40 years. Being a mother, grandmother and retired educator has brought her much joy. She loves the outdoors and long walks to take in what nature so abundantly offers.“Having had 2 cancers that were caught in the early stages, with minimal treatment required, I feel blessed. Cancer has touched many people in my family, and losing a cousin in childhood and father, who was only in his sixties, (after fighting cancer for 17 years) has had a deep impact on my life.”Volunteering, and helping others has always been a part of her life.. She started assisting in the Brooksong kitchen at some of the early retreats and still loves volunteering there at every opportunity. She also feels honoured to be part of the Board and to learn more about how this organization has helped so many.

Paul has recently joined the board after moving back to his home in the Kawartha Lakes area and was looking for ways to have impact in the community in which he lives. The mission and outcome of the work that Brooksong Retreat & Cancer Support Centre performs resonated deeply with him so he was thrilled and humbled when an offer to join the board was extended. Paul currently works for the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Physical and Health Education and has served on 3 separate not for profit boards in the GTA. Paul is looking forward to working with his colleagues, Brooksong staff, and all stakeholders to bring stability and growth to the incredibly important work that Brooksong performs in supporting those with cancer and their key/support people/caregivers.

Michelle moved to Haliburton in 2022 with her husband and two daughters. Michelle currently leads The Regional Municipality of York’s Office of Continuous Improvement & Customer Experience Innovation. Michelle brings a background in corporate communications, continuous improvement and expertise in strategic planning, facilitation, organizational culture and transformational change to the Board.Deeply committed to collaboration, Michelle has a deep-seated belief in harnessing the power of community to achieve meaningful connection and support positive change. Joining the Board in 2024, Michelle has been endlessly inspired by the organization and its impact on people’s lives. She feels humbled and honored to serve on the Board. In her personal time, Michelle loves to get outside with her family and her golden retriever and enjoy everything this beautiful area has to offer.

After a long career in business, Keith was looking for ways of continuing to learn while giving back to communities.  Keith was attracted to Brooksong by its clear purpose that resonated with him after losing a good friend to cancer recently, as well as other family and friends in the past.  As an avid cyclist, Keith also rode with his cycling team in Tour for Kids for many years, which raised funds for camps that helped to make kids with cancer feel like kids again.  Keith hopes to bring skills gathered in his career as auditor, consultant and CEO to the Board, including strategic thinking and operating effective teams.  Family is a very important part of Keith’s life as he and his wife have three married sons and five young grandchildren who bring lots of joy and happiness to their lives.  He also loves the outdoors and in addition to cycling, you will find him hiking, kayaking, cross country skiing and anything else that gets him out in nature, especially in the Haliburton Highlands where the family has had a second home for 34 years.