So You Want to Be An OAVT Director?

OAVT Directors have an impact on the future of the RVT profession. OAVT Directors are RVT leaders, elected by their peers to accurately and justly represent the best interests of the Association while protecting the interest of the public by regulating the RVT profession, granting professional RVT credentials, and setting & maintaining the standards of the profession.

Responsibilities of the OAVT Board include:
  • Help direct the organization with respect to its Mission and Vision Statement and Association’s strategic directions
  • Protect the interests of the general public
  • Listen to and reflect on issues raised by the members and act in accordance with the best interests of the Association as a whole
  • Select confident, strong, and competent leaders to enhance the Association and its potential for the future
  • Communicate and work effectively with the Registrar and Executive Director
  • Communicate with key stakeholders to raise awareness and recognition for our Association and its members
OAVT Board members also receive significant benefits including but not limited to:
  • Invaluable leadership, management training, and experience
  • Opportunities to grow as an individual and develop skills that will benefit you both in your present and any future career paths
  • Ability to positively impact the OAVT, its members, and adherents
  • Honourary attendance at the OAVT Conference paid for by the Association
  • Honorary OAVT yearly membership dues
  • Reimbursement of travel expenses for attending scheduled meetings as determined by the operational policy of the Association

Continuing education recognition is available as a volunteer while serving in a Director role and/or participating in committees

Board of Directors Election

The OAVT 2024 Board of Directors Election will take place February 1, 2024, through February 15, 2024, at 5 p.m. There are five (5) director seats up for election.
Nominations

The first step in the OAVT Director Election process is to open the call for nominees. Any OAVT member in good standing can nominate an RVT or Retired RVT (RVTr) for a Director position. The call for nominations was open from September 25, 2023, through December 31, 2023. 

Election Timeline
  • Nominations open – September 25, 2023, through December 31, 2023, at 5 pm
  • Interested candidates must submit their nomination packages to the OAVT by 5 p.m. on January 15, 2024
  • Nominees are announced to the OAVT membership by January 31, 2024
  • Online election runs February 1, 2024, through February 15, 2024, at 5 pm

Frequently Asked Questions

The OAVT Board of Directors meets monthly. The meetings are held either at the OAVT office in Guelph or virtually. Each meeting starts at 9 am and typically concludes by 4 pm, oftentimes mid afternoon depending on the length of the agenda. Meetings are generally held on a Saturday.

Expenses to travel to the meetings are paid for by the OAVT.

The position of a Director is in the capacity of a volunteer; to contribute to and drive the future of the profession. When meeting in person, lunch is provided, and travel expenses are paid for as are overnight accommodations should those be required. Sitting on the Board of Directors is an opportunity open to all RVT and RVTr members across Ontario.

Being on the OAVT Board comes with the pride, leadership, and responsibility of guiding the profession and organization forward. There are a lot of skill-building opportunities. You will learn about all aspects of oversight and decision-making of an organization. This will include setting priorities and overseeing that they are met, creating budgets, monitoring financial performance, and learning how to assess critical information to make important decisions. Also, there are a lot of networking opportunities to meet with others in the veterinary community. The opportunity to learn about or enhance your existing skills in this area will contribute to leadership skill-building that is universally beneficial wherever your career path takes you.

Learn more about our current Board of Directors!

Kirsti Clarida,

Kelsey Streef,

Jessica O’Neill,

Helena Leigh Harper-Denson,

Hailey Farkas,

Shanna Himburg,

Wesley Harris,

Amanda Borton,

Vanessa Grandis,

PAST PRESIDENTS

2021 – Kirsti Clarida, RVT
2020 – Phil Nichols, RVT
2018 & 2019 – Damon Thompson, RVT
2016 & 2017 – Jody Carrick, RVT
2015 – Elise Wickett, RVT
2014 – Ron Southwell, RVT, VTS
2013 – Laura Sutton, RVT / Ron Southwell, RVT, VTS
2011 & 2012 – Laura Sutton, RVT
2010 – Tara Sefton, RVT / Laura Sutton, RVT
2009 – Tracy Cunliffe, RVT/Tara Sefton, RVT
2008 – Tracy Cunliffe, RVT
2006 & 2007 – Senani Ratnayake, RVT
2001 to 2005 – Tara Sefton, RVT

1998 to 2000 – Julie Ovington
1996 & 1997 – Adora Pridgar
1995 – Jodilyn Pitcher
1991 to 1994 – Monica Tighe, RVT
1989 & 1990 – Steve Hood
1986 to 1988 – Carrie Purcell
1983 to 1985 – Jan Zaharchuck
1977 to 1982 – Laura Keck
1976 – Tim Dunlop
1975 – Sheila Slater
1972 – 1974 – Mr. William A. Gonder
1970 & 1971 – D.G. Johnston

Past OAVT Board of Directors

Kirsti Clarida (P)
Lauralee Dorst (VP)
Julie Jones
Jessica O’Neill 
Lisa Skentelbery
Jodi Stolowski
Ann McCallum
Hailey Farkas
Kelsey Streef

Phil Nichols (P)
Kirsti Clarida (VP)
Lauralee Dorst
Julie Jones
Cally Merrit
Jessica O’Neill
Lisa Skentelbery
Andrea Steele
Jodi Stolowski

Damon Thompson (P)
Cally Merritt (VP)
Christine Archer
Darci Burtch
Julia Bitan
Stacey Huneke
Julie Jones
Nancy MacFarlane
Lauren O’Leary
Shaneka Willer

Jody Carrick (P)
Nancy MacFarlane (VP)
Christine Archer
Darci Burtch
Julia Bitan
LauraLee Dorst
Cally Merritt
Damon Thompson
Shaneka Willer

Jody Carrick (P)
Nancy MacFarlane (VP)
Damon Thompson
Christine Archer
Cally Merritt
Kristina Burns
Amanda Maknyik
Shaneka Willer (a)
Omar Jackson
Elise Wickett (P.Pres)

Elise Wickett (P)
Nancy MacFarlane (VP)
Damon Thompson
Christine Archer
Cally Merritt
Kristina Burns
Amanda Maknyik
Jody Carrick
Omar Jackson

Ron Southwell (P)
Elise Wickett (VP)
Damon Thompson
Sarah Birch
Kristina Burns
Amanda Maknyik
Nancy MacFarlane
Jody Carrick
Omar Jackson

Ron Southwell (P)
Elise Wickett (VP)
Laura Sutton
Sarah Birch
Kristina Burns
Amanda Maknyik
Brenda Duff
Jody Carrick
Omar Jackson

Laura Sutton (P)
Ron Southwell (VP)
Sarah Birch
Kristina Burns
Amanda Maknyik
Brenda Duff
Elise Wickett
Jody Carrick
Jen Springett

Laura Sutton (P)
Ron Southwell (VP)
Sarah Birch
Kristina Burns
Amanda Maknyik
Brenda Duff
Melissa Rogers
Sharon Matle
Jen Springett

Tara Sefton/Laura Sutton (P)
Ron Southwell (VP)
Kirsti Clarida
Stacey Huneke/Kristina Burns
Amanda Maknyik
Brenda Duff
Dawn Blades
Sharon Matle
Jennifer McDonell

Tracey Cunliffe/Tara Sefton (P)
Kirsti Clarida (VP)
Laura Sutton
Nadja Davidson
Stacey Huneke
Caroline Auer
Lisa Eidt
Julie Jones
Jennifer McDonell

Tracy Cunliffe (P)
Jennifer King
Nadja Davidson
Kirsti Clarida
Stephanie Klages
Senani Ratnayake
Brian Wilson
Lisa Eidt
Julie Jones
Jennifer McDonell

Senani Ratnayake (President)
Nancy Medlicott (VP)
Tracy Cunliffe
Catherine Martin
Stephanie Klages
Brian Wilson
Kelly Tallon
Jennifer McDonell

Senani Ratnayake (President)
Nancy Aitchison
Tamara Gillen
Susan Hines
Lisa Saunders
Brian Wilson
Kelly Tallon
Jennifer McDonell
Tara Sefton

Tara Sefton (President)
Nancy Aitchison
Tamara Gillen
Susan Hines
Lisa Saunders
Senani Ratnayake
Damon Thompson

Tara Sefton (President)
Rebecca Atkinson
Jennifer Williams
Tamara Gillen
Lisa Saunders
Senani Ratnayake
Julie Ball
Damon Thompson

Tara Sefton (President)
Christina Babulal (VP)
Rebecca Atkinson
Nikki Lefebvre
Lisa Saunders
Senani Ratnayake
Julie Ball
Damon Thompson

Tara Sefton (President)
Christina Babulal (VP)
Nikki Lefebvre
Julie Jones
Damon Thompson
Robyn Frederickson
Rebecca Atkinson
Lisa Saunders

Julie Ovington (President)
Christine Booth (VP)
Nikki Lefebvre
Damon Thompson
Christina Babulal
Tara Sefton
Rebecca Atkinson
Carol Feil

Julie Ovington (President)
Christine Booth (VP)
Heather Creasey
Julie Jones
Gillian Smith
Debbie Kingston
Sally Major
Steve Baker
Nikki Lefebvre
Christina Babulal
Tara Sefton

Julie Ovington (President)
Sally Clark (VP)
Heather Creasey
Julie Jones
Gillian Smith
Christine Booth
Christina Biggs
Debbie Kingston

Adora Pridar (President)
Gillian Smith (VP)
Heather Creasey
Julie Jones
Sally Clark
Christine Booth
Christina Biggs
Debbie Kingston
Julie Ovington

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Monica Tighe (President)
Jodilynn Pitcher (VP)
Debbie Cloutier
Melanie Lisle
Amanda Hathway
Heather Robertson
Iona Auger
Sally Clark
Jean Huffman
Kim Campbell

Monica Tighe (President)
Jodilynn Pitcher (VP)
Debbie Aird
Melanie Lisle
Amanda Hathway
Heather Robertson
Iona Auger
Sally Clark
Jean Huffman
Kim Campbell

Monica Tighe (President)
Melanie Lisle (VP)
Debbie Aird
Jodilynn Pitcher
Kim Townsley
Steve Hood
Heather Heibein
Mandy Hathway
Jean Huffman
Kim Campbell

Monica Tighe (President)
Melanie Lisle (VP)
Lauren O’Leary
Jodilynn Pitcher
Kim Townsley
Steve Hood
Jean Huffman
Heather Heibein
Valerie Gauweiler
Diane Leger
Cindy Robertson Gies
Mandy Hathway
Catherine Herman
Celeste Gallant
Kim Campbell

Steve Hood (President)
Betty-Jo Bromell (VP)
Yvonne Lane
Cindy Stoate
Annette Wynia
Monica Tighe
Anne Thompson
Heather Heibein
Melanie Lisle
Diane Leger

Steve Hood (President)
Betty-Jo Bromell (VP)
Yvonne Lane
Cindy Stoate
Annette Wynia
Monica Tighe
Lynn Jobe
Melanie Lisle
Anne Thompson

Barb Parsons (President)
Ingrid Alexy-Ferrede (VP)
Yvonne Lane
Betty-Jo Bromell
Steve Hood
Marjorie O’Donnell
Lynn Jobe
Gillian Smith
Christine Quarrington
Cindy Gies
Debbie Kimbell

Carrie Purcell (President)
Barb Parsons (VP)
Chris Quarrington
Tawni Nixon
Sue Carson
Marjorie O’Donnell
Joanne Clark
Shirley Inglis

Janet Zaharchuk (President)
Shirley Inglis
Barb Parsons
Carrie Purcell
Geoff Evans
Sue Carson
David Harding

Janet Zaharchuk (President)
Barb Salt
Helen McNaughton
Lucy Knight
Lorna Irwin
Sue Carson
Geoff Evans
Ingrid Alexy-Ferrede

Laura Keck (President)
Janet Zaharchuk (VP)
Helen McNaughton
Linda Lee
Lorna Irwin
Barb Makepeace
Kathy Gillanders
Marg Brown
Charlotte Coghill
Carrie Purcell

Laura Keck (President)
Kathy Gillanders (VP)
Chris Lipohar
Ann Toman
Lorna Irwin
Bruce Calderwood
Chris Labreque
Marg Brown
Barb Makepeace
Charlotte Coghill

Laura Keck (President)
Janet De Stephanis (VP)
Chris Lipohar
Lesley Lewis
Marg Brown
Bruce Calderwood
Maggie an Suchtelen

Laura Keck (President)
Jim Rahn (VP)
Barb Taylor
Heather Clark
Marg Brown
Steve Hood
Chris Lipohar

Laura Keck (President)
Jim Rahn (VP)
Barb Taylor
Marg Albers
Steve Hood
Chris Lipohar
Heather Clark

Laura Keck (President)
Jim Rahn (VP)
Barb Taylor
Brenda Basinger
Charlotte Foster
Steve Hood
Susan Brenner
Marg Albers

Tim Dunlop (President)
Joanne Hamel
Bill Gonder
Vicky Hannam
Charlotte Foster
Bob Burley
Shelley Nemeth
Barb Taylor
Barb Fisher

Sheila Slater (President)
Pat Johnston
Tim Dunlop
Vicky Hannam
Charlotte Foster
Bill Gonder
Bob Burley
Penny Souilliere

William Gonder (President)
Pat Johnston
John Harlton
Sheila Slater
Janet Wade
Vicky Hannam

William Gonder (President)
Pat Johnston
Tim Dunlop
Bob McKean
Vicky Hannam
Sheila Slater
John Harlton

William Gonder (President)
Vicky Hannam
Donald Johnston
Sheila Slater

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