Meet Our Team of Accomplished and Purpose-driven Board Members

Robin Fisher, President, believes that life-long learning is a prescription for regeneration and continued health and well-being as we age. A seasoned senior university administrator, he played a key role in establishing two new universities, the University of Northern British Columbia and Mount Royal University in Alberta. Robin is also an historian who has published popular, prize-winning books on British Columbia history. As an educator, he relishes teaching Elder College courses, especially watching eyes light up, insights land, and minds grow.

John Black, Vice President, is a dyed-in-the-wool educator, with a fondness for art and travel. With degrees from Cambridge and Simon Fraser, and a PhD from UBC, all in Philosophy, he taught Liberal Studies at Vancouver Island University for more than two decades. As Dean of Social Sciences, he pioneered Adventures in Mind, a program of educational travel for community members. Then he spearheaded its transition into a non-profit society. John delights in teaching European travel and art history courses.

Joyce Smith, Treasurer, brings her experience with business start-ups, fundraising knowledge, passion for life-long learning, plus boundless energy to Elder College. As a retired CPA in public accounting practice for almost 50 years, she worked with many start-up businesses. She graduated with degrees in English and Creative Writing at the age of 74, and now wants to ensure that other seniors have the opportunity to keep learning. Her experience with the VIU Foundation and the Nanaimo Community Foundation has given her valuable insights into the dynamics of charitable giving.

Sue Carson, Secretary, has a knack for business and writing news stories, and possesses a wry sense of humour. She was the owner/publisher of an award-winning community newspaper before returning to Simon Fraser University as a mature student to earn a Masters in Business Administration and Economics. She then resurfaced on the Sunshine Coast where she worked in business management and volunteered. Currently, Sue is the treasurer of Oceanside Newcomers Alumni Association and the servant of her dog, Beau.

Jacqui Townsend, Director, discovered early on that volunteering opens doors. It led her to positions with the federal government and the board of the Nanoose Library, and to teaching the Orion-Gillingham method to dyslexic children. In 1990 Jacqui went back to school. Her studies in the medical field led to work in a hospital for seniors until she retired. These days, Jacqui enjoys writing flash fiction, essays, and poetry, and caring for her 24-year-old cat. Jacqui shepherds a large team of volunteers for Elder College.

Anne-Marie Lafleur, Director, has a heart for spreading the word about Elder College and planning promotional events. After retiring from her demanding work as an adjudicator in the dispute resolution field, she was thrilled to regenerate herself by taking Elder College courses. She soon joined the board to publicize the wonderful opportunities for life-long learning offered by the many dedicated volunteer instructors who are passionate about their subject and love sharing their knowledge

Pam Petrie, Director, is a huge fan of life-long learning. That’s why she supports Elder College and enjoys working with others to program its courses. Pam is backed by degrees in economics, a Master of Business Administration, and certification as a human resource professional. She has employed her talents in the manufacturing, government, and not-for-profit sectors, most notably for the Vancouver Aquarium and the Vancouver Canucks. Pam brings her people skills, warm presence, and calm way of doing things to the Elder College community.

Steve Lane, Director, brings his excitement for building new things, along with his educational administration experience, to the reborn Elder College. Steve is a retired English professor. His research was focused on the English Romantic poets and the American writer Ernest Hemingway. Also a former Dean of Arts and Humanities at VIU, he has long been an advocate for life-long learning. Steve enjoys teaching Elder College courses and leading groups of avid learners on tours for Adventures in Mind.

Lorrie Jamieson, Director, is an avid writer with a keen eye for details and bottom lines. Initially drawn to Elder College for its diverse and enjoyable courses, she rapidly came to appreciate how life-long learning keeps seniors happy and healthy, and their communities vibrant. Lorrie now crafts course descriptions, grant proposals, and business plans for Elder College. She is backed by a wealth of experience as a legal secretary and a Judge’s secretary for the British Columbia Supreme Court. A nomad at heart, Lorrie brings an understanding of what makes communities tick.

Charles Shier, Director, has a head for spreadsheets, financial projections, and long-range planning. As a chartered accountant, he worked in public practice careers with Price Waterhouse and Grant Thornton, and as chief financial officer in private business. More than a numbers guy, Charles is passionate about bicycling, curling, and reading. Since 2018 he has participated in over a dozen Elder College and Love of Learning program courses focused on botany, geography, and environmental justice.

Edyth Friesen, Director, is devoted to writing that prepares the ground for fresh insight, mutual understanding, and constructive action to blossom. In serving Elder College, she weaves her MA in Communications Studies, together with senior management experience, and a multifaceted writing background including journalism, public relations, marketing, creative non-fiction, and fiction. She has worked in many sectors and has led writing workshops throughout Canada and abroad. Learning is Edyth’s life-giving tonic.