Board Members

Our Board Members

Interested in a position with Clay Tree? Volunteer to be a Clay Tree board member!

Alexandria Stuart

President of the Board

Mother of 21-year-old Clay Tree participant Gabriel, Alexandria has spent the last two decades advocating for her son across a variety of government ministries and services.
Her focus has shifted now to facilitating and amplifying the voices of adult self-advocates.

Alexandria graduated from Vancouver Island University with a degree in Journalism, Creative Writing and Publishing. She is currently an editorial assistant and typesetter at Broadview Press, an independent Canadian publisher in the humanities. Her career path has also taken her through the music industry, radio, television, and print journalism. She served as the Branch Coordinator for the Autism Society of BC on Vancouver Island for seven years where she facilitated programming, advocacy, and caregiver support groups.

Alexandria is deeply committed to the health and growth of Nanaimo‘s disability community as a whole. She’s excited to bring her communications, business, marketing, and event planning experience; background in disability advocacy; and local contacts to the board as it navigates its way forward during the transition to a new ED, and fundraising for the development and eventual build on Clay.

Catherine McHardy

Board Member

Mother to a future clay tree participate; fun loving 7 year old with a 1 on 1 designation. She grew up being around kids with special needs as her dad was a special needs teacher back home in Ontario. Catherine has over 18 years experience in the financial industry, from investing, real estate, day to day back to current where she is a Relationship Manager at the BMO. She prides herself on putting the customers first, being proactive and helping medium size business on Vancouver Island grow to their full potential. Catherine is a Certified event planner and enjoys using her skills to benefit her community. She wants to make sure these programs are around for her son and accessible to everyone who needs them. She is an ongoing advocate for her son and other parents of young children trying to access support.

Kellina Lang

Board Member

I have lived in Nanaimo since 2000, I moved here after I graduated from the University of Victoria where I specialized in English and Social Sciences. Soon after moving to Nanaimo, I started my career in call centre management where I worked for 4.5 years before deciding to return to school to obtain a Master’s Degree in Business Administration where I specialized in Marketing. After this, I worked in Marketing for 2.5 years, then changed career paths and accepted a position in Human Resources at Fisheries and Oceans Canada where I have been employed for the last 13 years.

I have volunteered in this community periodically since 2003 at a number of different organizations such as the Vancouver Island Crisis Line, as a family counsellor at Nanaimo Family Life, as a unit leader at Girl Guides Canada and most recently have started fostering cats at the Cat Nap Society

I hope Clay Tree will benefit from my work experience in Human Resources, Management and Marketing. I take a common-sense approach to solving problems, have a straightforward attitude, and enjoy working with others in collaboration towards a common purpose.

Dione van Beynum

Board Member

I am the parent and primary caregiver of a special needs adult who attends one of the Clay Tree programs, which I feel puts me in a unique position to understand and present the caregiver/advocate perspective. I feel that my unique background, experience and perspective will be an asset to the Board.

Professionally, I have had considerable experience as a Registered Nurse and currently own a retail shop in downtown Nanaimo.

Additionally, I have served on the boards of several volunteer organizations in the past, including the Parent Advisory Committees of three elementary schools, the Vancouver Island Children’s Book Festival, and the Island Stitchery Guild. I have held positions as President, Treasurer, Web Developer, and general volunteer on committees both within those organizations and also with the Downtown Nanaimo Business Association. More recently I have been involved in Re-Imagine Nanaimo and other downtown improvement consultations.

Lisa Nissinen

Board Member

Lisa graduated from Vancouver Island University with a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Anthropology as well as from the University of Victoria with a Bachelor of Social Work with a specialization in child protection. She also has a diploma in leadership development from Camosun Collage. In her early career she owned and developed a series of retail business employing up to 50 people and importing goods from overseas.
Lisa has worked within the community living sector for the past 18 years. Her career began as a community support worker, and later as a home share coordinator for VITAL society in the Cowichan Valley. Upon completion of her Bachelor of Social work from the University of Victoria, Lisa took a position with Community Living BC as a quality service analyst where she spent the next decade working with agencies throughout Vancouver Island to deliver services to individuals with Autism and developmental disabilities. She holds extensive knowledge of government contracting, policy, and guiding principles.
Lisa is an avid hiker, having finished the west coast trail in 2021, and finds joy in the practices of yoga and meditation. Lisa is currently attending school full time with the California College of Ayurveda. Lisa is island raised, and has lived in Nanaimo, for the past 10 years with her 16-year-old son. She spent 7 years volunteering her time with Scouts Canada in Nanaimo
supporting youth to engage with the outdoors.

Travis Sippel

Board Member

Travis Sippel is a member in good standing, with a great understanding and passion for the mission and work of Clay Tree. He is an experienced lawyer who primarily practices in the areas of insurance litigation, personal injury, and employment law. Travis grew up outside of Kelowna, British Columbia, and completed his undergraduate studies at both the University of Victoria in Victoria and Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo. He attended the University of Alberta in Edmonton for law school and practiced with a regional law firm in Alberta before relocating to Nanaimo in 2018. Travis also advises Boards on governance and will bring this expertise to the Clay Tree Board.

Nathan Flower

Board Member

My name is Nathaniel Flower, everyone calls me Nathan. I am a recent graduate from was of John Barsby Secondary School. I was valedictorian and won a scholarship for my undergraduate degree, $55,000 over the next 5 years for any university in B.C. I have chosen VIU to begin my university studies. I will be taking a Bachelor of Science, majoring in chemistry. I then plan to use this undergraduate degree to get into law school. Clay Tree is an organization that is very involved with the community and have a high respect for the work they do in the community. I have my own personal experience with family members living with disabilities and believe that I will bring a fresh perspective to the Clay Tree board.

Bobi Pebernat

Board Member

I am recent graduate of the Vancouver Island University Social Services Worker Diploma program and am excited to be a part of growing/supporting the Clay Tree community. I spent my practicum program for 3+ months with the Clay Tree Society. . I am passionate about being a social service worker and will be a loyal volunteer to your organization. I am also passionate and committed to Clay Tree’s mission and value and I promise to advocate for those that Clay Tree supports.

Olga Leitch

Board Member

Olga immigrated to Canada as a single parent more than 20 years ago. She is a Canadian citizen but she finds her roots in the indigenous peoples of Siberia and belongs to the Northern Buryat clan of Big Wolf (russ. Большой Волк, buryat. Эхэ Шоно). Olga has 4 children, she is a UBC alumna (BA, 2019) and holds a Master’s degree in philosophy of religion from the University of Chicago (2021). Olga is a versatile, highly skilled individual capable of contributing effectively to diverse organizational needs, driven by a passion for making a meaningful impact on society. Olga’s mother, Larissa, was a person with disability who, despite being visually impaired since childhood, became a college instructor. Larissa dedicated her time to helping people with disabilities and it is Olga’s heartfelt wish to continue her mother’s mission.