Linda Perry, Executive Director – oversees development and management of Vela Society’s work. As well, she provides direct support and facilitation to many Vela Microboards and individuals accessing support with CLBC’s IF funding stream. Linda’s other responsibilities include: project development; consulting support to families and organizations outside of B.C.; providing workshops and presentations; and initiating networking opportunities with other like-minded organizations.

Linda was a 2006 finalist for the YWCA’s Women of Distinction Award for Community Development. She recently received the B.C. Big Picture Award for 2011. Linda has advocated and worked for/with people with disabilities for nearly forty years. It was Linda who developed Vela’s first Microboards in 1989, and whose unparalleled commitment and leadership ever since has been pivotal and central to Vela’s growth and development. Vela’s many successes can be attributed to her over twenty years as our Executive Director.

Family and friends play an integral role in Linda’s life. She is the proud mother and grandmother t o her daughter, Brandy, and granddaughters, Samantha and Faith both amazing girls with special needs. Linda and her husband Bryan are also in the process of adopting to five exceptional and delightful children. Her large and boisterous family is a source of joy and inspiration for Linda.

Lori Emanuels - facilitator - Lori Emanuels originally trained as a licensed Practical Nurse. She has been a Vela facilitator for nearly ten years.

Lori grew up in the Okanagan. As an adult she moved to the Lower Mainland raising her two sons, Chuck and Joe, in Cloverdale. Lori is deeply committed to her children and her extended family. She has been a strong and consistent advocate for Chuck, who has autism, throughout his life. Lori in partnership with her son Joe, continues to ensure Chuck has a full and productive life.

Lori has used her talents as an advocate for Chuck to support and advocate for other individuals with special needs and for their families.

Terry Robertson - facilitator - Terry lives in Prince George with her husband Gord, son Drew and daughter Bree. Her daughter Bree-Anna has Cerebral Palsy. To meet the many needs Bree-Anna has Terry's family has become involved in many groups and organization over the years.

Terry has served on a variety of local committees with Social Service, sat on SunnyHill’s Parent Advisory Committee, and joined Family Support Institute in the mid ‘90’s.  In 1997 Terry joined the Family Summit group eventually becoming part what is presently the Community Living Coalition.

Kim Thomas - Kim is the Vela Office Manager and as such provides the important administrative and communication link between families, staff and support services. Kim is passionate about her work with Vela and believes strongly in the goals and important work done by the organization. Kim brings a diverse set of personal and management skills to complement the Vela team. Kim’s background is in office administration and service management. Kim grew up in Burnaby and now lives in Fort Langley with her husband and daughter. Kim is a past commissioner and longtime Guide Leader. Kim maintains her strength and motivation through her valued relationships with family, friends and colleagues.

Caitlin Goodsell - Caitlin was born and raised in the Kootenays and moved to the lower mainland in 2005 in order to complete her degree in Child Development Psychology. She currently resides in Coquitlam and enjoys spending time with her family and friends whenever possible. Caitlin has worked with people with disabilities all her life, starting out by helping with her disabled foster siblings. In more recent years she has worked for individuals that have their own microboards giving her a deeper understanding of the difference that support and service can make in the lives of individuals living with special needs and their families.

Sylvie Rousseau - Sylvie spent her childhood between the tiny island of Cortes and the big city of Vancouver. While she maintains a strong connection to the island she has lived in Vancouver with her husband since 2007. In 2010, shortly after completing her BA in Sociology, she joined the Vela team. Her role as facilitator was a natural next step after her previous jobs working with people with varying abilities and needs such as Peer Counselor, Learning Assistant, Therapy Assistant, and Community Connector. Her career path in the helping professions likely began at an early age. Growing up with a sister with Down Syndrome in a family that unceasingly advocated for her inclusion instilled in Sylvie a passion for helping others to overcome barriers to living fully supported and active lives. She will be going back to school to complete an MA in Occupational Therapy in September 2011.