Advisory Board
Dr. Tim Stockwell, Director, Center for Addictions Research of BC (CARBC) - In addition to being Director of CARBC, Tim Stockwell is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Victoria. Dr. Stockwell has published over 200 research papers, book chapters and monographs, plus several books on prevention and treatment issues. Dr. Stockwell is a Psychologist who accomplished both clinical and research work in the UK before spending 16 years with Australia's National Drug Research Institute as Deputy Director and then Director. He studied Psychology and Philosophy at Oxford University and obtained a PhD at the Institute of Psychiatry, University of London. For more information on CARBC please go to http://www.carbc.ca/
Dr. Paul Bramadat, Director Centre for Studies in Religion and Society (CSRS) - (CSRS has no affiliation with any religion and has no religious agenda – they simply study the affects of religion on society) Paul Bramadat received his BA in religious studies from the University of Winnipeg (1990), his MA in religion and culture from McGill University (1993) and his PhD in religious studies from McMaster University (1998). In addition to directing the CSRS, Paul holds teaching appointments in the Department of History and the Religious Studies Major Program at the University of Victoria. He taught in the Religious Studies Department at the University of Winnipeg from 1998-2008. He is an active member of the Metropolis Project, an international and national network for comparative public policy research on migration, diversity and immigrant integration in urban centres. For more information on the CSRS please go to http://csrs.uvic.ca/
Nancy Pike, MSW, UVic School of Social Work - Nancy is a committed social justice advocate who believes peer support and mutual aid are not only essential during a recovery journey, but lay at the heart of all vibrant communities. Nancy’s background includes teaching, administration and community development that span over 25 years in BC and Alberta. During the 1990’s Nancy worked as the administrator for a non-profit society that assisted individuals to move from the large provincial institutions to communities where they built new lives and rich relationships. Networks of friends and family were at the core of coming home, illustrating that formal social systems are not all we need to flourish in our lives. Nancy moved on to complete her Master’s degree and coordinate a provincial project to support children and youth with mental health and addictions to build peer support and mutual aid in five BC communities. Most recently she is a practicum coordinator for the UVic School of Social Work, the Interim Social Work Practice Leader for the Vancouver Island Health Authority and a board member of the BC Schizophrenia Society. Family, friends and strong social networks continue to be central to Nancy’s life. Nancy welcomes this opportunity to contribute to the development of LifeRing Secular Recovery. For more information on UVIC SOSW please go to http://socialwork.uvic.ca/
Karin Hanwell, CHEK TV Victoria - “I’m very proud to be in Marketing and Sales for CHEK and am particularly proud to be a co-owner of CHEK.” Born in Montreal, Karin relocated to Victoria, BC in 2008. She's been fortunate enough to live in the United States, Ontario and France. A diverse background includes sole ownership of a successful restaurant for 5 years. Following the sale of the restaurant, Karin was General Manager of Food Services at University of Western Ontario inspiring 55 employees and assisting in creating unique eateries on campus such as the first café within an academic library in Canada. These experiences created a natural fit for her next role as General Manager of Covent Garden Market in London, Ont, a distinctive retail space including 52 owner-operated businesses. Primary responsibilities included marketing, leasing and public relations.In 2003, Karin accepted the position of Sales Promotions Manager for /A\ Channel London, Windsor and Wingham and was appointed Director of Community Relations for the three television stations in 2005. In 2005, /A\ was awarded the Canadian Association of Broadcasters Gold Ribbon Award for Community Service for a project related to Cultural Diversity. In 2004, the station was awarded the Silver Ribbon Award in Community Service for a project that supported the Children’s Health Foundation.“Assisting local businesses and organizations to reach new heights has been the most rewarding part of my career in broadcasting.” For more information on CHEK TV please go to http://www.cheknews.ca/
Dr. Terry Powers, Professor, Faculty of Management at Royal Roads University - He previously held appointments with a number of leading national and international universities. Professor Power is a Wharton Fellow in the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania. In 2008 Power joined the Oxford Round Table, Harris Manchester College, Oxford University. He frequently undertakes consulting assignments for the public and private sectors and has been the keynote speaker at several National conferences. Power is an associate of the Round Table Group, an expert services firm headquartered in Washington D.C. The consulting group has been named on Inc. Magazine's prestigious list of the fastest growing U.S. private companies four times. As a columnist, Power is a regular contributor to a number of national business publications and is frequently identified as an authoritative media source. His most recent texts, “International Business: A Canadian Perspective”, and “Power’s Student Case Study Analysis and Writers’ Handbook” both published by Thompson – Nelson have been well received. Power is sits on a number of national advisory boards and councils to include the The Knowledge Management Institute of Canada (KMIC) and the Comprehensive Security Studies Group (CSSG). Dr. Power is an ex Infantry officer who enjoys the works of Tom Clancy, espouses the teachings of Sun Tzu, and his universe centers on his grandson, Matthew ‘TJ’, and granddaughter Meaghan Anne McCluskey! For more information on the RRU Faculty of Management please go to http://management.faculty.royalroads.ca/
Melanie Alsager, Owner, Sunshine Coast Health Centre - Melanie is currently doing her EMBA at Royal Roads University and LifeRing Canada is the benefactor of her research on Strategic Planning, Fund Development and Marketing. Melanie brings depth and breadth of experience in the field of substance abuse and addiction treatment and LifeRing is grateful to have her on board. In addition, Sunshine Coast Health Centre is currently working to incorporate LifeRing into their aftercare programs. For more information on SCHC please go to www.schc.ca.
Alina Sotskova, Doctoral Student in Clinical Psychology at the University of Victoria. She is also a member of the Intersections of Mental Health Perspectives in Addictions Research Training (IMPART) program. Her current research and clinical interests include substance misuse and its treatment; relationships between substance misuse, trauma, and mental health; and community-based initiatives. Alina’s previous research experience includes working with trauma survivors, persons who are recovering from substance misuse, and at-risk couples during the transition to parenthood. For more information on the UVIC Department of Psychology please go to http://web.uvic.ca/psyc/. Alina is currently the Training Coordinator at LifeRing Canada and was responsible for the Convenor Training Program and the Trainers Program. As well she played a major role in the first every research study of LifeRing members in Canada.
