David first connected with Pathways Clubhouse back in 2004, as the member responsible for Learning & Development at the Richmond R.C.M.Police, through a partnership that saw Pathways’ Members and Staff provide a series of introductory interactive information sessions for local Law Enforcement, designed to increase awareness and reduce stigma associated to mental health issues.

As a member of the Board of Directors for Pathways Clubhouse, David was fortunate enough to be able to attend the Clubhouse International 2017 World Seminar held in Detroit, MI (September 2017), and was a panel presenter on a session related to Board Selection and Utilization. His “connection” to Connections Place first began in June 2015, as the Emcee for the Moms Like Us – Clubhouse Builder (Launch) Gala, held at the UVIC Faculty Club. There David presented to, and met with, the Chiefs of the Regional Law Enforcement agencies in attendance.

He has continued to support Connections Place, emceeing the Annual Growing Connections – Friend Raising Gala, in November 2022. He has continued to offer his support to Connection Place, behind the scenes, and has attended the Connections Place Clubhouse location(s) on a number of occasions. Most recently, David has set out to “re-ignite” the relationship with local Law Enforcement agencies.

Mr. Priest graduated from the British Columbia Institute of Technology. Prior to university he filed for his first patent at 19 years old. He then worked in the telecommunications field for over 28 years with Telus. Prior to co-founding Lite Access Technologies in 2005, and then taking it public 2015 on the TSX-V and NYSE BB, Mr. Priest held various senior management positions in the telecommunications field including, Vice President of Sales for Teraspan Networks, and Telos technologies. There he managed international sales and was a key contributor to the engineering and design of fibre optic networks globally. He also sat on the economic advisory board for the City of Richmond, BC. for 8 years and was an active big brother for 20 years. He has also completed 50+ telecommunication, engineering and business courses over the past 20 years. Mr. Priest was a finalist for EY’s Entrepreneur of the year in 2017 where he was runner up. He is currently the Director of Catapult Industries, a entrepreneur launch company, a board member of Pathways clubhouse and the President & CEO of H2O leak detect.

I was born and raised in Victoria and have lived in the city my whole life, except for the four years after university when I lived and worked in Ottawa. I have also travelled internationally. I spent almost all of my 20s in university which led, initially, to a career in science where, during graduate school and after, I specialized in studying immunology and tropical diseases. However, by my mid-30s I knew that science wasn’t going to be my long term path; though I also knew that I wanted to leverage my science knowledge.

To this end, during my mid-30s through to my early 50s, I acquired business expertise and spent about 15 years working at the University of Victoria in a number of administrative and organizational roles. These included: helping adults change careers; supporting student and faculty inventors and entrepreneurs; mentoring not-for-profit groups; working with the special needs community; coordinating fundraising and revenue generation from federal, provincial, philanthropic and private sector sources; and helping organize and grow large UVic projects under strategic sustainability models.

At this point, one of the things I am starting to do, along with exploring some new hobbies, is to look for new and aligning volunteer opportunities, where I can work with individuals or small groups in a meaningful and supportive capacity. I’m glad to be contributing to Connections Place as a Board Member, and offering my support and experience.

Adrian has a strong personal and professional interest in mental health and helping others who have been impacted by mental health challenges. He strives to reduce the stigma around mental illness.  On a personal level, he has lost family to a mental health illness, and he has other friends and family that are being affected by mental health challenges.

Adrian graduated with a Doctorate of Pharmacy from UBC in 2019 and has been practicing as a pharmacist in the Greater Victoria and Cowichan valley region since.  He currently works providing medication management and oversight to vulnerable and complex populations in the downtown core.  He enjoys this work immensely, as he finds it rewarding to take a harm reduction approach to help people with their recovery from addiction and mental health.

Adrian also holds his Real Estate License, and with that capacity, he enjoys working with people to find them suitable housing within their budget.

In addition to his work activities, Adrian enjoys being physically active, travelling, and giving back to my community in meaningful ways.

Jackie has attended New Clubhouse Development Training in Fort Wayne, Indiana and has also visited Clubhouse in New York City.  Her background includes property management and administrative skills (BC Transit, Camosun College and BC Ministry of Agriculture). She volunteered at Victoria Women’s Transition House until her son’s illness required her time.

Diagnosed at a young age with anxiety and depression disorder, Alexandra knows firsthand what it’s like growing up in Victoria with mental health issues. She helps Connections Place with her experience and education from the University of Victoria, where she received a Bachelors in Anthropology. She currently works as an artist, while studying to assist people as a weight-management counsellor.

Through Sandy’s long-time career as a Realtor, she’s had the good fortune to meet and work with people from all walks of life. As a compassionate community minded individual, she’s encountered many families struggling with mental illness. As she gets to know these families, she’s been astounded to learn how difficult a task it is to try to find ways to help their loved ones, who are suffering and whose futures seem so bleak.

Sandy and her family have their own personal experience spanning over many years with a beloved sister, who suffers relentless pain since being injured in a car accident, with a multitude of complex issues that have developed since. For that reason, she knows first-hand how daunting this task is. Sandy strives to be of service to Connections Place to bring about brighter and healthier futures for many people and their families.