Staff

Oliver Thorne
Chief Executive Officer
Oliver joined the VTN in 2013 as Operations Director and oversaw the initial expansion of VTN’s programs across Canada with a focus on accessibility, regardless of geography, gender or language. He coordinated inaugural programs in Ontario, Nova Scotia, and Quebec, and helped to establish a national network of clinical and operational staff to scale up program delivery. As Chief Executive Officer, Oliver works with the Clinical Director and the board to develop and execute the VTN’s strategic plan, with the goal of improving veterans’ mental health, well-being, and relationships.

Dr. Matthew McDaniel (Ph.D., R.C.C.)
National Clinical Director
Dr. McDaniel spent 10 years in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside focused on working with people with under-supported mental health conditions. The need for improved early intervention treatments fuelled his graduate psychology work at UBC and clinical work with the VTN since 2016. He also maintains a private practice focused on frontline workers, first responders, and veterans; provides clinical supervision at two Vancouver clinics; and serves as an advisor and researcher with numerous first responder organizations. His broad expertise includes the treatment of primary and secondary traumatic stress, burnout, and supporting career identity transition.

Carrie West
Director of Communications and Development

Ryan Lawson
Director of Operations
Ryan has 12 years of service with the Canadian Forces, mostly working within the Cadet Instructor’s Cadre Branch as a flight instructor for the Canadian Cadet Program. Shortly after going Reserve, he joined the R.C.M.P. as an Auxiliary Constable and the Vancouver Police Department as a Victim Services Worker. More recently Ryan was the Director of Operations and Public Safety Initiatives at E-Comm 9-1-1. In his downtime Ryan is a passionate RV’er and enjoys hitting the road whenever possible.

Sgt. (Ret'd) Doug Allen
National Manager of Veteran Paraprofessional Support
Doug Allen was a career soldier with the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. He has conducted Peace support operations in Bosnia, combat operations in Afghanistan and various domestic operations here in Canada. Since 2009 Doug has been assisting soldiers with Case Management, crisis intervention, suicide awareness and trauma care. Doug is a member of our clinical team as well as the Director of the Atlantic Group and Trauma Training Center located in Nova Scotia.

Marion Turmine
Manager of Operations for Quebec
Marion Turmine is VTN’s Manager of Operations for Quebec. She joined VTN in April 2018, initially, as the Operations Coordinator for Quebec. An anthropologist by training, Marion has over 30 years of extensive experience in international development, including 18 years in the field in a variety of contexts. Since 2018, she has been a lecturer at the University of Montreal in international cooperation and solidarity.

Stephanie Heynes
Manager of Finance and Administration
Stephanie Heynes joined the VTN to pursue her passions for making sense of numbers and providing compassionate care to clients. Stephanie has an extensive educational background in Finance and is prepared to make sure that the VTN’s goals are met and our money is spent as efficiently as possible. Stephanie is a certified rescue diver and loves to catch up with a good book.

Patrick Thomas
Ops Coordinator (Ontario)
A Veteran of the Vietnam War, Patrick is a successful businessman in Quebec’s fashion industry. He coordinates programs in Ontario and can field program inquiries in English and French.

Jenna Bind
Ops Coordinator (Western Canada)
Jenna coordinates our programs from BC to Manitoba. She holds degrees in Psychology, Geography and International Project Management. Jenna has managed non-profit programs in Canada and internationally, including WASH, Food Security and Conflict Mitigation projects. Two years were spent based in South Sudan, both post and during conflict, traveling much of the central region by motorcycle.

Sgt. (Ret'd) Joe D'Arcy
Ops Coordinator (Atlantic Canada)
Joe D’Arcy joined VTN with over four decades of experience with the Canadian Armed Forces. He served 22 years in uniform and over 21 years as a public servant, all in the field of finance and administration. Though now semi-retired, Joe continues to support the CFB Greenwood comptroller with analysis and reviews. Joe’s substantial skillset and experience is invaluable as he coordinates VTN programs in Atlantic Canada.

Ashley Orzel
Communications & Multimedia Specialist
Ashley oversees the digital communications and online presence for VTN. She has a background in communications and photojournalism, and has worked in digital communication roles with national non-profit organizations in both English and French. She looks forward to capturing and sharing stories about Canada’s veterans.