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. Paul Whitehead
National Clinical Director
Ph.D., CCC, R.Psych
Dr. Whitehead’s history with the VTN is significant, including an involvement in some of the earliest programs, to helping to develop the VTP to its current 10 day format. As a VTN Clinician, Clinical Supervisor for the BC Society for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse and Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Family Practice, Faculty of Medicine at UBC, Dr. Whitehead has broad expertise in treatment of traumatic and vicarious traumatic stress, work-related stress and compassion fatigue.
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.) 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.
Ashley Orzel
Digital Communications Coordinator
