The AVENS Board of Directors assembles to work toward the future strategic development of the organization, and oversight of the daily operations while working alongside the Chief Executive Director.
Colleen has lived in Yellowknife for 10 years with her husband and three children. As an active community volunteer, Colleen supports the development of the differently abled, as a Special Olympics Coach and has served on the boards of the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce, Northwest Territories and Nunavut Construction Association and Yellowknife Homeful Partnership. Colleen works as Regional Director for Northview Residential REIT, and holds a professional designation, as a Certified Property Manager. Colleen joined AVENS board to give back to the community and support seniors ageing in place.
Debbie has lived in the NWT for more than 40 years, working for Indigenous organizations and governments and for almost 30 years, with the Government of the Northwest Territories, retiring as the deputy minister of Health and Social Services. Debbie believes that the GNWT and civil society can work together to address the challenges of an ageing population, and to make sure that the territory’s seniors and elders have access to the programs and services they need to stay healthy and active members of our communities. Serving on the AVENS board provides a great opportunity for Debbie to help address these challenges.
Marion moved from Toronto to Yellowknife, for one year, in 1975. After a brief stint with the GNWT, she opened and operated Outcrop Communications and later Up Here Publishing. She has served on the boards of the NWT Power Corporation (2002 – 2009), the Arctic Institute of North America (1998 – 2007) and NWT Tourism (2012-2014). When she arrived, most of the NWT population was under 65. As she watched the North aging she realized that the need for affordable housing and care services for seniors was outstripping supply. She joined the board of AVENS to work with a dedicated group of people who want seniors to enjoy and be respectfully looked after in their latter years.
Ron arrived in the Northwest Territories in 1977 to work as a wildlife officer for the GNWT. He has lived in seven different northern communities including Yellowknife for the past 20 years. Since his arrival in the North, Ron has also worked for the Department of Fisheries as an area manager (Eastern Arctic), Arctic habitat program coordinator, area director (Western Arctic), director of the regional staffing team, and coordinator for integrated fisheries management plan for Dolly Varden. Since retirement from the DFO 11 years ago, Ron has been doing some consulting and working with boards in the renewable resources and environmental assessment field. Ron became involved with AVENS as a board member in 2010 and has served as a board member in a variety of roles since.
Lynda has been in the NWT since 1970 and considers herself a long-time northerner. Lynda is a retired Registered Nurse who worked at AVENS from 1989 to 2017. She considers her tenure at AVENS a privilege as she met many people, gained many friendships, and acquired valuable knowledge of the seniors of our north. In 2017, Lynda was awarded the Order of the Northwest Territories for her work with seniors and AVENS. She was truly honoured to receive the award and firmly believes that the team she worked with at AVENS made it possible. Serving on the AVENS Board, Lynda hopes to be able to make a difference in the lives of those who know AVENS as their home.
Matt has a long history with the community of Yellowknife and the AVENS community. Matt lived most of his early life in Yellowknife graduating from Sir John Franklin High School in 1981. He returned to Yellowknife 20 years later with his family of six to spend more time with his parents and began working for the Government of Canada. Both his grandmother Muriel Spence and his mom Ruth Spence, spent their last years at AVENS being looked after by the wonderful and caring staff. Matt’s interest in being on the board is to give back and to help the organization expand so it can help the growing population of NWT seniors.
Kelly has made Yellowknife his home for over 30 years. A strong advocate for northern business development, Kelly has held the positions of president of the NWT Chamber of Commerce; Chair, Prospects North Sponsorship Committee; NWT Business Coalition board member; director of the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce; co-chair of the Northern Student Education Initiative; board director for the NWT Community Mobilization Initiative; and participated as a member of Team Canada on the Government of Canada’s business mission to Germany and Russia. Kelly Hayden is the president of K2 Developments Inc., a partner in Ventura Stanton who are currently developing the old Stanton hospital into a long-term care and clinic space.
Adam and his family moved to the Northwest Territories in 1988, when he was six years old. Adam completed elementary school at St. Joseph's, middle school at Range Lake North and high school at Sir John Franklin. Adam attended the University of Lethbridge, Alberta, University of Liecester, England and Law School of Holborn in London England. Adam obtained degrees in History, Law and a post graduate diploma in Legal Practice. Adam has worked for McLennan and Ross in Yellowknife and now practices law for the Department of Justice. Adam became involved with AVENS as a summer student in 2001 - 2004. Adam has served as a board member since 2023.
In recognition of Barb Bromley’s years of service, on February 19, 2010, the Barbara Bromley Administrative Wing was unveiled at the main entry of the Aven Cottages Territorial Dementia Facility. Barb Bromley was given the title of Lifetime Director. In February 2015, we lost an integral member of our community and organization, her dedication and lifetime of work lives on with us at Avens.
