Hilary Tugwood, Board President

After almost 3 years as a Director, Hilary Tugwood is our President. Hilary retired after 30 years in a career of supporting children, youth, adults with intellectual disabilities and their families. Hilary’s work experiences took her across Canada and into several States working with organizations to develop Rights Committees and other Quality Enhancement efforts.  Hilary provided training to people supported, to staff and to management, as well as lead organizational review teams as part of an accreditation process.

Hilary’s passion continues in supporting people with intellectual disabilities to understand and exercise rights and personal freedoms and the responsibilities that go along with those. Hilary has been a consultant with The Council on Quality and Leadership for 20 years while also working at Community Living organizations. Hilary has also been a Mentor-trainer in Person Centered Thinking with Helen Sanderson Associates Canada.

Currently Hilary is enjoying retirement spending time with her children and 3 Grandsons.  Hilary loves dogs, walking, reading, and watching sunsets sitting by the fire at her cottage in Prince Edward County.

Linda Conley, Vice Chair

Linda Conley has been on the Board of Directors for Community Living Prince Edward for over 35 years - including eight years as President. She is passionate about ensuring that people with intellectual disabilities are treated with dignity and respect and that we respond to each person’s goals and desires.  Linda’s past employment experience includes that of an elementary school teacher with training in Special Education and as an Essential Skills Profiler.  She was also the Executive Director; Prince Edward Learning for several years and continues to advocate for literacy issues in her community.

Linda is a people person; she is creative and is a strong believer in the benefits of building healthy community partnerships.  She brings to the Board of Directors expertise and knowledge in budgeting and administration, organizational development, and planning.

Linda has extensive experience on the Board of Directors in both her professional and personal life, serving on the board of Community Literacy Ontario, Literacy Link Eastern Ontario and of her local church.   She has also given her time on numerous community committees and working groups.

Linda is a member of the local Grannies for Africa, with one of her real passions being an active and supportive mother and grandmother.  She also enjoys reading, gardening, traveling, and exploring the world of social media.

Caryn McGivern, Treasurer

Caryn has been a member of the Board of Directors since May 2016.  Caryn is pleased to contribute her time to the organization as our Treasurer and offers a unique perspective as a parent of a daughter with an intellectual disability.

Caryn has a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education and has worked and lived in Toronto, Thunder Bay, Winnipeg, Calgary, and Medicine Hat.  She lived in Prince Edward County for 18 years before settling in Belleville. However, her daughter receives service through CLPE.

Caryn brings her knowledge of policy development, housing, employment, and education to the Board of Directors team. She has volunteered her time on a Parent Board in Medicine Hat and was the coach of a Special Olympics T-ball team. 

She loves to travel, is an avid reader, golfs, curls, practices yoga, and enjoys cooking.

Mike Flynn,  Director

Mike Flynn has been on the Board for Community Living Prince Edward since 2015 and is our past Treasurer.   Mike is the proud father of Luke Flynn, who has an intellectual disability.  Luke is a very hard-working and accomplished young man.  Mike is an avid supporter of the Community Living movement and believes that it had a positive impact and influence on his son’s successes and accomplishments.  

Mike and his family moved to Picton from Peterborough in 2012.  He's an active member of the Family Circle and hopes that through his experiences, he can aid other parents and guardians. 

Mike has an Honours BA from York University.  He was employed with the Ontario Government for 35 years as a Business Manager; Ministry of Natural Resources, having responsibility for education, policy creation, redeployment, emergency management, and communications.  

Mike has supported Special Olympics for over 20 years, has taken an active role in fundraising for Community Living Peterborough, and is currently involved with the Picton Terminal Advocacy Group.

Mike has always been involved in sports both as a participant and as a fan.  He is a painter and displays and sells his work at the Arts on Main Gallery.  He is an avid reader, averaging a book a week.  Mike also has a great respect and love for the outdoors.

Betty Lavender, Director

Betty Lavender has been on the Board for Community Living Prince Edward since 2013 and is a past Vice Chair. Betty is a strong advocate for the inclusion of people who live with an intellectual disability in the life of the community and its economy, which she has demonstrated over the years in her role as a Board Member.

Betty was born and raised in Prince Edward County and has lived here her entire life. Betty has a background in Architectural Drafting at Centennial College in Toronto and worked for the federal government for 28 years prior to her recent retirement.

Betty brings many skills to the Board of Directors, including a genuine interest and compassion for the citizens we provide service to. She has been a member of the Hastings Prince Edward Special Education Advisory Committee as well as a member at large of Community Living Prince Edward.  

Betty enjoys playing hockey, soccer, and is an avid golfer. She enjoys spending her spare time doing quilting needlepoint, as well as being with her beloved grandchildren.
 

Kelly McKinney, Director

Kelly is from Belleville originally and made a few stops in Toronto and France before moving to Picton. He has volunteered for several boards over the past two decades, including President of the Rotary Club of Belleville and President of the Belleville Chamber of Commerce.

Kelly has a strong business background, and his education includes a BA in English Literature and an MBA from the University of Toronto. He also brings 16 years of risk management as V.P. of McDougall Insurance.

By day, he helps non-profits find the right balance of risk management and practicality, offering sound advice on how to run operations and have fun at the same time.

He joined the board of Community Living Prince Edward County because he is passionate about inclusion for all. He is an avid cyclist, having led bicycle trips in Canada, the U.S., France, China, and New Zealand. He also researched new biking and walking trips in Russia, Romania, Morocco, Israel, Jordan, and Indonesia. He has four children with his wife, Debbie McKinney.

Aaron Miller, Director

Aaron Miller has been a member of the Board of Directors for Community Living Prince Edward since 2019.

Aaron has a long history of community involvement that started at a very young age, volunteering at the Picton United Church Foodbank. Aaron has maintained his community involvement while volunteering with various organizations such as the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, County Kids of Steel Triathlon, Relay for Life, and Prince Edward Community Care for Seniors. Aaron’s dedication to facilitating inclusivity was a driving force for his joining the board.

Aaron spends summers sailing in and around Prince Edward County with his wife and enjoys teaching their son how to sail.