Board of Directors

The VWSAC Board of Directors would like to welcome you to the Victoria Women's Sexual Assault Centre (VWSAC)!

For over 25 years, VWSAC has been a leader and innovator in the field of trauma counselling, and the Board of Directors has the good fortune of working alongside a dedicated team of staff and volunteers. Serving on the Board is a great way to get involved in the movement to end sexualized violence, to develop new skills and to work with a creative and energetic team. To find out more about opportunties to serve on our Board, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@vwsac.com.

Heidi Exner – Co-chair

Heidi Exner was born and raised in the traditional Coast Salish Territory of Victoria, BC, the first daughter of new German/Austrian immigrants. In her professional life, she has worked in the field of HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness for over 10 years. She has worked with the centre as a member of Project Respect, and currently continues her involvement as a proud VWSAC volunteer, both serving on the SART team and now in her second year on the Board of Directors. She is a passionate believer in the mission of the centre, and deeply admires the dedication that she witnesses in its staff and fellow volunteers. She is grateful for the opportunity to continue to support the centre’s critical work as long as she is needed.

Sally Gose - Co-Chair

Formerly served for many years as WSAC's Manager of Direct Client Services, retiring in 2007.  Sally received her M.S.W from Carlton University in 1986.  For over 20 years, Sally has worked toward ending violence against women through her clinical work, creating and strengthening community partnerships, and informing police and research.  Sally worked in Ottawa for 12 years as a counsellor and advocate for women who had experienced abuse, and in Victoria she worked for 10 years in the field of sexualized violence. 

Kimberly Brown – Treasuer

Kimberly earned her Bachelor of Commerce Degree from UVic. She works as an Investment Advisor and Certified Financial Planner at Canaccord Wealth Management. She puts her financial skills to use at the Centre by assisting with the development of finance initiatives and fundraising. Kimberly is committed to contributing to the community in which she lives and is passionate about women’s issues.

Tyler Schaus – Secretary

Tyler moved to Victoria from Winnipeg in August 2007.  While in Winnipeg he was heavily involved in Klinic's sexual assault program, as a volunteer for 7yrs., casual intake worker for 2yrs. and a staff member of the crisis program as a crisis counsellor. Tyler brings to the Board a wide range of experience working and advocating with women who have experienced sexualized violence and intimate partner violence.  He is extremely passionate about social justice, anti-oppressive work and helping to bring an end to sexualized and gender violence. 

Katie Shaw-Raudoy – Director

Katie brings to the Board a long history of feminist commitment and community involvement.  She is currently the Provincial Youth Engagement Facilitator with B.C. Healthy Communitiess.  She has previous experience as the Programs Director for Lifecycles Project Society, the City of Victoria Youth Council, Volunteer Victoria, NEED and the Amelie Beaulieu Transition House for women and children in Nelson.  Katie is currently completing an M.A. in community leadership and adult education at Uvic and holds a BA in Sociology with a concentration in Social Justice.

Yvonne Haist – Director

Yvonne teaches in the School of Social Work at the University of Victoria. She also has a private counseling practice which centres on trauma work and is deeply informed by many years of training in somatic integrative work. Her passion is to unify the political, the spiritual and body wisdom in social work practice.

In her spare time Yvonne loves to sing, to kayak, to drum and to explore new places.

Natasha de Klerk – Director

Natasha has a BA in Justice Studies and a diploma in Business Management. She became a member of the team in 2008 and has since moved to Nanaimo, but continues to be involved with VWSAC. Natasha contributes with her background in finance, policy development and experience with non-profit organizations.