Committee Bios

OPERATIONAL COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Programming

Lindsay Rothwell, RPh

I am a community pharmacist in Huntsville Ontario. I graduated from McMaster University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science degree in pharmacology. Realizing I would prefer to work more closely with people, I entered pharmacy, and graduated from the University of Toronto in 2010. My first close encounter with cancer was through my aunt’s 10-year journey with metastatic breast cancer. Through this experience I learned the positive impact of self-care practices such as social engagement, meditation, The Healing Journey and physical activity on the lives of people living with cancer. Years later, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. As primary caregiver, I witnessed first-hand how overwhelming and isolating cancer can be for the patient, the caregiver and their family, navigating the complex treatment processes. I came to understand the significance and availability of strong community support, medical and non-medical. Personally and professionally, Lindsay is honoured to be involved with Enliven.

Deanna Lavigne, R.Kin

I am passionate about motivating, educating and supporting people to get moving physically for their overall health and wellbeing. I am a registered kinesiologist who has taken several post graduate courses in exercise oncology and I have lived in Muskoka for almost 20 years. I am so grateful for our environment and to be able to play outside on a daily basis either simply walking in the forest or through our beautiful town, biking or canoeing in the parks beyond, or swimming in our abundance of lakes. My husband Steve and I are recent empty nesters, with both our boys off at university, so I am looking forward to filling some time helping Enliven create, organize and support events for its members and our community beyond.

Fundraising

Dr. Brandy Strelec, B.Sc., ND

Dr. Brandy Strelec is a Board Certified Naturopathic Doctor with over 14 years of experience in her practice. After losing her mother to an aggressive form of brain cancer, and herself having been diagnosed in 2014 she has made it her passion and will to provide for her patients a more comprehensive and inclusive form of support and care for oncology patients. As an active Rotarian, Past-President of the Rotary Club of Huntsville, she wanted to expand her ideal of service-above-self and offer her time to a much-needed endeavour for our community, through the efforts of Enliven. Her clinic, COREHEALTH Naturopathic Wellness Center, offers two locations in the Muskoka region. Special interests include IV therapy for chronic degenerative diseases, integrative oncology care, women's health, and gastrointestinal disorders.

Volunteer Coordination

Sharon Herrndorf

I have been married to Chris for over 35 years and a mother to 2 lovely young women Alison and Jamie. I moved to Huntsville in 2017 after working part time in financial services for over 30 years. I wanted to be closer to my two beautiful sisters and our beloved cottage in Baysville and to pursue our parents unattainable dream to live in this community. Iam actively involved in the Huntsville Curling club helping to grow the sport through youth curling. Cancer has touched me very deeply and Enliven is very close to my heart. Cancer can be a very lonely journey and making it a little less so for those touched by it is what I strive for here in Muskoka.

Dale Porter

I am a mother of two beautiful daughters Caitlin and Lauren and a wonderful son in law Aaron. I have been married to a terrific husband Richard for 31 years. I have two sisters who are also my best friends.
I enjoyed a career in the financial services sector, including over 17 years as a Financial Planner. As a certified planner, I took great satisfaction in helping my clients work toward their own financial and life goals.
We love Muskoka and we have had a cottage here for many years. In January 2017, following retirement from our corporate careers, we moved our home to Huntsville. Like so many of us, my life has been touched by cancer. Most recently I lost by beautiful sister Joanne to metastatic breast cancer, she fought a courageous fight and I miss her dearly. I was also closely touched when my daughter's beautiful mother-in-law died at the age of 57 from mesothelioma. Getting involved with Enliven is certainly the right fit for me. This organization speaks to what is so important about living well with the diagnosis, and so necessary to reduce the social isolation that comes with the disease. We are very fortunate to have Enliven in Muskoka to offer positive and practical workshops, programs and events, helping those with the disease, their care givers and the health professionals that serve them.

Communications

Suzanne Riverin PhD.

I have lived in Huntsville since 1985 and absolutely love it. It’s been a privilege to bring up a family here as the opportunities for children (and adults) have been amazing. As a cancer survivor, I really appreciate what Enliven can offer the community and am very thankful for the opportunity to help out in any way I can. I have been in the field of education most of my life and have been involved in yoga as a practitioner and a teacher (thank you Allie for the mentorship) and believe deeply in the power of meditative traditions to heal and guide. I have a keen interest in the arts and enjoy spending time outdoors on anything that will get me out on water or on trail hiking or biking. I look forward to this new journey with Enliven with excitement.

Allie Chisholm-Smith MES, E-RYT

I have worked as a yoga teacher for 20 years and have spent my life immersed in complimentary medicine modalities like counseling and Ayurvedic medicine. Like everyone, I have lost beautiful friends and family to cancer. I have fairly extensive experience working with people in different stages of Cancer as well as with their care-givers and am aware of the latter’s resistance to self-care when their focus is so strongly on their person. Due to my lengthy career as a health care provider, I have a vested interest in seeing the health care providers take proper care of themselves so that we can all continue to serve the greater good. I am so thrilled and honoured to have launched Enliven with my amazing friend Joanne McLean.