Board of Directors

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John and Nora Martyn significantly contributed to the social fabric of Peterborough. While John is a founding member of The Mount Community Centre, the role that Nora his wife and partner played in helping build the TMCC can never and will never be forgotten or overlooked. John was born and raised in Peterborough and had a vibrant and fulfilling career in education. In addition to teaching he was involved in a unique national project through the Writers’ Union of Canada. The intent and outcome was to research and develop an annotated list of age-appropriate Canadian literature that would go on to be taught in the primary and secondary schools. It was undertaken before emphasis was placed on Canadian content in educational materials. This project expanded his research interests and fostered his commitment to social issues. He was a founding member in the Peterborough Poverty Reduction Network. His interest in affordable housing has its roots in the work he undertook with KAIROS and Home Grown Homes. Through John’s position as a teacher and his commitment to teachings and work of the Sisters of St. Joseph he saw firsthand the impact that poverty has on a person and on families. His life has been dedicated to the values of social justice. Further, it instilled in him the understanding that community projects cannot rely on government(s) – it is a resilient community that can effect change. Through this understanding he worked with others to establish the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough that inspires giving to build a vital community for everyone. When asked if he could identify why he continues to be excited about TMCC he listed: the people you are working with, the associations and partnerships created, and the building of a successful model of housing that created a community to be celebrated. The skills he has brought to the board include but are not limited to: research, facilitation, understanding of government abilities as well as their limitations and the recognition that any community project requires you to take risks in order to be successful. The critical issue that must be addressed can be seen as poverty. However, that one word is an overarching umbrella for a social infrastructure that must be dealt with by the entire community. This social infrastructure includes availability of: affordable housing, an appropriate system of health and social supports, a welfare system that is comprehensive – these in addition to access to nutritional food for all.

One of the founding members of TMCC, Su has a long history of dealing with poverty and the impact it has on someone’s resilience. Unlike many of the TMCC board members Su did not originally come from Peterborough. Her father being in the Canadian military ensured that her family moved and travelled extensively due to his position. She lived in multiple provinces across Canada and had the experience of living overseas in Scotland. Su came to Peterborough in 1968 to attend teachers’ college that prepared her for a career in learning and teaching others. She advanced her education while raising a family and completed her Master’s degree with her thesis topic being “The Impact of Success on Student Achievement”. Her experience with students in the many schools in which she taught and supervised gave her an understanding of the dilemmas facing too many families – most often not being able to afford a decent place to live and the inability to put food on the table. Su is a long time Board member of Kairos Non-Profit Housing of Peterborough a non profit housing organization that provides rent geared to income housing single mother-led families, particularly those fleeing abusive relationships. Building on this work she became part of the Poverty Reduction Network which ultimately purchased the former home of the Sisters of St. Joseph’s which is now The Mount Community Centre. Su brought her many experiences with housing but she also brought the experience of developing a project with personal investment by board members at a time when government funding was limited or non-existent. From the beginning, TMCC board members needed to be prepared for hands-on-involvement that included everything from raising money, dealing with finances and even painting walls. Besides being able to celebrate her involvement with changing the lives of 89 people who now have an affordable, safe, and well-maintained home, Su takes great comfort in seeing how the community at TMCC has evolved. Tenants support each other and many who were once isolated are part of a supportive network. The work she continues to do at TMCC causes her to be grateful for the life she has had which has allowed her the skills and abilities to change the lives of others.

For over a decade, Michael has been a member of the board of TMCC. While not involved in the purchase of the original property his involvement started early in the visioning and development of the project we see today. When asked what drew him to become involved he states that “housing drew me – to see people housed in a beautiful environment,” But further, he enjoyed the learning experience of exploring the multiple layers of strategic financing. He credits his work with TMCC as shaping his career. This career started with a position with the Ministry of Natural Resources and working with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) a computer system that analyzes data to help visualize relationships, track patterns, and make smarter decisions. The skills from this work benefited Michael’s work with TMCC as “I was able to talk to engineers and architects about the proposed drawings and site plans. I understood the intricacies of what was being proposed.” Michael also builds on his heritage of his family’s immigration to Canada from the Netherlands after the second world war. Coming to a country with little financial support and building a life that provided a safe world to raise a family was something to celebrate. But it also instilled in him the understanding of people experiencing fear and hardships as a result of issues beyond their control. In this case it was a family dealing with a war. Today, people living on the streets of Peterborough are also living with many things, again beyond their control. The work of TMCC continues to intrigue him. “I’m excited to be part of an organization that is not afraid to explore things that many would see as beyond achievable. With TMCC we epitomize what the non-profit sector must always deal with – success is dependent on developing a community-based response to an issue. We lean into possibility. You must be adventurous and you must be diligent in developing partnerships which are based in both the community and government.”He is a promoter of the work TMCC has achieved in building a ‘faith-based business plan that includes a community equity plan.’ He is excited to have been a major player in the purchase of the Argyle site. However, he is equally looking forward to the possibilities that are on the horizon as we welcome a new Executive Director to move TMCC to new heights. When asked if there is an issue in the community that he feels must be addressed he identified housing and social service supports for those who are categorized as medically complex. The existing support and housing system does not meet the needs of these people who may have severe physical, emotional, mental and/or spiritual suffering. Finally, he fears that we have moralized poverty. “There is the attitude that ‘You are in this situation because of your own mistakes.’ We have a deep divide in society. Instead we need to take care of the most marginalized. My faith motivates me and wants me to help others and build a better community.”

Nancy grew up in Peterborough and her experiences in community planning and development, programme implimentation and communications have been instrumental in helping make TMCC the success that it is today. Her career has included positions with the City of Peterborough, both the local public and separate school boards and the Addiction Research Foundation. Further, she taught communications in the Emergency Preparedness courses at Fleming College. All giving her the resources to create the community of TMCC and ensure that those who are tenants have a voice. Soon after the building known as the Mount was purchased, she was asked to attend a meeting of the board of directors. She reflects on that meeting and where the project was at that time. Her memories include the fact that the room where the meeting was held was very cold. Work had just commenced on refurbishing this heritage building. “I remember sitting there while still wearing my winter coat. The room was cold but the board itself projected a passion that could be felt around the table.” In talking about those early years with the project she remembers the enthusiasm and commitment of the board members coming together to physically do the work of painting, cleaning and preparing the meeting space for a wedding – “we were still working to get the space ready 3 hours before guests were to arrive.” Nancy’s enthusiasm has grown as she has connected with the lives of some of the residents. This in turn has given her an appreciation of how the lives of some tenants have resulted in the need for affordable housing. Living through abuse, a lack of education and not having the benefit of family support can reduce a person’s ability to earn a living and contribute to the community. Her many years in communication has taught her to be an active listener and a confidant. By so doing she has helped build the community that is now TMCC. Having grown up and worked in this community she remembers Peterborough then and now. What is critical to the survival of a strong Peterborough is that the homelessness in the downtown be appropriately addressed. As part of the infrastructure of homelessness is the drug and gun culture that is increasing. “When you talk with people about the downtown there is the fear of it not being safe, the fewer small shops and the need to build housing that has been promised and approved but not built. The vibrancy of the downtown needs to come back.”

Betty brings more than 40 years of experience working with individuals, families and various community groups. Along with a strong commitment to strengthening families and communities, her career reflects a passion for relationship-building, strategic thinking, collaborative leadership, and meaningful community impact. As a CFP professional with IG Wealth Management, Betty began her career in 2005 and advanced to Division Manager in 2016. She specializes in intergenerational wisdom, wealth, estate, and legacy planning, taking a holistic approach to supporting families through every stage of life. Prior to her career in financial services, Betty spent 25 years with the Peterborough Family Resource Centre, including serving as Executive Director during the Ontario Early Years designation process. Throughout her career, Betty has actively contributed to numerous boards, committees, organizations, and service initiatives. This involvement has included Kawartha Childcare Services, Heads Up for Inclusion, Alternatives Community Program Services, Festival of Trees, Literacy Day, School for Young Moms, and many other community initiatives. Betty has also been an active member of the Rotary Club of Peterborough for 15 years, including service on the Board. Through Rotary, she has participated in initiatives including the school breakfast program, tree planting, the Easter Seals Christmas party, food sorting, and numerous fundraising activities. As Rotary President in 2024–2025, Betty initiated a multi-year strategic planning process and chaired a committee to identify the club's next major community project. Through extensive stakeholder consultation, the club selected a partnership with Peterborough's Riverview Park & Zoo to develop an accessible, inclusive, barrier-free playground for people of all ages and abilities. Betty continues to lead this initiative, bringing together partners, donors, volunteers, and community stakeholders. In 2025, Betty joined the Board of the Mount Community Centre and in that role continues to bring her experience in strategic planning, community partnerships, and stakeholder engagement to her board work. Across her professional and volunteer career, Betty has demonstrated a commitment to thoughtful governance, strategic leadership, collaboration, and service. She brings to board roles a unique combination of financial expertise, organizational leadership, community knowledge, and a genuine passion for making a difference.

Sister Eileen’s connection to this community goes back generations. Her grandparents and parents had roots in the County of Peterborough and were proudly part of the farm community. She joined the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1959. Her career as a nurse gave her many experiences. After becoming a registered nurse, she went on to complete a degree in nursing at Western University. Eileen worked in Parry Sound at St. Joseph’s Hospital before going to Estevan Saskatchewan returning eventually to St. Joseph’s General Hospital in Peterborough. Her specialties including critical care and emergency medicine. She transitioned into mission effectiveness that supported staff to deal with crisis and loss. As a member of the community of the Sisters of St. Joseph she was asked to become part of TMCC early on in its’ development. When asked what she enjoyed about being a member of the board she stated: “I’m in awe of the people sitting at that table – the creativity, the dedication, the insight into the broader community and how they had the nerve and ability to create the housing project we have today.” To Sister Eileen, the work that the TMCC is doing in Peterborough is an extension of the mission that she committed to when she became a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph. It’s building a healthy and thriving community for people who may never have had the chance to be part of any social and supportive world. She has been instrumental in developing the social network of TMCC. Today there are opportunities for people who live at the Mount to attend breakfasts put on by the social committee. There are groups that come together to enjoy times of reflection and prayer. As a result of these social events, people have developed friendships. A group of volunteers from the community have offered their time and experiences to help bring people together. “I’ve been so impressed that people have come together and they are accepting who their neighbour is and what they are not.” Finally she is proud to be supporting “a place of hope and a place where people see they are accepted for who they are and a place where lives are turned around because of this.”

Murray is a respected and proven collaborative leader with success leading change, creating innovation, and improving organizational performances as Chief of Police, Canadian Forces Commanding Officer, and leader in the community. With 10 years experience as the Chief of Police with the Peterborough Police Service, he has the proven ability to inspire excellence and build high performing teams.

Dawn joined the Mount board in 2024. With over 40 years of experience in community planning she has worked with the City of Peterborough, the local District Health Council and the Peterborough Social Planning Council conducting research and developing policy for community change. In addition she worked in long-term care which included positions with the Victorian Order of Nurses, Marycrest Home for the Aged and St. Joseph’s at Fleming. Through their business, she and her partner and husband John provided research and planning advice on environmental and social infrastructure change for over 20 years. Early on in their work, Dawn and John recognized that planning for the future means reflecting on the past events in a neighbourhood, community and country. As a result of these experiences, she has been described as a facilitator, researcher, ‘match maker’, planner and a promoter of community change. Her philosophy has been that success comes from helping develop relationships and listening to others. Further, her commitment to building relationships in order to effect change is exactly what the board of TMCC is built upon. While she has been involved with extensive policy development at a local, regional and provincial level , Dawn’s interest in sustainability is built on her farm background and family farm business going back over a century. It is as a result of 5 generations working the land and growing food that she is passionate about building on the past in order to create a positive future. Because of this heritage she has been very involved in the work of Sustainable Peterborough and its role of advocating for saving and protecting our food producing lands for future generations. Again, TMCC’s vision builds on respecting land uses that sustain communities. As part of her heritage she often reflects on her experience of being educated in a one-room school. This allowed her to see how important a building is to ensure and support the development of a strong community. Dawn connects that to the work of TMCC which has taken a heritage building and built a new community and a place where people come together. Having been a community planner responsible for housing policy at a municipal level she understands how much has changed in Peterborough. When the first housing policy for the City was prepared in 1982 the issue of homelessness that we see today did not exist. For a healthy community she stresses that not only do we need physical housing to be built but it must also include a comprehensive system of support services geared to the physical and social needs of people. TMCC is striving to do just that.

In 2025 John joined the board of TMCC. He comes from a family that was deeply involved in community and committed to the concept of supportive communities. John had an extremely successful career as a family physician and is recognized as an innovator in the system of palliative care in Peterborough. He was foundational in making Hospice Peterborough a reality and for developing a strong support system for people and their families as they dealt with death. After retiring from his family practice and family health team, he went on to be instrumental in creating and delivering Peterborough’s street medicine programme. He recognized the important role that a supportive community plays in building a healthy community – one that promotes prevention as key to a strong social infrastructure. Through all his work in Peterborough he saw early on that the issue of homelessness was more than just ‘having a roof over your head’. To be able to heal and move forward ‘you have to feel safe and not worry about finding your next meal and staying warm’ . Only when you are safely housed can you deal with addiction and move into treatment and recovery. Reflecting how the health and social service system has changed John has noted that services like visiting nurse programs with a focus on prevention are less available. Those programmes that helped people stay in their home and prevented them from needing to move to a facility have been cut and reconfigured. Prevention is given less priority and fewer resources than in the past. To John, the TMCC provides not just a place to live but the connection to community. It provides a community that supports those who are living there but it also provides opportunities to connect and come together – a supportive community. Planning for the new initiatives at Argyle Street he sees as exciting and there are endless opportunities. But while there may be funds to build housing through Build Canada Homes, he is, like many, questioning will there be dollars available to fund the support services needed for successful projects and stronger communities? Finally, he has noticed how Peterborough has changed and the volunteer sector has been hit hard. Fewer people have the ability or the time to volunteer yet the need for skills and expertise to support new projects is increasing and fewer government funds are available to support a strong social and health system.

Lynn joined the board in 2024 but prior to that she had been very involved with TMCC and played an important role in helping develop the administration and a strong system of accounting. She draws upon her extensive history of accounting, finance and office administration. These skills have been gleaned from her positions held in Calgary, Toronto and Peterborough. Her experience includes twenty years of specializing in employee benefits and human resources. Lynn held management positions in local organizations such as the YMCA and the office of a local medical specialist. Her love of problem solving is a skill that is greatly needed when you are building a community project like TMCC. Her educational interests were broad and spanned both the sciences and arts. However, she relishes being "autodidactic” an accomplishment that refers to self-taught individuals or methods, where someone learns a subject, skill, or trade on their own initiative without formal instruction. This speaks to her on-going love of learning. Lynn’s community experience also includes her roles as board member on the local Lung Association. She was part of the cultural community that promoted the work of the SPARK Photo Festival from 2012 until 2024. Lynn was drawn to the work of TMCC by hearing of the project through friends and colleagues. She was impressed by how this housing project was impacting the lives of the people who now lived there and is grateful that she has administration skills and experience that are useful for this largely volunteer-run organization. “It’s so gratifying to see how people’s lives are changed. It is thrilling to watch someone’s reaction when they know they have been accepted and will have a home in which to live and thrive. And it’s wonderful to see how people can change when good things happen to them.” When asked if there is a community issue that she is concerned about Lynn reflected on her worries about the next generation. In particular, boys and young men are facing a world that has changed vastly, with challenges and choices that are very different from the paths that were available to previous generations. She sees young people who are very often unprepared with the skills and abilities needed to deal with changing job markets, negative effects of globalization, economic inequality and a social infrastructure unlike that of the past. “I fear that there is less and less teaching on the job – past generations were more often taught and mentored and there were more entry-level jobs available to young people who could learn skills that allowed them to advance to even better jobs, equipped with successes in these positions. Following a path of gradual advancements taught young people to be resilient and much more able to be self-reliant.” The first step along this path is less and less available to more and more.

In 2026 Lee-Anne Quinn became a member of the Mount board and in so doing brought a multitude of skills, interests and abilities to help move the work of the Mount Community Centre to new heights. While Lee-Anne was born and raised in Peterborough her life’s work in the Canadian Armed Forces took her around the world. Trained as a Nurse Practitioner who practiced at Sunnybrook Hospital after graduation, she knew from an early age that the armed forces was where she wanted to serve. Her career took her to Croatia, Somalia, Rwanda and Afghanistan before she was recruited by Health Canada to support isolated communities in the Canadian north. She was fortunate to see many beautiful parts of the world but also “some desperate situations” in the communities in which she served. Her work showed her how common it is for people to be constantly “in survival mode” which reduces the ability for communities to be connected” and to have consideration for others let alone the future. “This can lead to isolation and to chaos.” Upon retirement she moved home to Peterborough where she worked as a Nurse Practitioner in Primary Health Care. In 2022 she opened the Brock Primary Care Clinic serving people who were homeless. Looking at the mission and vision of Mount, Lee-Anne felt connected to the work and the successes of the community that has been built. “I personally feel that connectedness is one of the most important aspects of a person’s life. Being a resident at the Mount you are connected and no longer isolated. “ Having worked in many different countries and communities she has witnessed the important role that structure and parameters make to people feeling safe and secure. Looking at the social infrastructure at the Mount she was impressed that people are able to come together and feel safe and included. This, she says results in people being less isolated and actually feeling safely part of the Mount community. “Rules and parameters like those at the Mount are important for a thriving community.”