Meet The Team

Chair

 

Building on an animal science degree from the University of Guelph, John has been privileged to work with Canada’s livestock, poultry and equine sectors for almost 50 years.  He has provided strategic planning, program delivery, governance and financial management guidance to a wide range of government and non-governmental organizations. This included participation on the Canadian Poultry Research Council and 4-H Canada boards of directors.  He has been actively engaged as a volunteer with the Therapeutic Riding Association of Ottawa Carleton (TROtt) since 2023.

Treasurer​

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Maria joined TROtt’s Board of Directors in January 2025 as Treasurer. She currently works as Director, Finance at Harris Computer. Maria has 8 years of experience in financial accounting, with 6 years of experience in auditing at EY. She grew up riding horses and values relationships with all animals, especially horses. She is excited to use her financial knowledge to assist with an organization as meaningful as TROtt.​​​​​

Director

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Alison is a former librarian with the Federal Government. She transitioned to family responsibilities with child and elder care and has volunteered throughout this time in a variety of organizations and roles. After serving as Secretary to the TROtt Board, Alison has recently joined the Fundraising arm and looks forward to connecting with the generous members of the local business community.  ​​​​​

Director

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Dr. Fabian Schwarz is a family physician with global medical experience, a background in public health, and teaching experience at  the University of Ottawa. He mentors medical students and internationally trained physicians, supporting initiatives to enhance primary care and community health. With expertise in primary care research, Fabian brings strategic insight to help TROtt strengthen its impact on community well-being. 

Director

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Priyanka Nagasubramanian is a senior healthcare strategy and innovation leader with over eight years of experience driving large-scale transformation across complex health systems, government, and the broader digital health ecosystem.
She joined the Board of the Therapeutic Riding Association of Ottawa-Carleton because she believes deeply in the power of community-based care to improve quality of life for individuals with disabilities — and in the importance of strong organizational foundations to sustain that mission. Priyanka contributes strategic governance, organizational development expertise, and fundraising leadership to help TROtt continue its vital work serving the Ottawa community.

Director

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Director

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Andrea is a lawyer currently completing her PhD in Legal Studies and researching barriers faced by people with disabilities. As a horse owner, lifelong equestrian, and adaptive riding coach, she brings both personal experience and a strong understanding of the life-changing nature of all the programs TROtt offers. Having previously served on the Board of Directors and, most recently, as Executive Director, she has contributed to the organization in many capacities and simply can’t get enough of TROtt. Her continued involvement shows a sincere commitment to the nonprofit’s mission and an enthusiasm for supporting the therapeutic equestrian community.​

Director

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​A Registered Massage Therapist, longtime equestrian, and small business owner, Margery brings over a decade of business management experience and a diverse background in healthcare, mental health, disabilities, social media, and the equine industry. Margery started volunteering at TROtt in 2025 and, with a gentle nudge from staff, realized her diverse background could benefit the program. With her business experience and passion for inclusion, she brings a broad perspective and a strong commitment to supporting TROtt’s mission, growth, and lasting sustainability.

Director

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As the founder of Second Nature, Anastasia leads a dedicated school and clinic space providing comprehensive educational and therapeutic supports for neurodivergent children. An experienced Early Childhood Educator and innovative curriculum consultant, she combines professional expertise with deep personal insight as a mother of three neurodivergent children. Driven by this dual perspective, Anastasia designs inclusive, sensory-friendly environments and tailored learning frameworks that celebrate neurodiversity and foster genuine confidence. Her holistic approach empowers children, families, and educators alike to build compassionate environments where neurodivergent learners can truly thrive.