our staff

Silver Threads Service Staff

Tracy RyanExecutive Director
Erica LoenenVictoria Program Manager
Debbie ErbVictoria Centre Administrator
Sandy FirthBookkeeper
Anne NelsonSaanich Centre Director
Jessica YeskeSaanich Centre Administrator
Donene EveFood Services Coordinator
Lisa van BommelProgram Coordinator
Louise ThauvetteProgram Coordinator

Tracy Ryan, Executive Director

Tracy RyanTracy joined the staff team in September 2013 and assumed the role of Executive Director in May 2014. Being part of an island based charity, connected to direct service delivery and the opportunity to work with a strong Board of Directors is important.

Her past employment; includes the YM-YWCA and the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation along with work with the Municipality of Saanich and Thrifty Foods, have given her a broad range of experience on which to draw from. Her vision is to address community needs for seniors and be an innovative service provider with strong organizational and financial best practices.

Erica Loenen, Victoria Program Manager

Erica joined our team in 2021 and has brought knowledge and experience in a diverse range of areas including kinesiology, office administration, and recreation program leadership. She holds her bachelor’s degree in exercise and wellness, and has experience working with local non-profit organizations, community centres, and recreation facilities.

Erica is passionate about health and wellness, and about offering a warm and inviting space where others are free to engage and explore movement, mindfulness, and community-building. Outside of work, Erica enjoys practicing and teaching yoga, as well as jogging, hiking, and spending time with her family and her dog.

Debbie Erb, Victoria Receptionist

Debbie has worked at Silver Threads for 25 years in a variety of areas including Meals on Wheels, and both Sidney and Victoria Centres. For 5 years she worked for CNIB gaining experience in fundraising, administration and services for the visually impaired. In 2022, we were lucky to welcome her back to the Victoria Centre.

A common theme in her employment has been working with seniors; it gives her great pleasure to make their day enjoyable. Outside of work, she has been happily married for 45 years, is mom to two and grandmother to seven and enjoys kayaking, hiking, riding motorcycles and travelling.

Sandy Firth, Bookkeeper

Sandy FirthSandy is an experienced Payroll and Accounting clerk, bookkeeper with an educational background that includes BA’s in Hospitality and Advance Business. Her recent employment has been with the Oak Bay Beach Hotel, the Backpackers Inn and various other clients.

Her knowledge of finance and strong service focus bring strength to both the Board Finance Committee and the staff team.

When Sandy isn’t working she enjoys kickboxing, tai chi and solving puzzles. She enjoys spending time with her granddaughter and lives by the words “live each moment like it’s your last.”

Anne Nelson, Saanich Centre Director

Anne is a Post Graduate in Recreation Therapy. As a Recreation Therapist who has worked in residential and community based organizations in Canada and Australia, she is committed to providing quality programs and services that provide a purpose to seniors.

At Silver Threads, she actively engages with all who come to the centre and creates a sense of community for them. Outside of work she is often peddling her bike on local trails.

Jessica Yeske, Saanich Centre Administrator

Jessica has prior experience in senior recreation programs, having worked at retirement communities in Victoria. Her joy lies in building connections and cultivating a warm, inviting atmosphere.

Jessica is passionate about promoting socialization, exercise and recreation for older adults, firmly believing in the profound impact these activities have on enhancing overall quality of life.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Jessica enjoys traveling, baking, and going on hikes with her Mini Australian Shepherd, Ollie.

Donene Eve, Food Services Coordinator

Donene EveAfter over 3 years of volunteering with Silver Threads, Donene joined our team as the Food Service Coordinator at the Saanich Centre. She brings experience in the restaurant business and training in pastry making to the role, and a high level of customer service. She believes in helping seniors stay active and sees the value to providing lunches and coffee for folks to connect over.

In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, hiking, reading and camping. Her motto is “It gets better.”

Lisa van Bommel, Program Coordinator

Lisa is returning to Silver Threads, and will resume coordinating the Memory PLUS program and other programs as she did a short five years ago. With 30 years’ experience, facilitating programs and activities, her experience working in a variety of settings has given her insight to the diversity of people as they grow older and what matters most to them as things change. Lisa looks forward to making new connections with people through her work with Silver Threads, and is passionate about helping others through meaningful interactions and activities.

Lisa has lived in Victoria and around the Saanich Peninsula since 1990 when she moved to the island to go to school and has a BSc in Psychology from UVic. In her spare time you will find Lisa taking time to go walking, hiking, gardening and being in nature with her family.

Louise Thauvette, Program Coordinator

Louise is a social worker who has worked in social services, primarily in the areas of violence against women and supporting international students with housing. She brings with her extensive experience in program administration, group facilitation, and inter-personal skills.

Louise places great value on remaining active and challenging ourselves as we age. She is involved in a myriad of activities including paddling outrigger canoes, singing in a francophone choir, growing her own food, yoga and meditation. She is always looking for new opportunities to learn and enrich her life.

She looks forward to connecting with members; learning, growing and laughing together.