I'm Graeme LeBlanc, a police officer serving with the Victoria Police for the past 25 years. Throughout my career, I've worked in various sections, honing expertise in investigations and supervision, particularly in Sex Crimes, Child Abuse, and Domestic Violence. Currently, I oversee a diverse team of up to 30 officers and civilians in Patrol Division, extending crucial support in first response and criminal investigations for the City of Victoria and Township of Esquimalt.
Beyond the police, I serve as a reservist with the Royal Canadian Navy, holding the position of Western Region Chief Petty Officer. In this role, I provide guidance on training, succession planning, culture, mentoring, and employee wellness for approximately 1100 sailors across Western Canada. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family - I'm married with two children. My hobbies include running, hiking in the beautiful South Island, and exploring local craft beer offerings.
My involvement with VCAPCC began during my tenure as a child abuse investigator, working with the Child and Youth Advocacy Center. Witnessing the invaluable services provided by VCAPCC to our most vulnerable—our children—has left a lasting impression. As the Chair of the Board, I see an opportunity to continue my journey of giving back to the agency and the wider community, aligning with my roots in law enforcement.
Lauren Duffield has immersed herself in the Canadian tech industry for 8 years, driven by a strong affinity for B Corps—a certification embodying social and environmental responsibility. Specializing in business development, encompassing sales, marketing, and strategy, Lauren brings a wealth of expertise to the table. While her professional endeavors are noteworthy, her beloved dog, Scooby, holds a special place in her life. Lauren's adventures have taken her to over 30 countries, where she's not only explored diverse cultures but also spearheaded numerous volunteer initiatives focused on children's welfare. Since settling in Victoria 5 years ago, Lauren has been passionate about giving back to her local community.
Hello, I'm Beth and I am the secretary of the board. I grew up in Victoria and was blessed to be adopted into a family of 12 children. My parents were wonderful role models for child protection, throughout their 35 years of providing emergency beds for MCFD they fostered countless children, many of whom they are still in contact with today. I joined the board in early 2019 after being invited to attend a ribbon cutting ceremony for the first Child and Youth Advocacy Centre in Victoria, it was an exciting time to become a part of a team that clearly deeply valued child advocacy like I did. As a previous childhood client of VCAPCC I wanted to bring my passion and experience to help local families eagerly in whatever way I could. I tragically lost my mother and brothers while we were healing from an abusive parent, and it is because of my life story that I am grateful to be able to contribute to VCAPCC and all of the families that we support.
I'm Jeremy Leahy, and I am a mental health worker who works in shelters and low barrier housing. With a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, I'm passionate about giving back to the community.
Beyond work, I find solace in camping, playing slo-pitch baseball, hockey, and exploring the Island. Family is paramount to me, and I cherish spending quality time with them.
Volunteering as a VCAPCC Board member fulfills my desire to make a difference in the lives of at-risk children. While I initially felt lacking in direct field experience, I saw this opportunity as a way to positively impact at-risk youth. Working alongside dedicated Board members, each bringing diverse expertise and a friendly environment, I find enjoyment and satisfaction in our collective efforts towards supporting youth that have been affected by violence.
Katy Hutchison grew up in Victoria, spending twenty years on the Mainland while studying business at university and starting a family. Following several years in manufacturing operations management she transitioned into community economic development. Katy returned to the Island in 1998 with her children following the murder of her husband; an event that changed the trajectory of her life in every way. She refers to her writing, education, facilitation and advocacy work in restorative justice and social justice as her “accidental career”; work that took her to classrooms, community centers, prisons and conferences around the world. Her board involvement for school, youth and other non-profit organizations kept Katy connected to local her community until she retired from public speaking in 2018. She has handled the financial management for her partner’s law firm since 1999 and more recently has also assumed the responsibilities of legal assistant in his busy litigation, corporate, family & estate practice. In her free time Katy loves spending time with her kids & grandbabies, chasing her dog Scrum and rolling out her yoga mat whenever she possibly can!
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