Meet Our Staff
Monique Pilkington, Executive Director, CNIB Lake Joe
Monique joined the CNIB Lake Joe team in 2016 as Executive Director. She is passionate about the ‘magic of camp’ and believes CNIB Lake Joe brings people together while building independence, and enabling people of all ages to live life to the fullest through recreation, sports and leisure. Prior to joining the CNIB Lake Joe team, Monique held a variety of roles at CNIB. As Regional Director for CNIB Ontario North, she led the implementation of The Path to Change and launched the CNIB Foundation in Northern Ontario. Monique was also the National Director for the Medical Mobile Eye Care Unit (CNIB Eye Van), a program that serves 4,500 Northern Ontario patients annually – it achieved international recognition during her 23-year tenure as manager. In 2010, Monique received the national CNIB Grace Worts Staff Service Award, recognizing her outstanding commitment to the advancement of services for people living with sight loss. Monique has a deep appreciation for volunteers, having originally joined CNIB as Coordinator, Volunteer Services in 1989. Monique’s home base is the CNIB Sudbury Community Hub, but she’s often found heading down the highway to spend time at CNIB Lake Joe!
Eugene Chong, General Manager, CNIB Lake Joe
With over 20 years of experience, Eugene has held various senior leadership positions in camps and recreation programs across the country. Prior to joining CNIB Lake Joe in 2017, Eugene worked in the cultural sector for a large contemporary arts organization in Toronto. In that role, he managed educational programs (including one of the largest camp operations in Ontario) and was awarded the Gift of Belonging Award for providing exemplary inclusive programs and practices for individuals with special needs. A passionate camp professional, Eugene is a Fellow with The Society of Camp Directors. In his spare time, he volunteers with the Ontario Camps Association (OCA) as the Chair, Membership Committee; a designated mentor, and a Senior Standards Visitor with the OCA accreditation program. In 2016, he received an OCA Volunteer Recognition Award for his dedication to the work of camps in Ontario. In the summer, you'll find Eugene chatting with guests, embracing the water and sharing his passion for fishing with others.
Bree Leblanc, Program Manager
With a passion for recreation and camp, Bree is excited to welcome guests of all ages and abilities to Lake Joe! With a degree in Communications and a diploma in Recreation and Leisure Services, Bree has a diverse background in the field of recreation and education developing and managing municipal day camp programs for children, supervising programs for youth for a cruise line, and coordinating academic travel programs for international students. Having worked with both High Five and Ontario Camps Association accredited programs alongside of attending camp as a camper in her younger days as well, she is excited to continue delivering experiences that meet the high standards of program operations that Lake Joe is known for. The leadership and expertise she brings to the program team will ensure that our life-changing experiences will continue to enrich the lives of our participants and guests and help make lasting memories. Bree finds joy in art of all forms, at the top of her list of personal hobbies would be immersing herself in watching live music, sketching and sculpting. She adores any chance to channel her creativity. When at camp, you will find Bree sharing stories of her travels with our guests or jumping into any and all activities with our campers!
Emily Harrison, Lead, Guest Experience, CNIB Lake Joe
Emily is excited to return to CNIB Lake Joe after working at camp in 2018 as a boat driver. During her time away, Emily completed her Master’s degree in Education from the University of Toronto, focusing on post-secondary student development and student services. She worked as an administrator at the University of Toronto within student housing operations. Emily is overjoyed to pair her passion for the outdoors and recreation with her administration, customer service and intersectionality skills. Between university semesters, Emily spent her summers working at several camps and built a foundational knowledge of camp life! Emily is eager to share her experiences with others and bring her passion for camp and learning to CNIB Lake Joe. Outside camp, Emily assists at her home Baton Twirling club as an assistant coach. You might even catch her practising her skills at camp in the summer! Throughout the season, you’ll usually find Emily in the office chatting with staff and guests, getting as close to the water as possible, and working on plans for her next camping adventure!
Sherri Helsdingen, Manager, Community Engagement, CNIB Lake Joe
Sherri has been working with CNIB since 2012 as part of the Simcoe/Muskoka team in Barrie and was thrilled to join the CNIB Lake Joe team in May 2019. With a passion for health promotion, Sherri has spent most of her career in health-related charities and loves being able to contribute to programs that promote health and independence for people of all ages and abilities. Sherri is happiest when focused on the things she loves most – volunteer engagement, communications, event planning and project management – but never did she imagine that this work could involve things like waterskiing, tandem bicycling and outdoor pizza-making! In 2015 Sherri was the recipient of the CNIB Employee of the Year Award for the GTA region. She can't believe how lucky she is to work all day, every day with people who give so much of themselves to bring the magic of camp to life for people with sight loss. In her free time, Sherri is busy volunteering at a local cat shelter (she confesses to being a bit of a crazy cat lady), and is limbering up to tackle the blue section of the Climbing Tower.
Barry Quick, Facility Operator, CNIB Lake Joe
Since 2012, Barry has been responsible for maintaining the property at CNIB Lake Joe and keeping it luscious and beautiful. His passion for the camp and commitment to accessibility is apparent across the entire 12.5-acre site. After spending most of his life in southwestern Ontario, Barry now calls Muskoka home. When he's not at camp, Barry volunteers with the Seguin Fire Service and loves to spend as much time as possible fishing. Barry and the rest of the facility team can’t wait for another amazing summer on the shores of CNIB Lake Joe!
Meet the CNIB Lake Joe Advisory Board
Corey Braun, Chair
Jane Casey
Jason Mitschele (ex-officio)
Derek Thompson
Stephanie Wilsack
Audrey Wubbenhorst