OUR TEAM

The Thorpe Recovery Centre’s commitment to the success of the programs is reflected in the high standard of work, and adherence to the core values. The Staff place a premium on the ethics, education, and training that will serve to provide clients with the best path to recovery. Professional and volunteer experience is only augmented by the fact that a significant number of us are in recovery ourselves, and are proud to serve as examples that change is possible.

Teressa Krueckl

Chief Executive Officer

Teressa began her role as CEO in September 2013 after serving as Director of Administration during a time of organizational transition in 2012. Prior to her time at Thorpe, she worked in community and fund development, executive leadership, and other various community initiative-working groups. Teressa is an active Rotarian and enjoys giving back to the community.

In her role as CEO, she works closely with the governing board of directors to set strategic direction, the vision and mission, all the while ensuring there is a client-centered focus on program delivery. We have come a long way over the last 8 years. It is exciting to be able to guide development so that we may offer a community atmosphere to those struggling with addiction. It is truly a privilege to work with a fantastic team of individuals who all play a part in touching the lives of our clients and their families.

Learn more about Teressa

Emmy Kuypers

Clinical Director | MSW, RSW

Emmy has lived in Lloydminster for the past four years, after living in Northern Saskatchewan for six. Her history was in business management and finance but when she relocated to the North she decided to go back to school for something she had always been passionate about.

She completed her BSW with the University of Regina while working full time as a school counsellor and part-time with the Ministry of Social Services. She has volunteered with Victim Services for the Northern Region for four years and was also on the board for their local daycare as well as our youth development group. Upon moving to Lloydminster she worked again in a school counselling role as well as beginning to work in private practice in a clinical setting where she developed an electric therapeutic style that is rooted in attachment and person-centred approaches. Emmy is enrolled in the University of Calgary with a clinical focus on trauma-informed practice and has been a part of the Lloydminster Rotary Club, sat on the Board for the United Way, and is currently on the board for Lloydminster FCSS, and cohosts the local annual Terry Fox Run.

Learn more about Emmy

Tim Van Staden

Director of Operations | | BSc., RSE, CME

Tim was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta where he completed a degree in Kinesiology before heading to Lloydminster in 2003. Tim is now a Red Seal Journeyman Carpenter and Master Electrician.

In 2018 Tim joined Thorpe with over 20 years of experience in construction repair and maintenance and as of Fall 2020, moved into the role of Operations Director. Projects he has worked on include Stoney Trail Bridgework in Calgary, Calgary Zoo Elephant Exhibit and the Lloydminster Servus Sports Centre. Dedicated to the community, Tim is also an active member of the Blackfoot Fire Department.

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Joanne Wright

Counselling Manager | CACII, CCAC, ACTA

Joanne’s desire to help others embrace recovery comes from her own journey in recovery and how addiction has impacted family and loved ones. Joanne enjoys spending time with family and her pets, making time to laugh every day, fishing and camping, yoga, singing, and listening to music. Joanne is certified with the Canadian Society of Counselors and Therapists and with the Canadian Addictions Counsellors Certificate Federation.

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Haley Gyug

Community Counsellor | Dip. Addictions Counselling

Haley is a graduate of Medicine Hat College with a diploma in Addictions Counselling. She enjoys working with people from all walks of life and is currently our Continuing Care Program facilitator, connecting with Alumni and providing support in their recovery.

Haley enjoys reading, crocheting, cuddling with her kitten, and being outdoors.

Learn more about Haley

Vera Koster

Community Counsellor | BA, Dip. Addiction Counselling, CCAC, ACTA

Vera is a residential addiction counsellor at the Thorpe Recovery Centre and has been with Thorpe since 2016. Vera holds a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology as well as a Diploma in Addiction Counselling; she is certified through the Association of Counselling Therapy of Alberta (ACTA) as well as through the Canadian Addiction Counsellor Certification Association (CACCF).

Vera’s passion for helping people recover from substance addiction is fueled by her personal experience with addiction. Vera has been in recovery from addiction and eating disorder since June 2011. In her free time Vera is a passionate runner and animal lover. In the past year, Vera and the members of the Lloydminster running community have created a volunteer led running program for Thorpe clients.

Learn more about Vera

Savannah Meadus

Community Counsellor | BA

Originally from Lloydminster, Savannah joined our counselling team in 2021 after working at Thorpe as a Summer Student CSW in 2020. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Sociology from McGill University.

Emma Patenaude

Community Counsellor | BA

Emma joined the Counselling Team in 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Sociology from Athabasca University. With her she brings a vast experience engaging with youth where she worked to build mental health capacity amongst the community.

Raised in the Lloydminster Area, Emma had always dreamed of becoming a counsellor and is excited to be a part of the Thorpe team, making her dream a reality.

Learn more about Emma

Jason Patterson

Community Counsellor | BHSc, CCAC

Jason completed his junior practicum with Thorpe in 2018 and was hired on to be the Continuing Care Counsellor until he returned to school at the University of Lethbridge to finish his bachelor of health sciences degree, majoring in Addiction Counselling.

Originally from Calgary, Jason also has his diploma in addiction counselling from Medicine Hat College and diploma in Business Administration through the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT). Jason has previous experience working with vulnerable populations through Fresh Start Recovery Centre in Calgary, South Country Treatment Centre in Lethbridge and ARCHES safe consumption site in Lethbridge. Jason’s passion for the field of addiction began with his own recovery from alcoholism which he began in January 2014. Jason is excited to be back in Lloydminster working with the Thorpe team. His hobbies include a variety of sports and spending summer weekends at his family cabin.

Learn more about Jason

Kenzie Penrod

Community Counsellor | BHSc

Kenzie joins us with a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Sciences from the University of Lethbridge. They have a passion for learning people’s stories, as well as working with individuals using strengths-based counselling techniques.

While not in addiction recovery, they are currently managing Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, which began in Kenzie's youth. Through their education in addictions counselling and own personal journey in recovering from mental illness, Kenzie understands the struggles that those battling substance use disorders often report, such as feelings of shame and guilt, as well as isolation tendencies. Kenzie's hope is that in working with those battling the disease of addiction, they are able to utilize their education alongside personal experiences to support those on their recovery journey.

Learn more about Mackenzie

Candace Stryker

Community Counsellor | MEd

Feeling a strong connection to the natural world, Candace’s journey started with a strong passion in the environmental field. She has worked with many environmental non-profits, as well as ran her own organic farm for some time.

Unknowingly, this was part of a larger part of her own healing of an underlying eating disorder that continued to live itself through her for years when life appeared ‘cold’ or ‘out of control’, and feelings of ‘not being good enough’ resurfaced. During this time of her life, she struggled to find a restful place of action within herself that did not pit environmental issues against social and spiritual issues – which caused which? she wondered. The outward journey to understand this then began to include working on poverty reduction projects overseas, to providing supports to those living with disabilities, to eventually the study of counselling psychology, in addition to her many personal journey’s living in Ashrams, participating in Meditation Retreats, and personal time-outs spent in contemplation. She has a Masters in Counselling Psychology with a focus on Mental Health and Addictions. She has experience working as a counsellor in Palliative Care as well as Addictions. Her professional orientation is strongly influenced by her contemplative, meditative, and yogic leanings, as well as to her connection to the natural world. She believes that addiction is, at its root, a call for love, a call to come ‘home’ within ourselves - to once again feel our inherent connection to life itself.

Learn more about Candace

Jordan Dennill

Social Worker | BSW, RSW

Jordan has been working in the human service industry for over four years while completing her Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree at MacEwan University. Prior to joining the Thorpe Recovery Centre team, Jordan spent her summers working for the Lloydminster Interval Home Society where she developed a passion for supporting others.

In July of 2016, Jordan began volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters Lloydminster as a mentor and describes it as one of her most life-changing opportunities. She obtained her BSW in the spring of 2020 and is a Registered Social Worker through the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW). Jordan employs a person-centered approach and aims to offer a safe space for individuals to uncover their own strengths. While recognizing the multitude of social barriers within society, Jordan is dedicated to the pursuit of social justice and advocating for equality and equitable access to resources and services for all.

Learn more about Jordan

Chelsea Ault

CSW Manager | BA

Chelsea has worked in the non-profit world, specifically in the mental health field, since graduating from the University of Ottawa in 2007. Chelsea holds a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Psychology and a minoring in Criminology and is currently working on her Masters of Business Administration.

Chelsea has experience with individuals processing trauma, children who have experienced trauma, youth with complex mental health issues, trained in the treatment of eating disorders and is trained in CBT. Chelsea brings with her a passion for art and recreation, with a long history of various sports and creative endeavours. Chelsea plays an instrumental role in helping our clients during their recovery by providing a program in which our clients can discover the joy in recreational hobbies. Chelsea values integrity, innovation, and perseverance in her staff and strives to embody those values in her day to day life. Chelsea’s goal is to positively impact the lives of the staff and clients who enter our Thorpe community. Chelsea also enjoys time with her three young children, walking her dog, practicing yoga, painting, reading, and spending time with her friends.

Learn more about Chelsea

Melissa Noeth

Detox Mentor

Somehow we’ve come to equate success with not needing anyone. Many of us are willing to extend a helping hand, but we’re very reluctant to reach out for help when we need it ourselves. It’s as if we’ve divided the world into “those who offer help” and “those who need help.” The truth is that we are both.

Brené Brown

Victoria Poirier

Detox Mentor

After working in the restaurant industry for a number of years, Victoria decided to change her focus to helping others on a deeper level. Victoria joined the team as a Community Support Worker, but her interest and dedication quickly saw her take on the Detox Mentor Role.

Here, she helps those in the initial stages of their recovery journey set goals and begin the work to achieve those goals. She looks forward to completing a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Psychology and a minor in Women's Studies so she may continue to develop her ability to help others. In her spare time, Victoria enjoys time at the cabin with loved ones and a good book.

Learn more about Victoria

Ashley Schlosser

Nurse Supervisor | LPN

Ashley has a strong passion for mental health nursing. She says, “There is nothing better than working everyday with people who have hope to change their lives for the better. I want to be a small part of that journey and know that my time on earth was spent helping people find their way.”

After her graduation from high school in 2005, Ashley began her journey with Thorpe as a Client Care Aide. She attended Norquest College to become an LPN and worked as a detox mentor over her summers off, later returning to be a part of the nursing team until 2015. Pursuing other healthcare avenues, Ashley left the team for a couple of years and has since returned in 2020 as Nurse Supervisor. Ashley is a devoted mom and loves anything that involves her daughters: watching them play hockey and softball, volunteering, managing and assisting wherever she can for their team sports along with being an active volunteer in their schools. Ashley enjoys playing sports, going to the lake, travelling and anything that involves her family.

Learn more about Ashley

Evelyn Hummelle

HR Administrator | BA, PostDip (HR)

The best way to predict your future is to create it.

Abraham Lincoln

Keith Markwick

Facility Manager

Seeking a fresh set of challenges, Keith joined the Thorpe team in 2021 as the Facility Manager. He joins us with 21 years of experience from ADM Agri-Industries as the Shipping Supervisor where he managed a large team and the 24/7 railyard operations. He is a certified heavy duty power technician but has been out of the industry for many years.

Keith is a Christian who is dedicated to improving our community. When not working, you can find him outside fishing, hunting or just enjoying whatever weather Mother Nature has to offer. Keith can also be found on the baseball diamond where he has been on a softball team in town for 20 years enjoying great times with all of his brothers and sisters.

Learn more about Keith