Our Outstanding Team
Virginia Sawatsky
Executive Director & Vice-President
Virginia has been with Pathways since the very first day it opened, May 1, 1993. As Executive Director & Vice President, she loves her work as much today as she did 29 years ago! Virginia loves working alongside an amazing team, focussed on providing quality supports, and is passionate that each person belongs in their community, regardless of ability, and that each person has something to “give back or contribute.”
Virginia is motivated by Pathways’ mission statement of “Better Lives” and it is her desire that each person, their family, staff and the community has a better life, because of interacting with Pathways. She is especially excited about the partnership in Romania and dreams of better lives for the people with disabilities there. Travel with her family and exploring our amazing world, is where she loves to spend her vacation time.
Lesley Claxton
- Langley -
Lesley has been with Pathways for almost 25 years. She loves Pathways because each day really is all about providing support; making the participant’s needs the main focus and striving for Better Lives each and every day. Lesley loves watching her boys grow and play sports (especially Lacrosse) and spending time with family & friends.
Felicia Pownall
- Langley -
Felicia has been with the organization since 2002. She loves the feeling when you walk through the door – a welcoming, inclusive company, willing to adapt and change to better people’s lives. On her time off, Felicia loves to travel.
Carolyn Putt
- Chilliwack -
Carolyn is the newest member of the supervisory team. She strives to improve and enrich the lives of others and chose Pathways because it is about community inclusion for all. Carolyn loves all things outdoors, especially hiking in all areas of BC and abroad.
Cherlyne Colling
- Abbotsford / Mission -
Cherlyne has been with Pathways for over 25 years! She loves working at Pathways because they strongly support her personal values which are community inclusion, equality, dignity and independence for individuals with disabilities. Cherlyne strives for a balanced program that in turn creates better lives not only for her team – participants, staff, families/caregivers, but also for the community as a whole. Cherlyne strongly supports giving back to our community and loves to support and take part in the journey and celebrating as each participant works towards achieving her/his personal goals and to witness the sense of accomplishments that comes with the completion each goal - no matter how long it is takes. Cherlyne strives for empowerment and independence for the individuals and a community that embraces and welcomes individuals as a valued members of the community without any segregation. In her time away from the program, Cherlyne loves walking her dogs, spending time with her family & grandchildren and taking in community events.