Hesperus Village operates as a non-profit charitable organization, dedicated to upholding the values of reverence for elderhood, personal growth, and stewardship of the land through a connection with nature. We strive to create a space where residents can continue their journey of self-discovery as they age and contribute in a meaningful way to our vibrant community.
Our Organization
Volunteer Appreciation Event 2024
Our Team
Staff members, board members, residents and the broader community all work together to create the magic of Hesperus Village.
Except for legal and financial decisions, we work in collaboration with selected representatives of the residents through the circles in order to set a series of guidelines and agreements regarding matters that affect our residents’ daily lives.
Our volunteer Board of Directors have ultimate fiduciary responsibility for the ongoing operations of Hesperus Village and create the foundation from which staff and residents work together. Legal and financial matters are ultimately in their hands.
Our staff are responsible for day-to-day operations and report to the Board of Directors through the Executive Director. We are also strongly supported and helped by volunteers and partners that are found amongst our residents and within our broader community.
Our residents actively participate in daily life by volunteering in the working circles or by offering personal initiatives of their own. In addition to playing a role in service of the whole community, the residents are also the main reason we are all here.
How We Work Together
We work as partners with our residents. In 2018 we implemented a governance structure that was built together with the board, staff and resident representatives. It contains a series of circles that set guidelines and policies for activities / decisions that directly affect resident daily lives. The circles are built with representation from across the community. Certain circles are completely self-directed by residents where others include staff members. All circles are linked so that there is coordination and communication across the organization. Each circle has a mandate and an area of responsibility. A General Circle with staff and residents meet monthly with the Executive Director to share information across the organization. There are terms of reference and terms of service. Residents are nominated to be part of these circles and they are accountable to the community. We provide updates, seek input, and share concerns through monthly resident meetings and newsletter. Yearly surveys and focus groups are conducted to formally check-in and provide summaries to the Board. Residents do not vote in matters related to legal, financial or risk management but we will seek their opinion as inputs to critical board decisions of this nature through the circle structures and resident meetings.
Our Board of Directors
We are grateful for the leadership of our talented board. Board members are dedicated volunteers with fiduciary responsibility and oversight of Hesperus Village’s operations.
Dorothy Le Baron
Chair
Dorothy has been a director on the Hesperus Board since 2021. Prior to that she served for seven years on the Board of the Anthroposophical Society in Canada. As an adult educator with 25 years of experience teaching and facilitating workshops and programs, she draws on diverse sources, including biographical and social art training through Arscura School for Art, and Theory U frameworks and leadership practices developed by C. Otto Scharmer. Her workshops emphasize creating learning environments where individuals and communities can access deeper sources of creativity and learning. As an entrepreneur Dorothy co-owned a unique and successful specialty business on Toronto’s waterfront for more than 40 years. Dorothy is excited to be part of this organization with its in-depth understanding and practice of modelling a unique approach to elderhood and community living. She enjoys sharing an Australian shepherd with her son in Toronto and spending time in Whitehorse with her daughter and 3 grandchildren.
Jeanny VanPatter
Vice Chair
Jeanny is familiar with Hesperus operations as she did consulting work with Hesperus over 10 years ago, and then subsequently joined the Finance Committee for a number of years. Jeanny is very excited to come back to contribute to this community. Jeanny is an accountant with CMA, CPA designation. She has been working in the health care sector for over 20 years. Her experiences include working with the Central Community Care Access Centre and Several other organizations in the Community Service Sector. Currently Jeanny is the Deputy Chief Financial Officer with Oak Valley Health/Markham Stouffville Hospital overseeing Finance, Risk Management, Patient Registration and the Scheduling team. She previously volunteered as a board director with Rose of Sharon. Jeanny is married with two boys and loves to spend time with the family. She is a loyal Maple Leaf and Blue Jays fan.
Jayson Rutledge
Treasurer
Jayson is an accountant with a CA, CPA designation. He has worked in public accounting for over 10 years and is currently a partner at a regional firm. His client focus is assurance for not-for-profit and for-profit corporations. Jayson is an avid outdoor enthusiast and enjoys exploring the lakes and trails of Ontario. He joined the board in 2021 and is a member of the finance committee. Jayson is currently Treasurer of the Board and is a member of the Finance Committee.
Vibeke Ball
Director
Vibeke Ball is an active Hesperus volunteer. In the past she has worked in biography and art therapy through her training at Arscura School for Living Art. As an adult educator she has had affiliations with Hospice in Florida and Hospice King-Aurora, working with the elderly, cancer patients and children in bereavement. Vibeke has a background in public relations and event planning in the hotel industry and since having a family, she engaged with fundraising and event planning through volunteering on behalf of various schools including the Toronto Waldorf School (TWS). Vibeke volunteers at Hesperus because she has an interest in the ongoing development and biography of the human being which includes spirituality, relationships, and community development. Having been involved with the campus since 1996 when her daughter attended TWS, volunteering there and at the Rudolf Steiner Centre (RSC), Vibeke feels strongly connected to the whole community. With age, volunteering at Hesperus was a natural next step… Vibeke is currently Co-Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee. and has been a member of the Board since 2007.
Pritam Ambekar
Secretary
Pritam (Preet) is a computer engineer with over 25 years of experience in technology leadership and enterprise delivery. She began her career as a software developer and progressed through senior leadership and management roles across several organizations, including Rogers, Computershare, and Navteq. She currently serves as Director of Information Technology in 407 ETR, overseeing customer experience channels and customer-facing platforms, with a strong focus on reliability, scalability, and digital transformation. Pritam brings a strong interest in governance models, organizational effectiveness, and the responsible adoption of emerging technologies. She is actively involved in advancing AI initiatives within her organization and is particularly passionate about establishing effective governance frameworks for AI and new technologies. She was drawn to Hesperus by its inspiring vision and mission and is eager to contribute to the organization’s work while learning more about the evolving needs of senior living and community-centered housing. Outside of work, Pritam is married with two children and enjoys traveling, spending time outdoors, and life with her German Shepherd.
Luis Flores
Director
Luis Flores, PMP, WRT, is the newest member to our board. He brings extensive expertise in large-scale construction management and emergency restoration, specializing in insurable losses and complex builds. He previously served as Director of Construction and Development for a major support organization, leading an affordable housing land trust and managing capital building portfolios. He leverages his blend of non-profit capital oversight and technical construction expertise to serve on the board of directors. Outside of work, he is an avid cyclist and loves hanging out with his sons at Canada’s Wonderland.
Pina Corigliano
Executive Director (ex-officio)
Pina Corigliano has served as the Executive Director of Hesperus Village since 2010. Anthroposophical organizations have been an important part of her life for many years, starting with her son’s early schooling at the Toronto Waldorf School (TWS). Through this initial connection, Pina became familiar with Hesperus Village, and was taken with its authenticity and strong sense of community. Pina began volunteering with Hesperus Village in 2007 and has continued to deepen her connection with its community ever since. Before joining Hesperus Village, Pina worked in corporate environments for over 12 years, holding positions with major Canadian companies including Wood Gundy, Abitibi Price and Bombardier. She has an Honors BA in English and Psychology from Queen’s University, as well as an MBA from Schulich School of Business. Pina continues to be inspired by the commitment of Hesperus Village’s staff, board and residents to work together to achieve the organization’s goals. She is honoured to play a part in the growth and transformation of Hesperus Village that will serve current and future residents alike.
Hesperus Village is looking for new Board Members.
Please see 'Join our Board Poster' for more information. For questions please contact Vibeke Ball at 416 998-7367 or vibekeball@mac.com
Our General Circle
The General Circle is at the center of our work together. The General Circle is linked to our Board through the Executive Director and is linked to the staff and residents through the Land and Building and Cultural working circles that include staff and residents.
Our Land and Building Circle
The Land and Building Circle, comprised of Garden and Aesthetic Circles, plays an important role in the look and feel of our building and lands. From discussing maintenance priorities, setting guidelines for the use of communal spaces (indoors and out) to leading the garden activities and choosing paint colours or new furniture --- these staff and residents are hard at work to keep Hesperus the beautiful space that it is.
Our Cultural Circle
The Cultural Circle, formed by staff and resident representatives from the Social, Festival and Library Circles, work together to coordinate, organize and run a variety of activities throughout the year. From coffee time, movie nights and birthday celebrations to major holidays and festivals connected to the changing of the seasons, the work of the Cultural Circle is all about building community.