Board of Directors

Sophie Wilmer

I live in Fergus, Ontario with my husband Nick with whom we together share 3 children.

I am currently the executive and creative director of a production glassblowing studio that my parents founded over 35 years ago. I am lean management expert and DISC behaviour consultant. I completed a double major in Art History and Political Science from Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario. 

We decided to pursue Waldorf education when our oldest was starting grade 1. After the isolation of the pandemic, we were looking for a community and to have an education experience that was more than just “one” thing. We have loved our experience at Trillium Waldorf, our children are around teachers and people who see them for the amazing people they are discovering themselves to be. My favourite aspect of this education is how much respect and reverence everyone has for the childhood development experience and truly the human experience, and works hard to hold a high standard. 

This season of my life is filled mostly with work, my family life and being in the school community to witness my children’s experience. I love listening to music and skiing. A fun fact about me is that I did competitive synchronized swimming from the ages of 10-16 and can still hold my breath for an impressive amount of time! 

I am currently Interim Chair of the Board and also sit on the Marketing Committee.

George Ivanoff

George has been involved in anthroposophical initiatives since 1986, when his eldest child entered kindergarten at the Toronto Waldorf School (TWS) and he took the Introduction to Anthroposophy course at Rudolf Steiner College Canada. He was chair of the building committee that oversaw the design and construction of the new arts and sports wing of the TWS, then joined the board and was board chair during the 1990’s. 

After taking the Waldorf Teacher Training program he taught part-time in the high school at TWS for a few years then full time for one year to cover a maternity leave. He was on the board of the Rudolf Steiner College Canada for 19 years. 

George graduated from the University of Guelph with a BSc (Agr) and a Masters in Landscape Architecture. He worked as a landscape architect and environmental planner for 30 years in the Toronto area before retiring to Guelph with his wife Eve, who had also studied at U of G. 

They both enjoy the wonderful green spaces in and around Guelph, and are blessed to have a beautiful retreat on a small lake near Mactier.

George joined the board at Trillium in 2019 and has served as secretary since 2020. He has been facilitating the Foundation Studies in Anthroposophy program for several years held at Trillium. He is happiest when able to contribute to his local community, but especially to the important work being done by the teachers at Trillium and to this vibrant community.

John Wright

John joined the board for the second time in December of 2020.  He has been active in the school community for over 25 years. 

He is currently chairing the Development committee. John is retired and lives north of Guelph with his partner, Kris Wright.  Their 5 children graduated from Trillium Waldorf School.  

John spent his career in IT and software development.  He now volunteers much of his time.  He holds leadership positions at his church, the school and serves on other boards/foundations.  He also spends time in water justice and activism.  

John enjoys working outdoors and thoroughly enjoys his involvement in the Shepherd’s Play.  He has an interest in Associative Economics and how it can make Waldorf Schools more sustainable and accessible to many more students

Kevork Tanielian

An Armenian by descent, I was born and raised in the coastal city of Burgas, Bulgaria.  I attended high school in the capital of Cyprus — Nicosia, and graduated from Northwood University in Midland, Michigan USA, a city renowned for its mid-century modern architecture by architect Alden B. Dow, a Taliesin fellow. 

I am currently a Financial Controller for a leading industry lift and material handling equipment dealer in Eastern Canada.

I joined the board in 2023, having been a member of the Finance Committee for almost a year.  I have extensive international experience in North America and Eastern Europe and have a CPA certification.

My wife, Arusyak, and I have two children who are students at the Trillium Waldorf School (TrWS).  Moved to Guelph to enroll them in the TrWS and attend the multitude of after-school community events which are an integral part of shaping our children’s upbringing.

Waldorf is an experience, which our family firmly believes is best suited to help our children in their maturation to adulthood and beyond.  It is an experience, which is elevating and enlightening for parents as well.

Photography has been a passion of mine ever since our children were born, and lately I have been experimenting with traditional film photography.

Lynne McNab

Lynne joined the board in 2022. She is currently chair of the personnel committee. 

She was a kindergarten teacher at Trillium between 1999 and 2004 and in early childhood at Halton Waldorf School before that. Her three children attended Halton and then Trillium. Before this, she worked in children’s theatre and at Michaelhaven, an anthroposophical children’s home that closed when the children became adults and joined Camphill Village Ontario.

Lynne now teaches in public school in Waterloo where she brings whatever joy of Waldorf pedagogy that she can to the children there. For most of her public school career she has been a music teacher. Now close to retirement, she has returned to her first love: kindergarten. She is passionate about outdoor education and runs a forest school program, taking children to the forest, the meadow and beside the stream. She tries to bridge indigenous teachings into the weekly life of her public school kindergarten and often thinks in these terms when planning for those children who need more connection with Mother Earth.

In recent years, Lynne has been travelling a good deal, having adventures in countries around the world. Ask her about her three-month voyage around the world (literally), in a freight ship! She volunteered in a school in South India this past summer, helping the music teacher in particular, who is teaching carnatic music (the classical music of South India).

She enjoys the passion and dedication of her fellow board members, and being reconnected to the school after nearly twenty years! She is currently chair of the Personnel Committee.

Phaedra Tettero-Crosby 

I live in Guelph, ON with my husband and 4 children. I currently run a small soap making business which I founded in 2021, called Queen of Cups. In addition to that I am a supply teacher at Trillium Waldorf School, and I enjoy community organizing and volunteering.

I attended Warmonderhof- a biodynamic agricultural College in The Netherlands. I graduated from the 4 year, full time program in 2009 with a Farm Business Manager degree with a specialization in Market Gardening. In 2018 I graduated from the Rudolf Steiner College Canada with my Waldorf Teaching Certificate. 

I came to Trillium Waldorf School in 2017 with my then two children. I was just completing my Waldorf Teacher Training and had been teaching at Edge Hill School before deciding to relocate to Guelph to join the Trillium Waldorf School community. I was on the faculty at Trillium for 3 years before going on maternity leave. During my subsequent two maternity leaves I found my involvement with the Parent Council to be a wonderful way to stay engaged, support the school and continue learning.

I had the joy of going to a Waldorf School as a child from kindergarten until Grade 6. So, when it came time to put my own children in school it was a no brainer for me. As I engaged with the Waldorf curriculum and pedagogy as a parent I was blown away by how thoughtful and meaningful everything was. As a child I had a wonderful experience, I loved school but of course I didn’t know what went on behind the scenes. I love many things about Waldorf Education, the lack of media in the classroom, the strong presence of spiritual work, following the wheel of the year (the seasons), the festivals and celebrations, the therapeutic touches throughout all the subjects, the art, music and hands on skills as well as the creative and engaging ways that academics are taught. 

I enjoy my involvement on the board because it is rewarding to work and grow together, to put on events, to vision and bring people together and ultimately create a vibrant, cohesive community for all. I am the Parent Council Liaison on the Board.

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