Our Governance
We are a non-profit stable and are led by a Board of parents and riders. Our horses are owned by the Lancer organization. Our Board of Directors is committed to the highest standard of governance. Our Board is comprised of adult riders and parents of our junior members, all of whom are elected by our membership for a three-year term. Our Board mandate includes guiding the strategic direction of Lancers, developing and implementing policies, maintaining our financial stability, and ensuring the preservation of our historic building.
Meet our Board of Directors
Lynn Flewelling
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Occupation: Lynn retired from a thirty-year corporate career.
Q: Why do you choose to give your time, effort, and energy to Lancers?
“Horses and community outreach give me great joy and Lancers brings these both together. In 2019, I returned to riding after an extended absence to discover that my connection to horses was stronger than ever. I’m an advocate for the therapeutic benefits of horses and the value they bring to individuals and communities alike. The opportunity to join the Lancers Board of Directors is my way of supporting an organization that has been enriching lives and enhancing the landscape of Halifax since 1936.”
Kip Grasse
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Occupation: Veterinarian
Q: Why do you choose to give your time, effort, and energy to Lancers?
A: “I feel it is very important for communities to have robust social and cultural institutions, such as Halifax Lancers. Those institutions require strong, diverse and responsive governance to ensure their ongoing growth and success. As a parent of two Lancers riders, a coach of youth sport and a volunteer I am very happy to be able to give my time to an organization that has served the community of Halifax these many years. The [youth] riding at the Lancers deserve representation from a broad range of technical and administrative personnel. The physical infrastructure of the Lancers organization needs ongoing and active management to ensure the health of the facility. Most importantly, the horses need responsive professional management to ensure they experience a healthy, stress free environment for optimal health and to provide maximum enjoyment for all. I have been fortunate to enjoy the experience of horsemanship my entire life and can provide valuable input to the Board of Directors, act as advocate for the families of riders and safeguard the health of the horses as a member.”
Nathalie McLean
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Occupation: Chartered Accountant
Q: Why do you choose to give your time, effort, and energy to Lancers?
A: Gratitude. I have been involved with Lancers since my daughter, Emma, joined in 2008. It was a way to help out and pass some time during the many hours I spent at the barn. On March 29, 2015 at 12:38 am I was awoken by a phone call from my husband saying that his plane had crashed but that he was okay. That moment forever changed my life. Life is short and is meant to be lived. When Emma graduated in 2016, I decided that it was time for me to learn to ride. I give my time, effort and energy to those things that play a big role in my life. For 14 years, Lancers is probably the biggest commitment I have had outside of family and work. At Lancers, I have developed what I believe will be life long friendships both as a parent and a rider. It’s really about completing the circle and paying it forward, the good fortune that has been blessed upon me.
Genevieve Zimmerman
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Occupation: Manager, High Risk Client Management
Q: Why do you choose to give your time, effort, and energy to Lancers?
A: “Halifax Lancers is a very special organization and one that I am proud my family is part of. I rode at lancers for a few years in the late 90’s, again from 2017-2019 and now I am living vicariously through my daughter who is a junior rider. I have loved watching Lancers grow into the community minded, inclusive organization it is today and am grateful for all the knowledge, empathy, skills and responsibility it is teaching my daughter (and others like her!). Being around horses and having an opportunity to be part of their lives is a truly magical experience, and is something that Lancers is making accessible for so many people. I am very grateful to have this opportunity to give back to the Lancer community.”
Katie Willyard
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Q: Why do you choose to give your time, effort, and energy to Lancers?
A: Lancers is such a special organization to have in downtown Halifax. I can still remember moving to downtown Halifax and away from horses for the first time (or so I thought). I was so happy to find not only horses just a few blocks from my apartment, but also an organization offering impactful programming to the community. I strongly believe that the benefits of equine programming go far beyond recreation, and have such an impact on skills development, mental health and physical health. I am happy to make a small contribution to Lancers by joining the Board of Directors.
Thomas Smith
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Q: Why do you choose to give your time, effort, and energy to Lancers?
A: “I’ve lived in Halifax/Dartmouth for most of my life. When I first moved here as a young teenager, I fell in love with horses, rode hunters and jumpers for many years. My family was directly involved with ‘Lancers’ and I fondly remember the positive impact that the organization had on young people and families from all walks of life.
I’m looking forward to helping the Board continue to build on our mandate to ensure the brightest future for our organization, our members, riders and families.
Kim Harper-Given
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Why do you choose to give your time, effort, and energy to Lancers?
“There are many reasons why I choose to give my time, effort and energy to Lancers but as I was pondering this question today the most important impact Lancers has had on my family is through my daughter who was a Lancer from 1994-1996 when she leased a Lancer horse named Mac; a horse who became her best friend and who pulled her through some of her roughest days after her father died when she was eleven years old. She said, "Mac listens to me. I can tell him how I feel." She loved Mac but about a year later my three children and I moved overseas and she had to say, "So long" to Mac, but she has never forgotten him.
Lancers, through Mac, played an important part in my daughter's healing. Now, thirty years later, I have the opportunity to honour Mac by giving back to Lancers as best as I can.”
Melanie Baker
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Q: Why do you choose to give your time, effort, and energy to Lancers?
A: “As a lifelong Haligonian, I’ve long been familiar with the horses of Lancers. Over the years I would walk by them on my way to or from school, work, or the gym, saying hello or commiserating about the weather. It was not until my daughter joined Lancers in 2024 that I began to understand that the horses were not just a fun novelty in the downtown area of the city, but that they create this almost magical opportunity for kids to learn not just riding skills but also empathy and compassion. Seeing this, I realized I wanted to work with the Lancers’ organization on efforts to ensure that it can continue to offer these experiences and opportunities in downtown Halifax and to grow. I am excited to be a small part of Lancers’ story.”
Committees
All committees are comprised of board members and volunteers from our membership. Our Board leads the following active committees:
A Programming Committee that deals with all operational concerns and programming including Therapeutic riding
A Fundraising Committee that leads all fundraising events throughout the year
A Human Resource Committee that deals with all staffing matters
A Finance Committee that deals with our financial reporting and developing our annual budget
An Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Committee that takes actionable steps to ensure that everyone within the Halifax Lancers community feels included, respected, safe, and supported.
A Nominations Committee that deals with nominations for the Board of Directors