Caley Hartney
Executive Director
Caley Hartney is the Executive Director for
the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – British Columbia and Yukon. As
the leader of the organization, Caley supports the delivery of organizational
objectives to provide youth with opportunities to develop into the best
possible versions of themselves through achieving their Award.
Caley Hartney is an experienced
professional working in non-profit organizations (NPO) and education (public
and independent schools) within Canada. Caley
brings international experience and relationships through her leadership roles
at St. Margaret’s School and Adidas (Reebok Social Purpose Initiative – Build
Our Kids Success – BOKS). Caley has also worked across Canada as a teacher in the
public education system in multiple provinces and also in the health and
physical education sector (PHE Canada). Caley earned a Bachelor of Arts
(Honours) and Bachelor of Education Degree from Queen’s University, and also
holds a Graduate Diploma in Social Responsibility and Sustainability from the
University of St. Michaels College.
Caley lives in Victoria, British Columbia
with her husband, two children and beloved Springer Spaniel (Goose).
Teresa Lindsay
Program Coordinator
Teresa Lindsay formerly co-founded a
volunteer-run non-profit for impoverished women reentering the workforce,
organized openhouse charity events for the homeless,
and dedicated four years of her life curating and
writing editorial celebrating youth and diverse talent in our community.
To schools and universities, she presents on the importance of
personal development and the power of giving. Travelling as a program director
for cruise lines, Teresa covered five countries and thirty-five cities in less
than two years. After, while living in Germany for six months, she travelled to
France and Italy, and then completed several overland adventures through
central/western USA and the Yukon. In addition to checking off
her bucket-list, she is an experienced martial artist, skier,
painter, orchid whisperer and highly acclaimed local designer. As our program
coordinator, Teresa endeavours to express the value of education in conjunction
with personal goal setting; where passion and persistence leads to personal achievement,
improving self-confidence, self-awareness, and mental/emotional wellbeing so
young people are prepared to pursue their most fulfilling life.
Melissa Neilson
Award & Communications Officer
Melissa has a background in marketing, graphic
design, and event planning, and has been recognized internationally for
her marketing efforts in Japan, receiving the Branding Excellence award from
LinkedIn Japan in 2018. She has studied both Japanese and French, and earned a
Bachelor's of Commerce and a Certificate in Japanese Language in Culture from
the University of Victoria. Melissa was an executive member of AIESEC Victoria,
a not-for-profit run by youth for youth, which sparked her passion for youth
leadership development. After 4 years of working in marketing and design in
Tokyo, she is back in her hometown of Victoria to join the team at The Duke of
Edinburgh’s International Award - British Columbia and Yukon, and to follow her
passion of youth empowerment and leadership. She hopes to empower local youth
in BC and Yukon to discover their potential and become the leaders of
tomorrow.