Gay Douglas Broerse, Executive Director

Over the past 25 years, Gay has worked in not-for-profit management and fundraising for a variety of causes – The Kidney Foundation of Canada, Big Sisters Association of Ontario, and the Recycling Council of Ontario.

Since 1996 she has served as the Executive Director of Literacy Link Niagara, coordinating, planning and facilitating a complex service system of adult upgrading programs, and serving as an advocate for adult education. Twice nominated for a Premier’s Award, Gay served as convocation speaker at the 1999 and 2010 Niagara College convocations. She was presented with an honourary graduate certificate in event management. 

Gay was recently recognized as a 2010 YWCA Woman of Distinction in the category of Training, Education and Development.

Ashley Hoath, Assistant Executive Director

Ashley believes that many community issues are tied to low literacy levels including unemployment, poverty and political apathy.  A recent graduate of Leadership Niagara, Ashley feels that leadership means inspiring people to dialogue about community possibilities, not problems. 

She holds an undergraduate degree in Politics and Women’s Studies with an emphasis in Law & Policy from Trent University.  She also has a Post-Graduate Certificate in Event Management from Niagara College. 

She is the Chair of NEXTNiagara, an attraction and retention strategy for the emerging generation ages 15-35.  In her spare time, she loves to garden with her husband, walk her dog Lily, watch documentaries and experiment with food in her kitchen.

Darlene Drouin, Educational Assessor

Darlene is the result of a unique partnership between Literacy Link Niagara and the Early Childhood Community Development Centre (ECCDC), an example of basic adult education and early childhood education working together.

At the ECCDC, she is responsible for the ongoing development and maintenance of the organization's databases and websites and maintaining and reporting data elements related to QCCN, Parent Direct Niagara, and the ECCDC. Before coming to the ECCDC, Darlene earned her diploma from Niagara College and spent many years working as an ECE, then a Resource Manager of an outreach program for adolescent parents attending school and Data Assistant for Niagara Brighter Futures (CAPC) and Healthy from the Start (CPNP). During this time, Darlene gained a deep respect for Niagara's diverse families and a keen sensitivity to the challenges and successes they experience.

Of particular passion to Darlene, is family literacy and it's part in building strong and successful families and children in our communities.