Meet the Sail Georgian Bay
Board of Directors
The members of the SGB Board of Directors are only a part of the many volunteers who donate their time to the sailing school. Thank you, parents and guardians, athletes & volunteers who make up the community that runs SGB.
Liesbeth Halbertsma - Chair
Privacy Officer
Liesbeth Halbertsma grew up in The Netherlands and France. She got her masters degree from the University of Amsterdam, which was the start of an adventurous life, filled with travels and different work experiences; such as manager of a children right’s organization, editor, designer, business owner, and currently teacher.
With her husband and sons, she moved from Holland to the Caribbean island Sint Maarten, and lived and worked for 14 years. In the winter of 2015 the family moved to Canada for a new adventure.
Voluntary work has always been part of her life. Liesbeth was chairman of the Youth Sailing Committee of the Sint Maarten Yacht Club, and director of the Board of AHOSailing. She is not a sailor, but loves to be near the water, and with sailors in the family she volunteered for Sail Georgian Bay. As music is a passion: she was an active Board member for many years of Classical Delight in St Maarten, and currently
of the Collingwood Music Festival. When she is not working, Liesbeth can be found
outdoors, running, hiking or skiing on the beautiful trails.
With her husband and sons, she moved from Holland to the Caribbean island Sint Maarten, and lived and worked for 14 years. In the winter of 2015 the family moved to Canada for a new adventure.
Voluntary work has always been part of her life. Liesbeth was chairman of the Youth Sailing Committee of the Sint Maarten Yacht Club, and director of the Board of AHOSailing. She is not a sailor, but loves to be near the water, and with sailors in the family she volunteered for Sail Georgian Bay. As music is a passion: she was an active Board member for many years of Classical Delight in St Maarten, and currently
of the Collingwood Music Festival. When she is not working, Liesbeth can be found
outdoors, running, hiking or skiing on the beautiful trails.
Lisa Newey - Treasurer
Lisa joined the Sail Georgian Bay (SGB) Board as Treasurer in 2022 with the hope of giving back to this wonderful community institution that has offered a sense of responsibility, learning, independence and fun to hundreds of children since 2001, including her own. Lisa’s two boat-loving daughters were introduced to sailing at SGB in 2019 and are now working on their CanSail Level 6 and coaching. They are quick to point out that there is no such thing as too much wind.
Lisa and her family are long-time visitors to Southern Georgian Bay. After a decade as temporary residents in Thornbury, they most recently lived on an old-but-charming boat for the summer in Owen Sound, until becoming part-time residents of Meaford, a short walk up the street from Rhoda’s Boathouse and SGB, in 2022. When not in Meaford, Lisa is an executive recruiter in Toronto. She focuses exclusively on the financial markets sector and, previously spent 15 years working in
capital markets roles for major financial institutions.
She holds an MBA and a civil engineering degree, both from the Western University,
and is a registered Professional Engineer. The descendent of four generations of
Newfoundland-based ships’ captains dating back to the 1700s, Lisa’s now-diluted
gene pool results in a fair-weather windsurfer who has questionable skill but abundant
enthusiasm. She thinks that there is no better place to be than near water, wherever that may be.
Lisa and her family are long-time visitors to Southern Georgian Bay. After a decade as temporary residents in Thornbury, they most recently lived on an old-but-charming boat for the summer in Owen Sound, until becoming part-time residents of Meaford, a short walk up the street from Rhoda’s Boathouse and SGB, in 2022. When not in Meaford, Lisa is an executive recruiter in Toronto. She focuses exclusively on the financial markets sector and, previously spent 15 years working in
capital markets roles for major financial institutions.
She holds an MBA and a civil engineering degree, both from the Western University,
and is a registered Professional Engineer. The descendent of four generations of
Newfoundland-based ships’ captains dating back to the 1700s, Lisa’s now-diluted
gene pool results in a fair-weather windsurfer who has questionable skill but abundant
enthusiasm. She thinks that there is no better place to be than near water, wherever that may be.
Kyle Gilas - Director
Mechanics & Maintenance
Previously a sailor and CANSail 1-4 coach at SGB, Kyle has become a valuable member of the board.
He is the head contact when it comes to fixing things, and works hard to keep everything in safe, working order, from equipment to facility. Besides sailing and mechanics, Kyle is passionate about agriculture, trains, and fixing stuff. In his free time you can find him sailing the beautiful blue Georgian Bay.
He is the head contact when it comes to fixing things, and works hard to keep everything in safe, working order, from equipment to facility. Besides sailing and mechanics, Kyle is passionate about agriculture, trains, and fixing stuff. In his free time you can find him sailing the beautiful blue Georgian Bay.
Donna Hall - Director
Social Media & Marketing
While Donna fell in love with Georgian Bay looking at it from the top of a ski hill, after spending summers in the area she decided the summer season is even better. Her family first discovered the sailing school in summer 2014 when her older son started the program and now her teen daughter is working through her CANSail levels at the school as well. With two multi-sport athletes in the family, she has been involved in a range of youth sports as an athlete-parent and as a volunteer. She is excited to work with Sail Georgian Bay, an organisation that is devoted to sharing the experience of sailing with young people, some who have never tried boating before attending SGB sailing camp. Donna is a Principal in boutique research and consulting firm SRG Consultants Inc.
Neil Marshall - Director
Risk Management and Safety Officer
Neil is a retired family physician with an interest in sailing that stretches back to when he was nine years old, learning to sail a canoe with his father. He learned more about sailing while at university, where he learned to sail and race GP 14's. He has had a few boats in the past and currently he and his wife have a 38 ft. Catalina in Meaford Harbour and they enjoy sailing in the North Channel and Georgian Bay.
Collin Young - Director
Adult Sailing Coach
I’m a resident of the Georgian Bay Area and a local cruising sailing coach. My passion for sailing started almost 2 decades ago right here in Meaford. My daughter was a sailing student and later an instructor with SGB. My interest was sparked aboard a small Sunfish, (her first dinghy) and grew as I progressed to trying many styles of sailboats over the years. From small Hobie Cats to a 45' catamaran chartered in the BVI's, and recently Antigua and Barbuda on a 42’ monohull. I’m now on "Kronos", an Oceanis 370, (the classroom). I coach with a safe, relaxed and enjoyable learning atmosphere with a hands on approach. I focus on building confidence, competence , and a solid sailing resume.
We are searching for our next board member! Add your name and your skills to our talented board.
As SGB's Board of Directors, we care deeply about sailing, being out on the water, and passing on the passion for the sport of sailing.
If you are interested, please contact us today at [email protected].
As SGB's Board of Directors, we care deeply about sailing, being out on the water, and passing on the passion for the sport of sailing.
If you are interested, please contact us today at [email protected].