Employees

Heather Stronach

Executive Director

Heather is a native of Quebec - first growing up in Montreal and then moving to Aylmer where she raised her three daughters.  Heather has volunteered locally in the schools, the Aylmer Heritage Association, the Aylmer Museum, Christ Church Aylmer and as a member of a pastoral care team at the Ottawa Civic Hospital.

As the family grew, Heather returned to the workforce in various aspects of association management - Committees Manager with the Information Technology Association of Canada and Project Manager with the National Seafood Sector Council -- and spent several years pursuing an interest in the field of archaeology.  

Heather is excited to be part of West Quebecers where she works with a dedicated and committed team and where she can expand her involvement in the community.  She believes in the strength of community, the power of volunteers and the value of diverse talents, skills, experience and creativity that make the goals set out in RAWQ's Strategic Plan achievable.  The conditions are favourable to forge new paths as RAWQ moves forward collaboratively to turn challenges into opportunities which will benefit not only the English-speaking community, but also the community as a whole.

Heather is a graduate of York University with a Master's degree in the field of Economics.  Subsequently, she received her CAE (Canadian Association Executive) designation.

You can reach Heather at wq@westquebecers.ca

Cynthia Turpin

Community Liaison & Communications Officer 

Since moving to this area in the early 1990s, Cynthia worked extensively as a trainer in the public sector and then as a teacher with the Western Quebec School Board in the Aylmer sector of Gatineau. Cynthia has worked as the CLCO for the Regional Association of West Quebecers since 2007.

Originally from Nova Scotia, Cynthia has lived in several areas in Canada. A few years after graduating with a B.A. from Acadia University, she worked as a volunteer with Canadian Crossroads International teaching English as a second language in the Ivory Coast. Shortly after returning to Canada, she lived in Montreal, Quebec City and the Eastern Townships respectively before moving to the Outaouais area. She has since earned certification in Project Management and worked as a volunteer for several local community organizations.

Cynthia enjoys working with members and other associations towards improving and expanding the services that RAWQ offers to the English-speaking community of West Quebec. She is interested in hearing your ideas and welcomes the time and energy that you can contribute to these endeavours. You can contact her at the office at 819.682.9602, or at clco@westquebecers.ca