Board of Directors

2021-2023

The Association is governed and directed by elected Board Members. For this term we are beginning with three elected Board Members and one Student Ambassador.

Message from Our President

It is with great pleasure that I am writing these words as your new president. I have been a member of OATA for many years now and I never imagined that I could, or would be leading our organization. Thank you for placing your trust and confidence in my abilities to assume this position. It is my honour and privilege to accept this position because I know that with the help of Hannah, April and Saba, and also, from the help of all of you, OATA will be able to continue to exist, thrive and serve its members.

I began with OATA as a volunteer helping out with the membership committee. After that I accepted a position on the board as the Education Chair. This experience has been incredibly gratifying and rewarding. If you wish to help out from time to time, or if you are looking for a position on our board, please reach out. Please do not hesitate as we need some help to grow and flourish.

I would like to also take this opportunity to thank our last board of directors for their dedication, ideas and efforts in making OATA what it is today. Marillyn, you are a great leader and I have learned so many things because of your understanding, patience and awesome personality. You are leaving such big shoes to fill. Ana, I met you at the first AGM I attended in person. You were so friendly and welcoming and we bonded quickly. I instantly loved your “joie de vivre” attitude. Bailey, your skills in communication, your calmness and your smile are traits that I am already missing. Catherine, I will miss your skills in note taking, your ethical judgment and your humility. Jane, you will be missed for your knowledge with various technologies and your curiosity and willingness to learn them all. May you all find joy in the projects that you are working on or that you will be starting in the future!

As your new president, I see beautiful things happening. Even though, we are dealing with a Pandemic and things seem to be paused, I believe in a bright future for us and for OATA. I would like to see more opportunities for our members to maintain a good and steady professional development portfolio. I would like to bring on more volunteers to help the board maintain its programming agenda. I look forward in continuing my work with OATA’s New Board of Directors.

Mélita Richardson • B.A., DTATI, RP • President OATA