Core Crew
Ashley Ward
C0-Founder and Executive Director of GIVETOLIVE.
Her non-profit work does not only begin and end with GTL, Ashley has volunteered with community development projects in Jamaica, St. Lucia, India and most recently, The Gambia (Africa). Her educational background is diverse and includes Psychology, Education, and Public Administration. She puts the pieces together to make the events possible and ensures the organization runs smoothly. Ashley manages the day-to-day activities of GTL and the planning around the rides- logistics, marketing, fundraising, organizing, and everything else!
Ashley Ward
C0-Founder and Executive Director of GIVETOLIVE.
Her non-profit work does not only begin and end with GTL, Ashley has volunteered with community development projects in Jamaica, St. Lucia, India and most recently, The Gambia (Africa). Her educational background is diverse and includes Psychology, Education, and Public Administration. She puts the pieces together to make the events possible and ensures the organization runs smoothly. Ashley manages the day-to-day activities of GTL and the planning around the rides- logistics, marketing, fundraising, organizing, and everything else!
Todd McDonald
C0-Founder of GIVETOLIVE
Todd makes GIVETOLIVE happen by setting up GTL’s headquarters in his business office in Halifax. As an owner of an oil & gas company, he has the ability to donate his as well as his employees’ time to this organization. His drive and continued support of the war on cancer has been mostly due to the fact that his mom is a five-year survivor of stage IV ovarian cancer, and also a recent breast cancer survivor. As said by Todd, “Three years ago, a friend of hers told me she wouldn’t be alive if it wasn’t for the support that my mom had provided her. That’s when I knew mom was put here to help others. And that’s when I knew I had to do more.” Todd has been solid contributor to the organization since the beginning. Not only has he been part of the Halifax-Austin ride and the two Vancouver-Austin rides, he was a volunteer with the core crew when the Tony Griffin Foundation cycled across Canada and participated in the ride across Ireland in 2007. Todd has completed 2 Ironman competitions and is training for a swim to PEI this summer.
Todd McDonald
C0-Founder of GIVETOLIVE
Todd makes GIVETOLIVE happen by setting up GTL’s headquarters in his business office in Halifax. As an owner of an oil & gas company, he has the ability to donate his as well as his employees’ time to this organization. His drive and continued support of the war on cancer has been mostly due to the fact that his mom is a five-year survivor of stage IV ovarian cancer, and also a recent breast cancer survivor. As said by Todd, “Three years ago, a friend of hers told me she wouldn’t be alive if it wasn’t for the support that my mom had provided her. That’s when I knew mom was put here to help others. And that’s when I knew I had to do more.” Todd has been solid contributor to the organization since the beginning. Not only has he been part of the Halifax-Austin ride and the two Vancouver-Austin rides, he was a volunteer with the core crew when the Tony Griffin Foundation cycled across Canada and participated in the ride across Ireland in 2007. Todd has completed 2 Ironman competitions and is training for a swim to PEI this summer.
Mark “Cookie Monster” Campbell
Mark has been a huge help to the GIVETOLIVE crew. His experience with long distance challenges has been a huge help to the development and structure of GTL’s ride. Just a few of Mark’s accomplishments are: Completed 18 Ironman triathlons, 10 day challenge adventure race (Fiji islands), Primal quest 10 day expedition race (San Juan Islands and Montana), Coastal Challenge 6 day expedition running race (Costa Rica), and the Trans Rockies 5 expedition run (Colorado). Not only a competitor of the mentioned events, he also volunteers with Blue Nose Marathon (Halifax), Hustle of Hunger (Trail run for Feed NS), and is a level 2 official for cross country ski Nova Scotia and Chief of stadium for Canada Games 2011. Mark organizes the Shubie Park Triathlon which has 200+ participates where money raised goes to GTL and also an off-road duathlon benefiting amateur sport. Mark gave it his all last year in a solo run to do the same route as the Cabot Trail relay participants do, (http://www.cabottrailrelay.com/), which is a 276.33km run, in an effort to raise money for Brigadoon Kids Camp for chronically ill kids (www.brigadoonvillage.org). After all of these accomplishments, he is still an alright guy to hang around!
Mark “Cookie Monster” Campbell
Mark has been a huge help to the GIVETOLIVE crew. His experience with long distance challenges has been a huge help to the development and structure of GTL’s ride. Just a few of Mark’s accomplishments are: Completed 18 Ironman triathlons, 10 day challenge adventure race (Fiji islands), Primal quest 10 day expedition race (San Juan Islands and Montana), Coastal Challenge 6 day expedition running race (Costa Rica), and the Trans Rockies 5 expedition run (Colorado). Not only a competitor of the mentioned events, he also volunteers with Blue Nose Marathon (Halifax), Hustle of Hunger (Trail run for Feed NS), and is a level 2 official for cross country ski Nova Scotia and Chief of stadium for Canada Games 2011. Mark organizes the Shubie Park Triathlon which has 200+ participates where money raised goes to GTL and also an off-road duathlon benefiting amateur sport. Mark gave it his all last year in a solo run to do the same route as the Cabot Trail relay participants do, (http://www.cabottrailrelay.com/), which is a 276.33km run, in an effort to raise money for Brigadoon Kids Camp for chronically ill kids (www.brigadoonvillage.org). After all of these accomplishments, he is still an alright guy to hang around!
Paul MacQueen
Paul is the great equalizer – always calm, always there to ingest some humour into those tense moments. He’s also famous for world-class performances on little to no training. He is a veteran of all 4 years of the ride despite putting in only about 7 training rides combined (okay maybe a small exagguration but you still don’t want to follow his training advice). Alas, he is a true leader: one that walks quietly and earns his respect by his actions and his values. He is invaluable to the organization and if you have the choice between being on his team or Todd’s, pick Paul’s or don’t go on the ride at all!
Paul MacQueen
Paul is the great equalizer – always calm, always there to ingest some humour into those tense moments. He’s also famous for world-class performances on little to no training. He is a veteran of all 4 years of the ride despite putting in only about 7 training rides combined (okay maybe a small exagguration but you still don’t want to follow his training advice). Alas, he is a true leader: one that walks quietly and earns his respect by his actions and his values. He is invaluable to the organization and if you have the choice between being on his team or Todd’s, pick Paul’s or don’t go on the ride at all!
“I” Ron Allen
Ron Allen is a 65 year-old man in body, but 12 year-old kid in mind. He brings laughter and a sense of humour that is needed when organizing an event like this. Ron’s goal in life is to catch up to Mark Campbell’s accomplishments. He started competing in Ironman triathlons when he turned 60 and has now completed 4 Ironman as well as completed the past 3 GTL rides and is returning this year for his 4th. He also helps organize the Nova Scotia Heartland Bicycle Tour in Bridgewater, NS.
- Ron Allen’s response when asked by a friend if he was doing the ride again: “Well, I don’t know yet but I know I will end up doing it! It’s the just the way it is, I have to.”
“I” Ron Allen
Ron Allen is a 65 year-old man in body, but 12 year-old kid in mind. He brings laughter and a sense of humour that is needed when organizing an event like this. Ron’s goal in life is to catch up to Mark Campbell’s accomplishments. He started competing in Ironman triathlons when he turned 60 and has now completed 4 Ironman as well as completed the past 3 GTL rides and is returning this year for his 4th. He also helps organize the Nova Scotia Heartland Bicycle Tour in Bridgewater, NS.
- Ron Allen’s response when asked by a friend if he was doing the ride again: “Well, I don’t know yet but I know I will end up doing it! It’s the just the way it is, I have to.”
Yaz “man” Sobaih
Yazeed wasn’t much of a cyclist when he was a summer student in the GTL office but by the end of the ride he was well…. a little better of a cyclist! Haha!
The war on cancer has been near to Yazeed’s heart as he has lost his dad to cancer which pushed Yazeed to start his own fundraiser called “Frag for Cancer” (www.fragforcancer.ca) which is computer gaming contest in September! Yazeed adds a young outlook to the foundation and his quick wit and down to earth personality make him a great fit at GTL.
Yaz “man” Sobaih
Yazeed wasn’t much of a cyclist when he was a summer student in the GTL office but by the end of the ride he was well…. a little better of a cyclist! Haha!
The war on cancer has been near to Yazeed’s heart as he has lost his dad to cancer which pushed Yazeed to start his own fundraiser called “Frag for Cancer” (www.fragforcancer.ca) which is computer gaming contest in September! Yazeed adds a young outlook to the foundation and his quick wit and down to earth personality make him a great fit at GTL.
Chris “Larry David” MacDougall
Chris was born and raised in Truro, NS and now resides there with his wife, Karen. They operate a Tim Hortons restaurant in Elmsdale, NS. Chris has been a recreational cyclist for 20+ years and accepted the challenge to do the Vancouver- Austin ride in 2010 in an effort to raise funds to fight this horrible disease. He continues to be active with several charitable organizations within his community. Chris’ goal is to never attempt to catch up to Mark Campbell’s accomplishments, nor for that matter Ron Allen’s. He has no desire to punish himself by enduring that much pain. Cycling the Mighty Steven’s Pass in the State of Washington was enough…. a feat that neither Mark nor Ron have accomplished….. On another note… He could also pass for Larry David (Co-creator of Seinfeld)
Chris “Larry David” MacDougall
Chris was born and raised in Truro, NS and now resides there with his wife, Karen. They operate a Tim Hortons restaurant in Elmsdale, NS. Chris has been a recreational cyclist for 20+ years and accepted the challenge to do the Vancouver- Austin ride in 2010 in an effort to raise funds to fight this horrible disease. He continues to be active with several charitable organizations within his community. Chris’ goal is to never attempt to catch up to Mark Campbell’s accomplishments, nor for that matter Ron Allen’s. He has no desire to punish himself by enduring that much pain. Cycling the Mighty Steven’s Pass in the State of Washington was enough…. a feat that neither Mark nor Ron have accomplished….. On another note… He could also pass for Larry David (Co-creator of Seinfeld)
