Who We Are

Ashley Sherbanuk – President

As a mother of two young children, a Vice Principal at Souris Regional School, and a coach, I see firsthand the importance of connection and a place for people to feel like they belong.

After completing my Bachelor of Education, I, like most new teachers at the time, headed west in search of a teaching position. While teaching there I completed my Master of Education.

We, like so many others want our kids to grow up feeling that special connectedness that our communities create to raise our family. Living and working closely in the community with children from the entire Eastern Area, I am passionate about helping our communities thrive for not only the youth, and young families, but also the grandparents and seniors.

Having been born and raised in Lower Rollo Bay and calling Souris and area home, I am excited to work with likeminded community members in SeaRoots to bring an inclusive community wellness center to Eastern Prince Edward Island.

Nathan Ching – Vice President

As the co-owner/Farm manager of Black Pond Farms Ltd, father to a 9 and 6-year-old and youth coach, I have always been thankful to call Souris “Home”.

Both children love “working” on the farm, regardless of what tasks they are asked to do, and luckily, each of them enjoys all sports, especially hockey. I see firsthand the connection to the community that this fosters in each of them, but also the need for other children and parents to develop that same sense of community, I firmly believe the new Wellness Center can help create this sense of belonging for everyone.

I have deep, nonprofit roots within the Agricultural sector in Regenerative Agriculture, yield enhancement programs and working with various provincial watershed groups to ensure successful collaboration within the Ag industry and surrounding communities.

In my “spare time” during the summer you can find me running on the rails to trails while the children bike, and during the winter at a rink somewhere.

It has been an excellent experience working with likeminded individuals within SeaRoots, as we work to bring this vision to life.

Megan Cheverie – Treasurer

Born and raised in Souris, Prince Edward Island, I carry a sense of pride in my community that led me back home in 2013 with my husband.

Together, we established Souris Remedy’s Rx Pharmacy and Seaside Medical Center. In 2018, we expanded our involvement in the community by beginning Red Point Apple Orchard, where we hope to instill a strong work ethic into our kids.

Since 2022, I have served as a board member with Health PEI, where I contribute insights and initiatives aimed at enhancing healthcare services.

Beyond my professional endeavors, my personal life revolves around family and community engagement. As a parent to three busy children, I am fueled by their energy and enthusiasm. Actively involved in our community’s sports scene, I serve as both a minor hockey and baseball coach, instilling values of teamwork and sportsmanship in the next generation.

My commitment to rural healthcare stems from a belief in the power of accessible medical services. Witnessing firsthand the impact of healthcare close to home, I advocate for initiatives that strengthen our community’s well-being. I am committed to creating a facility and community where individuals have a space to improve their well-being.

Kendyle Peters – Secretary

When someone asks me where I am from, I love being able to say Souris, PEI.

Like a lot of folks I went “away” for school and spent some time living in Alberta.

While these experiences were wonderful, they also highlighted for me that Souris, PEI is the most amazing place to live, work and raise a family. I want to ensure this stays true for generations to come and that others who make their way here, stay here. I want my kids to feel that same sense of belonging I do.

This wellness center is how we ensure this happens. I have worked in community Non-Profit prior to teaching, have coached a multitude of sports and give my time to community organizations often.

As a Vice-Principal at Souris Regional I have seen first hand the need for community connections and the magic that is created when we gather. That magic is what fuels my passion for this project and the hope that my kids grow up to be just as proud as I am to be from Souris.

Keisha Rose Topic – Director

I am a sixth-generation farmer working on my family’s operations in Eastern Kings. We have a potato farm in North Lake and a packing facility in South Lake. I grew up and chose to live in North Lake because of the area and communities surrounding it.

My husband moved to North Lake and we now have two young girls. I graduated with a business degree from UPEI in 2013. I have played sports most of my life (speed skating and rugby) and believe it has helped me build character as a person to be an active member of my community and society.

I am the President of the PEI Federation of Agriculture -a board I have been on since 2017. I feel very strongly about rural community development and as someone who’s family business employs people in our community I want to ensure our community in the eastern area of PEI is thriving. We have taken several new Canadians in to work in our facility and I know they need to feel like they belong and have the proper supports to stay as we all do.

A wellness center would be a very promising step towards supporting the population of Souris area to ensure it is able to achieve all the things I know it can.

Dennis McNally – Director

Raised in a family of six in Souris West, I completed high school at Brewster Academy (NH, USA) prior to completion of BA at Manhattanville College (NY, USA) where I competed in NCAA hockey and Lacrosse and returned as Asst Coach for Men’s Hockey while completing my Masters Program.

Following a short employment with Irving Oil I pursued a career as a lobsterman, as well as building Red Beard Shellfish Company and their staff of 12, we are cultivators of world class oysters with international markets.

When not parenting, other pastimes include minor hockey coaching and founder/sponsor/organizer of the Souris Community Cup; a popular youth hockey tournament for 50 plus kids annually.