MEET THE TEAM
Laura fills many roles but her favourite by far is mom to 5 kids. In 2025, she completed her mission to run 50 ultramarathons before 50 to raise awareness and funds for Saffron Centre, her local sexual assault centre. As a survivor, this is an organization very important to her and many others in the community. At Lost Souls Ultra in September 2023, she was surprised to receive the Jack Finley Memorial Award for "Running ultras for the sheer love of them, helping others enjoy the ultra experience, promote ultras to new and veteran runners, maintains a positive outlook, expresses gratitude to race volunteers and gives generously of oneself". Laura may not be the fastest, fortunately she always makes friends along the way! Without Laura, this event would have never come to light and the team couldn't be happier to work with such an amazing and driven woman!
Phil has part of Survivorfest Running Event from day one, ever since Laura first brought the idea home. With more than 25 years of collaboration—and over 20 years of marriage—Phil’s eye for detail is the perfect balance to Laura’s big-picture vision.
As Timing Coordinator, Phil partners with Mike Melton of MCM Timing and Results LLC to deliver accurate and reliable results for every athlete. His focus on precision ensures that race goals are validated, records are achieved, and participants can trust the results that define their effort.
Outside of Survivorfest, Phil is a craft beer enthusiast (though Guinness remains his all-time favourite) and enjoys honing his gaming skills in Diablo.
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Contact Phil if you have questions about:
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Event timing and results
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Course records and goal verification
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Timing logistics for athletes
With her infectious laugh and passion for volunteering, Eva first joined Survivorfest in 2019 and quickly became an essential part of the team. Known as an “Ultra Volunteer,” she has also contributed her time to United Way, Corporate Challenge, and several other community groups.
As Secretary, Eva keeps Survivorfest organized by recording meeting minutes, managing communication, and ensuring important details are never missed.
Always on the go, she enjoys running, motorcycling, Pilates, golfing, OrangeTheory, and staying active with family and friends. And when it’s time for a treat, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are her favourite.
As a lover of ultramarathons, Andrea was looking for a new kind of challenge when she discovered Survivorfest. In 2023, she took on the 24-hour event and was overwhelmed by the support and encouragement she received from the Survivorfest Board. The experience—and the welcoming community—had her hooked, and she soon reached out to Laura to get more involved.
Now, as Aid Station Coordinator, Andrea makes sure runners are well-supported throughout their race. From hydration and nutrition to encouragement and problem-solving, she ensures every athlete has what they need to keep moving toward their goals.
📩 Athletes can reach out to Andrea if you have questions about:
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What food and hydration will be available at aid stations
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How dietary needs or preferences can be accommodated
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What to expect at aid stations during the race
Sophy brings her strong financial skills and attention to detail to the Survivorfest team as Treasurer. With a background in managing budgets and keeping organizations running smoothly, she ensures that Survivorfest’s resources are carefully stewarded to support both the athletes and the cause.
Passionate about community and inspired by the mission of Survivorfest, Sophy was excited to contribute her expertise in a meaningful way. She believes in the power of sport to bring people together and to make a difference beyond the race itself.
As Treasurer, Sophy is committed to maintaining transparency, accountability, and a solid financial foundation that allows Survivorfest to continue growing and supporting the Saffron Centre.
Wendy discovered Survivorfest through her love of running and the incredible community that surrounds the event. After experiencing firsthand the energy, encouragement, and resilience that defines Survivorfest, she knew she wanted to get more involved. The chance to give back by supporting both the athletes and the cause was the perfect fit, and she quickly stepped into the role of Volunteer Coordinator.
Wendy believes that volunteers are the heartbeat of Survivorfest—every smile, cheer, and helping hand makes the event truly special. She is passionate about making sure every volunteer feels valued, supported, and connected to the bigger purpose of raising awareness and funds for the Saffron Centre.
If you’re interested in joining the Survivorfest family as a volunteer, Wendy is the person to reach out to. Whether it’s helping at an aid station, guiding athletes on the course, or supporting behind the scenes, she’ll help you find the perfect role to match your energy and enthusiasm.
Michael joined the Survivorfest team in 2020 after a brief conversation with Laura about the potential to live-stream the event in hopes to raise awareness for the cause as well as to increase the excitement around the event. As an avid runner, Michael enjoys speaking to others about their successes, struggles, and overall experiences with running. “If there’s one thing that every runner has in common, it's that they love talking about running”. On race day, Michael hopes to bring that excitement to the live stream, not only providing updates on the race itself, but engaging in stories on what motivates us to run! Michael enjoys a variety of beers and loves the holiday season when the Beer Advent calendars are released.