Past Events

Ann Dowsett Johnston
Author, Journalist, Public Speaker

 Ann Dowsett Johnston is the bestselling author of Drink: The Intimate Relationship Between Women and Alcohol, named by the Washington Post as one of the top 10 books of 2013. Part memoir, part journalistic exploration of the closing gender gap on risky drinking, the book explores the “pinking” of the alcohol industry. Dowsett Johnston has been honoured for her work on Drink: she is the recipient of a Transforming Lives Award from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, the American Research Society on Addiction’s Media Award, the T. A. Sweet Award from the Ontario Psychiatric Association for helping address stigma related to mental health and addiction, plus an honorary doctor of laws degree from Queen’s University.

Winner of seven National Magazine awards, Dowsett Johnston spent the lion’s share of her journalistic career at Maclean’s magazine where she is best known as the chief architect of the university rankings. Founding editor of the Maclean’s Guide to Canadian Universities, Dowsett Johnston oversaw all educational coverage at the magazine for 14 years. During that time, she developed a prominent voice as an advocate for higher education, speaking both nationally and internationally.

Dowsett Johnston started her journalism career straight out of Queen’s University, beginning as a researcher at Maclean’s as the magazine went weekly. Over almost three decades, she held a wide variety of roles at Maclean’s, including that of columnist and editor of the magazine’s first book. She is the recipient of both a Southam Journalism Fellowship and the prestigious Atkinson Fellowship in Public Policy. For the latter, she wrote a 14-part-series in the Toronto Star on women and alcohol.

Dowsett Johnston has also held the position of Vice-Principal of McGill University, overseeing development, alumni and university relations.

Two years ago, Dowsett Johnston decided to switch career paths and went back to school. She is currently enrolled at Smith College where she is working on her Master’s in Social Work. She lives in Toronto and is the mother of Nicholas Johnston, a psychotherapist who lives in Los Angeles.

Sheila Wilson
Pine River Alumni Parent

Sheila grew up in Toronto and became an elementary school teacher at age 22. She taught in Toronto for 8 years, Vancouver for 4 years and Hong Kong for 15 years. Upon returning to Canada in 2011, she undertook various responsibilities within the education sector while raising her two children, Lindsay and Stuart.

Sheila has been a single parent since 2009. Both of her children were born in Hong Kong and spent their formative years there.

Sheila’s family's journey to PRI began with Stuart's personal crisis back in February of 2020. Stuart committed himself to the program for sixteen months and Sheila admired his courage and resilience throughout this time. Stuart transitioned out of the program in August of 2021 and has successfully reintegrated himself into family life and society. Of the experience at PRI, Sheila says that her family's lives have changed positively and they will all carry the learnings that they acquired there for life.

Lindsay is now a NICU nurse at a Toronto hospital, having graduated from McGill last year. Stuart is pursuing a career in audio engineering at the Metalworks Institute in Mississauga.

Dr Victoria Creighton
Clinical Director, Pine River Institute

Victoria brings 25 years of experience in the field, and a fresh, dynamic approach to her work with our youth, their families, and with her therapists. She completed her master’s degree in 1996 and her doctorate in clinical psychology in 2000.

Victoria came to us from Montana where she worked as clinical supervisor at Montana Academy and Hope Ranch, both residential treatment facilities for adolescents. Her mentor is Dr. John McKinnon, and she brought to Pine River his maturity model for working with adolescents who struggle with addictive behaviours. It is not so much ‘treatment’ as it is a sustained push to help troubled kids catch up – to grow into mature adults.

Victoria is passionate about helping families to grow and heal, empowering them to find themselves, to communicate and relate more effectively. Youths and their families are inspired and motivated to work hard together, guided by Victoria and her team.

Sarah Hallett
Director, Family Program & Aftercare, Pine River Institute

Sarah moved to Canada from Britain in 2006 and is a proud Canadian citizen. She holds a BA Hons and Masters, both in Psychology, and she has post-graduate certificates in trauma and assessment (school, social, emotional, and psychological).

Sarah’s clinical experience includes time at the Pine River campus in 2013 and co-facilitating the PRI parent group with Eric King in Toronto (2013-2014).

Sarah also worked at York University Personal Counselling Centre (2014-2015) and had a private practice treating adolescents and adults in Orangeville (2015-2018).

Sarah has worked full time at the Pine River Institute since 2018, originally as a Team Therapist, and is currently the Director of Family & Aftercare programs.

Sarah has three sons and enjoys hiking the Bruce Trail and reading.