This Circle is a living archive of care. A gathering of people who have spent their lives helping others feel capable in all kinds of learning spaces. Their stories are rooted in humility and purpose, and their role here is to help guide the future of wvARC through thoughtful dialogue. Together, they hold space for clarity, courage, and connection, ensuring that the sanctuary we build remains grounded, human, and responsive to the needs of the communities we serve.
William Valedis M.Ed., Founder
William has spent more than five decades working alongside learners, tradespeople, engineers, and leaders, always with the same intention: to make learning human, accessible, and grounded in dignity. His career has woven together teaching, consulting, and lifelong study, but at its heart has always been service.
He founded wvARC as a sanctuary for renewal, drawing on this lifetime of experience to create a space where people can learn without fear, speak without performance, and grow in community. The Advisory Circle emerged from this commitment, a living archive of care where each member helps shape the sanctuary’s direction and keep its purpose clear, inclusive, and grounded.
William sees himself not as an expert above others, but as a fellow traveller who believes that wisdom is shared, not owned. In the Circle, he holds space, protects the rhythm, and ensures that every voice, including his own, enters with humility and purpose.
Dr. Sherman Lang
Dr. Sherman Lang is a graduate of Systems Design Engineering from the University of Waterloo. Within the National Research Council of Canada, he held positions with the Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering, the Autonomous Systems Laboratory, the Integrated Manufacturing Technologies Institute, and the Industrial Research Assistance Program. Dr. Lang also held an academic appointment with the Department of Manufacturing Engineering and Engineering Management of the City University of Hong Kong. Dr. Lang serves on the Board of Directors of Youth Science London.
Within the Circle, he offers a systems thinker’s clarity, helping shape wvARC’s future through steady dialogue and a quiet dedication to making learning spaces more humane.
Nicole La Duke
Nicole has over 20 years of experience in customer service, training administration, and learning development. Her philosophy is simple: doing what’s best for the business naturally strengthens both customer and employee retention. She is committed to breaking down silos that hinder communication and to supporting knowledge‑seekers as they grow in their careers.
Throughout her career, Nicole has become known for creating clarity in complex environments. She brings a steady, human‑centred approach to problem‑solving, ensuring people feel supported and equipped to succeed. Her work bridges operational needs with the lived realities of learners and frontline teams.
In the Advisory Circle, Nicole offers grounded insight, ethical communication, and a talent for surfacing what others may overlook, helping ensure wvARC remains accessible, inclusive, and aligned with its mission.
Wayne Schaefer P.Eng.
Wayne brings more than 30 years of experience helping people feel capable around complex systems. From manufacturing floors to college classrooms, he has built a reputation for patience, clarity, and creating spaces where learners feel safe to ask, try, and grow. His international work, including supporting a major engine‑facility launch in Thailand, reflects the same steady commitment to helping people build confidence and solve problems with dignity.
In the Circle, Wayne contributes a calm, grounded presence and a lifelong dedication to teaching without fear. He strengthens the group by helping us translate complexity into clarity, and by ensuring every voice feels supported as we learn together.
Terry Ruddell P.Eng.
Terry has spent four decades helping people feel confident around complex systems, from robotics to machine safety to the technologies that keep our industries moving. His work has always centred on making the complicated feel accessible and supporting teams as they learn, adapt, and grow.
Alongside his technical life, he’s also an inventor and creative builder, designing arcade experiences enjoyed around the world. Whether he’s solving a safety challenge or crafting a game that brings people together, Terry leads with curiosity, patience, and a deep respect for the people he serves.
In the Circle, he brings a steady presence, a practical mind, and a lifelong belief that learning is most powerful when it happens in community.