estara welcomes Lived Experience Director to the Board
We’re thrilled to introduce Terry Tenove, our newest Lived Experience Board Director. Elected to the Board by members at the AGM on 18 November 2025, Terry’s voice, insight, and leadership will play a pivotal role to continue shaping estara’s future.
Terry brings over 15 years of lived experience as a quadriplegic following a spinal cord injury that resulted in permanent wheelchair use. This has driven his passion for a career focused on advocacy, peer support and community leadership for people living with Spinal Cord Injury and other physical disabilities.
Before joining the estara Board in November 2025, for the past five years, Terry worked in Canada with Spinal Cord Injury Alberta as a Peer Coordinator, where he mentored newly injured individuals in hospital settings and coordinated a team of peer mentor volunteers. Through this work, Terry supported people during major life transitions, helping them build confidence, independence, and connection within their communities.
Pictured is Terry during his time in Canada as Peer Coordinator with Spinal Cord Injury Alberta, and with his family.
As a Board member, Terry is committed to ensuring lived experience remains central to governance and strategy.
He brings a perspective shaped by personal experience, professional practice, and a belief in the importance of representation, inclusion, and strong community connections.
Terry has been a strong advocate for accessibility, inclusion and the meaningful involvement of people with disability in decision-making. He is passionate about ensuring lived experience is valued at every level — from direct services to organisational leadership — and about challenging assumptions around what people with disabilities can achieve.
He holds degrees in Physical Education and Education from the University of Alberta, which have provided a strong foundation in communication, teaching, and collaboration. This background supports his ability to engage effectively with individuals, families, professionals, and organisations, translating lived experience into practical insight.
Outside of his professional work, Terry is a husband and father of two. His role as a parent further informs his advocacy and reinforces his commitment to building inclusive communities where people with disability, and their families, are supported to thrive.
Welcome to the estara team Terry!