Our Team
Andie van der Eerden
Founder and Director
Andie van der Eerden is the Founder and Director of the Running on Faith Project, a registered Canadian charity delivering structured, community-based recovery and mental health support programs across British Columbia.
She
started running at 49 and completed her first half marathon at 50. While volunteering in the Whalley community, she had a moment that shaped everything:
“I wish they could feel what it feels like to run.”
That idea became The Running on Faith Project.
Having lived with anxiety and depression connected to trauma, Andie experienced firsthand how movement, routine, and community can transform mental health. She brought that insight into the recovery community, starting a running group and consistently showing up — three mornings a week, rain or shine.
Andie is also a certified Recovery Coach, bringing formal training and a trauma-informed approach to her work in the recovery community.
What began as a small initiative has grown into a multi-site program supporting individuals in recovery and facing mental health challenges. In
2024, ROFP was named Social Innovator of the Year for BC and Northern Canada by the Government of Canada and in 2026 she was named SWRBOT Women in Business Social Trailblazer of the year.
She continues to run each week alongside Running on Faith Athletes and volunteers.
Board of Directors
Coreen Windbiel - Chair
Susan Yip - Treasurer
Hannah Bohl - Secretary
Brodie Kearn - Director at Large
Marty Jones - Director at Large
Taien Creed - Director at Large
Willie Nelson Shakespeare
Chief Happiness Officer
It all begins with unconditional love. That’s where this guy comes in. Willie is a three year old English Cream Golden Retriever and a huge part of The Running on Faith Project. He approaches our members with nothing but enthusiasm and endless amounts of happy energy. He spends his mornings with walking club participants reducing loneliness and giving love and acceptance. His silly antics bring about laughter and conversation. He is truly an integral part to our journey. When Willie isn’t walking or running with our members he is actively napping and getting into things.