Vera's life-long commitment to learning and love of sport began in the classrooms, ball diamonds, and rinks of Meskanaw, SK where she was raised 

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Her desire to learn, instilled by her parents and teachers, took her to the University of Saskatchewan where she completed a Ph.D. in psychology followed by a thirty-five-year career teaching and, later, in administrative areas focusing on student retention. From 2007 to 2013, she served as the university's thirteenth chancellor. 

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Vera's love of sport resulted in a Canadian softball championship and four national curling championships, three as a skip. She represented Saskatchewan on two senior golf teams. 

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as a sport psychologist, Vera worked with athletes and coaches in a variety of sports but especially in curling, where she served Canadian teams from 1985 to 1992. Highlights include coaching roles at the 1988 and 1992 Olympic Winter Games. 

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Vera is a member of the Saskatoon and Saskatchewan Sports Halls of Fame and the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame. 

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She lives in Saskatoon where she is active in volunteer activities and spends her summers golfing in Waskesiu.