Staff & Board of Directors

Administrative Staff

Barbara Coates – Executive Director

Barbara accepted the position of Executive Director at Dan’s Legacy in September, 2016, after four years with the Marketing and Communications team at Variety – The Children’s Charity of BC. Barbara brings a 33-year background in broadcasting and communications to her role, as well as marketing, public relations and fundraising for clients in the health, not-for-profit and government sectors. She is an active and long-time volunteer, serving on numerous business, sports, educational, charitable and government committees and boards in her community of Delta. Barbara is passionate about children’s and mental health issues, and is a past Director with the Canadian Mental Health Association (Delta). She has mentored many young broadcast and communications professionals throughout her career, is a Director on the Board of the CBC 20 Year Association and member of the Surrey Board of Trade Social Policy Committee. Barbara holds a Diploma in Broadcast Communications and a Certificate in Marketing Management/Public Relations (Distinction) from BCIT.

Tom Littlewood – Program Director – M.A. Psych

Tom was first brought in as a consultant with Dan’s Legacy, and, after working with the foundation’s board for four months, was hired to be their Director of Programs and senior counsellor. Tom graduated from Simon Fraser University with B.A. in Psychology in 1985. Over the next six years he completed his Masters in Psychology as well as two years of specialized counselling programs in various universities in Canada and the USA. He developed one of the first diversion programs for at-risk youth while working as a police counsellor and established the original affinity card campaign while being the founding Executive Director for the Selkirk College Foundation. Tom was the founder and Executive Director of the Sanctuary Foundation that for fifteen years provided work and life skills programs, counselling and the first jobs for thousands of at-risk youth in Metro Vancouver. During his last five years with the Sanctuary Foundation he worked with the Cuban Ministry of Education setting up an apprenticeship program in bike mechanics for at-risk Cuban youth. Tom has also worked as a community counsellor for a local First Nation community and as a family support worker and counsellor for a local alternative high school. For the last fifteen years he has managed and volunteered at a local surplus food cooperative.

Harleen Dhillon – Controller (Foresight Money Matters Tax & Bookkeeping)

Harleen Dhillon is a distinguished Chartered Professional Accountant with over 20 years of industry experience, specializing in full-cycle bookkeeping, tax consulting, and strategic financial management. As the Controller at Dan’s Legacy Foundation, Harleen applies her extensive knowledge and expertise in strategic planning, process improvement, data integrity, budgeting, and reporting to support the organization’s mission. She is renowned for her strategic planning abilities, strong analytical skills, and exceptional interpersonal communication. Her unwavering dedication to maintaining data integrity and confidentiality, coupled with her ability to make effective decisions under pressure, ensures that the Foundation operates with the highest standards of professionalism and reliability. Harleen’s professional journey is marked by significant achievements and leadership roles. As the owner and operator of Foresight Money Matters, a premier Chartered Professional Accounting practice, she oversees all accounting functions, tax planning, compliance with financial policies, and regulatory requirements. Her firm specializes in serving corporations and registered charities, providing tailored financial solutions that drive success. Harleen holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a specialization in Finance and has earned multiple prestigious designations, including Chartered Professional Accountant, Financial Management Advisor, and Professional Financial Planner.

Juan Damasco – Human Resources Manager – B.A. Psych

Juan is an HR Professional with over 20 years of experience in progressively senior and promoted HR positions with a focus on leadership, coaching and development. Juan has a BA in Psychology from the Universidad de Belgrano in Argentina, and has a Human Resources Management Certificate from the University of Phoenix.

Juan has worked for health care organizations as well as a non-profit organization that provided counselling, settlement & integration and crisis management for people with housing stability issues as well as mental health challenges. Most of his career has been in the corporate environment, and a few years ago decided to start a career in non-profit organizations, helping people and giving back to the community.

Linda Vu – Manager, Marketing & Communications (maternity leave)

Linda is an experienced marketer of 5+ years who loves to design, photoshoot and manage end-to-end projects with her teams. She loves thinking outside the box and draws on her creative strengths to develop innovative solutions to complex problems and situations. She has volunteered throughout her life since middle school and continues to take pride in providing the best support possible. By joining Dan’s Legacy, she wants to build on her passion for giving back to the community with a focus on children/youth and mental health. Linda has a Diploma in Marketing Management and has launched her own brand of sustainable products to help families reduce the impact of single-use products in homes as a passion project.

Amy Scowcroft – B.A. – Office Manager

Amy has a Bachelor of Arts degree specializing in Sociology from the University of Victoria. She brings four years of administrative assistant and office support experience to her role as Office Manager. Amy has always had a passion for helping others and is proud to continue doing so working for Dan’s Legacy. When given the chance, Amy enjoys traveling because it allows her to experience other cultures, step out of her comfort zone and try new things. When not working or traveling, she also enjoys playing soccer, skiing and crocheting.

Amy Mildenberger – Manager, Administration & Special Events

Amy first got involved with Dan’s Legacy as a volunteer while completing her studies at BCIT in Non-profit Management and Business Management. With a background in office and administration support, fundraising and special events, her various experience has made a significant impact in her work. Amy is an active member of the event industry and has worked as an events consultant for various charitable organizations, refining her skills and gaining valuable experience in all aspects of event planning and management. She believes in giving back to the community through volunteering, and is passionate about being involved with an organization that makes a difference in the lives of others.

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Counselling Staff

Toufic Kronfol – Clinical Counselling Manager – M.A., BCACC.

Toufic graduated with a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and Psychopathology from Saint Joseph’s University in Beirut, Lebanon. He spent three years working alongside children with developmental disorders as well as another seven years providing mental health care to vulnerable adults and children through his work with Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières). Toufic’s clinical approach combines fundamentals of existential, psychodynamic and cognitive behavioral psychology. He believes that through the provision of a safe and non-judgmental space where psychoeducation and active communication can take place, a trustful and collaborative relationship with clients enables finding meaning in one’s suffering as well as utilizing one’s resources in order to achieve a higher sense of awareness and optimally reach the set outcomes.

Maryanne Kotylak – B.Ed., M.Ed. C.C.C (in progress) and member of the CCPA.

Maryanne has her Masters of Education degree specializing in Educational Psychology.  She spent 30 years working with youth and their families as a teacher, principal and consultant with various school divisions in Saskatchewan.  Maryanne has completed her Level 1 Basic Training in EMDR and is presently working on Level 2 – EMDR certification.  Maryanne has extensive training and experience in working with clients with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID).  Although she uses a variety of approaches to counselling support including mindfulness, Somatics, IFS, CBT, and DBT, her areas of specialization is EMDR and parts work.  She believes in a very individualized client-centred approach where client and counsellor together find the client’s individualized healing journey.

Nicole Crouch – M.A., C.C.C. (Clinical Supervisor.)

Nicole Crouch is a Canadian Certified Counsellor and Art Therapist (MA, Concordia University), who is passionate about helping clients. Nicole has been a Counsellor for over 10 years and has worked in various therapeutic arts and mental health sectors including private practice, hospital, end-of-life and hospice care, youth in care, community-based acute mental health support, and military family support services. Nicole’s approach to trauma-informed, client-centred counselling is informed by her interest in the role of the mind and the imagination in healing. Trainings include sensorimotor art therapy, EMDR, psychedelic art psychotherapy and sensorimotor psychotherapy. Nicole is a painter and is an advocate for the arts in community mental wellness, and has proudly served on the boards of community arts and mental health organizations. Nicole is LGBTQ2s+ identified and practices yoga and meditation.

Rashi Arora – MA Psychology, R.C.C.

Rashi completed her MA in psychology in India and is a professional member of CCPA. She has spent the last seven years working with children, adolescents, and adults in educational institutions, medical facilities, clinics, and non-governmental organizations. Because she feels that everyone is a human at the end of the day and that no one strategy is sufficient, she loves to use a range of techniques with her clients, including using expressive arts therapy components wherever suitable. She believes that every person is special and that it’s crucial to embrace the difficult parts of oneself in addition to maintaining one’s originality. She encourages the development of listening skills throughout communities because she thinks that listening to someone with empathy and respect can be healing.

Jody Hearn – MC, R.C.C. (Therapist)

Jody is a Registered Clinical Counsellor who graduated with a Master of Counselling degree from City University of Seattle. In addition to her counselling practice, Jody has worked in the non-profit sector for the past 11 years supporting young people in mental health, addiction, and life skills. Jody is committed to community care, practicing allyship, and social justice-orientated approaches. Through values of connection, safety, and collaboration, Jody combines talk therapy with body-based (somatic) and mindfulness-based approaches. Jody’s therapeutic approach is highly relational, trauma-informed, and strengths-based. She aims to support clients to feel present and grounded by strengthening the mind-body connection. Jody honours that clients are the expert in their own experience and healing journey.

Allison Massé – MA, R.C.C. (Therapist on-call)

Allison (she/her) is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with over seven years of experience in the mental health field. Allison has a compassionate, person- centered approach and uses Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Solution Focused Therapy (SFBT), and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). She offers a practical, integrative, and evidence-based stance to helping individuals achieve goals and live a more balanced life. Allison specializes in working with individuals of all genders and ethnic backgrounds; her six years of experience on the front lines in social work with Indigenous populations has instilled a strong social justice understanding and ability to work with varying complexities, including trauma, anxiety, substance use, burnout, self-esteem, and goal directed work. Allison understands that while everyone undoubtedly suffers in life at one point or another, authentic connection and resilience are armour for life’s storms and fuel for change. She prioritizes trusting relationships and tangible solutions in practice and is passionate about preventative medicine and wellness.

Angela Pattria – R.C.C., M.C.P. (Therapist)

Angela completed her Master of Arts degree in Counselling and is a Registered Clinical Counsellor. Working in various settings, Angela specializes in substance use, anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADHD, and trauma. Angela provides therapeutic support through a trauma-informed lens, utilizing Cognitive Behavioural therapy, person-centered, and humanistic modalities. Angela tailors her counselling approach to individual needs and creates space to facilitate discovery, helping clients understand change and acceptance in a way that is most comfortable. Angela values providing culturally sensitive counselling and offering an environment of support, empathy, and free of judgement.

Maria is a Registered Clinical Counsellor and a Canadian Certified Counsellor. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Concordia University, Montreal, and later completed an MEd in Counselling Psychology at the University of Northern British Columbia in Prince George. With a diverse background in individual counselling, couples’ therapy, and crisis intervention, Maria applies a trauma-informed approach rooted in the Triphasic model and a person-centered foundation to her practice. She also incorporates elements of family systems therapy, Indigenous counselling, and strength-based approaches. Her practice is deeply grounded in cultural awareness, allowing her to deliver comprehensive and culturally sensitive care. She is passionate about guiding individuals on their unique journeys to healing and personal growth within a safe and empathetic environment.

Pino Leporace – M.Ed, M.C.C., R.C.C. (Therapist)

Pino is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with many years of experience as a teacher and counsellor. He has Master’s degrees in both Education and Counselling but believes that his greatest education has been learning how to navigate his inner world with more kindness and gentleness. Pino works with adults and adolescents experiencing depression, anxiety, difficult life transitions and the various challenges life presents. He has experience working in addictions therapy, both as a wilderness therapy guide and as a counsellor. Pino’s practice draws from many different therapy modalities, though central to his work are client-centered psychotherapy, Depth Psychology, Somatic Experiencing, and mindfulness-based approaches. Pino’s goal as a therapist is to offer a safe relationship and space for clients to begin to reclaim their confidence, intuition and wisdom and learn to navigate past hurts and trauma, moving towards trust and healing.

Ocean Johnston (she/they) – C.C.C. (Therapist)

Ocean obtained their Master’s of Arts degree in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University and has experience working within communities of youth navigating intersections of class, culture, substance use, gender, sexuality and more. Ocean believes in the innate wisdom of individuals and communities, and works from a trauma-informed and anti-oppressive lens in order to empower clients to connect to their intuition, emotions, values, strengths, and goals. Within a strong and safe therapeutic relationship, Ocean works to support clients through compassionate curiosity, storytelling, creative expression, and the development of skills that foster a deeper mind-body connection. You can expect Ocean to arrive to the therapeutic space with warmth, curiosity, humility, humour, and shared vulnerability.

Katia Merhi – M.A., C.C.C. (Therapist)

Katia has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the American University of Beirut, Lebanon as well as a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from City University of Seattle, Vancouver. She is a professional member of the C.C.P.A. and is also a Canadian Certified Counsellor. Katia has experience in providing support to youth and young adults dealing with trauma, anxiety, life changes, and other mental health challenges. Katia’s approach to counselling is collaborative, anti-oppressive, inclusive, and strengths-based. This means she will meet her clients where they are and see them as unique individuals. She strives to come into the therapy room with an open, non-judgmental mind, seeing clients as the experts of their own lives and experiences, and providing them with the counselling strategies best suited for their unique needs.

Yvonne Hung – MSocSc., MS., C.C.C. (Therapist)

Yvonne is a Canadian Certified Counsellor and Graduate Member of the British Psychological Society who has extensive teaching and counselling experience in South Africa, Hong Kong, and Canada. She is experienced in providing culturally sensitive mental health support to children, adolescents, adults, BIPOC, and Indigenous communities. She holds Master’s degrees in Counselling from the University of Hong Kong as well as in Psychology from the University of Glasgow. Her trauma-informed, person-centred approach integrates modalities such as Integrative Trauma & Attachment Treatment Model, Internal Family Systems, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, sensorimotor art therapy, and biofeedback. Yvonne’s counselling philosophy is rooted in the belief of influencing life with life. She is passionate in promoting healing and resilience in young people through psychoeducation, support, empowerment, and connection. Yvonne believes everyone deserves to be heard, understood, and valued, and she strives to create a safe and nurturing environment for their growth and development.

Munir Velji – B.A., Crim, B.S.W., M.S.W., R.S.W., R.C.C. (Therapist on-call)

Munir is both a Registered Clinical Counsellor and a Registered Social Worker. He has a passion for working with people from all walks of life, having worked with people for 29 years and in many areas of counselling including mental health, substance misuse, crisis management and relationships. Throughout the years, he has learned that everyone has resilience and inner strengths. He has an extensive history of working with adolescents, families, couples, adults and BIPOC/Indigenous people.  He is client-centered and utilizes many modalities including CBT, Family Systems, and Brief Solution Focused Therapy. He believes that it is his job as a counsellor to listen, guide, support and provide you with options and ideas to lead a happier and fulfilled life.

Rushell Hemmings – M.C.P, R.C.C. (Clinical Counsellor)

Rushell is a Registered Clinical Counsellor who graduated with a Master of Counselling Psychology degree from Adler University. She has over 10 years of multicultural experience in various fields, working with children, youth and their families as a mentor, tutor, and most recently as a counsellor. She draws upon practices utilizing an anti-oppressive, trauma informed and collaborative lens. She uses mainly Adlerian, TF-CBT, DBT and other strength-based modalities. Rushell believes in the power of creating a nonjudgmental open space, and that building a therapeutic alliance is key to helping individuals feel supported in navigating challenging experiences.

 

Camber Isaac Giberson – M.C.P, R.C.C. (Clinical Counsellor)

Camber Isaac Giberson is a trauma-informed somatic therapist, whose practice focuses on anxiety disorders, PTSD, ADHD, chronic pain, Autism Spectrum Disorder and other neurodivergent concerns. As a Queer man, he has a passion for working with 2SLGBTQIA+ identifying individuals who may confront a myriad of barriers in accessing Queer affirming care. Camber holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of North Carolina Asheville and Master’s degree in Clinical Counselling from Adler University in Vancouver. Camber has specialized training in Somatic Experiencing, and is also a certified HeartMath biofeedback practitioner.

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Outreach Staff

Claudia Whitrod – Partnerships and Wrap-Around Programs Manager

Claudia joined the Dan’s Legacy team in April of 2022. She spent the last five years working as a cooking instructor teaching young mothers and youth connected to the foster care system. During this time, she also coordinated a life skills workshop program and created a grocery hamper service during the pandemic. Having a background in the culinary arts, Claudia understands the value of hands-on learning as a means to acquire useful skills, build confidence and explore creative expression. She is continuously humbled to support individuals develop their recipes for success.

Mazin Hammood – Wrap-around Programs Team Lead

Mazin brings 3 years of experience as a translator for newcomers migrating to Indonesia, supporting them with obtaining a higher quality of life. Working in the social services field has always been Mazin’s passion as he aims to provide holistic support to the community by utilizing a client-centered approach. Mazin is honoured to be a part of the Dan’s Legacy team and he strives daily to make a positive impact in the lives of youth and the community.

Demi Seguit – R.S.W. – Social Worker

Demi completed her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work at Douglas College and brings a strong foundation and passion for supporting others to achieve their goals. With experience working with children, youth, and adults with intellectual disabilities, she is committed to utilizing a person-centered and trauma- informed approach to support and empower individuals to achieve their full potential. Thrilled and honoured to be part of the team at Dan’s Legacy, Demi is dedicated to positively influencing the lives of today’s youth.

Yula Tkach  – B.A – Youth Outreach Worker

Yula holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Sociology, complemented by a Certificate in Crisis Response and Mental Health Work, as well as a Diploma in Hospitality Management. For the past few years, driven by a passion for social justice, she has dedicated herself to supporting vulnerable populations, including the unhoused community and individuals facing mental health and addiction challenges in Nanaimo. Yula also gained experience from her role at a post-hospitalization boarding school, where she worked with at-risk youth aged 12-18 facing mental health challenges. This experience underscored Yula’s commitment to creating safe environments and fostering growth among marginalized groups. She is driven by a desire to advocate for underserved communities and create inclusive spaces. Her approach is guided by trauma-informed care principles and a passion to support and empower young people facing challenging circumstances.

Ry Forsythe – B.A – Youth Outreach Worker

Ry has a Bachelor’s in Sociology and an associate’s degree in Creative Writing. They have experience with running health and wellness programs during their time coordinating an afterschool peer support program, and developing a weekly recreational program for queer youth in the community that identified needing a safer space to be themselves. Ry believes they have learned the most through supporting youth and young adults with managing their mental health challenges, making plans for attaining future goals, exploring gender identity and more. Ry strives to support youth in finding their next chapter by meeting them where they’re at, having a harm reductive approach, providing connection through mentorship and using humour when needed.

Alex Walmsley – Outreach Worker – Job Skills

Alex has nearly a decade of experience working as a server and front of house manager in several restaurants. The restaurant industry refined her quick problem-solving skills and taught her how to work with diverse groups of people. Alex discovered her passion for working with youth while completing an internship in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa in 2016. She has since worked in a variety of roles in community-based and educational development, both in South Africa and with Indigenous communities across B.C. Alex loves learning and pushing herself outside of her comfort zone. A firm believer that education shouldn’t be boring, Alex is enthusiastic about creative approaches to learning and is therefore always eager to take on curriculum development and program design. Alex is also passionate about all things dog related, including dog training and dog psychology. In her free time Alex enjoys eating, surfing, and anything outdoors. She is currently attempting to teach herself how to sew using her own textile waste.

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Dan’s Diner Staff

Andrew Wong – Program Manager 

Andrew brings nearly 30 years of business experience to the Dan’s Legacy team. He has owned and operated restaurants in the Lower Mainland including the critically acclaimed Wild Rice. A first of its kind in modern dining and an award-winning eatery, this business allowed Andrew to sharpen his skills in the restaurant industry. Over the years, Andrew has trained many young people who entered his doors to work in the kitchen or in the front house of the restaurants. A number of these young people have thrived in the industry, and have become leaders or opened their own restaurants. Andrew’s approach to business is hands-on and generous. He inserts himself into every aspect of the business while providing others with the tools necessary to be successful. Being passionate about the environment, Andrew was on the ground level of the sustainable initiatives Ocean Wise Vancouver and the Green Table Network. During his career, Andrew has gathered a wealth of knowledge and continues to maintain invaluable business connections.

Luke Willingdon – Chef Instructor

Luke is a graduate of Vancouver Community College’s Culinary Arts program and completed his apprenticeship while working at Bridges Restaurant on Granville Island. He worked in various restaurants, ranging from casual to upscale fine dining. He has led teams executing à la carte restaurant service, buffets, and several styles of catering service including passed canapés, chef action stations, plated weddings and conferences, as well as multi-course tasting menus. One of Luke’s proudest accomplishments was opening a brand-new restaurant – Duke’s Seafood and Ribs in the Cayman Islands. Being a chef has provided him the opportunity to live and work abroad in the Caribbean, lead the kitchen at a remote, luxury fishing lodge in Northern BC, and work as a private chef during Canucks games at Rogers Arena.

Megan Watkins – Dan’s Diner Lead

Megan is a dedicated care professional who has a diverse background working in group homes and day programs for adults with physical and cognitive disabilities, as well as with youth. Born in Korea and adopted as a child, Megan brings her resilience, empathy and commitment to creating a nurturing and inclusive environment to her work with Dan’s Legacy. Outside of her professional endeavours, Megan finds joy and inspiration in the culinary arts, finding an outlet for creativity and expression through cooking. Megan’s life experiences fostered the development of her unwavering belief in the potential of every individual to overcome challenges and create their own narratives of success. She is committed to creating a world in which everyone can enjoy a life of dignity and purpose.

Aerhyn Lau – Food Collection Driver

With a 25 year background in the service industry, and 20+ years as a theatre and music artist who’s performed all across Canada, Aerhyn is elated to be joining the wonderful team at Dan’s Legacy. He has a passion for mentoring/teaching others, especially the younger generations, as he spent some of the past 16 years teaching dance to students all over BC and Saskatchewan. Outside of work, you can sometimes catch Aerhyn onstage in a new musical, or performing with New Westminster’s own acapella group “Quayside Voices”. He hopes his bubbly personality will be a sunny addition to the Dan’s Legacy family.

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Dan’s Legacy Foundation Board of Directors 2024-2025

Kelso Kennedy – President

Born in Nanaimo, Kelso moved to Burnaby as a preschooler so that his mother could pursue an education at Simon Fraser University. At the age of 8 he started his entrepreneurial journey with a door-to-door car wash service and eventually cornered the local lemonade stand market. At 14 he built his first real business that was an immediate success but meant dropping out of high school to manage. Kelso went on to engineer websites for projects including Oscar-winning movies and Grammy-winning artists. At the age of 18 Kelso and his mother established a first-of-its-kind peer-to-peer non-profit organization in the Downtown Eastside. In 2012 he founded Redstamp agency which was recognized by Small Business BC as one of the top 10 places to work, and by the city of Port Moody as the 2019 Business of the Year. Kelso was also honoured as the 2020 Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce Young Professional of the Year. Having left school early to focus on his first business, in 2014 he attended Harvard University to fill any knowledge gaps. He’s also continued to help build non-profit organizations, working with Brands for Better and spending the past 18 months as a Director on the board of the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce, which included establishing the Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

Kristy Hayter – Vice President

Kristy has worked in the non-profit sector for over 20 years, working both frontline as a youth worker and in philanthropy, communications and marketing. Kristy currently works as a Manager of Marketing and Public Relations for an environmental non-profit focused on using litigation and law reform to effect change. She believes in supporting and advocating for young people to have timely access to counselling, mental health care, and life skills; eliminating the stigma around mental health and substance use is crucial. Kristy is a proud volunteer of Dan’s Legacy and is grateful to make a meaningful contribution to support its advancement

Jackie Marchand – Treasurer

Jackie has over 25 years of local and international experience as a CPA, CA in a wide range of industries including the resource and professional services sectors, the public sector, and with Indigenous organizations and businesses.  Jackie’s experience includes serving as the CFO for a minority language school board in Alberta, and overseeing the economic development portfolio of an Indigenous organization in Quebec. Jackie has several years of volunteer Board Treasurer and Board member experience with not-for-profit organizations in the cultural, education and health care sectors.  She is honoured to have the opportunity to contribute to the efforts of Dan’s Legacy Foundation in supporting the well-being of the youth that it serves.

Agnes Ho – Secretary

Agnes is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) with over 7 years of experience in consulting, internal audit, and public accounting. Her career has spanned multiple industries where she has specialized in identifying process improvements and managing risks, ensuring that businesses and non-profits alike can optimize their resources to achieve their missions. With over 10 years of volunteer experience at organizations like the SPCA, Junior Achievements, and the Share’d Society, Agnes has always found purpose in giving back. She is especially passionate about empowering at-risk youth, believing deeply that with the right support, every young person has the potential to overcome obstacles and shape a brighter future for themselves and their communities. By being a part of the Board, Agnes believes that it is a chance to help create long-lasting, meaningful impact in the lives of vulnerable youth and the communities they will one day lead.

Wayne Cousins – Director

Wayne’s advocacy for youth began at the age of 15 when volunteering for the Canadian Red Cross.  He went on to represent Canada at international youth congresses, exchanges and summits. Moving on to a lengthy career with BC Hydro, Wayne managed the Crown Corporation’s K-12 Education Sector, responsible for business relationships with 54 school districts and over 2,100 schools across the province. His business management experience with BC Hydro includes corporate communications, external and indigenous relations, media and public relations, strategic planning, and business process improvement. Wayne’s resume also includes CBC television and radio reporting/hosting, video production and narration. His volunteer experience includes serving at Salvation Army’s Belkin House, Harbour Light and Camp Sunrise; The Canadian Cancer Society’s Camp Goodtimes; YWCA’s Crabtree Corner; The Union Gospel Mission; The Greater Vancouver Food Bank; The Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau; Canuck Place Children’s Hospice; and Dan’s Legacy’s Sunday Haven Dinner.

Chef Andrew George – Director

Chef Andrew George was born in Smithers, BC and raised in Telkwa, British Columbia. He attended Vancouver Community College in the early eighties, achieving his Red Seal in 1989, and began his career working at the Chateau Whistler Hotel and the Four Seasons in Vancouver. He opened and ran the Toody-Ni Restaurant and Catering Company in Vancouver during the early 90’s before being selected to be part of the Canadian Native Haute Cuisine team that participated in the 1992 Culinary Olympics in Frankfurt, Germany. Chef Andrew noted at the Olympics that his eyes were truly opened to the great opportunities and rewards that a career in the culinary trades had to offer, and also noticed the lack of Indigenous peoples in this wonderful career. From 1993 to 1998 Chef Andrew worked at Montreal’s International Tourism and Hospitality School of Quebec (I.T.H.Q.), promoting Indigenous culinary arts, and returned to Vancouver in 2006 when an opportunity arose to prepare Indigenous youth for the 2010 Winter Games. He mentored aspiring students in a certified 16-week pre- apprenticeship program that readied the students for cooking school or an entry level prep cook position. In September 2012 he and 24 other chefs from around the world were guests of the U.S. State Department in the International Visitor Leadership program for the inaugural program of culinary diplomacy. The intent was to look at food and culture in the United States with visits to culinary schools, high schools, restaurants, food banks, and soup kitchens. From 2014-2019 Chef Andrew was an Apprenticeship Advisor for the Industry Training Authority (ITA) and later took on the role of Executive Chef and Chef Instructor for Professional Cook Indigenous content at the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology in Merritt, BC. He now working with SkilledTradesBC as Director, Truth and Reconciliation.

Ryan Jamieson – Director

Ryan has built a reputation of deploying an open, honest, and participative style while supporting a wide variety of sectors over 20 years. He is passionate about creating welcoming, inclusive communities, helping people and organizations develop and expand lasting connections, and supporting future- focussed conversations around strategies and goals. Ryan believes strongly that inclusivity, collaboration, and education drive sustainability and success for all members of a community. He has worked for organizations in non-profit, for profit, and government, where he has participated in a wide variety of task forces and action-oriented teams on both provincial and national levels. His volunteer experience includes sitting on the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the Symington Symbiotic Foundation Board of Directors. Ryan is thrilled to be working with Dan’s Legacy, and supporting an organization dedicated to helping youth in need reach beyond their potential.

Stephanie Smith – Director

Stephanie worked for 30 years as an Early Childhood Educator before becoming a full-time officer with the BCGEU (British Columbia General Employees’ Union). In 2011 she was elected Treasurer of the BCGEU, later becoming the first woman elected to the role of President in 2014, a position she holds to this day. She is a passionate advocate for equity, inclusion, dignity, fairness and respect and has worked with a diverse array of organizations in the areas of workers’ and social justice, reconciliation, poverty eradication, mental health and substance use disorders, women and gender rights issues, and more. Stephanie has served on numerous boards and brings a wealth of experience in governance to Dan’s Legacy, and looks forward to leveraging her many relationships to advance its mission.

Tara Sudbury – Director

Tara began her career in Operations at Expo 86 where she oversaw numerous programs, including the development and delivery of department education for volunteers and staff. Following Expo she was recruited to launch the first Children’s Miracle Network telethon fundraising event for BC Children’s Hospital, where she stayed for another 14 years. Seeing an opportunity to close training gaps in the customer service sector, she and business partner Brenda McAllister launched Sudbury-McAllister, delivering its signature thepowerserve™ program to numerous companies including Rogers Arena, Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre, Starlight Casino and the 2010 Olympic Organizing Committee. After serving as the Philanthropy Director at the Victoria Conservatory of Music for three years, Tara returned to education full-time at the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) as Manager of Community & Workplace Education. Tara is passionate about eliminating the stigma around mental health and putting her lived experience to work to benefit others.

Mark Young – Director

Mark is an accomplished professional with close to 20 years of expertise in human resources leadership, spanning both public and private sector organizations. His extensive experience in fostering exceptional employee experiences and driving positive community impact allows him to bring a unique voice to Dan’s Legacy’s Board. Mark shares a deep alignment with the foundation’s mission, as he firmly believes in providing essential resources and opportunities to empower youth facing unique challenges. With a combination of strategic acumen, empathy, and dedication to social responsibility, Mark is eager to make a meaningful contribution to the advancement of Dan’s Legacy.