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Our Board and Executive

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Executive Team

Douglas Nelson President & CEO

Doug joined the BC Cancer Foundation in 2009.  As the President & CEO of the BC Cancer Foundation, Doug Nelson is passionate about raising funds to support breakthrough research and enhancements to patient care exclusively at the BC Cancer Agency.

Doug feels strongly about the relevance of cancer to all British Columbians and the power of philanthropy to make a difference.  As the largest charitable funder of cancer research in this province, the Foundation enables donors to make contributions to leading-edge research that have direct impacts on improvements to cancer care for patients in British Columbia.

Doug is a highly successful leader in the health research development sector, with an outstanding track record of health-care philanthropy and a reputation for building sustainable revenue-generating programs. 

Prior to joining the BC Cancer Foundation, Doug was the Chief Development Officer for the University of Alberta, where he led the second largest fundraising campaign in Canadian history. 

Brendan Robinson Vice-President, Development

Brendan is an accomplished fundraising professional and brings over 15 years of experience to his role as Vice-President, Development, for the BC Cancer Foundation. Brendan has occupied a variety of management and executive positions within the non-profit sector, most of which have been focused on health philanthropy.

Prior to joining the Foundation in 2010, Brendan spent nine years at the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Medicine. He was both the Faculty’s Executive Director of Development and the University’s Co-Director of the Reach! Campaign, a partnership with Alberta Health Services that raised over $312 million for health research, education and clinical care priorities from 2005–2009.

Brendan leads the Foundation’s development team, who bridge a connection between donors and the cutting-edge research and enhancements to patient care taking place at the BC Cancer Agency.

Luigi (Lou) Del Gobbo Vice-President & Chief Financial Officer

Lou brings a strong background in both financial leadership and operations management to the BC Cancer Foundation. He is a Chartered Accountant who has worked in the auditing, food and beverage, manufacturing and processing, and broadcasting fields. Prior to joining the Foundation in 2009, he was a financial consultant for HSBC, working on their Finance Operational Risk Assessment and Business Continuity plans.

Lou is responsible for finance, information technology, legal services, property management, investment, and the business planning and reporting process for the Foundation.

Because of Lou’s strong leadership around the financial and business processes, the rest of the Foundation team can focus its attention and efforts on raising funds that support breakthrough discoveries at the BC Cancer Agency.

Patsy Worrall Vice President, Marketing & Communications

Patsy brings over 25 years of experience and expertise to her role as Vice-President, Marketing and Communications, for the BC Cancer Foundation. As a partner in one of Vancouver’s top-ranked communications companies for 15 years preceding her move to the BC Cancer Foundation in 2010, Patsy provided strategic counsel to a diverse range of private and public sector organizations, including many health and life sciences groups.

In her first year with the Foundation, Patsy created and introduced the organization’s new brand Partners in Discovery. She is responsible for the development of marketing and communications programs that will elevate the importance of the Foundation and its sole purpose of raising funds for its partner, the BC Cancer Agency.

Cindy Dopson, MBA, CHRP Director, Human Resources

With over 15 years of experience in both operations and Human Resources, Cindy brings a strong business background and leadership to her role as Director, Human Resources. Prior to joining the BC Cancer Foundation in 2009, Cindy led human resources teams at TELUS Communications, where she drove a number of innovative and award-winning programs.

She has successfully implemented effective programs for employee orientation, professional development, career planning, employee engagement, and employee retention.

Cindy is responsible for developing strategies and programs relating to the engagement and overall performance of Foundation employees.

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2011/2012 Board of Directors

Jess Ketchum Chair

Jess brings a wealth of business and non-profit expertise to the Board of the BC Cancer Foundation. As President of Ketchum Communications Ltd., Jess has provided specialized strategic communications services to senior corporate and association executives and government officials in Canada for over 25 years. Jess has had a significant impact on innumerable businesses, associations, governments, events, and not-for-profits throughout his career.

Jess contributes his energy and time on multiple boards and was an active contributor to the success of both Expo 86 and the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. Jess joined the Foundation’s Board in 2010 and was appointed as Chair in 2011.

Kevin N. Irvine, CA Vice Chair and Chair, Finance & Audit Committee

Kevin brings a wealth of business experience and expertise to the BC Cancer Foundation. He has served the Foundation since 2008 as a Director and also as the Chair of the Finance & Audit Committee and the Ride to Conquer Cancer Community Committee. Kevin held numerous key positions advising and leading companies including Sauder Industries’ Hardwoods Division, Washington Marine Group, Miramar Mining and Seaspan International. He has contributed his talents and skills to a number of organizations through the years.

Joy MacPhail Vice Chair

Joy brings a range of experience and expertise from both the public and private sectors to the BC Cancer Foundation Board. She has served BC as a Member of the Legislative Assembly, Deputy Premier, Finance Minister, Health Minister and Leader of the Opposition in her past, and is currently the Chair and owner of OUTtv, the world’s longest airing Lesbian and Gay TV network. Joy joined the Board in 2006.

John Jennings Past Chair

John joined the Board in 2008. He brings impressive credentials to the BC Cancer Foundation. John spent 30 years as an investment banker in Vancouver, Toronto and London, England, followed by his appointment as COO of Anthem Properties in 2010. John has been an active participant in the community through his volunteerism on a number of boards and with numerous organizations. In 2011, John was awarded the prestigious BC Community Achievement Award.

Dr. Samuel Abraham Director

As Vice President, Strategic Relationships, and Vice President, Research, at the BC Cancer Agency, Dr. Abraham works to enable high quality discovery research and to create linkages between the Agency and both the public and private sectors that will help the Agency to achieve its mandate of cancer control in B.C. He is involved in the development of intellectual property and the translation of discoveries into clinical practices or products that will benefit patients. Dr. Abraham’s impressive career has taken him into senior positions in the pharmaceutical industry, with the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), as well as being a leader and participant in advisory boards and boards. Sam joined the Board in 2011.

John Auston Director

John is a retired geologist and mineral industry executive. Following graduation from McGill University with degrees in geology and mineral exploration, he lived and worked in many areas of Canada, in the United States and in Australia during a career of over 40 years. After retirement in 2000, he was a member of the boards of a number of public companies and has been a volunteer participant in various activities of the BC Cancer Foundation and the BC Cancer Agency. John joined the board in 2011.

Randy Bartsch Director

Randy is the fourth generation to be raised in Abbotsford, BC. Randy enjoyed a successful career as a World Cup freestyle snow skier. For six years he represented Canada as a skier, first as a professional then as an amateur, as the sport headed towards the 1988 Olympics in Calgary. Randy is President & CEO, Magnatex Service Group of Companies.

Randy is active in his community, having served as the Canadian Chairman of the Young Presidents’ Organization, is a former Director of the Canadian Freestyle Ski Association, Past President of the Abbotsford Rotary Club, and has been active in governance with his industry’s international trade association, TRSA. In 2009, he was inducted into the Abbotsford Sports Hall of Fame. Randy joined the board in 2011.

Rob Bennett Director

Rob’s Island perspective and 35+ years as a leader in the technology sector in Victoria is a valuable asset to the BC Cancer Foundation. Rob’s entrepreneurial spirit has led to his success as a founder of several technology companies. Rob’s contribution to the BC Cancer Foundation Board is only one of several organizations and boards that Rob generously contributes to on a regular basis. Rob has served on the Board since 2006.

Wendy T. Chan Director

Wendy brings expertise in business and brand strategy to the Board of the BC Cancer Foundation. Founder of Moxie Strategy Inc., and subsidiary Jin Qiao (Golden Bridge) Consulting, she works with Canadian and Asian companies providing advice on business and branding strategy, go-to-market tactical planning and joint venture initiatives. Companies Wendy has worked with to develop long term strategic plans and/or guided on major projects include: Johnson and Johnson, Ortho-McNeil, Glaxo-SmithKline, Taymor Industries, and Mission Hill Winery. Wendy joined the board in 2009.

Sue Connaghan Director, and Chair, Allocations Committee

Sue’s expertise in business law, First Nations, real estate and wills, estates and trusts are a valued asset to the BC Cancer Foundation. In addition to her Board responsibilities, Sue also chairs the Allocations Committee and is a member of the BC Cancer Foundation Southern Interior Development Council. Sue is a partner with Pushnor Mitchell in Kelowna. Sue joined the Board in 2007.

Lynda Cranston Director

Lynda is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), one of six health authorities established in BC. The PHSA operates the BC Cancer Agency, BC Centre for Disease Control, BC Children’s Hospital and Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children, BC Mental Health and Addiction Services, BC Provincial Renal Agency, BC Transplant, BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre, Cardiac Services BC, Perinatal Services BC, and recently assumed responsibility for the Emergency and Health Services Commission, BC Ambulance Service, and Health Shared Services BC. Lynda joined the Board in 2009.

Greg D’Avignon Director and Chair, Development Committee

Greg is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Business Council of British Columbia, an organization which represents the province’s leading businesses.

A fourth generation British Columbian, Greg has played an active leadership role in business, politics and the community for over 20 years earning a reputation for results and building collaborative solutions that positively benefit companies, organizations and the lives of people that invest, live and work in BC.

Greg is active in his community, having served as the Chair of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation-BC/Yukon Region and its National Board, and is currently its past chair and the honorary co-chair of the Surrey Regional Economic. Greg joined the board in 2011.

Monika Deol Director

Monika is a nationally known television broadcaster who is also very actively involved in the community as an organizer, communications consultant and fundraiser. In addition to her impressive board contributions to many organizations in the public and private sectors, Monika is also an author. Her career highlights include experience as a news anchor for City-TV and CTV’s VTV, and host and producer at MuchMusic. Monika has served on the Board since 2009.

Gordon Diamond Director

Gordon’s extensive business experience is a valuable asset to the BC Cancer Foundation’s Board. Gordon, a recipient of the Order of British Columbia in 2007, is the Chairman and owner of a private group of companies that includes West Coast Reduction Ltd. and Austeville Properties Ltd. In addition to his business interests, Gordon has contributed to many organizations and boards and is Chairman of his own private family foundation. Gordon has served on the Board since 2005.

Bradley Field Director

Bradley brings a history of successful leadership with ArmorWorks Enterprises Canada and Pacific Safety Products Inc. to the Board of the BC Cancer Foundation.

In addition to sitting on several boards, Bradley has also been recognized with multiple awards for innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as receiving the prestigious Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal and the BC Community Achievement Award. Bradley has served on the board since 2010.

Michael Hungerford Director

Michael Hungerford brings a range of skills and talents to the BC Cancer Foundation and has been on the Board of Directors since 2006. Michael is a Partner with Hungerford Properties, a diversified real estate investment, development and management company focused on Western Canada. In addition to his business activities, Michael has also been active with other boards in Vancouver.

Joanne McLeod Director

Joanne brings the BC Cancer Foundation expertise and experience from her career of over 20 years in the banking and energy sectors, most recently as Vice President and Treasurer of Westcoast Energy. Joanne’s contributions to not-for-profit organizations and boards in Vancouver include being a member of the BC Cancer Foundation’s Finance & Audit Committee. Joanne joined the board in 2010.

Derrold Norgaard Director

Derrold is a Chartered Accountant, Certified Financial Planner and a retired Partner from KPMG in Victoria. Currently working with a private equity investment firm, he practiced with KPMG for more than 25 years in Victoria, Vancouver and its other offices around the world. As a FCA, Derrold specialized in international and domestic tax planning and financing structuring for wealthy individuals and business owners.

He is Past President of Victoria CA Association and has held numerous positions with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of BC. His community involvement has been focused on raising support for cancer research and care on Vancouver Island, as Past-Vice Chair of the Inspire the World Campaign and as Past-Chair of the BC Cancer Foundation Gifts Committee, Vancouver Island. Derrold joined the board in 2011.

Anna Nyarady, CFP, C. Dir. Director, and Chair, Governance & HR Committee

Anna is the President and Owner of Vanseco Management Ltd., which provides business and financial planning services as well as corporate governance advisory services. She has held many board appointments and positions on both municipal and provincial levels as well as public companies and non-profit organizations. Anna joined the Board in 2009.

Brian Schmidt Director

Brian is the Interim President of the BC Cancer Agency. Brian’s immense contributions to the health-care industry range from academic and clinical to administrative and strategic. Brian is a Fellow and Board member of the Canadian College of Health Leaders and is a Clinical Professor in the School of Population and Public Health at the University of British Columbia. Brian has provided expertise as a former member and Chair of a number of health-related boards.

Kirsten Tisdale Director

Kirsten’s background in corporate strategy and leading organizational transformation in more than 15 countries across diverse sectors is of great value to the BC Cancer Foundation. Kirsten serves on several boards and is a Partner with Ernst and Young, leading their BC Advisory Practice. Kirsten joined the board in 2010.

Lorne Wickerson Director, and Chair, Investment Committee

Lorne brings an extensive background in commercial banking, investment and money management to the BC Cancer Foundation Board. Lorne has held senior VP positions with Bank of Montreal, Merrill Lynch, Nesbitt Thomson and is currently a Partner with Jarislowsky, Fraser since 1979. Lorne has always been active on non-profit boards and has been a part of the BC Cancer Foundation since 2005.