Our Board and Leadership Team

Kirsten is the Managing Partner of EY’s Canadian Government and Public Sector practice. Prior to this appointment she served as the firm’s Global Government and Public Sector Advisory leader where she sat on the global sector executive team and drove solution development and investment strategy in the public sector in over 100 countries. Her personal passion and specialist expertise is in supporting governments and public entities through complex public policy change and transformation.

She has nearly 25 years of experience in advising clients around the world on designing and executing complex transformation programs. She brings a combination of strategy, hands-on complex program execution experience, and a deep understanding in the role of human capital in driving change.

Previous experience includes serving the Province of British Columbia as a Deputy Minister reporting to the Premier’s Office responsible for driving public sector modernization. She led a portfolio of over $2.4B worth of projects which delivered over $500M in savings as well as service transformation to the Province.  Prior to that she was the Vancouver Managing Partner for Korn/Ferry and recognized thought leader and frequent speaker on trends in executive talent management and leadership, board diversity, and public sector governance and transformation. Kirsten also serves on the board of Smart Prosperity, a national think tank and research centre dedicated to accelerating Canada’s clean innovation and growth.  

Alex Blodgett operates BK Capital, a Vancouver-based investment banking boutique that sources growth capital and advises companies on mergers and acquisitions.  His capital markets exposure has been augmented by experience operating a number of both public and private manufacturing, technology and service companies.

Alex has been a long term supporter of BC Cancer. In the midst of that support tenure, he, his wife and his five sons became intimately familiar with BC Cancer when he was diagnosed with Stage IV non-hodgkin’s lymphoma.  With a very poor prognosis, the Blodgett’s developed a very deep and personal appreciation for the thoroughness, thoughtfulness and professionalism of everyone at BC Cancer, and understand the value, first-hand, how research saves lives.

Alex has participated in the Ride to Conquer Cancer in each of the last six years, the most recent two with Daryl’s Heidelberg Hope team, who have raised money and awareness with a clear intent to bring radioligand therapy to North America as the fourth weapon in the cancer arsenal.

Michael serves as Vice President and Portfolio Manager at Phillips, Hager & North Investment Management Ltd (PH&N) having joined PH&N’s Fixed Income team in 1994. Michael currently overseas a $7.0B mortgage investment program at PH&N. Michael began his career in Toronto as a financial analyst within the investment department of Canada Life. Subsequently, he spent nine years in the pension investment department of Shell Canada; the last five of which were as the Senior Fixed Income Specialist. He has been a Director of CMLS Financial Ltd since 2002. Michael is a Chartered Financial Analyst and obtained a B.Comm degree with Honours from the Queens University. 

Michael is an ardent supporter of the Foundation having participated in the Vancouver Ride to Conquer Cancer for the past decade and having attended numerous special events in support of the work being done at BC Cancer. In 2008 Michael’s mother passed away from Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and when the Ride for 2009 was announced it was his three daughters that convinced him to do the Ride with them. Michael has ridden each year since with at least one, if not all, of his daughters riding as well.

Celeste Burgoyne is lululemon's Executive Vice President (EVP) for the Americas. Celeste has been with lululemon since 2006 and most recently served as Senior Vice President, Retail, North America where she was responsible for overseeing all Canadian and US retail.

Prior to that, she held the positions of Vice President of Store Operations and General Manager of US Operations. Celeste started her career with Abercrombie & Fitch, where she held various positions during her 10 years with the company, including most recently, Senior Director of Stores.

Celeste holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of San Diego in 1996. An avid runner, road rider and yogi, Celeste and her two young boys are delighted to call Vancouver home with frequent visits to Whistler for all their snowy pursuits. 

Patrick is the Senior Vice President of Investor Relations at Wheaton Precious Metals where he is responsible for the company’s strategic direction, liaising with stakeholders and oversees the community investment program as Chair of the CSR Committee.

Prior to joining Wheaton, Patrick had extensive experience in the financial industry where he worked for UBS Securities from 2001 to 2012 in institutional equity sales across North America and in Europe, most recently, in London as Head of European Sales for UBS Canada. In this role, Patrick rebuilt the sales platform responsible for advising fund managers on Canadian equities. He was also a member of the UBS Canadian Executive Committee, which oversaw strategic decisions for the Canadian business.

Patrick holds an MBA from the Rotman School of Management (University of Toronto) and a Masters Degree in Geology from the University of Memphis. During his spare time, he enjoys outdoor activities with his wife, twin daughters and dog.

Described as an extraordinary philanthropist and volunteer, Lynda has worked professionally in the public service, and has considerable experience in the private and non-profit sectors. A Victoria resident, Lynda has recently been co-chair of two significant fundraising campaigns on Vancouver Island and has also worked with the Ministry of Health. 

Lynda has been recognized in her community with a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012, and she and her husband were recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce in 2016. Lynda and her family have been longtime supporters of the BC Cancer Foundation.   

Neil is the Vice President of Operations at A & W Food Services of Canada, the second largest quick service hamburger chain in Canada.  Neil began his career at A & W while in high school and over the past 40 plus years has worked in various roles and cities before settling in Vernon, B.C. in 1998. 

Neil has worked in marketing analysis and operating system creation prior to assuming his current role where he leads a team of 50 people providing operations support to 900+ restaurants across Canada.  Since 2014, Neil has served on the business advisory board at The Centre for Services Leadership, a part of the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University.

Geoffrey Glotman, Managing Principal of Glotman•Simpson, is a senior engineer with more than 30 years of experience in structural engineering and business administration. Since 1984, Geoffrey has provided strategic planning, direction and leadership for the firm.  He has worked on many of British Columbia’s largest projects including the Vancouver Convention Centre, Vancouver Olympic Village, our own BC Cancer Research Facility, The Gordon + Leslie Diamond Health Centre at VGH, Electronic Arts (Canada) Inc.’s Canadian Headquarters, One Wall Centre and numerous West Coast Reduction projects.

Geoffrey’s expertise, dedication and commitment to quality extends well beyond business and into community. He is the founding sponsor of the Glotman•Simpson Cycling Club, whose vision is dedicated to supporting research in finding a cure for pancreatic cancer. The annual fundraising event, The Cypress Challenge, a hill climb up Cypress Mountain, has raised more than $2.5M since its inception in 2007 and is the largest community event in BC for the BC Cancer Foundation.

Michael Heskin is the Senior Vice President, Finance & CFO of Belkorp Industries Inc, and is involved in all aspects of operational and management decisions.  Mr. Heskin’s long-standing affiliation with Belkorp and related companies in Canada and the US includes his role as a director of Lantic Inc, a subsidiary of Rogers Sugar Inc. Prior to joining Belkorp in 1994, Mr. Heskin practised as an accountant with a leading international accounting firm and he brings a wealth of experience in accounting practices to the BC Cancer Foundation. He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of B.C.

Alice Laberge is currently a corporate director of the Royal Bank of Canada, Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, Russel Metals and the Canadian Public Accountability Board (CPAB). She previously was chair of SilverBirch Holdings Inc. and a director of Delta Hotels, BC Hydro, Catalyst Paper and Fincentric Corporation.

In addition to her role as director with the Foundation, Alice is currently also on the committee of the Institute of Corporate Directors (BC Chapter).

Alice was President and Chief Executive Officer of Fincentric Corporation until 2005 and prior to this appointment she was its Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining Fincentric in 2000, Alice was Senior Vice-President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer at MacMillan Bloedel Limited and was with MacMillan Bloedel for more than 18 years. 

Alice has been honoured with the PEAK Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Association of Women in Finance, received the Influential Women in Business Award and presented with the Institute of Corporate Directors 2015 ICD Fellowship Award.

Murray is Executive Vice President and Director at Odlum Brown, a full-service investment management firm headquartered in Vancouver. As a Chartered Financial Analyst with over 25 years of investment industry experience, Murray formulates the firm's economic outlook and equity investment strategy, in addition to running the Research Department and covering individual companies. Murray serves as Chair of Simon Fraser University’s Investment Advisory Committee, and is a member of SFU’s Responsible Investment Committee. He is an external advisor to the Vancouver School of Theology Foundation and is on the Board of Cloverdale Paint.

John is Vice President of W.P.J. McCarthy and Company Ltd. where he is responsible for all leasing and management of the firm’s privately held real estate portfolio. He also represents selected third-party clients as a broker and consultant and is active and experienced in all real estate asset classes.

John currently sits on the Burnaby Hospital Fundraising Cabinet Committee and was appointed to the BC Cancer Foundation Board of Directors in 2018.

John holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration (with distinction) and a Diploma of Technology in Marketing Management, both from the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). John holds Fellow of the Real Estate Institute and Certified Leasing Officer designations through the Real Estate Institute of Canada, holds the RI designation as a fellow of the Real Estate Institute of British Columbia, and is a Real Estate Trading Services Licensee through the Sauder School of Business at UBC.

In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his family and friends. He enjoys several sports, most notably basketball, and is passionate about reading and traveling. John lives in Burnaby with his wife Alaiza.

Ju has been involved with the Foundation since 2015, serving as one of the founding members of the Hope Couture Committee.  She holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia and has experience in the hospitality as well as the property development industry.  She currently also serves on the Advancement Committee at St. George’s School. 

Born and raised in Singapore, Ju has lived in Vancouver for over 30 years. In her spare time, she enjoys yoga, music and traveling the world with her husband and two teenage sons. 

Carl Roy is the President and CEO of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA). Prior to joining PHSA, Carl was President of Providence Health Care where he developed a vision and plan for the renewal, integration and redevelopment of sites and services. 

Carl brings a unique blend of innovative thinking, effective partnering and people-focused leadership to the BC Cancer Foundation. 

Rachel was most recently Senior Vice President, Corporate Development for O’Neill Hotels & Resorts and was responsible for investments, acquisitions, dispositions and corporate development for the company and its portfolio of companies. Prior to joining O’Neill Hotels & Resorts,  Rachel was the Senior Director Business Development and Asset Management with Vancouver Airport Services, and prior to that, Director of Acquisitions for Intrawest. Rachel qualified as a Barrister (England and Wales) and was an Investment Banking Associate with KPMG Corporate Finance, and then Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein in London, prior to moving to Canada in 2004. She is the immediate past chair of the Vancouver Club. Rachel has been involved with the Foundation since 2014, serving on the Inspiration Gala Committee.