Chris has a long history in health and international development. Early in his career he was a public servant for the Province of British Columbia, Canada including from 1982-1991 (and 1995) in the senior management of the Ministry of Health. Chris was the Director-General of Health and the chief executive of the Ministry of Health in New Zealand from 1992-5. He moved to the World Bank in 1996 where he served in a variety of capacities including Director for Human Development in the Europe and Central Asia Region, Director for Health Nutrition and Population for the Human Development Network, country manager in both Central Asia and East Africa and Senior Adviser HNP/Program Leader for Health Systems Strengthening for the Africa Region, retiring in 2012. From September 2012-2016 Chris was a Principal Associate with Abt Associates, working primarily on the Health Finance and Governance Project funded by USAID, retiring December 2016. He continued to take on short term consultancies in international health (e.g. Gates Foundation), until accepting the appointment by Abt with HHISP.
Catherine has 25 years of experience in her career in technology and transformation with IBM and as a Director or Chair for charitable organizations in social services and education throughout Vancouver, Victoria and the Gulf Islands. Her work in corporate social responsibility includes an economic development project in Geraldton, Western Australia and STEM projects for girls. Catherine believes that together, all people have the power to change, improve and challenge each other in positive ways to design innovative and sustainable structures.
Currently pursuing her MSc. in Health Informatics at the University of Victoria, Catherine is passionate about the use of technology to help scale, measure and drive positive health outcomes. Informatics aligns data, information, people and knowledge in a way that can improve human health. As an active ally, she is committed to continuous learning for diversity, equity and inclusion, seeking opportunities for truth and reconciliation, and creating richer diverse spaces.
Lynn is a pharmacist in private practice, providing clinical pharmacy and health education services to individual, corporate, and government clients. She has an eclectic professional background with experience in community and hospital pharmacy, academia and government. Her areas of interest include patient education and chronic disease self-management, seniors’ healthcare, mental health and addictions, and evidence informed decision making. Lynn has served on other boards and believes that volunteers have a tremendous impact on the quality of life in a community.
Paul is an experienced trial lawyer (Waller Law) who has appeared in the British Columbia Provincial Court, the Supreme Court of British Columbia, and the British Columbia Court of Appeal, and has represented clients before various administrative and regulatory tribunals regarding professional regulation and administrative law, including the Liquor Control and Licensing Board, Workers' Compensation Appeal Tribunal, Environmental Appeal Board, Employment Standards Tribunal, Human Rights Tribunal, Certified General Accountants Board, and British Columbia Securities Commission. In addition to joining the Garth Homer Society Board of Directors in 2021, Paul is also President and Chair of the Board of Directors for the Vancouver Island Soccer League (2023-present).
Paul is a Partner at Dusanj & Wirk CPA. After graduating from the University of Victoria, he obtained his CPA, CA designation and has spent his career working as a public accountant helping various not-for-profit organizations as well as for-profit companies through providing advice, financial statements and tax compliance services. Previously, he volunteered as the Treasurer for posAbilities Association of British Columbia, as a Director for the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce and as a coach for the Developmentally Challenged Youth Basketball Association.
John spent his early career in education, including twenty years at Shawnigan Lake School, on Vancouver Island. Shawnigan Lake School, a leader in independent boarding school education, made an early and significant investment in its future by supporting a bold advancement strategy. John, a passionate advocate of independent school education, served as Director of the Shawnigan Foundation for twelve years.
John’s delivery of philanthropic leadership has taken him to Britain, USA, China, Denmark, Holland, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia and U.A.E. His single-minded focus on creating future visions, major gift philanthropy and board development has enabled his clients to attract significant resources to their organizations.
John represents Global Philanthropic Canada Inc. with an active list of clients across Canada and Asia and is a much sought-after speaker on all aspects of fundraising, especially on the creation of all-encompassing advancement programs, whilst focusing on capital campaigns, annual fund strategies and planned giving. His lengthy experience in China is considered a significant asset by his clients. Since joining Global, John has also achieved significant success in guiding healthcare, arts and social service clients. Clients served in Manitoba include Balmoral Hall School (15 years), Health Sciences Centre Foundation (6 years), St. Paul’s School (2 years) and Providence University College (2 years). He has worked in Manitoba for twenty-two years.
John is the Past-President of the Vancouver Island Chapter of AFP. He was honoured by his Canadian colleagues in 2011 with the prestigious CAISAP Sam Heaman Award for his contributions to philanthropy in Canada.
Susan Gee is vice-president communications and advancement at Royal Roads University. Prior to joining Royal Roads in March 2019, she served as communications and development director for the Victoria Hospitals Foundation and vice president of Acumen Communications Group, where she worked with a broad base of public and private sector clients. Her more than twenty five years’ experience in communications, development, issues management and media relations include senior communications roles for the provincial government. She sits on the Board of Directors at RAVEN (Respecting Aboriginal Values and Environmental Needs) and is an accredited public relations professional (APR). She holds an MBA from the University of Victoria.
Val is the parent of a young man who attends Garth Homer.
After graduating with a BScN from University of Windsor Val spent 4 years teaching ESL in Crete. Returning to Canada she embarked on a 33+ year career in Nursing, mainly in Critical Care and later Community Health.
She has worked in various cities in Canada and the United States.
A strong leader skilled in communication and advocacy, she has been involved in various Councils and Boards throughout her life.
Though she considers her greatest achievement is raising two accomplished children.
Val believes an individual can make a difference and a team can create miracles.
