Alison
Board Chair
Alison
Board Chair
Alison has worked in training and facilitation and project management in non-profits and the public sector in Canada and the United Kingdom, and is currently a PhD candidate in Political Science at UBC, where she is involved in research, writing, and teaching.
Alison has seen and is grateful for the incredible work Umbrella does with people living with addictions and mental health issues, and is thrilled to be joining the board in 2017.
Guy
Vice Chair
Guy
Vice Chair
Guy has over 30 years of experience working in the public service in the UK, Vancouver and here in Victoria. In that time Guy has worked in a variety of sectors including economic development, fisheries, agriculture and transportation. The last ten years he spent with the BC Ministry of Health managing major outsourcing contracts. Guy retired in 2020.
Guy has a long term interest in the challenges of those facing issues related to mental health and addictions. Guy was previously a board member and seeing all the impressive work that Umbrella has accomplished, he is excited to be returning to the board.
Guy is married with two adult children, a ten year old son and a puppy. He loves hiking and being out on the water any chance he gets.
Cyndi
Treasurer
Cyndi
Treasurer
Cyndi comes to Umbrella with over 30 years experience as a Chartered Professional Account CPA, CGA. During her professional career she has worked with both Government and Public Practice. Now that she is semi retired she is ready to commit more time to the activities and organizations that align with her personal values.
Cyndi is the happily married mother of two adult children. When not working or volunteering she enjoys fostering rescue dogs, trail running and hiking.
Wendy
Secretary
Wendy
Secretary
Wendy has a social work background and has spent her career working in the social sector, including ten years as a substance use and mental health clinician. It was during this time that she first encountered Umbrella. She is inspired by how much Umbrella has grown over the years and the amazing range of supports offered by the dedicated staff. She is really honoured to be part of his organization.Wendy currently works as a director of child welfare policy for the provincial government and can be found on her off time gardening and sailing around the gulf islands with her wife and her son.
Nancy
Director
Nancy
Director
The Rev. Canon Nancy Ford is a “retired” deacon. She is currently an Honourary Assistant at Christ Church Cathedral. In her former position as Deacon to the City she was involved with various agencies who continue to serve and advocate for respectful treatment of people who are marginalized. She has been on the board of the Community Social Planning Council, served as a long-time member of the Downtown Service Providers and is currently the Past President of Anglican Deacons Canada.
She spent 25 years as a counsellor specializing in trauma. Nancy loves the Umbrella approach to recovery and appreciates the Umbrella team. She has written a series of meditations on recovery during Covid which are soon to be published.
She continues to work nationally and internationally with groups who provide funding and hands on care for support for refugees, families living with poverty and justice focused advocacy.
Nancy is a mother, grandmother, and partner. She advocates for change in our relationship with creation and the importance of the unseen interrelationships we have with all living organisms. Her grandchildren are excellent mentors!
Bonnie
Director
Bonnie
Director
Bengy
Director
Bengy
Director
Bengy has over 30 years experience in Real Estate appraisal and Taxation. Having retired a few years ago, he began to look for ways to give back to the community in which he has lived virtually his whole life. Umbrella Society was the natural choice to make a difference and honour the lives of his friends and family members that have been impacted by substance abuse and mental health issues.
Bengy is happily married with three adult children. He is an avid cyclist and most days he can be found riding the many beautiful areas in our city.
Valerie
Director
Valerie
Director
Valerie is a Registered Clinical Counsellor in private practice. Her specialties are addiction and codependency as well as group facilitation. Valerie worked for Island Health as an addiction counsellor in the past and this is where she first became acquainted with the work of Umbrella. Valerie has been a proponent for mental health and addictions since she finished her master’s in counselling psychology in 2007. It is a privilege to join the board of an organization that does work that is near and dear to her heart. Valerie has an adult daughter who lives in Vancouver and an 18-year-old cat named Polly who rules her house!