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Biographies |
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Biographies of the 2009/2010 Board of Directors
Julie Fisher
Julie Fisher is a lawyer and partner in the law firm of Watson Goepel Maledy LLP practicing in the area of insurance law, disability and health benefits, personal injury, and privacy law. She is a graduate of the University of Victoria (BA, First Class, in Psychology in 1991 and Law School LL.B. in 1995), member of the BC Bar since 1996, and coordinator of the Firm’s Public Disability Seminar since 2003.
She is the Co-Chair of the Mentoring Program for the Canadian Bar Association Women Lawyer’s Forum and Coordinator with her husband Jason Jakubec of the Rotary International Youth Exchange Program for District 50/50. She is also the Secretary for Avonlea Heights Strata Council since 2006, a member of the Westwood Plateau Community Association, and a supporter together with her husband of the Rotary Club of Coquitlam Sunrise and host parents to visiting Rotary International Youth Exchange students to Coquitlam since 2005. They have one son attending French immersion in Coquitlam.
Sam Nakai
Sam has been a Coquitlam resident for the past 14 years. He is a principal at mQ Venture Consulting Inc., a firm that provides financial, marketing and business development advisory services to new ventures, develops new high technology companies and provides innovation and commercialization services to government.
He was previously Director of Programs with the British Columbia Innovation Council and has held several business operation positions in manufacturing, business services and high-technology companies. He is currently a member of the board of directors for two non-profit organizations. He is also an active member of Friendship Baptist Church located in Coquitlam and was previously on its board. Sam is a graduate of UBC (BASc ’96). He is married and has two daughters.
Terry O'Neill
Terry O'Neill is an editor, writer and communications specialist. He is a graduate of Simon Fraser University (B.A. in English, '74) and Carleton University (Bachelor of Journalism, Honours, '76).
A two-time winner of the Canadian Institute of Mining's News Story of the Year Award, he has worked in both print (legislative correspondent for The Canadian Press; editor of The Richmond Review; editor/publisher of B.C. Report; senior writer of The Western Standard) and television (assignment editor of CKVU First News; host/producer of X-Change, NOW-TV; news anchor of The Standard, OMNI.10).
He currently writes regularly for a variety of publications, including the Tri-City News, and also helps serve the communications needs of several corporate clients. A founding member and past president of The Eagle Ridge Residents Association in Coquitlam, he currently sits on the finance and pro-life committees of St. Joseph's Parish in Port Moody, on the advisory committee of Coquitlam's Pregnancy Concerns, and on the board of directors of Signal Hill. He is the winner of the Christian Coalition of B.C.'s first annual award for Journalistic Integrity, and has been honoured for distinguished citizenship and humanitarianism by both the Canadian Red Cross Society and Canadian Blood Services.
Richard Rainey
Richard Rainey represents the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce, and as such is one of three statutory appointees to the board. The Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization, which has been serving Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, and Port Moody for over thirty years. The Chamber exists to support, educate, and promote business interests in the community by representing the interests of their members and by planning events and programs that encourage dialogue between local businesses and those they serve. Policies and programs are determined by a fourteen-member board of directors who volunteer their time and are elected by the membership. Currently, the Chamber has a membership of 840, which includes local businesses, professionals, residents, and other community groups. Richard Rainey is the present appointee.
The Tri-Cities area is one of the fastest growing regions in the Greater Vancouver Regional District and, with this in mind, the Chamber of Commerce seeks to strengthen local businesses believing that this will strengthen the community
Ron Roberge
Ron is a retired teacher/school counsellor/summer school administrator having served in Coquitlam school district for 34 years. Formal education includes a B.A. (Education) from Western Washington University (1970), M.A. (candidate) (Counselling Psych.) from Simon Fraser University (1975) and an M.A. (Educational Administration and Supervision) from San Diego State University (1992). He has an extensive background of involvement with professional organizations and committees including School District #43 Personnel and Human Resources Planning, District Professional Development Planning, Alcohol and Drug Review Committees. Ron has also organized/facilitated numerous presentations on "at risk students" locally, provincially and nationally, and has coached or sponsored school activities every year of professional life. Ron is married with two adult daughters and a grandson. Interests include golf, tennis and swimming.
Richard Stewart
As Mayor of Coquitlam, Richard Stewart is one of three statutory members of the board of the Coquitlam Foundation. Richard was elected mayor in November 2008, having served on city council since 2005. Prior to that, he was MLA for Coquitlam-Maillardville from 2001-2005, during which time he was appointed MLA Responsible for Francophone Affairs, member of the Government Caucus Committee on the Economy, and Chair of the Select Standing Committee on Education. Richard is bilingual (English and French) and has lived all his life in Coquitlam. He married wife Anna Rosa in 1983; they have four children. He has extensive experience as a community volunteer in a large number of social, service, environmental, business and community organizations, including: Coquitlam Rotary Club, Knights of Columbus, Maillardville Lions Club, Société Maillardville Uni and Société Biculturelle de Maillardville, and School District 43 Parent Advisory Committee.
Diane Sowden
Diane is School District 43’s representative to the Coquitlam Foundation’s board of directors. First elected a school trustee in the fall of 2005, Diane is now serving her second term in office. She also serves on the City of Coquitlam/School Board Liaison Committee. At the time of her joining the Coquitlam Foundation board in 2010, Diane had been a resident of Coquitlam for 25 years and married for 35 years. A mother of eight children, of whom four are now adults, she is a Certified Family Support Worker and has had the opportunity to work with many youth and their families throughout British Columbia. She is the co-founder/Executive Director of the Coquitlam-based Children of the Street Society, and recently retired after 30 years from the position of owner/operator of a public opinion market research firm, also based in Coquitlam.
Colleen Talbot
Colleen Talbot was born and raised is Eston, Saskatchewan before moving to Edmonton, Alberta to attend the University of Alberta. She earned a Diploma in Dental Hygiene, moved to Vancouver and worked in that field for several years. Colleen has lived in Coquitlam since 1978 and has two grown sons. Since 1983, she has been active in the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Associations in BC and nationally. She is currently the president of the BC association and past president of the Canadian association. Colleen has also sat as a member of the Coquitlam Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities. She is enjoying her sixth year on the Coquitlam Public Library Board and is the current Chairperson.
Bob Tanaka
Bob Tanaka has resided in Coquitlam with his wife and family for 21 years. He graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree from UBC in 1981 and obtained his professional designation as a Chartered Accountant in 1984.
Bob is a principal with a national accounting firm in Coquitlam. He has been an active community member for many years. Bob has served as Director and Treasurer of several community and cultural organizations based in the Tri-Cities including the Regional Arts Council and the Japanese Cultural Centre. He served eight years on the Education Committee of Archbishop Carney Regional Secondary School, including four as Chair.
Bob served on the Pastoral Council of St. Clare Assisi Church (Coquitlam) for four years and is the current financial secretary of a local Knights of Columbus Council. He has also served terms as a Director and then President of the Coquitlam Festival Society. Bob currently sits as a Trustee on the Coquitlam Public Library Board. He enjoys spending his leisure time on the golf course and squash court.
Janet Toddington
Janet is a lawyer practicing law as corporate counsel for Canada Post Corporation and is responsible for the management of the Western Canada Regional Office of Canada Post’s Legal Affairs Department. Her practice focuses on a broad range of legal matters including commercial contract negotiation, intellectual property, marketing and competition law, privacy, employment and labour law.
She is a graduate of the University of British Columbia (B.A. Spanish) and UBC Law School (LL.B 1990). Janet is called to the bar in Ontario and British Columbia. For the past five years she has served as Treasurer of the Corporate Counsel Section of the Canadian Bar Association. Prior to commencing her law career, Janet worked in advertising and public relations and was also involved in developing educational programs for children and adults. Janet and her husband participate in a variety of cultural and recreational activities in the community and support programs at the Glen Pine Pavilion, Pinetree Community Centre and the Evergreen Cultural Centre. Janet’s special interests include cycling, ballroom dancing, photography and travel.
Wim Vander Zalm
Wim is married with 4 sons and has resided in the TriCity area for 20 years. He owns two Art Knapp Plantland Garden Centres in Port Coquitlam and Vancouver.
He sits on the board of the Eagle Ridge Hospital Foundation, the Eagle Ridge Hospital Charity Golf Tournament and the Boston Pizza Foundation Invitational Golf Tournament. He also chairs the Building Committee for St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church. He is a past honorary chair of the CNIB Focus on Crocus campaign and sits on the Editorial Board of Garden Wise Magazine. He also has been involved with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. He coaches 2 youth soccer teams.
Gerri Wallis
Gerri Wallis is the owner and manager of 2nd Look Day Spa Ltd.. She has been associated with the retail industry for over thirty years, including ten years in Eaton's management and for the last 14 years as a business owner. Gerri has been a Coquitlam School Trustee for fifteen years serving on a number of committees. She served on the Coquitlam Library Board for a number of years. After receiving the Gold Cord in Guiding, Gerri was a leader in Sparks, Brownies and Girl Guides. In 2002 Gerri received the Queen's Jubilee Medal. She is active in her church and has been on the Building Committee since 2002. Gerri is a graduate of Douglas College, receiving a diploma in fashion merchandising and clothing technology, returning to Douglas College later as a part-time instructor. Gerri is married and has one daughter.
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