Board of Directors - Volunteer Victoria

The Volunteer Victoria Board of Directors is elected by the members of the Greater Victoria Volunteer Society at the Annual General Meeting. On October 5th 2022, the following volunteer board members were elected:

Director: TAYLOR ACTON, CPHR, SHRM-SCP is the Manager of HR with Engaged HR. She was previously the Recruitment Advisor, Talent & Culture at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. She works in the areas of health and safety, recruitment, performance management, and employee relations. Taylor holds a bachelor’s Degree in English from the University of Victoria and a HR Management Certificate from Simon Fraser University. Taylor brings strong writing and communication skills to her work and volunteer activities.
Director: STEPHANIE BENEDICT is the Manager, Business Services at Coastal Community Credit Union. Stephanie has spent two decades in the financial industry in a variety of roles, and now focuses her passion of helping societies and business owners succeed by helping them with their cash management needs. Outside of work, Stephanie is passionate about teaching financial literacy to others. She is a certified Each One Teach One Coach and trainer as well as a Power Play Young Entrepreneurs trainer. She is active in the Arthritis Society and has chaired the Walk for Arthritis for the last two years.
On Leave as a Director: GLENYS CAVERS is the Director of Volunteers and Seniors’ Services at Beacon Community Services. Glenys has served on Beacon Community Services’ senior management leadership team since 2006, overseeing their 7 volunteer-run thrift shops and the SHOAL Community Centre. SHOAL Centre serves over 1,000 members who participate in drop-in programs and events, and also operates a commercial kitchen and public dining room. Additionally, the Centre houses Beacon’s Volunteer Services program, Youth Employment Program and Better at Home Program. Glenys holds a Bachelor of Physical Education degree from McMaster University and spent over 20 years as a professional swim coach in Ontario prior to moving to Victoria in 2001. She is currently on the Leadership Council for UWLM Healthy Aging, UVic Coop Employer Advisory Committee, and the Southern Vancouver Island and Southern Gulf Islands Seniors Planning Table.
Director: DEBBIE CHABOT is the Media Director at Hot House Marketing. She is an experienced marketing and communications practitioner. Debbie has served on several boards previously and has experience and training in community leadership. Debbie is a life long passionate volunteer.
Director: MAYRA CORDERO believes in a world where each of us must and can become a better version of ourselves each day, enjoying life and embracing our purpose, community, prosperity and shared home. She is an environmental scientist, coach, joy trainer, eternal optimist and the creator of TheHappyRs, a simple method to enjoy sustainable happiness. She built one of the most successful recycling programs in El Paso Texas growing to more than 750 workshops and events, and reaching more than 55,000 people. Mayra, her son and husband have lived in 3 countries, 6 cities, and 12 homes in the last 5 years. Her core values are joy and hope. Mayra is currently completing her Masters in Environment and Management at Royal Roads University.
Secretary: JULIA DAWSON is a Certified Volunteer Administrator and has been a volunteer management professional for over 10 years. She is currently the Coordinator of Volunteers and Events at Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary. Volunteerism as a critical strategy which helps organizations accomplish their mission and Julia is privileged to engage with and support people on their volunteer journey. Family, faith, nature, creativity and giving back to community keep her grounded in this busy and changing world.
Director: GRAHAM HILL is the General Manager at Island Mediquip Ltd. He has been self employed for 10 years and has experience with human resource, accounting, and marketing. Graham holds a Degree in Business Administration and is currently sitting on the board of the Victoria Disability Resource Society. Graham’s hobbies include hockey, soccer, sailing and fishing.
Director: DARRYL HOL is the Senior Research Analyst in the Parliamentary Committees Office at the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, where he supports MLAs examining government policy or other important issues. He has experience in government as a senior policy analyst with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada in Ottawa, and as a journalist at CBC in Toronto where he worked on the evening newscast The National and as a health writer. As a volunteer, Darryl seeks opportunities to support vulnerable community members. Most recently, he has mentored newcomers to Ottawa with the Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization and led a refugee sponsorship group. Darryl recently returned to the west coast, and now lives in Vic West with his husband Charlie.
Past President: EMMA KIRKLAND and her young family moved to Victoria from the lower mainland. Emma followed in a family tradition and worked in the audit and accounting field before finding her passion working for non-profits. Emma currently works as the Director of Development for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria.
President: TINA LOWERY. Tina works hard to meet and exceed expectations in every role, challenge, or project she takes on. Tina worked in the museum and heritage sector for many years before becoming the Regional Coordinator of Volunteers for BC Cancer Agency and a Branch Supervisor at the Greater Victoria Public Library. Tina currently works as a consultant helping organizations develop their volunteer management programs. Tina holds a Master’s in Community Development from the University of Victoria.
Treasurer: BRENDA MACFARLANE has been working in the Financial Services industry since 1990. Prior to joining IG Wealth Management she worked for 4 major Canadian financial institutions. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Management from the University of Toronto and in 2002 earned an MBA degree from Wilfrid Laurier University in Ontario. She earned her Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation in 2007. In 2011 she became a Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute. Brenda is a Chartered Investment Manager (CIM® ). Brenda has been a Financial Planner since 2004 and has been specializing in Portfolio Management since 2014. Brenda is an Elder Planning Counselor (EPC), with special insights into the financial needs of the aging population. Brenda enjoys continuous learning, such as taking courses in language, public speaking and financial analysis. Brenda lives in Brentwood Bay, BC with her husband and her two children.
Director: DON MONSOUR is an advocate for community involvement. Don has enjoyed participating and leading organizations in achieving their goals. While working with profit and not for profit organizations for over 45 years in several key initiatives he has developed a strong understanding of the rules and regulations that govern many boards and committees. As a leader of volunteer groups made up of individual personalities and objectives, he has successfully managed challenging goals and budgets and helped to raise close to 2 million dollars for not for profit associations. This experience, coupled with his business background, has provided Don with the ability to work within board guidelines helping to achieve the strategic goals and direction as set by the board. Don truly believes that understanding the dynamics and chemistry that exists on a board is vital in supporting a board successful outcome.
Director: CHRIS WARNER has worked in advisory-related financial positions since 2006 involving personal credit, commercial credit, investing, and insurance planning. Currently Chris works as a permanent insurance specialist and estate planner focused exclusively on high net worth financial planning. Chris regularly facilitates workshops and speaks at educational/professional events relating to financial planning and is a former member of the Canadian Association of Gift Planners (CAGP). Chris studied Journalism in university, possesses strong communication skills, and worked professionally as a photographer, including official event photography at the 2010 Canadian National Gymnastics.
Director: KENDAL WRIGHT has always been drawn to the non-profit sector and has been working for Power To Be for the past 5 years. She is currently the People & Culture Lead, managing the volunteer program and supporting staff engagement and development. Kendal has previously held significant coordination roles through Recreation Integration Victoria, Kitsilano Neighbourhood House, Muscular Dystrophy Canada and Big Brothers Big Sisters Victoria. Kendal holds a BA in Recreation and Health Education from University of Victoria and is currently working towards her Management and Leadership certificate through continuing studies at Royal Roads. Kendal is a people connector and believes in the incredible power of volunteerism. She brings intention, creativity and a collaborative approach to building vibrant communities. Outside of work you can find Kendal exploring the natural world with husband and her daughters, teaching dance or on her yoga mat.