Board of Directors

Tim Fitzgerald

Board Chair

Tim was raised in the traditional territories of the Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples. After an exciting career in cyber security, and a 13-year stint living in the San Francisco Bay Area, Tim and his partner Erika returned home to raise their family. Tim’s older sister was a client of Cool Aid services for many years, so his connection to Cool Aid and to the organization’s mission is both longstanding and deeply personal. Tim is proud to be a part of the Cool Aid team and committed to the health, well-being, and success of this organization and the people it supports.

Email: tfitzgerald@coolaid.org

Nancy Taylor

Board Vice-Chair

After a fulfilling career in international development and local government, Nancy feels fortunate to volunteer on the Cool Aid Board. In her local government work, Nancy witnessed, first-hand, the significant impact Cool Aid has when engaging with and empowering vulnerable members of our community and connecting them with support to improve their health and well-being.  Nancy is constantly learning in her volunteer role, and interacting with Cool Aid’s exceptional staff, volunteers, and very committed Board members is incredibly rewarding.

Tracy Martell

Board Secretary

Born and raised in Victoria, Tracy’s roots in the traditional territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən peoples go back many generations. Various leadership roles during her long nursing career have helped her develop the capacity to understand issues from differing and often conflicting perspectives, while remaining compassionate and solution-focused. Holding a Master of Arts in Leadership, she is an Executive Director with Island Health and works across the region building consensus to overcome challenges in health care delivery while maintaining an optimistic outlook and sense of humour.

Leigh-Anne Soles

Board Treasurer

Born and raised in Victoria on the traditional lands of the lək̓ʷəŋən peoples, Leigh-Anne has a strong connection to the community that Cool Aid serves. She is a Chartered Professional Accountant working at Grant Thornton, specializing in external audit, where the majority of her clients are not-for-profit organizations. She feels fortunate for the opportunity to serve as a Cool Aid board member and looks forward to working alongside the dedicated staff, volunteers, and fellow directors to advance Cool Aid’s mission and initiatives.

Caitlin Chester

Board Director

Caitlin brings global experience in negotiation, organizational change, and leadership, having lived and worked in Haiti and Mexico. Now a consultant in business strategy and AI integration, she also does outreach and guest lectures on homelessness at UVic. With a Master of Finance and multilingual skills, Caitlin is passionate about human dignity and excited to support Cool Aid’s mission through strategic thinking and a commitment to inclusive communities.

Kirby Hayes

Board Director

Kirby moved to the traditional territories of the Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples in 2016 after completing her studies at Dalhousie University on the traditional territory of the Mi’kmaq people. Kirby is a lawyer at Cook Roberts LLP where she practices family law and general civil litigation. Kirby has experience in mental health law and restorative justice.  She is inspired by the strength and perseverance of Cool Aid’s clients. She is grateful for Cool Aid’s selfless staff and generous donors. 

Soki Kaur

Board Director

Soki was born and raised in Singapore and has been living in Victoria for almost 40 years. Having experienced and struggled through poverty, colonialism, racism, discrimination, and inequities in labour and services, she strives to provide whatever supports she can to make a difference in her community. She has raised funds to support families and individuals who need food, housing, mental health services, and social inclusion and she has volunteered for many causes to support immigrants and refugees, children and youth in care, seniors, racialized girls and women, and people of colour to access the same or equivalent services as those who are privileged.

Mugurel Mic

Board Director

Mugurel was born in Romania but has long called Canada home. He is thankful to live in Victoria, on the traditional land of the lək̓ʷəŋən people. He holds a BA with a major in Political Science from UBC and has a background in real estate management. He is a partner in Condo Clear Services Inc. and in Clarity Management Group, a real estate management company. Mugurel is excited to contribute to Victoria Cool Aid Society and its mission. His past volunteer experience includes Honour House Society and Immigrant Service Society of BC.

Sadaf Pourmand

Board Director

Sadaf is originally from Iran but was raised on the traditional territory of the Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples. She is a lawyer practicing at Hutchison Oss-Cech Marlatt. Sadaf is passionate about social change and is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion for all in her community. She is inspired by Cool Aid’s work and is grateful to the clients, staff, donors, and general community for their ongoing support.

Chris Sheaff

Board Director

Chris was born near Toronto and has been gratefully living on the traditional lands of the lək̓ʷəŋən peoples since he was eight. Not long ago, Chris experienced six years of food insecurity, homelessness, and precarious housing during a period in which he had a severe, but undiagnosed, mental illness. Chris has been in treatment since 2019 and he has diligently rebuilt his life, working for the BC Government, Island Health, the District of Oak Bay, the University of Victoria, the United Nations Development Programme, and currently for Service Canada. He has a BA in history from UVIC, a certificate in law from Queen’s, and is currently working on his MA.

Teresa Stout

Board Director

Teresa is a Chartered Professional Accountant with extensive experience in financial oversight and governance for not-for-profit organizations. She has served on many not-for profit boards and audit committees, most recently with the Victoria Foundation and Island Community Mental Health Association, and is passionate about giving back to her hometown community. Teresa is excited to contribute to Cool Aid’s mission through her expertise in strategic planning and fiscal management. 

Deane Strongitharm

Board Director

Deane brings more than 40 years of experience in land use and development planning, project management, business management, resource development, resort planning, governance, and facilitation. As a consultant, he has provided project management in planning and developing several Cool Aid projects. Deane also participated in the purchase and development of the Community Health Centre. Deane has a strong interest in the community and is currently a member of the Board of the YM/YWCA of Vancouver Island and Director of the American Friends of the Victoria Hospital Foundation.

Brian Vatne

Board Director

Brian lives with his family on the traditional lands of the lək̓ʷəŋən peoples. He wears two hats in his professional life, with 20 years of experience as a public policy professional with the BC Public Service in the labour market and immigration portfolios, and 15 years of experience as an instructor at the University of Victoria. Brian is very proud to support the Victoria Cool Aid Society’s vision and the success of the organization’s employees and clients.

Lindsay Wheelock

Board Director

Lindsay Wheelock is a Registered Nurse and healthcare leader with over 20 years at Island Health, focused on equity, access, and client-centred care. Raised in Duncan on the traditional territory of the Cowichan Tribes, she has lived in Victoria—on the unceded lands of the lək̓ʷəŋən (Lekwungen) peoples—for over 30 years. Passionate about housing, mental health, and human rights, Lindsay is honoured to support Cool Aid’s mission as a board member.