Each member of our board brings expertise and passion to our mission, driving social change and creating real community impact. Together, they support our work in delivering life-changing services in home, health, and wellness.
Our Board of Directors
Nancy Taylor
Board Chair
Nancy Taylor
Board 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.
Brian Vatne
Board Vice-Chair
Brian Vatne
Board Vice-Chair
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.
Tracy Martell
Board Secretary
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.
Teresa Stout
Board Treasurer
Teresa Stout
Board Treasurer
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.
Caitlin Chester
Board Director
Raheal Ghirmay
Board Director
Raheal Ghirmay
Board Director
Raheal is a healthcare professional with experience in clinical practice, leadership, quality improvement, program evaluation, and health system implementation. Her work has strengthened her skills in strategic planning, governance, risk management, and evidence-informed decision-making. She is passionate about advancing health equity and improving access to care. Having lived in Victoria for five years, she deeply values Cool Aid’s impact on housing, health, and community services. As a volunteer board observer over the past year, Raheal gained valuable insight into board governance and decision-making, reinforcing her commitment to supporting Cool Aid’s mission through thoughtful, collaborative leadership.
Soki Kaur
Board Director
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 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 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.
Jessy Savage
Board Director
Jessy Savage
Board Director
Jessy is a Victoria-based entrepreneur, community builder, mentor, and advocate dedicated to strengthening local communities. As founder of Victoria Digital Marketing, she helps businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations expand their reach through strategic communications and marketing. Jessy previously served on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Mental Health Association BC Division and has supported numerous community initiatives and youth mentorship programs throughout Greater Victoria. She brings expertise in strategic planning, communications, stakeholder engagement, and partnership development, and is committed to creating opportunities, fostering meaningful connections, and supporting organizations that advance dignity, equity, and positive social change.
Chris Sheaff
Board Director
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.
Deane Strongitharm
Board Director
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.
Lindsay Wheelock
Board Director
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Governance
Gain a deeper understanding of our purpose, core values, and governance framework by reading through our comprehensive constitution and bylaws.