Our Society is governed by an elected, volunteer Board of Directors. View our Board policies here.
Our bylaws
Our constitution
If you are interested in joining our Board:
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. His connection to Cool Aid and to the mission of this indispensable organization is both longstanding and deeply personal. Tim is proud to be a part of the Cool Aid team and committed to the health, wellbeing and success of this organization and the people it supports.
Board Vice-Chair
After a fulfilling career, primarily in international development and local government, Nancy feels fortunate to have the opportunity to volunteer on the Cool Aid Board. In her work in local government, Nancy witnessed first-hand the significant impact Cool Aid has engaging with and empowering vulnerable members of our community and connecting them with housing and support services to improve their health and wellbeing. Nancy is constantly learning in her volunteer role, and interacting with Cool Aid’s exceptional staff and volunteers and very committed Board members is incredibly rewarding.
Board Secretary
Born and raised in Victoria, Tracy's roots in the traditional territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən peoples go back many generations. Various progressive 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 with diverse stakeholders across the region, building consensus to overcome complex challenges in health care delivery while maintaining an optimistic outlook and sense of humour.
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. Leigh-Anne is a Chartered Professional Accountant working at Grant Thornton and specializing in external audit, where the majority of her clients are local 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 impactful initiatives.
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 and 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.
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 so that they can access the same or equivalent services as those who are privileged.
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 a partner in Clarity Management Group, a real estate management company committed to building thriving communities where residents feel valued. 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.
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 the work done by Cool Aid, and is grateful for the clients, staff, donors and general community for their ongoing support.
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 where he had a severe but undiagnosed mental illness. Every day was a struggle to survive. He's been in treatment since 2019 and has diligently rebuilt his life, going on to work for the BC Government, Island Heath, 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.
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 provided project management in planning and developing several of Cool Aid's supportive housing projects. He also participated in the purchase and development of the Community Health Centre. His work includes private sector, not for profit, public sector and First Nations clients. 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.
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.
Board Director
Elizabeth is a criminal lawyer and was called to the bar in 2016. She practiced criminal defence until 2022, and has since worked as an Agent for the Public Prosecution Service of Canada. She previously volunteered at legal clinics providing legal services to low income individuals facing criminal charges, and to inmates at federal penitentiaries. Elizabeth was born and raised in Nanaimo, and is grateful for the opportunity to give back to her community.
Board Director
Kelly is dedicated to building a just and equitable future. As a Juris Doctor/Juris Indigenarum Doctor candidate at the University of Victoria, Kelly combines her academic and lived experiences to advocate for Indigenous self-determination and sovereignty. Her activism and organizing are rooted in anti-colonial and anti-racist ideologies, with a focus on environmental, racial, and restorative justice.
The senior leadership team (below) oversees Cool Aid operations and personnel. Together with the Board, it also guides and monitors the organization’s strategic progress.
Chief Executive Officer
ebjarnason@coolaid.org
Elin brings more than 30 years of leadership experience to Cool Aid. She has dedicated her career to breaking down barriers so people can receive the care and support they need, when and where they need it. She holds a degree in medical rehabilitation, an Executive Master of Business Administration, and a diploma in Chinese medicine. Elin spent more than 20 years in senior leadership roles with Island Health including in clinical operations, quality, safety, experience, and admitting and patient flow. She sees partnerships with other organizations, governments, and peer-led organizations as essential to providing the most accessible and supportive social services systems.
Director, Health and Support Services
mchudley@CoolAid.org
Mary started with Cool Aid in January 2020 and supports the health and dental clinics, the Downtown Community Centre and REES Support Services. She has a Master in Health Studies and has worked extensively with Community Health Centres in Ontario. Since coming back to BC in 2012, she has worked in policy development and patient engagement for healthcare organizations, and in engagement and communications with the City of Victoria.
Director, Philanthropy and Community Engagement
adahl@coolaid.org
With over a decade of fundraising experience, Alyson has successfully created impactful programs and secured significant funding to empower individuals and strengthen the community. She holds a CFRE certification and has received industry awards for her contributions. With 20 years of leadership experience, Alyson is passionate about supporting those who are often overlooked, inspired by a close family member who found help through Cool Aid. She is dedicated to making a difference in the community by fostering partnerships and enhancing social services.
Director, Human and Strategic Resources
mfleming@CoolAid.org
Melanie joined Cool Aid in 2000, and is responsible for human resources, strategic planning & community relations. Under her leadership, Cool Aid’s staff pool has grown from a small team to a diverse group of hundreds staffing a wide variety of professions, service models & buildings. She has a Strategic Management Certificate Program from the Certified Management Accountants of BC.
Director of Finance
wfunggraham@CoolAid.org
Wendy is a Chartered Professional Accountant with over 25 years of finance experience including 15 years in the not-for-profit sector working with a federal political party and a national charity. Wendy is a graduate of McGill University with a B.Com in Accounting. She feels very privileged to be a part of the Cool Aid team, striving to end homelessness.
Director, Real Estate Development
shurst@coolaid.org
Steven is a Civil Engineer with extensive experience in residential development, housing market analytics, land economics, and infrastructure. He has experience as a Development Manager, working on development approvals for multi-family projects in the Capital Regional and across Vancouver Island. He has managed housing research teams, and created housing market analytics to assist developers, lenders, brokers, and governments solve real estate related issues and illustrate changing housing trends in Toronto and other Canadian markets.
Director, Indigenous Relations and Program Dev.
ckuzio@coolaid.org
Clint Kuzio is Cree from Manitoba, the son of Cliff Kuzio and Vangie Johnston. He is a teacher, lawyer and former public servant with the BC Ministry of Health. Prior to joining the Cool Aid Society, Clint worked at the University of Victoria as Community Engagement Manager with the team at the First Peoples House supporting Indigenous students on their educational journey. He also teaches as a sessional instructor in the Indigenous Studies Department and focuses his lectures on helping students unlearn the false narratives taught in the Canadian school system about Indigenous Peoples and Canada.
Director, Capital Assets and Property Services
mleitner@CoolAid.org
Michelle started working in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver in 2008, where she managed shelters, supportive housing, and a mental health drop-in centre for almost ten years. Changing direction in 2018, Michelle became licensed through the UBC Sauder School of Business in strata and rental property management services, while also working at BC Housing as a Supportive Housing Advisor, overseeing non-profit contracts. She relocated to Victoria in January of 2020 to join Cool Aid and continue her passion for providing dignified housing to vulnerable populations.
Director, Housing and Shelters
dmctavish@CoolAid.org
Don has a Master’s in Leadership Royal Roads University. He started at Cool Aid in 1996, working in the shelter program. He now oversees shelter and housing operations across the region and is dedicated to housing and shelter for the most marginalized members of our community. Don was part of the team that planned Rock Bay Landing, the region’s only purpose-built shelter, with 84 shelter beds and 23 units of transitional housing. Under his leadership, Cool Aid's housing and shelter program has grown to three permanent shelters and over 600 supportive and affordable apartments.
