We are pleased to announce our 2019/2020 North Vancouver Chamber Board of Directors. Congratulations to our new, re-elected, and returning board members!
New/Newly Re-Elected:
Annie Prud’homme-Genereux, Director, Capilano University Continuing Studies and Executive Education:
Annie recently moved back to North Vancouver to lead the school of Continuing Studies and Executive Education at Capilano University, the Educational Partner of the NVC. As Vice-President of Science at TELUS World of Science, she participated in the organization’s $40 million capital campaign, fostered partnerships with schools, government, and industry, and led the development of content at the science centre. Annie also worked in the intense environment of a start-up organization, helping to get Quest University in Squamish off the ground. She is a member of the Rotary Club, volunteers on the board of directors of a brand new nonprofit organization, and advises the Alberta Minister of Advanced Education. She holds graduate degrees in education, science, and writing, and certifications in nonprofit management and museum studies. Annie will serve a two-year term, effective July 2019-June 2021.
Brian Szabo, Partner, BDO Canada (Re-Elected):
Brian Szabo is currently the chair of the board, and has been a director of the North Vancouver Chamber since 2015. He is a Partner with BDO Canada, focusing primarily on providing assurance and advisory services to private companies in the real estate sector, and to various public sector organizations, including local governments, colleges, health authorities and school boards. Brian counts a number of North Vancouver private companies and public sector organizations among his clients. Brian was also on the board of directors of the BC Government Finance Officers Association for 12 years, and is a past director and board president of the North Shore Chena Swim Club. Brian and his family are long-time residents of North Vancouver. He can often be seen on his bike or running one of the many trails of the North Shore mountains. Brian will serve a two-year term, effective July 2019-2021.
Chris Thompson, Vice President of Sales, Marketing & Business Development, Grouse Mountain:
Chris Thompson is the Vice President of Sales, Marketing & Business Development for Grouse Mountain. Previously, Chris spent 20 years at Intrawest in a variety of roles including VP of Business Development and VP of Strategy. Chris has served as Board Member for the Canadian Resort Development Association and has a BA in Political Science from McGill University. In his spare time he is an avid skier and mountain biker and a coach for the North Vancouver Football Club. Chris lives in Lynn Valley with his wife and son. Chris will serve a two-year term, effective July 2019-2021.
Dave Dunbar, Group Controller, Group Controller, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary, Western Stevedoring (Re-Elected):
Dave Dunbar is currently the North Vancouver Chamber Treasurer, and has been a director of the Chamber since 2013. He joined Western Stevedoring in 1997 as Controller. He was appointed Group Controller, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary in 2011. Prior to joining Western, he spent several years with Cominco Ltd. at various locations including the start-up and operation of the Snip gold mine in Northwestern British Columbia that was in production from 1991 – 1999. He is a member of the Audit and Finance Committee of the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association and an Associate Member of the Appraisal Institute of Canada. Dave will serve a one-year term, effective July 2019-June 2020.
Julianne Yeager, Lawyer, Yeager Employment Law:
Julianne is an employment lawyer, business owner, Lower Lonsdale resident, and mother of two young children. In her practice as a legal advisor to North Vancouver businesses, her mission is to inform business owners about their rights and obligations as employers, and help to simplify the tangle of rules that govern employment in this province. She feels successful when she helps a local business to overcome a difficult workplace dispute, or improve their contracts and policies to bring clarity and efficiency to their relationships with their staff. Her favourite part of her job is meeting business owners and forming a network of local entrepreneurs – and that’s another reason she’s delighted to join the board of the Chamber. Julianne hopes that her legal training can be an asset to this great organization. She’d like to help the Chamber work with local businesses to keep North Vancouver vibrant. Julianne will serve a two-year term, effective July 2019-2021.
Kari Koskela, Vice President of Operations, PARC Retirement Living:
Kari Koskela is the Vice President of Operations with PARC Retirement Living, which operates two independent retirement living residences on the North Shore (Summerhill PARC and Cedar Springs PARC), as well as Mulberry PARC in Burnaby and Westerleigh PARC in West Vancouver. Prior to joining PARC Retirement Living, Kari spent 25 years in the hotel business with brands like Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, Ritz Carlton Hotels and most recently as the General Manager of the Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver. Kari is originally from Finland, and has been a North Shore resident on and off for almost 20 years. On his time off you can find him embracing the North Vancouver lifestyle on trails, bike and skis. Kari will serve a two-year term, effective July 2019-June 2021.
Mazdak Mohammadi, owner, blueberrycloud (Re-Elected):
Mazdak Mohammadi has been a director of the North Vancouver Chamber since 2017. Since 2014, he has been running blueberrycloud, a digital marketing company specialized in creating world-class web design for small business. Mazdak graduated from BCIT in 2011 with a Diploma of Technology specializing in Computer Information Technology. Prior to creating BlueberryCloud, Mazdak spent close to four years at Intranet Connections helping them with the sales, deployment and support of their B2B communication solution. Mazdak is proud member of the North Vancouver community and wishes to help the community maximize its potential for current and future residents. Maz will serve a one-year term, effective July 2019-June 2020.
Ron Spence, Owner and CEO, Spence Software:
Ron Spence is the Owner and CEO of a North Vancouver software company. A resident (married with 2 adult children) of North Vancouver since 1980, Ron had a management career at Richardson Terminal for 30 years. Not wanting to retire quietly, he started a software company in 2009, specializing in web applications for safety managers in the USA and Canada. Ron has served as director/treasurer of 3 different non-profit boards in the Vancouver Scandinavian community. He is active in the sport of floorball, running a league in North Vancouver as well as serving on the boards of the national and international organizations. Ron has been an active Ambassador of the North Vancouver Chamber, serving as the friendly face of the Chamber to new members as they orient themselves to the challenges of starting a business. Ron will serve a one-year term, effective July 2019-June 2020.
Returning:
Scott Allman, AVP, Business Group, BlueShore Financial:
Scott Allman is the AVP, Business Group at BlueShore Financial. His leadership experience comes from 15 years in the banking industry, 13 of those at BlueShore Financial. Scott and his team are focused on supporting the success of the local business community by providing tailored, expert financial advice. Scott previously served on the Board of Directors of the Kitsilano Chamber of Commerce and is completing his MBA.
Efrosini Drimoussis, Director, Development & Projects, COWI:
Efrosini Drimoussis is Director, Development & Projects at COWI, a global consulting engineering company whose largest office in North America is located in the heart of North Vancouver. COWI’s predecessor firm, Buckland & Taylor Bridge Engineers, started on the North Shore in 1972. Efrosini holds two engineering degrees and her career has included roles as bridge engineer, project manager for transportation projects and several corporate management roles.
Peter Kvarnstrom, Publisher, North Shore News and President, Community Media, Glacier Media Group:
Peter Kvarnstrom is Publisher for the North Shore News as well as President, Community Media for Glacier Media Group. Peter is currently Secretary Treasurer of the Board of Directors for the Canadian News Media Association. He also serves as a Director with Vividata, West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, Gibsons Community Building Society as well as serving as Director and Research Chair for the Flyer Distribution Standards Association.
Municipal Representatives:
Mayor Linda Buchanan, City of North Vancouver
Councillor Jordan Back, District of North Vancouver
We’d like to thank our outgoing Board Members Gonzalo Benitez, Karmen Blackwood, David Kim, Sohail Kamal, and Jodi Westbury for their time and efforts!
