The purpose of the Advisory Board is to advise and assist the divisional leadership of The Salvation Army on issues that have a significant impact on our division-wide operations.
The Advisory Board works to help improve operational efficiency and effectiveness, ensures use of best practices, improves case for supports to government and corporations, supports our mission and values, and promotes good stewardship of donations.
Robert McFarlane (Chair)
Bob has an accomplished career of value creation as one of Canada’s leading executives, as well as proponent of corporate governance best practices with over 23 years of corporate Board service.
Bob became CFO of start-up national wireless carrier Clearnet for its 1994 IPO. Following its $7.7 billion (enterprise value) acquisition in 2000, Bob served as CFO of TELUS until 2013. In 2007 Bob was named Canada’s Top CFO.
Currently Bob serves on the board and Chairs the Audit, Risk & Conduct Committee of HSBC Bank Canada and since November 2018 has been a member of the board of TSX listed Definity Financial, which offers property and casualty insurance under its Economical brand through brokers and all digital direct-to-consumer Sonnet brand. Previously Bob served as Audit & Risk Chair of Entertainment One, InnVest REIT and Royal & Sun Alliance (RSA) Canada where he was also Deputy Chair. In the NFP sector Bob Chairs the UBC Information Technology Advisory Council and received the Director Emeritus recognition for his many years of service on the Board of Trustees of Queen’s University. In addition, Bob serves on the Executive of the BC Chapter of the Institute of Corporate Directors. Bob is the Academic Director of ICD’s nationally offered Enterprise Risk Management Oversight by Boards course.
Bob holds a Commerce degree from the Smith School of Business at Queen’s University, an MBA from the Ivey Business School at Western University, the Directors Education program ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors, (ICD.D) and the Global ESG Competent Boards Designation (GCB.D).
Bob has served on the Greater Vancouver Advisory Board since 2005 and been Chair since October 2013. He has also served the Salvation Army in the capacity of Vice Chair of the National Advisory Board since its inception in Nov 2009 to Jan 2018, including being a member of its Task Force on Homelessness (2013-2016).
“It is an honour for me to assist The Salvation Army who does so much good for others in our BC community, throughout Canada and around the world. I choose to help The Army help others given the renowned efficiency and effectiveness of its delivery of social services, as it creates hope and purpose for the life of the many thousands it impacts every year.”
Appointed: June 14, 2005
Appointed Chair: October 1, 2014
Bill Aujla
Bill Aujla, Vice President of Real Estate at Aquilini Investment Group, possesses extensive experience in real estate acquisitions, dispositions, development and facilities management. Bill previously held positions at the City of Vancouver as General Manager of Real Estate and Facilities Management and as Project Manager for the Southeast False Creek and Olympic Village Development. As General Manager, with approximately 400 staff, he oversaw all of the City’s real estate transactions and capital investments, and facilities operations. In this role, he also negotiated major public benefits from rezonings and led the negotiations for the acquisition of the Arbutus Corridor from CP Rail. As the Olympic Village Project Manager, he led a team that achieved a LEED Platinum certification for Southeast False Creek, which was then recognized as North America’s greenest community.
Formerly a member of the Army’s Harbour Light Community Council, Bill brings a wealth of experience in his field to the Greater Vancouver Advisory Board and to the work and mission of The Salvation Army.
Appointed: January 17, 2023
Matthew Carter
Originally from the UK, Matthew moved to Vancouver in 2002. Matthew is a real estate development consultant with a focus on helping institutional and not-for-profit landowners redevelop underutilized properties.
He has managed real estate development projects for UBC Properties Trust; Great Northern Way Campus Trust; Simon Fraser University; the Resort Municipality of Whistler; the Polygon family of companies; the United Church of Canada and the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver.
With a strong interest in affordable housing issues, Matthew was a founding member of Catalyst Community Developments Society––a not-for-profit development group. He also serves on the Board of MOSAIC, a settlement and employment services organization that helps newcomers to Canada.
He graduated from Oxford Brookes University with a bachelor’s degree in 1995, and in 1997 qualified as a Chartered Surveyor. Outside of work, Matthew enjoys mountain biking and playing soccer. Matthew lives in East Vancouver with his wife and three children.
Appointed: January 23, 2024
David Cunningham (Vice-Chair)
Dave is a public affairs executive and consultant, committed to enabling business success. He currently serves as VP Communications and Public Affairs at E-Comm 911, and has also worked as a journalist, political speech writer, lobbyist and public relations strategist. His past leadership roles include Deputy Chief of Staff to the Premier of B.C., VP Government Relations at TELUS, and Chief Communications Officer for the Provincial Health Services Authority of B.C.
Dave is a past-director of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, the VSO School of Music (chair), the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and the TELUS Vancouver Community Board. He is currently vice-chair of the Great Vancouver Advisory Board, chair of the membership committee and prime for public relations and government relations.
“The Salvation Army’s community service and values are more important today than ever, including supporting others without discrimination, and respecting and valuing each other, recognizing everyone’s worth.”
Appointed: January 22, 2015
Daryl Dunn
Daryl was appointed Senior Vice President, Commercial Distribution at Scotiabank in January 2020. In this role, he has responsibility for Commercial Distribution across Ontario and Western Canada.
Daryl brings over 30 years of experience with Scotiabank in both Commercial and Retail banking. Responsible for the development and execution of strategic objectives while creating a workplace of pride in driving an exceptional customer experience.
Daryl joined Scotiabank in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1989 on a management training program. He has held roles of increasing responsibility primarily across Western Canada including: Branch Manager Calgary Main Branch, Director & Group Lead Commercial Banking Central & Southern Alberta, Vice President Retail Banking South Manitoba & N.W. Ontario, and Vice President & Head Commercial Banking British Columbia & Yukon Region. Daryl holds an MBA from Dalhousie University and lives in Vancouver with his wife Monita. Daryl is part of the Hope in The City Breakfast Committee while also supporting many other important causes and activities across British Columbia. In particular, Daryl is a passionate supporter of Diversity and Inclusion including the Indigenous community.
“I am honored to work alongside The Salvation Army where we give hope to building a better community and future for everyone. The work is critically important in so very many ways.”
Appointed: June 1, 2021
Kelly Heed
Kelly joined Macaulay Nicolls Maitland (“MNM”) on September 15, 1967 as a commercial broker. He became the Vancouver Sales Manager in 1977 and a Member of the Board of Directors. As MNM expanded, his management duties were extended to oversee Western Canada and Western United States. In 1985, Kelly and John McLernon led an employee buyout of MNM and began to operate as Colliers Macaulay Nicolls. Through the 1990’s Kelly played an active role on the Executive Committee, the Board of Directors, and as a Director of Asia-Pacific. In his current role as Vice Chairman, Kelly enjoys being the rainmaker for new business and his extensive community involvement. In the Great Vancouver Advisory Board, George is part of three committees: Property, Membership and Nine Stories of Hope Capital Campaign.
He is presently involved with these community groups:
Appointed: May 3, 2004
George Hungerford
George has over 40-years of value-added real estate investment experience, involving numerous properties and property types in BC, Alberta, and the USA. He has fostered long and successful relationships with investors, increasing the value of their real estate portfolios over time. At Hungerford Properties, George concentrates on high level decision-making, building and maintaining senior level relationships and investor relations. His background includes strong real estate skills in acquisitions, financing, development, management and law.
George is a well-respected community member, former lawyer and has held numerous leadership roles on such boards and committees as the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games Operating Trust Society, The Pacific Salmon Foundation, The Salvation Army, and the BC Cancer Foundation. He is a former chair and past-Director of St. George’s School and remains an honorary Director on the Board of Directors. His numerous honours and awards for his accomplishments include the Order of Canada, Order of British Columbia, Queen’s Council, Olympic Gold Medal (Pairs Rowing), the Lou Marsh Trophy and awarded the Queens Jubilee Silver and Gold medals. George attended Shawnigan Lake School, an internationally recognized preparatory school and holds a Bachelor of Law and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of BC. In the Great Vancouver Advisory Board, George is part of three committees: Property, William and Catherine Booth Luncheon and Nine Stories of Hope Capital Campaign.
Appointed: August 1982
Georgia Stavridis
Georgia Stavridis was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for HSBC Bank Canada in May 2020. Ms Stavridis continues as Chief Anti-Money Officer, a position she has held since 2014.
Ms Stavridis joined HSBC in 2001, and has held a variety of senior compliance roles in the bank. Previous roles include Senior Vice President and Head of Financial Crime Compliance, Chief Anti-Money Laundering Officer. As the Head of Financial Crime Compliance in Canada, Ms Stavridis guided the business and risk owners in their management of financial crime risks by ensuring management were fully aware, accountable and abided by the rules and regulations in their operational remit and direct line of responsibility. Ms Stavridis has also held the roles of Chief Compliance Officer of the Trust and Mutual Fund businesses, Head of Compliance for the Retail Banking business, Head of Anti-Money Laundering, and Senior Legal Counsel, HSBC Bank Canada.
Before joining HSBC, Ms Stavridis practiced law at a Canadian law firm and held a client facing role in corporate trust financial services. Ms Stavridis holds a Bachelor Degree (1991) from the University of British Columbia and a LLB (1997) from the University of Victoria.
Ms Stavridis was the recipient of the Women’s Executive Network (WXN) 2018 Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award in the KPMG Professionals category, and named one of British Columbia’s Most Influential Women in Finance: Banking by BC Business Magazine in 2019.
Appointed: September 26, 2023
Sabine Kempe
Sabine Kempe is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) from TELUS where she works in Risk Management and Internal Audit Department as the Director of Finance in Vancouver, B.C. In her role as Director, she leads TELUS’ financial regulatory compliance programs (SOX) and has led the development and implementation of audit programs supporting the adoption of various financial regulatory accounting and securities standards.
Prior to her role at TELUS, Sabine was an Audit and Assurance Engagement Manager at KPMG supporting their financial services and real estate practice. During her time at the firm, she transferred to KPMG’s London, UK office where she participated in the development of internal audit programs used nationwide related to compliance with the Financial Service Authority’s regulatory framework. On the Great Vancouver Advisory Board she is part of Membership and Nine Stories of Hope Capital Campaign & Women’s Circle committees and Co-chair of the Hope in the City Breakfast committee.
Appointed: June 4, 2019
Michael Meneer
Michael Meneer has two decades of experience in journalism, fundraising and public affairs in the United States and Canada. Michael is President & CEO of the Pacific Salmon Foundation, which he joined in 2009. Before moving to Vancouver in 2007, he worked for seven years in Washington, D.C. as an association executive director, journalist and communications officer for two non-governmental organizations. This included stints at the ABC News affiliate in the nation’s capital, Catholic Charities (social services) and the U.S. Council on Competitiveness (economic policy).
Michael earned a Bachelor’s degree in History from The Ohio State University in 1997 and a Master’s degree in Journalism and Public Affairs from American University in Washington DC in 2004. While a college student, Michael joined AmeriCorps, the domestic version of the Peace Corps, and was a literacy instructor for low-income children in Columbus, Ohio. That experience led to his appointment as executive director of the national AmeriCorps alumni association in Washington D.C. He travelled the country speaking to charitable and philanthropic organizations and lobbied the U.S. Congress to support national and community service.
Michael volunteers as a Board member of CODE, an Ottawa-based non-governmental organization that partners with the Government of Canada and other international development agencies to deliver quality books and teacher training in Sub Saharan Africa. In his spare time, Michael is also a film and television actor, event emcee and commentator on U.S. politics. In the Great Vancouver Advisory Board he is Co-Chair of the Hope in the City Breakfast Committee.
Appointed: September 15, 2020
Kasey Reese
Following a 30 year career in telecommunications, Kasey is focused on ESG investing & sustainable philanthropy with a particular emphasis on building capacity, resiliency, & cross generational support in our LGBTQ2+ & Latina/o communities.
During his professional career, Kasey served as VP, Risk Management and Chief Internal Auditor at TELUS from 2002 to 2014 reporting to both the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors and the EVP & CFO. At TELUS, he and his team redesigned TELUS’ enterprise risk assessment approach, reengineered the internal audit processes; established the ethics office & worked collaboratively with stakeholders across the Company to help TELUS achieve significant & sustained external recognition for ethics, enterprise risk governance, business continuity management, diversity and inclusiveness, environmental sustainability and CSR reporting.
Kasey represented TELUS on the Advisory Board of the Conference Board of Canada’s Strategic Risk Council (from 2008-2014). He is a founding member of TELUS’ Diversity and Inclusiveness Council, and one of the founders of TELUS’ LGBTQ team member resource group – Spectrum. Previously, he was with Ameritech/ SBC/AT&T in Chicago where he was one of the founding members of Ameritech’s LGBT employee resource group – GLEAM. In the 1990’s he served on the board of the Chicago LGBTQ Professional Networking Association (CPNA) and was a founding member of the Color Triangle which was formed to address racism and other barriers within Chicago’s LGBTQ community.
More recently, Kasey served as the Board Treasurer for QMUNITY – BC’s Queer Resource Centre (From 2015-2018) and since 2014 has participated annually on the scholarship selection committee for the LOUD Foundation of the GLBA.
Kasey and his spouse, Javier Barajas, are actively engaged in both the LGBTQ/2S & Latin American communities in Vancouver and are long-time supporters of a number of NFP’s including: Out in Schools/Out on Screen (the Vancouver Queer Film Festival), Qmunity, the LOUD Foundation, CampOUT, the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation, AIDS Walk Vancouver, the Vancouver Latin American Film Festival, and the Vancouver Latin American Cultural Centre.
Appointed: June 1, 2021
Sharon Singh
Sharon is partner and Co-Head of Aboriginal Law Practice at Bennett Jones LLP, and a founding member of the Business Council of BC’s NEXT Leaders. She provides advice on regulatory, governance, environmental, and Aboriginal law to infrastructure, mining, energy, construction, and agribusiness sectors. She is recognized for her proven ability to create collaborative relationships with Indigenous nations and local communities and regulators. Sharon helps companies understand and implement initiatives related to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
In the community, Sharon is a Wet’suwet’en Community Advisory Council member, advisory Greater Vancouver board member of the Salvation Army (British Columbia Division), member of the YWCA City Shift Strategic Advisory Council and on the board of directors for Immigrant Employment Council of B.C. and CKNW Kids Fund. She is a senior policy advisor to the Mining Association of British Columbia and a contributing member in several environmental, public policy and Indigenous relations committees of the Business Council of British Columbia, Mining Association of Canada and Association for Mineral Exploration. Sharon is also a member of the Canadian Bar Association and on the executive committee of the Aboriginal Law section of the British Columbia chapter. Sharon is recognized as a leading lawyer, including in The Legal 500 Canada and Chambers Canada and is a Business in Vancouver’s 40 under 40 and Lexpert’s Rising Star recipient. In March 2016. Sharon was awarded a Wendy McDonald Award, in the category of Women of Promise by the Leadership Circle of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade.
Appointed: September 20, 2022
Tom Skidmore
Founder of WIRELESSWAVE brand in 1997, which grew to over 150 stores across Canada. Along with the other GLENTEL brands – TBooth and Wireless Etc – grew to over 350 stores across Canada. Through Thomas’ leadership and strategic vision, GLENTEL expanded to operate more than 1,400 stores in Canada, the United States, Australia and the Philippines.
With more than 40 years of entrepreneurial and operational experience, built and sold numerous businesses and has extensive public and private company board experience. Involved in growing two franchise systems: TCGI (Speedy, Novus, Apple Auto Glass) and WirelessZone (Verizon dealer).
Named EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013 by Ernst & Young as the President and CEO of GLENTEL Inc. Recipient of the Queen’s medal commemorating Her Majesty’s 60th Anniversary. An active member on the Advisory Board of Salvation Army BC South region and was the Chair of the Advisory Board for more than 10 years. In 2014, Skidmore was inducted into the Salvation Army’s Order of Distinguished Service, their highest world award. Served on the Board of BC Women’s Hospital Foundation for 12 years.
Appointed: February 1993
Vice Chair: 2000/04 – 2004/11; Chair 2004/11 – 2014/10
Michael Whittaker
Michael is Deloitte’s Global leader for Opentext. He is a senior leader helping organizations gain better access to their information seamlessly through digital delivery. With 20 years of information management experience, he brings experience advising clients and implementing solutions to help them better find, share, manage and leverage their organization data and information. Michael’s subject matter expertise includes governance, information architecture, content analytics, documentation management, records management, content enrichment, content migration and search. His experience has been gained helping a large and diverse client base spanning Canada, the US and other locations around the world. In the Great Vancouver Advisory Board, Michel is involved in the Membership and Hope in The City Breakfast Committees.
Outside of Consulting, Michael is passionate about the growing BC Technology marketplace. He contributes to BC Tech through his work on the BTM Advisory Board at SFU, his membership with the Vancouver Board of Trade, as well as his work with several BC start-ups.
Appointed: September 15, 2020
Marcus Wong
Marcus Wong is the first and only person of colour ever elected to West Vancouver City Council, having served from 2018-2022. Prior to his term on Council, Marcus was appointed by the Attorney General to serve on the board of the West Vancouver Police Department. He is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors and actively serves on the boards and/or governance committees of high-profile organizations across Canada, such as Queen’s University, Canada Games Council, BC Athletics, and St. John Ambulance (BC & Yukon). In the past, he has also served on the boards of the Canadian International Council (Vancouver Branch), Impact North Shore, BC Association of Police Boards, Canadian Association of Police Governance, Queen’s University Alumni Association, Richmond Art Gallery, BC Luge Association, Pacific Baroque Orchestra, and the Senate of the University of Birmingham.
He gained experience in diplomacy and high profile relationship-building working for the Canadian Olympic Committee and the Embassy of Canada in Washington, D.C., helping to strengthen relationships with key members of the International Olympic Committee, the World Olympians Association, Olympians Canada, and both houses of the United States Congress. He has also been the primary media spokesperson for a major utility company, as well as a communications advisor to several provincial cabinet ministers, notably the Minister of Finance and Minister Responsible for the Olympics.
Marcus holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree from Queen’s University in political studies and a Master of Science degree in marketing from the University of Birmingham. In recognition of his community service to West Vancouver, he was awarded the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers by the Governor General of Canada and the West Vancouver Police Centennial Medal. On the Great Vancouver Advisory Board, Marcus is prime for subjects involving Public and Government Relations and Asian-Canadian Relations.
Appointed: March 22, 2022
Lt. Colonel Jamie Braund
Divisional Commander, The Salvation Army
Captain Gina Haggett
Divisional Director, Public Relations
Emmy Skates
Regional Director for Social Mission