Our Team

Bruce worked for the Federal Government as a certified French to English translator for 32 years. His first palliative care experience started in the 1980’s at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal. His family and career took him away and when he retired from his work, Bruce moved to Canmore Alberta to be near family. Bruce took the palliative care training from Alberta Health Services in Calgary and joined the Board of the Palliative Care Society of the Bow Valley as their communication director. Bruce attended a number of end-of-life conferences and training sessions with AHS. He was involved in professional associations throughout his translation career, having served on a number of Boards. Bruce moved to Fairmont Hot Springs two years ago to care for his aging parents and is a great asset to the Hospice Society of the Columbia Valley.

Dodie graduated from Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg as an Operating Room Technician in 1973.
She earned a Diploma in Management and Administration at Mount Royal Collage, Calgary in 1990.
She spent her 35 year career in Surgical Services Division of Calgary Health Services in several management positions.
Dodie and her husband retired and relocated from Calgary to Canal Flats in 2006.Dodie grew up in a small town which relied on, thrived and prospered because of volunteerism, indeed she believes this is how small communities work. Dodie has joined the Hospice Society Board because she believes in the need for hospice support and feels she can contribute to its success and development.
Dodie enjoys all outdoor activities, favorites being hiking and golf. Her passion, however is gardening, she can lose herself in the garden for hours.
Dodie is a beginning artist and a founding Director of the Headwaters Arts Society which was incorporated in 2011, and she is Secretary of the Canadian Cancer Society- Columbia Valley Unit.

Barb is a retired teacher with 37 years of experience in School District #6; she is currently working as a Teacher on Call. Barb was born in Invermere and has strong ties to the community through her teaching experiences, family, friends, her church and her volunteer opportunities. She is an “End of life” and “Bereavement” visitor for the Hospice society. During her free time she enjoys singing with the Valley Voices, running, mountain biking, skiing, hiking and almost any activity outside. She lives in Invermere with her husband and she has two grown daughters.

Nik is valley born and bred, starting life in a cabin just out of Edgewater with her teacher-parents, the Palucks. Graduating from D.T.S.S in 1989, she completed a BA in social geography and then an MA in Development Studies at the University of Auckland in New Zealand. Her 20-year career in international humanitarian aid grounded her skills in managing non-profit organisations (NGOs). Nik also loved living alongside different cultures. After 10 years in Kenya, Nik went back to New Zealand, managing Age Concern in the Wairarapa District and volunteering on the board of a local community centre. COVID brought home the importance of being closer to family and in 2022, Nik returned to Radium, where she lives with her happy, funny dogs. She consults as a social auditor, measuring international NGOs for quality and accountability. Her personal values align strongly with Hospices’ vision of quality of life, family wellness, community involvement and personal dignity. Nik currently volunteers in the Nav-CARE programme.

Brian is a senior Certified Management Consultant with an entrepreneur spirit, strong business acumen, and a record of success in delivering government and private initiatives. Brian has spent over 35 years consulting to both the Federal Government of Canada and to the Provincial Government of British Columbia. His education, training, and experience have kept him focussed on strategic planning and business technology solutions, primarily at the executive and enterprise level operations.

Brian is an outdoor enthusiast and enjoys exploring the local Columbia Valley Mountains with his wife Rose-Marie and their dog Bella. He is a downhill skier and past volunteer ski patroller, and an avid sailor having raced sailboats in the local waters of Victoria BC for 15 years. When he is not hiking or at his desk you might find him fly fishing in the local streams and lakes of the valley.
Brian is hoping to share his past board experience as director and board member with Kiwanis International; director at large, certified Management Consultants of Canada,BC, and as a director, Victoria Hospice and Palliative Care.

Cindy has over 22 years’ experience in the personal lines insurance industry. She is currently Branch Manager –Kootenay Insurance Services Ltd, Invermere. Her hard work and dedication earned her a nomination for the 2023 Employee of the Year award by the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Cindy recently attended Hospice training for End of Life Visitors , the course and knowledge she gained about the free services provided by Hospice inspired her to get involved and help more, having learned the important work Hospice Volunteers do in supporting those at end of life or going through bereavement.

Cindy’s free time is all about the outdoors. Winter means heading out to different lakes for snowmobiling and ice fishing followed by a fire and roasting hot dogs. Summer rolls around and it’s camping, quadding and fishing, always with a fire and hot dogs.

Crafting is a passion and her craft room has turned into two rooms. She has a laser engraver and creates earrings, ornaments, and boxes. It’s her happy place and a fantastic way to unwind. She also enjoys photography, making videos and Tik Tok.

Recently she tried her hand at gardening and is hooked. She says there’s something peaceful spending mornings in the garden, sipping coffee, tending her plants and fresh veggies are a bonus.

Cindy is all about honesty and making the most of every moment. Life is too short to have regrets

Lauren arrived in Canada in 2001 after an extensive career in administration and operations for a number of Internet Technology organizations. With a strong organizational background she ran an event company in Canmore for 12 years, executing events for clients from around the world.

She volunteered for the Bow Valley SPCA in Canmore for 14 years as Secretary and then President.

She has been a Hospice Volunteer for 2 years. Through the NavCare program, in-service presentations and fundraising events it’s become clear to her that there is much passion for the organization. She feels confident in her ability to support the team as it evolves during the coming years.

Lauren and her husband moved to the Columbia Valley in 2021 and are enjoying the slower pace of life. She enjoys walking for hours with her two dogs, growing flowers and she’s learning to knit.