During her career Carole Simpson has accumulated more than 30 years of business and nonprofit experience. In 2016 Carole retired from Mount Royal University in Calgary, AB where she was Vice President University Advancement and formerly Executive Director of the Mount Royal University Foundation. As a member of the university executive team, Carole provided leadership to the development, marketing, communications, alumni and government relations departments. During this time, Carole led Mount Royal’s $250 million Changing the Face of Education fundraising campaign, which included the expansion to the Science wing and construction of two new buildings – the Riddell Library and Learning Centre and the Taylor Centre for the Performing Arts – both named for Calgary philanthropists.

The majority of Carole’s career has been spent in the nonprofit sector, having previously held senior leadership positions with the Canadian Youth Business Foundation and Junior Achievement of British Columbia. Early in her career Carole worked for two former iconic Canadian businesses – Hudson’s Bay Company and MacMillan Bloedel. Carole has always been an active member of the community.  She has served on a number of professional associations including the National Council of Foundation Executives and the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, as well as Director of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, and chaired committees for the British Columbia Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Vancouver.

Like so many others Sue decided the Sunshine Coast was the best-ever place to retire after a few visits with her son and daughter-in-law who moved here from the mainland half a dozen years ago.  She arrived, bag and baggage, in January 2021.

In short order Sue was impressed by the covid-related care and accompanied a friend to several visits at the Sechelt Hospital.  It was apparent the healthcare available to “Coasters” is amazing on many levels; services offered, critical care and attention to patient needs, beyond expectation. The opportunity to serve the hospital in a volunteer capacity is a unique privilege.

Throughout her 35-year career Sue was a principal staff executive working with Boards of Directors at several Hospital Foundations undertaking serious capital initiatives; Women’s College, Sick Kids and St. Michael’s in Toronto and BC Children’s in Vancouver.  She received awards and distinctions including the Si Seymour Award, the highest honour given annually, internationally, to a single Hospital Foundation executive for distinguished leadership and promotion of exemplary standards of excellence.

While at BC Children’s Sue completed the ICD.D, certified corporate director designation from Simon Fraser University.

As a volunteer, other than chairing her profession’s international board, Sue participated as a speaker and educator in Canada, the US, Australia and Great Britain. After retirement Sue volunteered on the Grey Bruce Regional Health Centre Board in Ontario as Chair of the Strategic Planning, Governance and Bylaw Committees.

“I’m excited to serve along with the highly qualified, hard working members of the Sechelt Hospital Foundation Board and expert and enthusiastic staff.”

Alex Bird has had a progressive career in Supply Chain Management and reengineering with Quaker Oats, Nabisco Brands, and Molson Breweries. Following his executive corporate career, Alex spent 15 years as a General Management Consultant to a diverse range of companies across Canada in the Food and Beverage and Forest Products sectors.  He has a passion for giving back to his community and seeks to assist the Hospital foundation in fulfilling its mantra that the “the best medicine is local”.

Alex bring the experiences accumulated from previously sitting on three non-profit boards. He has been a resident of Sechelt since 2015 and is an active father of three children and is happiest when boating in the beautiful waters of BC.

Frank is a retired Professional Engineer with over 40 years experience in planning, design and implementation of municipal infrastructure and community buildings for government, private owners and First Nation communities.  He has held various senior level executive positions including President of a BC based consulting engineering firm and a member of Boards for private companies.  Frank has been a member of several provincial, national and international not-for-profit organizations including participation as a board member. He is currently a member of the Halfmoon Bay Advisory Planning Commission with previous Commission experience for the District of North Vancouver and the Squamish Nation.  Frank brings his experience in strategic planning, financial stewardship and leadership to the Hospital Foundation Board and he looks forward to helping improve health services on the coast.  Frank and his wife Cathy have been land owners on the Sunshine Coast for over 25 years and full-time residents since 2010.

Now a resident of Gibsons, Joanna is a West Coast-based professional communicator.  Trained in journalism, she has worked as a TV and radio anchor, a journalist, and communications and public relations consultant.  Joanna has extensive experience as an interviewer, news writer, and producer of documentaries.  Her business provides strategic communications teaching, coaching and consulting. She has trained thousands of people to be more successful in public presentations, around the boardroom table and in front of the media.

She has served on the board of numerous charities and industry not-for-profit organizations including the Jack Webster Foundation, the BC and Yukon Canadian Diabetes Association and the Little Mountain Seniors Housing Association.  As the mother of 5 she has experienced many aspects of the health care system and is convinced that, despite some challenges, Canadian health care is world class.

Ruth and her husband Frank moved to the Sunshine Coast from Ontario in 2013 to fulfill their dream of building a house with an ocean view. To make this move, Ruth retired from a thirty-five year career in college education, both as a faculty member and an educational developer, where she served on a wide variety of regional, provincial, and national organizations. She was the recipient of a College Educator Award in 2012 from the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. Since coming to the coast, Ruth has focused on developing her art to a professional level (www.ruthrodgers.com). Ruth is the past president of the Pastel Artists Canada, through which she has achieved Master Pastel Artist status. She is also an Active member of the Federation of Canadian Artists, president of the Landing Artists collective, and a member of the Coast Cultural Alliance. Ruth is also a perpetual student, holding degrees in literature, psychology, and education, and other credentials in the arts and horticulture, and she has recently published several works of historical fiction. Ruth’s particular interest is the intersection of art and healing, and she hopes to bring her varied experience and skills to this task for the Foundation. Ruth and Frank have five grown children who have produced nine grandchildren–only two of whom live on the west coast!

Pierre has 34 years of clinical experience as an Obstetrician and Gynecologist. He studied and trained in Cape Town, South Africa and practiced there for 10 years before taking the big step to emigrate to Canada. Since moving to Canada, he completed both his Canadian licencing examination as well as his Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He practiced in Carbonear, Newfoundland for 10 years and then moved to the west coast to practice in Powell River for the next 10 years. The last 4 years he served as the local Medical Director. He decided to semi retire in 2015 and moved to Sechelt to practice part time. In 2018 he practiced full time again when requested by Vancouver Coastal Health to fill an urgent vacancy. He fully retired from clinical practice at the end of 2018.

Pierre was accompanied by his wife and 4 children when he moved to Canada. All his children currently live and work in Vancouver. After his long career he would like to give back to the community by ensuring efficient and high-quality health care in Sechelt. He truly believes the best medicine is local.

Bill spent his career in sales and marketing for a number of leading companies in diverse industries after graduating from UBC.  He initiated changes in the distribution of automotive products at Esso; introduced “Big Box” home improvement stores to Canada with Beaver Lumber; and pioneered cellular phone technology deployment and expansion in the Canadian market with Motorola and Bell. He expanded distribution for a number of small and medium sized Canadian companies into Europe, the Americas and Asia, including the emerging countries of Brazil, Russia, India and China.

He retired to Davis Bay in 2003, where he become involved in several volunteer activities on the Boards of the Gibsons Curling Club, St. John’s United Church, Davis Bay/Wilson Creek/Selma Park Community Association and ElderCollege.

Courtney Pratt brings many years of experience as a business executive and a volunteer to SHF. Born and raised in Montreal and a graduate of McGill University, he has lived and worked in Montreal, Ottawa, Calgary, Toronto and Vancouver. He has lived in Halfmoon Bay for close to 3 years. In his business career, Courtney was the CEO of several large organizations, including Hydro One Networks, Toronto Hydro and Stelco. He was also the Chair and CEO of the Toronto Region Research Alliance. He was the Chairman of Knightsbridge Human Capital for many years and continues to do some executive coaching through LHH Knightsbridge. He also served as a director on a number of corporate boards.

His volunteer roles include board chair and campaign chair for the United Way of Greater Toronto, board member of the University Health Network in Toronto, chair of the board of Imagine, and chair of CMA Holdings (a subsidiary of the Canadian Medical Association).

Courtney is a member of the Order of Canada and was awarded an Honourary Doctorate by Royal Roads University. On the personal front, he and his wife have 2 married sons and 6 grandchildren.

Nicholas Weswick holds the position of Secretary Treasurer for School District 46, where he oversees the efficient and effective management of finance, facilities, and transportation operations. Additionally, he provides valuable support to the Human Resources Department in legal and financial matters. Nic serves as the key resource for the Board of Education on policy and governance matters.

With a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Vancouver Island University, Nic is a Certified General Accountant and Chartered Professional Accountant in good standing in the province of British Columbia. He brings over 15 years of of experience in school district administration, previously serving as Controller and Assistant Secretary Treasurer with the Peace River North School District before assuming his current role as Secretary Treasurer for School District 46 in 2011.

Nic firmly believes that an efficient and effective business operation is crucial for students to receive the best possible educational experience and opportunities. Recognizing public education as a cornerstone of a liberal democracy, he finds immense value in supporting the education system in British Columbia.

Nic resides in Davis Bay with his wife, Gwyntie, their son, and their cat. They enjoy embracing the outdoor lifestyle and the scenic beauty of the Sunshine Coast.

Nic’s exemplary leadership and unwavering commitment have made a significant impact on School District 46 and its educational community.

David and his wife moved to Sechelt three weeks before the birth of their son (their second child) at Sechelt Hospital. With deep rooted relationships and a long history of visiting The Coast, it was time to make Sechelt their home.

During the week, David works at TELUS to spearhead projects that give back to the local community — if you’ve heard of a TELUS donation or community initiative in the area there’s a good chance David was involved. Prior to TELUS, David worked with CBC, Canucks Sports and Entertainment and Hootsuite. Through all the campaigns and projects it was the fundraising and charitable causes that were the most rewarding.

David holds a Bachelor of Arts from University of British Columbia, has taken courses in Broadcast Journalism at BCIT, been an instructor at BrainStation and a guest lecturer at BCIT.

When not working or spending time with his family, you can find David on the golf course, training for his next triathlon, or explaining where his accent is from.

Jane has served as the Executive Director of Sechelt Hospital Foundation since 2016.  With a management consulting and strategic marketing background, Jane is committed to raising funds and awareness for our local community hospital. During her tenure, SHF has increased its community engagement and raised over $6.5 million to support capital equipment purchases, facility renovations, Staff Education Fund, Foundation House for visiting medical professionals, the Covid Emergency Fund and health unit expansion on the Sunshine Coast.

Both the Hospital Art Program and MedTalks (community health and wellness education series) were developed, launched and are now managed by Jane and her team at the Foundation.  Jane is active in the Sunshine Coast community, with Marine Search & Rescue and Halfmoon Bay Elementary School volunteer experience. Jane and her husband live in Secret Cove with their antique Labrador, Ace.