Sherry Moir, SPAHS First Director
BA in Sociology, MA in Leadership and Training
As a Business Consultant with Opening Doors Business Development Network, Sherry consults with business and not-for-profit organizations to assist them in grant applications and developing relations with public officials and public service professionals in Western Canada. She was a visiting Business Officer for the Consulate General of Canada, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in Seattle, Washington until 2007. She worked as a Business Officer with the Banff New Media Institute in Banff, Alberta. Sherry is an active member of Sidney Rotary Club and lives in Sidney, British Columbia.
Gary Zachary, Certified General Acccountant
Administrator of Rest Haven Lodge, a 73- bed Complex Care facility in Sidney
Gary was born and raised in Manitoba and resided in Alberta before becoming a resident on the Saanich Peninsula in 1984. His past career experience includes management positions in financial institutions in Alberta and British Columbia for 12 years prior to operating a public accounting practice as a Certified General accountant in Sidney for the past 20 years. Gary served as a volunteer Board Member of the Adventist Health Care Home Society (which operates Rest Haven Lodge) from 2001 through 2008 before assuming the present duties of Administrator.
Heather Switak, Director of Care, Rest Haven Lodge
B.Sc, Registered Nurse (RN), North York Branson Hospital, Toronto, Ontario
Heather has been the Director of Care at Rest Haven Lodge since 1982. Prior to that, she has worked for 13 years at New England Memorial Hospital in Stoneham, Massachusetts as staff nurse, evening supervisor and later, as Staff Development Director. In that latter position, Heather was named in “WHO’s WHO of AMERICA”. She was also a Board Member of the Care Administrators Association of British Columbia. She was born at the Rest Haven Hospital on Tsehum Harbour in Sidney – the very first hospital on the Saanich Peninsula that was operated by the the same organization that operates the present Rest Haven Lodge.
Florence M. Graham, Vice-President, Abbeyfield Canada, 2010-2011
Florence is a retired teacher following forty years in elementary education in Saskatchewan and an off-campus instructor. Since her diagnosis with breast cancer in 1996 and retirement in 1999, she devoted her time toward peer support and advocacy for people coping with cancer. Florence established the HOPE Centre, a drop-in facility in Saskatoon for people facing cancer. She served as volunteer chair of its board of directors, co-chaired major fundraisers for the centre, facilitated retreats and organized a
variety of workshops. Currently she facilitates a twice monthly support group for people living with cancer. She is also a member and participant of the International Support Link program for breast cancer. In 2004, Florence was named Saskatoon CTV Citizen of Year and in 2008, she received the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal.
In 2005, Florence’s interest turned to Abbeyfield. She is past president for Abbeyfield Houses Society of Saskatoon and currently its volunteer House Manager and Treasurer. The Award for Advocacy by SK Seniors Mechanism was presented to her in October 2010 in recognition of her work on behalf of seniors. Florence is serving her fifth year on the Abbeyfield Canada Board of Directors and as a member, she has visited twenty-two Abbeyfield houses throughout Canada.
Richard Seaman, Last Executive Director, Abbeyfield International
Bachelor of Commerce, University of Birmingham, UK
Richard has been the Executive Director of Abbeyfield International (AI) for 8 years and has overseen the growth of AI from 10 to 15 National Societies and its merger with Abbeyfield UK. He organized 3 global Abbeyfield conferences – Glasgow, Toronto and the latest, Milan in May 2011. Richard re-branded and re-worked AI with new logo, business plan and marketing materials, including new website and DVD. Prior to joining AI, Richard worked with IBM for 30 years in various roles – such as Finance, Marketing, and Sales Operations. Prior to retirement, he was Sales Operations Manager for the Software Division of Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Richard is a Trustee and Vice- Chairman of the Hertfordshire Society for the Blind in the UK. He is married for 37 years to Elizabeth, a long time volunteer in Bereavement and Patient Support for the Isabel Hospice. They have 2 children – Donna, a Conference and Events Executive; and Tom, a Bank Manager
Saanich Peninsula Abbeyfield Housing Society
John Robinson, Chairman of Abbeyfield.
John became Chairman of Abbeyfield on 23rd September 2009. He has been a Board member since 28th March 2007 and became Deputy Chairman of the Abbeyfield Society in 2007. John is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and a graduate of the University of Birmingham in Chemical Engineering. He was President of the Institution of Chemical Engineers in 1999/2000, President of the Chartered Institute of Management in 2002/2003 and Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the governing Council at the University of Hull from 1998-2006. He joined Smith & Nephew in 1979 and was appointed a Director of the main Board in 1981. He was appointed Chief Executive in 1990 and Chairman in 1997, retiring in 2000. John has also been Chairman of Low & Bonar plc from 1997-2001, Chairman of Railtrack Group plc from 2001-2002, Chairman of UK Coal plc from 1997-2003, Chairman of George Wimpey plc from 1999-2007, an Operating Partner at Duke Street from 2000-2010 and chairman of Paragon Healthcare, Affinity Healthcare and Oasis Healthcare.
Paul Allen, Abbeyfield Chief Executive Officer
Paul has been Chief Executive of Abbeyfield since June 2008. He joined from the NHS, having been Deputy Chief Executive of the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust. A chemistry graduate, much of his career has been spent in the private sector in managerial and commercial roles with organisations such as ICI, Mars and Associated British Ports. Since joining Abbeyfield, Paul has been leading a period of significant change and the creation of a strategy for Abbeyfield to meet the sector demands over the next 5-10 years.
Outside work, Paul is a keen golfer (handicap 14), runner (having just run the London Marathon), and supporter of Tottenham Hotspur (football).
David Coe, International Director
David joins Abbeyfield in the UK as International Director in May 2011 following a career that has covered the private, public and not for profit sectors. He has recently been running the International Psychoanalytical Association, a worldwide membership organisation, and prior to that ran a consultancy for the not profit sector, was Executive Director of ORBIS, the blindness organisation, and Marketing Director for the Amnesty International where he was also responsible fot international development.
Tim Chaudhry, Director of Development
Tim joined Abbeyfield as Director of Development in August 2008. His career has spanned over 15 years; working with Local Authorities and Housing Associations in the areas of Property Maintenance, Asset Management, Development and Regeneration. He has an MSc in International Business Management with research around International Supply and Construction of Modular Housing Solutions.
David Whiteley, Director of Finance and IT
David joined Abbeyfield in February 2010 and has much infrastructure and commercial experience. Prior to joining Abbeyfield David was Finance Director (and board member) of a company managing £2billion of PFI capital assets and also spent 10 years in Xerox holding a number of senior finance and general management roles. In South Africa he trained with Deloittes before moving on to Proctor & Gamble and the Barlow Rand Group. David holds a Bachelor of Accounting Science degree, has an MBA and is a qualified accountant.
John Crisp, Director of Housing
John joined Abbeyfield in June 2009 and brings with him a wealth of operational and business development experience gained over more than 20 years in Healthcare, Retail and Leisure. Prior to joining the Society, John served as Deputy Regional Director with Bupa Care Services across the North of England as well as leading strategic projects including a national strategy for the Development of Dementia Services. Before moving into health and social care he spent several years in senior management roles with Whitbread plc. John holds a BA Honours Degree in Human Movement Studies.
Mark Gleeson, Membership Director
Mark joined Abbeyfield as Membership and Marketing Director in April 2009. Mark has led the development of Abbeyfield’s current strategy and is responsible for Abbeyfield’s marketing and PR activities, which includes the promotion of new housing and care developments. Within this role Mark leads the relationship with UK Member Societies, working with members to develop regional strategies, and providing a range of membership services.
Jill Burder, Fundraising Manager
Jill Burder has worked for Abbeyfield for 13 years in a variety of roles in Fundraising and Marketing. Jill is working with a number of local groups and societies to raise funds for Abbeyfield for capital projects, the Residents’ Assistance Fund and several local initiatives, from trusts and foundations and individuals.
Emi Kiyota, M. Arch. & Ph.D.
Ibasho President & Environmental Gerontologist
Emi Kiyota, an Environmental Gerontologist and organizational culture change specialist, currently serves as a consultant to implement person-centered care practice in long term care facilities. In addition to making a vast array of contributions to national and international initiatives focused on quality improvement in the built environment for long-term care and aging services, Emi holds great concern for the needs of elders in the developing world.
Kate Martin, Head of Business & Performance Management
Kate joined Abbeyfield in July 2007 as Business Planning co-ordinator. Kate’s role within Abbeyfield has developed significantly over the years seeing a promotion to Head of Business & Performance Management being responsible for the organisation & delivery of staff conferences, Performance Management and providing a corporate overview of the business functions.
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Brian A. Smith, Associate Director, Scotia McLeod
Brian has been with the Scotiabank group since 1977. The first 18 years were with the Bank of Nova Scotia and the remainder with ScotiaMcleod. Brian’s career includes Senior Management positions in Scotiabank’s domestic banking network where he gained a thorough understanding of the Canadian and global financial markets. On his philosophy, Brain writes: “I help my clients achieve peace of mind by providing trusted advice and personalized solutions to meet their financial goals.”
Brian’s team at the Sidney Branch includes Dean Ksionzyk, B Comm (Hons) and Wealth Manager with more than 19 years of financial experience; Chuck McNaughton, PFP and Investment Executive with over 9 years financial experience; and Cheryl Chisholm, Investment Associate with ScotiaMcLeod since 1995.
Kees Vermeer, BSc, MSc, PhD, SPAHS Recording Secretary
Kees was born in the Netherlands and in 1954, he immigrated to Canada. There he went to university and graduated with a M.Sc. in Zoology from the University of British Columbia and a Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Alberta. As a research scientist for the Government of Canada (Canadian Wildlife Service), he studied the ecology of Canadian freshwater and marine bird populations and investigated the effects of changes in sea water temperatures, chemical pollution (DDT, mercury, pentachlorophenols, dioxins and oil spills), habitat destruction (deforestation) and predation on the bird populations. He also worked in Chile and Surinam on the effects of pollutants on birds. Kees produced numerous scientific publications and was active in various professional organizations
Dr. Ward E. Stevens, BSc, MSc, PhD, An Abbeyfield Resident
Fields of Specialty:
Plant and Animal Ecology
Natural Resources Management
Operations Research and Research Management
Experience:
Clandestine operations in Southeast Asia with the British Army during World War II.
Eight years research in Western Canadian Arctic, including the supervision of research staff there.
Six years project manager for Canadian International Development Agency in Malaysia and Kenya.
Twelve years Regional Director of Research and Management for Canadian Wildlife Service in Western and Northern Canada.
Denyse Lefebvre-Morrow, An Abbeyfield Resident
Languages: English and French
Montreal born, French Protestant family
McGill University, degree in Kindergarten Education
Taught for Montreal Protestant School Board.
Diploma (valedictorian) in Gerontology (1990) and Diploma in Social Work Techniques (1995) at Marie-Victorin College in Montreal.
Community Work:
Chairman, Lakeshore Council of Cooperative Preshools 1953-1957 (21 schools; West Island, Montreal)
Newsletter Editor, Voice of Women, Montreal Chapter
Co-founder, Montreal Women’s Referral Centre
Other Employment: Faroun Films (Canadian distributor of internationally-made films for children) as the only English representative in the French company. Headed delegation of ten persons to International Children’s Film Festival in Spain (1970) and Teheran (1971).
Relocated to Parksville, British Columbia in 2001 where she was:
Vice-President, Parksville-Qualicum Old Age Pensioners Organization(2007-2011)
Chairman, Parksville Measuring-Up Committee (disabled people) (2006-2009)
Volunteer and Member, “Seniors are Talking” at Society of Organized Services (SOS) in Parksville (2005-2011)
Secretary, then President, Abbeyfield House Parksville Society (2009-2011).
Gerald Kazanowski, B.A. Economics, Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
Gerald is a Financial Advisor with Manulife Securities and the KAZ Consulting Group Ltd. He has been in the financial advisory business since 1993 and presently has his office in Sidney. He is involved with the “ROCK” home makeover project for disadvantaged homeowners on the Saanich Peninsula. Gerald has lived in North Saanich with his wife and 2 daughters for the last 15 years. On Abbeyfield, Gerald writes:
“I am very interested in the Abbeyfield concept. I believe there is a great need for this quality type of care and would like to be involved in bringing more of these quality homes to the Peninsula. If managed properly and the national and provincial governments recognize the cost savings and benefits that Abbeyfield offers, then it would be a wonderful, affordable option for seniors.”
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Abbeyfield Team Members
*FCSI is the most senior financial services designation reserved solely for financial services professionals that meet the highest standards for advanced education, ethical conduct, industry experience and endorsement from peers.
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