Board of Directors
We would like to introduce our Members of the Board who continue to make the Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society a reality.
Gail Kaufmann
President
Gail Kaufmann joined VCDS in early 2023 and became President in March 2026. She brings extensive executive leadership experience across the public and private sectors, with a focus on operations, strategic review, and implementation to strengthen service delivery. Known for building strong, collaborative relationships and a practical, people-first approach, Gail previously served as a Board Director and Director of Communications. She also volunteers as a driver, giving her a firsthand understanding of the compassion, trust, and reliability at the heart of the organization.
Tom Akam, CPA, CA
Treasurer
Tom Akam joined VCDS in 2017 and plays an important role in overseeing the society’s financial health. A Chartered Professional Accountant, Tom built his career in both industry and public practice, with experience in accounting, taxation, and business valuations. Since retiring in 2007, he has remained active in community service through volunteer and board roles.
Marlyn Graziano
Vice President, Development and Communications
Marlyn Graziano brings a wealth of experience in communications, community engagement, and leadership. Her career began in community journalism, where she worked in roles ranging from reporter to publisher, and later expanded into higher education, where she served as Vice President, External Affairs at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Throughout her career, she has led teams in communications, marketing, fundraising, alumni relations, and government relations, while continuing to dedicate her time to local non-profits.
Deborah Salh
Secretary
Deborah Salh holds a Social Work degree from the University of British Columbia and spent two decades working in child welfare. Her career included specialized work in child abuse and neglect investigations, leadership roles in child protection services, staff mentoring, budget oversight, and cross-agency collaboration in British Columbia and London, England. More recently, she managed three local MPs’ offices, drawing on her strong organizational skills, compassion, and commitment to public service.
David Pais
Director at Large, Chair of the Finance Committee
David Pais is a finance leader with more than 20 years of experience and holds both MBA and MAcc designations. His career has spanned industries including technology and manufacturing, with experience in growth strategy, financing, mergers and acquisitions, and performance systems. As a current VCDS driver, David brings both financial expertise and a personal commitment to the organization’s mission.
Michael Klein
Director, Quality Assurance and Technology
Michael joined VCDS in March 2026 as a Board Member and Director of Quality Assurance and Technology. He brings more than 25 years of leadership experience across public-sector, non-profit, and community organizations, with a focus on governance, accountability, and modernizing services for people in vulnerable or complex circumstances. His background in responsible stewardship and strong policy supports VCDS’s commitment to providing compassionate and reliable transportation for cancer patients.
John Kerolus
Director, Driver Operations
John Kerolus is a civil engineering professional with a diverse background in engineering, project management, and non-profit leadership. He is passionate about building strong communities and brings experience engaging with stakeholders, volunteers, and donors in support of meaningful initiatives. As a VCDS driver since 2023, John also brings a direct understanding of the organization’s service and the people it supports.
Anne Gloeckler
Director at Large
Anne Gloeckler began her career in education before moving into human resources, where she spent most of her professional life in the B.C. health care sector. Over the course of her career, she worked across three health authorities in roles that included HR generalist, labour relations advisor, and HR manager, retiring as Director of HR Consulting at Fraser Health in 2008. In retirement, Anne has continued to give back through volunteer roles in literacy support, food security, and community leadership.
Shirley Chiang
Executive Director
Shirley Chiang serves as Executive Director of the Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society and is a non-voting member of the Board. She joined the role in August 2025 after previously serving as a Board Director. In her role, she leads the organization’s operations, financial management, and strategic initiatives, working closely with volunteer teams and the Board to ensure patients have access to reliable transportation to cancer treatment. She is passionate about building strong, supportive volunteer teams and continuously improving how the Society delivers its services. Shirley is especially driven by the human connections at the heart of the organization and the meaningful impact volunteers make in the lives of patients.
Support Team
Behind every organization is a team of volunteers whose skills and support help board members work toward one shared goal: helping cancer patients access the care they need.
Gary Galloway
Donor Recognition
Kelly Galloway
Donor Recognition
Liesa Billings
Communications Officer
Sandy Tsui
Registrar
Sandy has been a volunteer with VCDS since 2022. As Registrar, he receives and processes new volunteer driver applications and helps guide applicants through the onboarding process.
Rick Janssen
Information Analyst
Rick supports VCDS as a driver and by gathering monthly expense reports. He brings a background in information technology.
Kathy Smee
Recording Secretary
Kathy has volunteered as Recording Secretary. She provides dependable administrative support to the Board through accurate meeting minutes and documentation.
Danielle Richards
Special Advisor to the Board
Danielle supports VCDS by helping the organization stay current on infection control practices and patient transfer safety. Her clinical expertise and guidance help ensure procedures remain safe, informed, and responsive to evolving health standards.