Board of Directors
We would like to introduce our Members of the Board who continue to make the Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society a reality.
RJ (Bob) Smith, BCom., MBA, FCCHL
President
Bob Smith joined VCDS in 2017 and has served as a driver and President of the Board. As the organization has grown rapidly from its start in 2016 he has continued to enjoy working with the dedicated members of the Board and volunteer Dispatchers, Drivers and Support members who serve the cancer patient in need.
Bob’s career includes an extensive background in health care management, governance, teaching and consulting across the public and private sectors.
Tom Akam, CPA, CA
Treasurer
Tom Akam joined VCDS as a Director in 2017. He plays an important role in managing all aspects of the society’s financials and works closely with the Board of Directors to safeguard the organization’s finances, ensuring a long future for the society.
As a Chartered Accountant he worked both in industry and public practice in the fields of accounting, taxation, and business valuations. Retired since 2007, he has served on councils and boards over the years, volunteered in the community and is a member in a community service club.
Marlyn Graziano
Vice President Development and Communications
Marlyn's illustrious career in community journalism included many roles, from reporter to publisher. She later moved to higher education, culminating in the role of Vice President, External Affairs at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU).
There, she led teams in communications, marketing, fundraising, community enagement and alumni and government relations. She also served as Executive Director of the KPU Alumni Association and CEO of the KPU Foundation. Passionate about community enhancement, Marlyn has selflessly dedicated time to various local non-profits, reflecting her enduring spirit of service.
Gail Kaufmann
Director Communications
Gail Kaufmann joined VCDS in early 2023 to support the VCDS mission. With cancer impacting 1 in 2 Canadians the services of the volunteer Dispatchers, Drivers, Support members and the Board provides is ever more imperative in supporting cancer patients.
Gail’s career includes an extensive background in strategic operational review and implementation, operational leadership. She is a relationship builder and connector across the public and private sectors.
Gord Locke
Director Driver Operations
Gord joined the Board in 2021 and assumed responsibility for our external communications. In 2023 he became vice president and took on responsibility for our dispatcher operations.
Gord is a Senior Consultant with a broad and diverse background in business and IT consulting. He has held executive and managerial positions in global and local corporations. Gord has worked with public and private sector clients to develop and implement strategies and solutions that deliver business value and position the organization to evolve, compete and thrive.
Ken Askew
Director Quality Assurance / Technology
Ken joined VCDS as a driver in the Tri-Cities region in 2019. In 2021 he assumed responsibility for the management of VCDS’s license plate registration process and became the VCDS Registrar soon after. In April of 2022 Ken joined the Board where he accepted the role of Director Driver Operations. Early in 2023 Ken changed roles to Director Quality Assurance and Technology.
His collaborative approach and work-ethic for all the various teams he has worked with in his professional IT career and volunteer life brings tremendous value to the Society.
Ho Yee Low
Director Dispatch
Ho Yee is a member of the accounting faculty of the Melville School of Business at Kwantlen Polytechnic University
(retired August 2023). His teaching includes Financial and Managerial accounting to students in both of the Diploma and
the BBA Degree programs of accounting.
Prior to entering the world of academia, Ho Yee worked at the senior leadership and executive levels in accounting,
finance, and business development roles that include large, multi-national companies.
His volunteer activities include presenting on Financial Literacy on behalf of CPA Canada and being a VCDS Volunteer
driver in the Surrey area
Deborah Salh
Secretary
Deborah earned her Social Work degree from the University of British Columbia and spent two decades specializing in child welfare. She honed her skills in child abuse and neglect investigations, working with several child protection agencies in British Columbia and London, England. Deborah excelled in leadership roles, coordinating with agencies to safeguard children and ensure optimal results for families. Her managerial acumen was evident as she oversaw child protection services, mentored staff, maintained budgets, and upheld rigorous practice standards.
Beyond child welfare, Deborah showcased her versatility by managing three local MPs' offices in recent years. This role required her to leverage her organizational aptitude, compassion, conflict-resolution abilities, and commitment to impartiality, ensuring smooth operations in a demanding setting.
Larry Coleman
Director at Large
Larry started with VCDS before there was a Society. As a volunteer driver, he has driven more patients to and from appointments than anyone else within the Society––all while fulfilling his Director at Large position. Additionally, Larry helps with driving training and working fundraising events, frequently appearing as a spokesperson for the VCDS with local media, including Global Television and many local newspapers. It was during a Global TV interview when Larry was asked why he works with the VCDS and he said: "Because its the right thing to do".
Larry has been an active volunteer in numerous charitable organizations and spent his career as superintendent for a general contractor in BC and Washington State.
Anne Gloeckler
Director at Large
Anne started her career in education, moving on to human resources with the majority of it served in the BC
health care sector. During her career in HR, Anne worked across three health authorities as an HR generalist, a labour
relations advisor and an HR manager retiring from Fraser Health as Director of HR Consulting in 2008.
In retirement Anne has volunteered with PICS as a literacy coach, with Sources’ White Rock/South Surrey Food Bank and
as president of her strata council
Support Team
Gary Galloway
Donor Recognition
Gary has joined the team and works with Kelly, helping to maintain our relationships with the many individuals who support VCDS. He makes personal thank-you phone calls on our behalf to the donors. When unable to connect with the donor, he sends them a handwritten note which is well-appreciated.
Sandy Tsui
Registrar
Sandy has been a volunteer since 2022. As the Registrar, he is responsible for receiving and processing new volunteer driver applications, while ensuring that applicants meet all the VCDS requirements. Once new applicants become members, he hands them over to the Regional Dispatchers to begin driving.
Liesa Billings
Online Communications Officer
Liesa became a member of VCDS in 2017. She applies her knowledge in communication design, branding, and marketing to her role. She takes charge of distributing newsletters, managing the social media presence, ensuring the continued growth of our website, and taking on various projects as they arise.
Kelly Galloway
Donor Recognition
Kelly plays a crucial role in managing our donor recognition program. She maintains our software system, tracks and enters any donations we receive, and arranges for others to send thank-you letters or make phone calls to our donors.
Kathy Smee
Recording Secretary
Kathy has volunteered as a driver for three years. Her administrative background is also invaluable in her role to assist the Board Secretary, where she takes minutes at every Board meeting.
Rick Janssen
Information Analyst
Rick has been a volunteer driver for VCDS for four years. He also plays an important role in gathering VCDS' monthly expense reports. Rick is retired after a career in the information technology sector.
Danielle Richards
Special Advisor to the Board
Danielle Richards provides the VCDS Board with her counsel and guidance as we continue to ensure our infection control procedures and patient transfer processes are as safe as they can be. Danielle holds a BScN from UBC, is a registered nurse and has a Master of Arts in Human Security and Peacebuilding.