People on the Move
Education
Philip Steenkamp, former senior public servant and deputy minister in several B.C. and Ontario ministries, has been appointed VP, external relations and communications, University of British Columbia, effective December 1. Steenkamp’s most recent position was VP, external relations, Simon Fraser University.
The Justice Institute of British Columbia has appointed four new members to its board of governors. Juggy Sihota, VP, customer experience strategy and operations, Telus Health; Claire Wang, manager of finance, Vancouver Economic Commission; Tina Dion, lawyer, private practice, with a focus on civil litigation, regulatory matters, aboriginal law and administrative law; and Robert Quartermain, chair and CEO, Pretium, a gold projects company.
Finance
Mickey Goldstein has joined DMCL Chartered Professional Accountants as manager in its assurance group. Goldstein has more than eight years of experience providing audit and assurance services to public companies, private enterprises and not-for-profit organizations. She was previously a manager at Davidson & Co. Chartered Professional Accountants.
The Insurance Institute of BC has announced its 2015-16 governing council: Jennifer Perry, president; Jan Brownridge, first VP, academic division; Manjit Biring, second VP, professional division; Sharon Craver, secretary-treasurer; Mark Francis, past president; Dale Rogoza, Vancouver Island chapter president; Debra Copeland, chair, marketing and communications; Sharon Knotts, chair, future directions; Lianne Crawford, chair, seminars; Kelly Krakonchuk, chair, education; Sarah Tung, chair, events; and Terry Leibel, chair, Okanagan.
Hospitality/Tourism/Convention
Monique Gomel has been appointed VP, global marketing and communications, at Rocky Mountaineer, the luxury train operator. Prior to this appointment, Gomel was VP, marketing, for Earls Restaurants. She previously served as global marketing director at Electronic Arts and has held roles at L’Oréal Paris and Pfizer Consumer Healthcare.
Legal
Brian Gibbard, a director at Mediate BC Society since 2012, has been elected board chair at the society. Gibbard, a chartered mediator and qualified arbitrator, is a former trial lawyer who now focuses his practice entirely on mediation and arbitration. Lori Charvat has been newly elected to the board. Charvat leads a consulting practice in employee engagement, leadership development and change management. Prior to that, she was corporate director, people strategies and recruitment, Providence Health Care. Continuing directors are Gayle Bedard, Andrea Brownstone, William Keen, Jane Morley, Wayne Plenart and Paul Taberner.
Jeremy Ho recently joined Dentons Canada LLP’s Vancouver office as an associate within the firm’s tax group. Prior to this appointment, Ho was at McCarthy Tétrault LLP’s Calgary office.
Media
Rick Arnish, chair, Jim Pattison Broadcast Group, is retiring, effective January 20, 2016. Arnish has been with the company for 29 years and was president from 1998 to 2012.
Non-Profit
Jon Garson has been appointed president and CEO of the British Columbia Chamber of Commerce, where he has worked for more than a decade. His previous position was VP, policy development and government relations.
S.U.C.C.E.S.S. has announced its 2015-16 board of directors: Grace Wong, chair; Nelson Kwan, vice-chair and board secretary; Donnie Wing, vice-chair and treasurer; Jessica Chan, vice-chair, community relations; Janet Kushner-Kow, vice-chair, seniors’ care; directors Francis Cheung, Peter Guo, Alden Habacon, Roque Hsieh, Jocelyn Hsiung, Pehlaj Malhotra, Jim O’Dea, Chelsea Park, Bonnie Teng and Jean Wong; Doug Purdie, ex-officio director; and Jonathan Lai and Jason Lam, representatives from S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
Public
Stewart Beckman, SVP, operations and technical development, has resigned from Turquoise Hill Resources. Beckman has accepted a new position within Rio Tinto.
Gordon Ruth has been appointed B.C. auditor general for local government with a mandate to lead a new, collaborative relationship between local governments across the province and the office of the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development. Prior to this appointment, Ruth was executive VP, certification and operations, Chartered Professional Accountants of BC.
Companies on the move
Name change
Smythe Ratcliffe LLP has rebranded as Smythe CPA, Smythe Advisory and Smythe Debt Advisors. This year marks the firm’s 35th anniversary, the unification of the Canadian accounting profession to CPA and a new managing partner, Bob Sanghera.
New in town
U.K.-based myclever Agency, a global social media agency, has opened its North American office in Vancouver. Gaylene Macdonald, president, North America, leads the Vancouver office. Visit www.mycleveragency.com for contact information.
Hats Off
Business in Vancouver welcomes submissions from local small businesses and large corporations alike that demonstrate examples of corporate philanthropy and community involvement in the Vancouver area. High-resolution images are also welcome.
TD Wealth donated $40,000 to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank. Funds were raised at TD Wealth’s annual charity golf tournament.
The United Way donated $74,649 to Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland. The funds will be used to support one-to-one mentoring programs. Windsor Plywood Foundation donated $50,000 to Big Sisters in support of the organization’s continued long-term growth.
Arran and Ratana Stephens, co-founders of Nature’s Path Foods, donated $2 million to the Centre for Sustainable Food Systems at UBC Farm, one of the last working farms within Vancouver’s city limits.
The Burnaby Board of Trade and Scotiabank donated $10,000 to Burnaby Neighbourhood House. Funds were raised at the board of trade’s annual golf tournament at Riverway Golf Course.
CIBC Children’s Foundation donated $15,000 to Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland in support of its Study Buddy program, a one-to-one educational mentoring program for girls ages 7 to 17 who do not have financial access to tutoring.
Scotiabank donated $20,000 to Abreast In A Boat. •
