Board of Directors
The Hollyburn Society Board of Directors provides strategic guidance, oversight, and community leadership to support our mission. Their diverse expertise and commitment help ensure our programs remain responsive, compassionate, and impactful for those we serve on the North Shore and neighbouring communities.
Nancy Farran, Board Chair
Nancy has recently retired from a fulfilling career in finance. She is past chair of the West Vancouver Foundation, a current board member of Ballet BC, and the Presbyterian Senior Citizen’s Housing Society as well as chair of The Hollyburn Society. She divides her time between West Vancouver and Salt Spring Island, with forays to Victoria to see cherished family. Nancy believes that voluntarism can fill the gaps that government and business cannot fill and is honoured to be a part of the Hollyburn story.
“Hollyburn touched my heart in ways that few organizations can. I believe in our community, and it exists best when we all feel we belong. Hollyburn’s ethos is all about creating safety and place for all. “
Kevin Evans, Vice Chair and External Relations Committee Chair
Kevin brings Hollyburn a well-rounded mix of skills in communications, board governance, and government relations—plus a few good stories from his 25 years in broadcast journalism. His career has also included public service as a Crown Corporation CEO, head of a health care association, and work as a professional facilitator. A graduate of the Institute of Corporate Directors, an active community volunteer and a recipient of the King Charles Coronation Medal, Kevin and his wife Ronnaug raised their two children in Lynn Valley. They now call Lower Lonsdale home, with four energetic young ones now giving them a crash course in grandparenthood.
“Serving on Hollyburn’s Board allows me to put my skills and experience to work close to home, helping neighbours move from struggle to stability on a North Shore where everyone has a fair shot at thriving.”
Suzanne Dunn, Treasurer and Investment Committee Chair
Suzanne is a Chartered Professional Accountant and Certified Internal Auditor with additional certification in Risk Management Assurance. She practiced external audit and business valuations with a large international accounting firm before moving into internal audit, focusing on governance, risk management and internal controls. She has served as Treasurer of the Board of a regional theatre and two strata councils. A native Montrealer and world traveler, Suzanne settled in the lower mainland many years ago but just moved to the North Shore in 2022.
“I joined the board to understand the needs in my community and to be involved in the amazing work that Hollyburn does to serve North Shore residents.”
Heidi Mason KC, Secretary
Heidi is a second-generation West Vancouverite who spent most of her 35-year legal career trying to make the justice system more accessible to the most marginalized members of our community. When she was called to the bar in the mid 80’s, she joined a small firm in North Vancouver, where she helped a group of small business owners re-establish the Lower Lonsdale Business Association. In the early 90’s she joined Legal Aid, where her focus and drive turned social justice initiatives aimed at helping youth, victims of domestic, and otherwise unrepresented litigants in the criminal and family justice system. In October of 2023, she retired from her position as Executive Vice President of Legal Aid and took on a new role as Special Advisor to the BC First Nation Justice Counsel.
“I’m committed to serving on the Board because I believe deeply in the power of community and a vibrant future for the North Shore, full of opportunity for everyone. I’ve seen firsthand how Hollyburn’s human, accessible, and people-centred approach can truly change lives across the North Shore.”
Mike Boehm, Director at Large
Mike is Vice President, Business Development with KPMG Enterprise, bringing extensive experience in the financial and professional services sector. A North Shore resident for over 40 years, Mike has shown a deep commitment to his community through leadership roles as Chair of the North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce and President of both North Shore Girls Softball and Highlands Little League Baseball. He most recently served as President of the North Shore Community Foundation.He has also contributed more broadly as Chair of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce and as a board member with Canuck Place Children’s Hospice, the BC Food Processors Association, and the BC Chamber of Commerce—supporting initiatives that strengthen communities and create lasting impact.
“I am proud and humbled to serve on the Hollyburn Board. Over the years, I have seen the great work they do to make the North Shore a better place —work that closely aligns with my family’s beliefs of giving back and helping make our community stronger.”
Lynn Green, Director at Large and Governance Committee Chair
Over her forty-year career as an educator and administrator in public education, Lynn was a teacher and counsellor in elementary and secondary schools in Ontario and BC and assumed a variety of leadership roles with the Vancouver Board of Education including Secondary School Principal and Associate Superintendent. Following her retirement from public education Lynn served as President and CEO of the Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education and has offered education consulting services to such organizations as the BC School Trustees Association and the Take a Hike Foundation. Community volunteer experience includes North Shore Restorative Justice and Decoda Literacy Solutions Boards of Directors. She has been serving on The Hollyburn Society Board of Directors since 2016.
“Hollyburn is having enormous impact in our community in so many ways! I share the core values of this organization which nurtures compassionate and caring relationships and a commitment to engaging with each person with dignity and respect.“
Alan Kwinter, Past Chair
Alan Kwinter has been engaged in the provision of treatment and support services to adolescents and their families in British Columbia since 1974. In 1990, Alan founded Hollyburn Family Services Ltd., which provides a comprehensive range of residential and outreach services throughout the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island. In 2004, he established Hollyburn Community Services Society, with a mission to support vulnerable residents of the North Shore in living with security, dignity, and independence.
“Strong communities are built by ensuring that our most vulnerable citizens are supported, respected, and given the opportunity to succeed.”
Brent Sawchyn, Director at Large
Originally from Winnipeg, Brent and his family have called the North Shore home since 1995. He is the founder and leader of PC Urban Properties Corp., a Vancouver-based private real estate development company focused on creating rental housing across the housing continuum. PC Urban’s work includes the first housing project in British Columbia designed specifically for healthcare workers at Vancouver General Hospital. Brent brings extensive experience in development, operations, and strategic leadership to the Hollyburn Board, grounded in his commitment to building inclusive communities and expanding access to stable housing as a foundation for wellbeing.
“Our family has been incredibly fortunate to have established a strong foundation on the North Shore. It’s now time for me to help those who have not been as fortunate as we’ve been.”
Michael Thorne, Director at Large
Mike is an independent Certified Financial Planner, Life and Health Insurance specialist, and Estate Planner, servicing families and small business clients. He also has extensive community volunteer experience, having served as a Director on the Boards of the Sam Sullivan Disability Foundation, the False Creek Yacht Club, the Vancouver Sea Festival, and the Molson Indy Vancouver. He is a founding member of Hollyburn Community Services Society. Mike has lived and worked on the North Shore for most of his life.
“I joined the Hollyburn Board and continue to serve because I believe everyone benefits from improving the lives of those in need, and there is a growing demand for the services HCSS provides.”
Jason Wexler, Director at Large and Housing Committee Chair
Jason is the VP of Design and Development with British Pacific Properties working on local north shore residential and commercial projects with a focus on sustainability and design. Jason and his wife Kirsten live on the north shore enjoying all of the recreational opportunities offered by the local mountains. He has volunteered in the past with the District of West Vancouver, Whistler Advisory Design Panel, UDI Policy Review Committee, AIBC Mentor Program, Habitat for Humanity and the West Vancouver Modern Homes Tour.
“Serving on the Hollyburn Board is deeply meaningful to me. It allows me to use my skills to help ensure that vulnerable youth, seniors, and families have safe, stable homes—so they can live with dignity, hope, and a real sense of belonging in our community.“
