Board of Directors

OUR VALUES We treat all people with dignity and respect; we believe in self-determination and choice for all, and we are committed to building community, + fostering collaborative relationships.

Chris Beresford

President

Chris Beresford

President

Before retirement in 2022, Chris Beresford worked with the Ministry of Attorney General in various roles since 1982. Chris has been a long-term member of the John Howard Society of Victoria and has been the treasurer of the Justice Education Society. He has also worked with The Boys and Girls Clubs in Victoria and Nanaimo and with MOSAIC, an immigration settlement organization in Vancouver. He has a great love of older cars and feels fortunate to own a few, which provides him with great pleasure. Chris lives in Victoria with his wife and has two adult children.

Darlene Strandlund

Secretary

Darlene Strandlund

Secretary

Darlene retired from BC Government in 2022 after a long and engaging career. She worked for many years in Adult Mental Health Services doing staff training and development, human resources, writing job descriptions, interviewing, space planning, etc.
Darlene also worked as an analyst responsible for privacy breach investigations, and processing Freedom of Information requests under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA). Due to her hearing loss, she was able to work the last few years from home and communicate via computer - even before Covid! Darlene has always been a volunteer and supporter for various interests in the community.

Don Monsour

Director

Don Monsour

Director

As an advocate for community involvement, Don has enjoyed participating and leading organizations in achieving their goals. While working with profit and not for profit organizations for over 45 years, he has successfully created, implemented, and managed small and large teams with a focus on effectiveness, profitability -both financial and non-monetary goals, membership numbers, and community impact. As a leader of volunteer groups, he has successfully managed challenging goals and budgets, and helped to raise close to 2 million dollars for not-for-profit associations.

Gajanan Sahasrabudhe

Director

Gajanan Sahasrabudhe

Director

Gajanan brings with him expertise in healthcare, project management and information technology; experience in managing and leading teams in the public sector, and a passion for serving people and communities through volunteering. As a recipient of IDHHC’s Hearing Health Services, he wanted to contribute to the mission and mandate of IDHHC by building closer ties with healthcare service providers and evolving technologies available to Deaf and hard of hearing clients and their families. Other than balancing work and family life with 3-generations-under-one-roof, Gajanan loves to spend time outdoors and enjoy wilderness.

Kit Krieger

Director

Kit Krieger

Director

Kit spent 50 years in public education in various roles. He taught social studies in West Vancouver, spent 30 years as a union leader serving as a local president, BCTF executive member, and two years as BCTF President. He served as the Registrar for the BC College of Teachers and Executive Director of the BC Principals' & Vice-Principal's Association before retiring to the Island in 2023 to pursue work as a grandfather. Kit was named one of the Education 100 in commemoration of the 100th anniversary UBC in 2015. He is a Life-Fellow of the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre and a recipient of the Meyer and Gita Kron Award for Excellence in Holocaust Education.

Michael Colussi

Director

Michael Colussi

Director

Michael is hard of hearing and has multiple family members who were Deaf, hard of hearing or blind. He has a strong interest and a personal goal of building bridges with Indigenous Deaf people. Michael has been a committee member with the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities, BC Human Rights Coalition, National Employment Committee for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and others. His work has been with project and program planning specifically designed to improve individual, group and corporate health and wellbeing through a risk management lens to ensure sensitivity to the individual and culture always remains at the forefront.

Michael Hayes

Director

Michael Hayes

Director

Mike Hayes is hard of hearing and has been an IDHHC Board member since 2010, serving numerous terms as President and Executive Member during that time. After reconnecting with a former colleague who was a Board member Mike was encouraged to consider a position as a director. As a retired teacher and school and union administrator, Mike brings communication, problem solving and people skills to this role. He is passionate about the agency and the mission and works continually to see us grwo and thrive. His time away from the Board table is filled with family, especially his delightful grandchildren.

Michelle Urquhart

Vice President

Michelle Urquhart

Vice President

Michelle has two hard of hearing children and their family has been involved in IDHHC since the babies were born. She looks forward to contributing to the centre their family has benefited from for the past 7 years. Michelle is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and has an extensive accounting experience, including assurance, financial reporting, and Canadian and Cross-border taxation. Currently, she is working at the Office of the Auditor General BC, specializing in financial audits. Other than balancing work and running a busy household, Michelle enjoys fitness, gardening, and playing piano.

Wes Boyd

Treasurer

Wes Boyd

Treasurer

Wes Boyd joined IDHHC in 2022. Wes retired after more than 30 years in BC public service, including 13 years as Assistant Deputy Minister. Leading large teams, he specialized in corporate and business planning with an emphasis on performance outcomes and business logistics. Wes’ leadership was primarily in the Health and Social Services sector. Wes is keenly interested in helping make a difference in citizens’ lives and finding a non-profit gem like the IDHHC to be part of is something that excites him. Wes spends his spare time with his old ice hockey and lacrosse teammates and his adult children.