Board Member Information
Wendy Smitka
PRESIDENT
I am honoured to be serving as a Director, and President, of Nanaimo Community Hospice Society. My partner and I sold our business in 2008, which freed me to work on my passions instead of a pay cheque. I have served on numerous boards and committees, including Literacy Central Island, TheatreOne, and have spent 20 years with the Community Futures Network, including time as Provincial Chair, and National Chair. I reside in Lantzville with my spouse Brock. I am humbled by the commitment and compassion of Hospice staff and many volunteers. I believe it takes a village to raise a child, and it takes a community to support each other through loss and dying.
Janet Skinner
VICE PRESIDENT
My husband and I moved from Edmonton to Nanaimo in Fall 2012. I retired from my position as an Assistant Deputy Minister after 32 years with the Government of Alberta (30 years with Alberta Health and 2 years with Service Alberta). Once retired, we spent several summers sailing along the BC coast and camping. We also visit our son, daughter-in-law and very dear friends in Alberta as often as we can. We adopted an 8-week-old mini-labradoodle (Beau) in late 2021, and in June 2023 joined the very rewarding St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program. For 2 years I was a member of the Ladysmith Maritime Society Board of Directors, and for 6 years I volunteered on the Board of Directors with the Nanaimo Community Hospice Society.
Ron Tomlin
TREASURER
I am retired from the Royal Bank, where I was Area Manager Central Vancouver Island. I have resided in Nanaimo for the past 26 years. Originally from Victoria BC, I have worked and lived in Montreal, Ottawa, Burlington, and Vancouver. I hold my undergraduate degree in Commerce and Economics from Simon Fraser University. I am a Fellow in the Institute of Canadian Bankers. I also served as Past President of the Port Theatre Society and Past Treasurer of the Nanaimo and District Hospital Foundation. For the past 8 years, I have volunteered at the Hospice Thrift Shoppe. I met my wife Alice at one of the grief groups at Hospice House. Hospice is very special to me.
Marilyn Ostercamp
SECRETARY
I have lived in Nanaimo for 16 years and prior to that always in Alberta. While in Alberta, I was a career banker and was involved with many volunteer projects, including Food Bank and non-profit organizations for hard-to-house and mental health groups. I have previously been a member of the Nanaimo Community Hospice Board. I look forward to being able to again contribute as a member of this valued organization and am thankful for the opportunity to do so.
John Lambretchs
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
John Lambrechts brings over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, building trusted relationships with individuals, families, and business owners throughout his career with MetLife Canada, Mutual Life of Canada, and Sun Life Financial. He holds several professional designations, including Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), and Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU).
Through both his professional and personal experiences with loss and grief, John understands the importance of compassionate community support and is passionate about helping ensure hospice services remain accessible for the Nanaimo community.
Dr. Lindsay Eggen
BOARD MEMBER
I am a family physician currently practicing mostly palliative care at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, Nanaimo community, and occasionally covering Oceanside community and Trillium Hospice. I am originally from Edmonton, Alberta and completed a Bachelor of Science Major in Nutritional Sciences form the University of Edmonton in 2002. I worked as a Registered Dietitian for 8 years in BC and Alberta before going to medical school at the University of Calgary. I moved to Nanaimo with my husband Ben in 2017 and completed family practice residency, where I experienced the wonderful Palliative Care Program here and haven’t left! Since then we’ve added Colby (4 years old) and Polly (3 years old) to our family. Our dog Edgar is almost 16 years old, very deaf, but a beloved family member.
Judy Archer
BOARD MEMBER
Within my capacity as a registered social worker with over 45 years of experience working in Ontario and BC, most of my career has been dedicated to working in adoption, foster care and mental health in a variety of not-for-profit community agencies, including three Indigenous organizations. With a clinical orientation based on professional knowledge of attachment, grief, loss, trauma and diversity, I have had the enormous privilege of designing and delivering interrelated training as well as the full range of mental health services to individuals, couples and families across the lifespan, in both rural and urban settings. Committed to working for organizations whose knowledge base, values and principles of practice are not only compatible with those that have informed and guided me throughout my professional career, but reflect a commitment to excellence in service delivery, I am honored to have been given the opportunity to learn from and serve on the Board of Directors for NCHS.
Gerry Kelly
BOARD MEMBER
I am grateful to say that I have lived, worked, and played in the unceded territory of the Stz’minus Nation, in the town of Ladysmith, BC for the past 30 years. Our two sons have left for the mainland, but Ladysmith is still home for my wife and I. I am retired from a 25-year career with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in Nanaimo, spending the last 12 years as a program manager for Indigenous Fisheries. Prior to DFO, I practiced law in Saskatchewan for 5 years, specializing in Civil and Criminal litigation. Throughout my career I have had the privilege of volunteering with some amazing organizations such as the Critical Incident Stress Management Team with DFO; and the Community Circles Restorative Justice Society in Ladysmith. My work with mental health professionals and volunteers in these organizations allowed me to witness the power of dialogue and listening.
Katie Hunter, RN
BOARD MEMBER
Katie Hunter is a Registered Nurse with the BC College of Nurses and Midwives and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Vancouver Island University. She currently works with Vancouver Island Health in both Home Care Nursing and the Palliative Care Unit at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.
Katie has pursued advanced education in palliative and psychosocial care, including Pallium Canada’s LEAP program and Psychosocial and Spiritual Care training. Her experience spans acute and community-based care, with a strong focus on supporting individuals and families through serious illness and end-of-life transitions.
In addition to her clinical work, Katie brings leadership and operational experience from her previous role as Co-Owner and Director of Manufacturing & Operations, along with a long-standing commitment to community involvement through volunteer work and mentorship.
Melanie Young
BOARD MEMBER
Melanie Young is a transformational leader and seasoned health care administrator with extensive experience in long-term care operations and organizational leadership. As General Manager and Director of Care at Chartwell Edgewater Care Residence, she oversees departmental operations, regulatory compliance, and strategic planning in partnership with ownership.
Melanie has successfully led accreditation processes, strengthened operational systems, and cultivated collaborative workplace environments that promote innovation, efficiency, and staff engagement. Her leadership style is rooted in compassion, accountability, and commitment to continuous improvement.
With strengths in team development, risk management, financial oversight, and performance improvement, Melanie is dedicated to building strong, supportive care environments that enhance both resident outcomes and team morale.
Marci Bonnici
BOARD MEMBER
Marci Bonnici is a Chartered Professional Accountant with over 25 years of international experience in finance, governance, and strategic leadership. Her career spans global roles in public practice, multinational corporations, and complex project environments across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and the Caribbean.
Marci has led large-scale financial operations, implemented enterprise systems, embedded governance frameworks, and supported high-value infrastructure and energy projects. Her expertise includes financial analysis, risk management, business partnering, and strategic restructuring.
Currently serving as a Senior Financial Analyst with Hypha Consulting Inc., Marci provides finance and project management support to First Nations clients. She brings a thoughtful, globally informed perspective and a strong commitment to accountability, partnership, and sustainable financial stewardship.