Meet Our Team

At Nanaimo Community Hospice Society, our team is dedicated to guiding our mission of providing compassionate care and support to those in need. With diverse backgrounds and a shared commitment to excellence, our leaders work tirelessly to ensure our services make a meaningful impact in the community. Get to know the individuals who drive our vision and lead us in making a difference every day.

  • Laura Brennan

    EVENTS COORDINATOR

    I am excited to work with Nanaimo Community Hospice as the Event Coordinator.  I have been a proud member of the Nanaimo Community for over 35 year, with working in the Financial Service industry for over 27 years. It is a blessing to work with NCHS, supporting compassionate care initiatives and community programs. As a certified Reiki Master, I am passionate about holistic wellness and bring a calming, supportive presence to both personal and professional environments. Working with both people and animals, using energy healing to support balance,, relaxation and overall well-being. Outside of work, I enjoy writing, knitting, and gardening.  I'm also a devoted wife and mother of two wonderful children and one adventurous puppy.

  • Alan Dagg

    ASSISTANT THRIFT SHOPPE MANAGER

    Gillian and I moved to B.C. 22 years ago with our 3 young children (Emma, Ryan & Shane.). Moving to Whistler and then Tsawwassen, we decided to move to Nanaimo in 2016, to be in close driving/boating distance to our kids. This nicely backfired on us when the kids found out, they moved to the Island also, settling here in Nanaimo and our youngest son in Victoria. We are the proud grandparents of a Granddaughter (4yrs) and a six-month-old grandson, who live here in Nanaimo. (Cuddles Galore). I have spent my working career in the Hospitality, Aviation and Retail sectors both in Canada and in Ireland, Working with companies like Air France, Renault, & TD Bank. I also have been self-employed, owning a Liquor store, Ski Lodge, and a Glass design company specializing in working with Indigenous artists to put their artwork on glass mediums for a wider retail audience. I am happy to be working alongside so many enthusiastic Volunteers and staff here at the Hospice Shoppe and look forward in being part of the continued success of the Shoppe.

  • Shannon Farahbakhsh

    INTAKE COORDINATOR

    Before coming to NCHS in 2006 I worked in long term care and as a caregiver support group facilitator and providing one to one support to family caregivers on behalf of the Cowichan Family Caregivers Support Society. Throughout that time, I also volunteered with the Cowichan Valley Hospice Society working one on one with clients. My favourite part of this work continues to be the people – staff, volunteers and clients. I feel heartened by the depth of commitment and compassion that each of our staff and volunteers have for this work. The resilience of our clients humbles me.

  • Erin Finnerty

    VOUNTEER COORDINATOR

    Having spent the past 25 years in Retail Management, coming to Nanaimo Community Hospice is my second and most meaningful career. I bring extensive experience working with volunteers in community based organizations and corporate partners. My love of volunteers and working with them lead me to Vancouver Island University, where I recently graduated with honours from the Event Management Certificate Program. Being able to find a way to combine my love of volunteerism and working with the incredible volunteers at Nanaimo Hospice is a dream. I look forward to continuing to build our volunteer community with meaningful heart centered opportunities.

  • Lisa Floyd

    Receptionist

    Born and raised in Nova Scotia, I have had the privilege of calling Nanaimo home for over three decades. My professional background includes early childhood and special needs education, while personally, I have dedicated 28 years to being a stay-at-home mom, stepmom, and grandmother, cherishing every moment. After completing my volunteer training, I became an active member of NCHS in 2019, contributing to the PCU and the Nanaimo Hospice Thrift Shoppe. With a long-standing passion for hospice care, I am grateful to collaborate with the exceptional staff, volunteers, and clients.

  • Sydney Hunt

    DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

    I am excited to serve as the Development Coordinator for Nanaimo Community Hospice. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Master's in Management from the University of Victoria, I combine creativity with strategic planning. My background in non-profit administration, fundraising and development, along with managerial experience across Western Canada, equips me to make a meaningful impact. The work we do at Nanaimo Community Hospice is deeply fulfilling and enriching, and I am passionate about contributing to our fundraising efforts. Seeing the impact our events have on community is rewarding; I am dedicated to supporting our mission and community.

  • Bonnie Ross

    ACTING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PROGRAMS MANAGER

    I come to NCHS with 12 years of Hospice experience. I spent most of those years in Edmonton where I played a role in the building of Edmonton’s first free-standing Hospice. My background in nursing and experience in program development and volunteer coordination, including developing positive Hospice culture, helps me lead with a solid understanding of all of the facets of non-profit service provision in partnership with a complex healthcare system. I am looking forward to contributing to the growth and development of NCHS through forward collaborative teamwork and compassionate person-centered care.

  • Tiffany Lang

    THRIFT SHOPPE MANAGER

    I come to NCHS with more than 20 Years of Retail and Volunteer Leadership, in a range of settings including Corporate & Private Retail, Not-for-Profit, Not-for-Profit Thrift, and Entrepreneurship. Running the Social Enterprise for NCHS aligns with my passion for providing positive leadership, fostering relationships, and creating and building community. Being raised in Nanaimo and utilizing the Nanaimo Hospice Services during my own personal grief journey brought the awareness of how important and integral we are for the community at large. I am committed to providing a welcoming and supportive environment for our volunteers, staff, clients, and customers while also raising as much money as we can so that the NCHS team can support the community to the best of our ability.

  • Aslynn Meade

    MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT

    I am extremely excited to be a part of such a great team here at Nanaimo Community Hospice for the summer as the Marketing and Development Assistant. I am currently completing a BA in Psychology with a Certificate in Addiction Studies, with the goal of pursuing my Masters in Occupational Therapy. I have always had a passion for giving back to my community in any way possible, which led me to Hospice. I am eager to grow my knowledge in marketing, while supporting our events and social media pages. My interests include photography, painting, and hiking.

  • Suzannah Mills

    COUNSELLOR

    I joined this esteemed and dedicated team of Hospice people two years ago and feel privileged every day to walk through the doors. The first 35 years of my career were as a registered massage therapist. Alongside that work there always existed an abiding interest in the wholeness and holiness of this human journey. Now, as a bereavement counsellor I accompany clients on their grief journey, helping them discover their own authentic processes and meaning.

  • Jim Nelson

    COUNSELLOR

    I am an educator who has worked with learners from infancy through college. I founded, taught in, and administrated a Montessori school for 30 years. A friend allowed me to companion him as he succumbed to cancer. This relationship opened the door to supporting bereaved and terminally ill persons at Nanaimo Hospice.

  • Bronte Pike

    CHILD AND YOUTH COUNSELLOR

    I came to NCHS three years ago to complete my finial practicum of my degree in Child and Youth Care. It was an easy decision to stay with the organization after graduating and I am privileged to be part of the amazing team of staff and volunteers. I am honored to be able to support children and youth navigating grief and loss. I continue to grow and learn from those I meet and hold space for their personal experiences.

  • Amy Tan

    INTERIM PROGRAMS COORDINATOR

    I am passionate about my part-time work at Hospice House, assisting with client intake, wellness programs, and administrative support. My background includes roles as a 911 police dispatcher, admin support in the Canadian Forces, and managing VIU’s Behavioural Neuroscience Lab. I'm a volunteer with a local free food market and NCHS on the PCU. I have an Honours BSc. in Psychology and a Certificate in Addiction studies from VIU, a BA in Anthropology from McMaster University, End-of-Life Doula certification from Douglas College, and am currently working towards my Master of Social Work with Wilfrid Laurier University. Married with four children, I enjoy knitting, hiking, reading, and have a passion for hospice and community service.

  • Selina Ward

    RECEPTIONIST

    Born in Ontario and raised in the serene beauty of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, I’ve spent the past 18 years as a devoted stay-at-home mom, raising two incredible teens alongside my loving husband. The ocean has always been my place of peace and reflection, grounding me through life’s ever-changing tides. My journey into community service began with volunteering at the Nanaimo Community Hospice, where I discovered a deep calling to support others through compassion and presence. I now proudly serve as the Hospice’s receptionist, continuing to offer warmth and connection to all who walk through our doors. Empathy, kindness, and love are the values I carry into every relationship and role. I believe wholeheartedly that everyone deserves support, no matter their story.

     

    “To be truly seen and heard is the most precious gift we can offer another. In that space, healing begins.”

Nanaimo Community Hospice Board of Directors

To contact our team, please visit our contact page by clicking the button below.