Board of Directors

Neil is a successful entrepreneur and business leader. He is co-owner, Vice President and CFO of a leading geological consulting firm based in Vancouver. As owner and manager of a growing company for nearly a decade, Neil has experience in all aspects of business and specific interests in strategy, operational leadership and financial oversight. He is a graduate of the University of Victoria (B.Sc. Earth Science) and McGill University (MBA).

Neil became interested in volunteering in the not-for-profit sector while completing an expansion project for the Centre Philou, a pediatric respite center in Montreal. Through his recent experience supporting his grandmother’s end-of-life care, Neil developed a personal connection to the comfort and dignity provided by hospice care.

David Gruber joined the VHS Board of Directors in November 2019.  A native of Washington, DC, David moved to Canada after high school to pursue architecture studies at McGill University.  After a brief career as an architectural journalist, he attended law school at the University of Victoria and was called to the BC bar in 1997 and the Ontario bar in 2000.  He is currently a partner with the law firm of Bennett Jones LLP, where he practices litigation and arbitration with a focus on corporate, commercial and insolvency disputes.  David also sits on the boards of Wall Financial Corporation, the British Columbia International Commercial Arbitration Centre (where he serves as Director of Administration), and the Turnaround Management Association Northwest Chapter. David’s personal interest in hospice care stems from an experience of helping to care for a father with ALS.

Kathryn, a retired Clinical Counsellor, Registered Nurse and Music Therapist, worked in cancer and hospice care for over 35 years. She was also on the faculty at Capilano University for several years, where she still occasionally lectures as an adjunct professor. As Vancouver Hospice Society’s first Clinical Counsellor, Kathryn developed and delivered the first grief and bereavement programs at VHS. These programs have gradually expanded to include MAID and now COVID-19 related counselling for patients and families living in the Vancouver area. Kathryn has also been involved in ongoing VHS volunteer and fundraising activities over the years. She is a keen and proud supporter of VHS and is happy to offer her experience and expertise as a VHS Board member.

Pat joined the VHS Board of Directors in 2019. She is an RN who recently retired from a career primarily devoted to specialized palliative care in a variety of settings; including hospices, palliative care units, community/home based palliative care, and liaison – connecting patients and families with community resources. Her connection to hospice/palliative care began in 1970 with the death of her mother. She describes it as being a time when death, dying and loss were rarely discussed, and also a time when the development of a philosophy of palliative care and services was dawning in Canada. She says it has been rewarding to see the advancement of care for people and their families over the decades, and she is pleased to be part of Vancouver Hospice Society and the continued advancement of Hospice.

Afzal Mangalji joined VHS as a Director in 2022. Hi joins VHS with 35 years of experience in health care.  With an academic background in Nuclear Medicine Technology, Social Work and Public Administration, he has held a number of clinical, administrative and organizational development roles at the Vancouver General Hospital. He was a key member of the multidisciplinary Palliative Care Unit Team at the hospital from 2003 – 2017 and is currently a Clinical Instructor with the Division of Palliative Care in UBC’s Faculty of Medicine. He has considerable international and local volunteer experience in initiating programs and services that help to ensure that vulnerable patients and families are able to access Palliative Care in a timely manner.

Jennifer joined VHS as a Director in November 2021. Jennifer obtained her Chartered Accountant designation with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.  She is currently the Vice President, Finance at Century Group, a family-owned development company with a diverse portfolio of assets and lines of businesses. She is experienced in strategic and business planning, securing financing for real estate developments and overseeing all aspects of the accounting, treasury and tax functions for a portfolio of projects and assets. Jennifer attributes her success to being forward-thinking, having a strong work ethic, and fostering good relationships. Prior to joining Century Group, Jennifer held a senior financial position at a North American development company.

Jennifer has sat on the boards of British Columbia Summer Swimming Association and the Lawyers Inn Society, where she served as treasurer. Jennifer’s personal interest in hospice care stems from her experience in watching her parents provide end-of-life care to her maternal and paternal grandparents. Jennifer enjoys traveling, culinary adventures, and spending time with her young family.

Mandy is a marketing professional with over 10 years of experience in real estate marketing. In her current role as Vice President Marketing for Intracorp Homes, BC, she is responsible for corporate brand initiatives in Intracorp’s four regions across North America, working to ensure Intracorp’s well-founded brand is consistent and extraordinary everywhere it appears. In addition, Mandy leads the project marketing team for Intracorp in B.C. and Austin, TX. This includes the development and implementation of all creative marketing strategies that increase awareness of their projects – from intimate townhome communities to luxury condo towers, while reinforcing each project’s unique vision. Her interest in hospice care began after seeing the immeasurable impact it had on her family during her Oma’s end-of-life care.

Patricia Lucy is the Director of Brand, Marketing, and Ridership Development for TransLink, Metro Vancouver’s regional transportation authority.  Patricia oversees the teams responsible for marketing, the enterprise strategy and delivery of customer experience both digitally and in-system, as well as demand side management initiatives and the key regional partnerships that make it possible.

Patricia holds a bachelor’s in business administration and a master’s in urban studies from Simon Fraser University providing her with a unique foundation for managing complex public projects and behavior change initiatives.

On a personal note having dealt with the end of life care for her father she has seen the need and the importance for support of the families and loved ones of those going though hospice care and is honored to offer her skills to the Vancouver Hospice Society.