Our team at Family Caregivers of BC brings diverse backgrounds and skills, along with a passion for advancing our mission to improve the quality of life for family and friend caregivers. Every one of us has a connection to caregiving in our personal or professional lives that we feel is paramount to understanding caregivers’ needs. When you walk a mile in a family caregiver’s shoes, you gain valuable insight.
Board of Directors
Nichola Manning
President
With 20 years’ experience in the BC provincial government, Nichola Manning has led large-scale organizations and associated programs. Prior to becoming a management consultant, she was the Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) responsible for Employment at the BC Ministry of Social Development & Social Innovation. Before that, she spent 16 years with the Ministry of Health serving as the ADM of the Medical Services Health Human Resources Division.
Nichola has a solid background in change, project and program management, strategic planning, organizational development and policy development. Her leadership philosophy is focused on empowerment, collaborative relationships, recognition and staff development. In her new capacity as a management consultant, she will apply her experience and knowledge to advance the mission of FCBC.
Steve Chauvin
Director
Steve Chauvin is a licensed pharmacist in the province of BC. His expertise in the economics of medications—covering insurance plans, optimizing medication regimens, navigating Pharmacare, and special authority—is highly valuable for board service. Access to medications is an essential aspect of caregiving, and understanding the system can be overwhelming.
Steve excels in patient communication through active listening, asking pertinent questions, presenting information effectively, considering patients’ values, and treating them as equals. Steve’s involvement with FCBC provides valuable insights into the experiences of patients and their caregivers, thereby enhancing his ability to serve the community with greater efficacy.
Sandra Lee
Secretary
Sandra Lee is a health care professional with a high level of knowledge and skills in working with seniors in the long-term care sector. As a leader with a reputation of working collaboratively with team members and building partnerships with community, Sandra is a clear communicator, strong critical thinker, and a highly skilled practitioner in using a systems perspective for effective problem solving.
Sandra recognizes the toll and emotional weight placed on family and friend caregivers. In her experience in supporting adult children, spouses, and friend caregivers, she recognizes the importance of an organization that strives to improve services to, and for quality of life of caregivers, by connecting them to information, resources, education and hands-on assistance. Board member since February 2022
Kerry Busheikun
Treasurer
Kerry has spent 25+ years in leadership roles in food and beverage, retail, and early childhood education. Her areas of responsibility have included operations, human resources, finance, portfolio growth, corporate strategy, and implementation. Working with different cultures, functions, and through a variety of business situations has provided Kerry with a large tool kit and an appreciation for diverse leadership approaches. Kerry now specializes in transition and career coaching through Plum Coaching and Consulting, applying her experience both leading and experiencing transitions and her passion for talent development. Kerry has an interest in caregiving through her family experiences.
Anthony Kupferschmidt
Anthony is a Credentialed Professional Gerontologist who has been working in the field of aging since age 17. He completed the Master of Arts in Gerontology through Simon Fraser University, and his thesis focused on psychological resilience in spouse caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s disease.
Anthony has previously worked with the Alzheimer Society of BC, the City of Richmond, and as Executive Director of two independent seniors’ centres in Metro Vancouver. He currently works for the City of Vancouver leading strategy, policy and planning for the aging population. In this capacity, he strives to ensure that the essential role of family and friend caregivers is integrated in this work. When not working or volunteering, Anthony enjoys spending time walking in the woods with his dog Ferguson.
Staff and Contractors
Barbara MacLean
Executive Director
Barb has over 30 years’ experience in non-profit, government and private sectors. She spent many years in the developmental disabilities field, specializing in supporting some of the most complex and challenging individuals living at home, in residential care and in school settings. Barb holds a Bachelor of Arts from UBC and a Master of Arts in Leadership and Training from RRU.
Barb knows first-hand what it’s like to juggle work, a young family and caregiving—she supported her family during her own mother’s fight with cancer. Barb is committed to influencing change to achieve recognition and support for family caregivers.
Kate Landreth
Education and Learning Lead
Kate is an educator, facilitator, and coach specializing in learning design, training, and curriculum development. She is enthusiastic and passionate about education, creating learning content and experiences that make it easy and accessible for learners to build new skills and absorb new information. Kate completed her Bachelor of Arts from Wilfrid Laurier University, Bachelor of Education from Nipissing University, and Master of Education from Murdoch University.
Kate has witnessed firsthand the immense but often under-appreciated role that members of her family have undertaken in caring for loved ones through health-related and other challenges. She recognizes that those giving care need meaningful support and systems to maintain their own physical and mental well-being in challenging circumstances. Kate is committed to providing that support through her work at Family Caregivers of BC.
Stacey Dawes
Health and Community Engagement Lead
Stacey grew up in a family of dedicated caregivers, who all contributed to the health and well being a family member who suffered neurological damage. It is through this exposure that she chose a career in social work. Early in her career, she worked with children, parents and foster parents through child protective services. This provided a deeper understanding of the complexities of the family dynamic and the importance of support programs and resources. It was when she moved to Vancouver from Newfoundland that she found her passion working within the nonprofit sector.
Stacey has spent majority of her career working with a community that was navigating a chronic disease. She is passionate about connecting with the community, identifying gaps in service and developing programs to address the need. It is through her interactions in nonprofit, as well as working in collaborative relationships, that provides her with a strategic and compassionate vision on how to best serve the community. She has a deep seated desire to support caregivers, and she strongly supports the selfless care they provide.
Fiona MacLeod
Administrator
Fiona brings over 30 years of nonprofit experience to her role as Administrator at Family Caregivers of BC (FCBC), where she has served for more than nine years. In this position, she oversees the organization’s daily financial operations, supporting its mission to provide information, education, and advocacy for family caregivers across the province. Fiona’s career has spanned both nonprofit and arts management sectors in Toronto, Vancouver and Victoria.
Her personal caregiving journey began when she relocated to Vancouver Island following the Vancouver Olympics to care for her mother as her primary family caregiver. For 13 years, she was a partner in care supporting and facilitating her mother’s independence.
Fiona holds a B.A. in Art History from Queen’s University, a Textile Arts diploma from Capilano University, and a Horticulture Technician Certification from the Pacific Horticulture Centre. She first connected with FCBC through volunteer work and now channels her skills in finance, systems thinking, and problem-solving into meaningful support for family caregivers across the province.
Wendy Johnstone
Director of Programs and Innovation
Wendy understands the importance of supporting and educating caregivers and seniors in making informed decisions about their future care. When she was seven months pregnant, her father had a massive stroke. Through her own personal experience, it became clear that when faced with acute or chronic and complex illness, care transitions, or extreme emotional pressure, family caregivers don’t always know where to turn, what to ask, or how to navigate the system.
Wendy helps in many areas, including coaching caregivers one-on-one, delivering presentations, contributing to caregiving resources, and promoting our Caregiver Rx project.
Wendy has a Master’s degree in Gerontology and 20 years of experience working with family caregivers and seniors. She is also currently working with other health care advocates to form a national association of health care advocates. Originally from Toronto, Wendy traded her urban lifestyle (but hasn’t quite adopted Island time yet!) and moved to the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island.
Semone Trautman
Caregiver Coach
Semone is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and Registered Social Worker (RSW) with the British Columbia College of Social Workers.
She has over 20 years of experience working with families, plus facilitating therapy and educational groups. During the last 4 years, she has been focusing her attention on supporting caregivers who are in turn supporting their loved ones through their mental health and/or substance use difficulties.
Semone is passionate about helping others and works from a place of heart. She holds onto the belief that people are doing their best in the moment and with guidance toward self-compassion and making small shifts in how we understand and think about our situations, we can open up a big space for change. Change that creates an openness in our hearts, that brings us closer to the ones we love, allowing us to move forward in our lives with a renewed sense of hope.
Julie Cameron
Caregiver Support Specialist
Julie brings over 20 years of experience in the non-profit sector, where she has made a significant impact through her work supporting caregivers. Her background includes nearly eight years with a dementia helpline, volunteer coordination in a long-term care setting, and a role as an intake specialist on a seniors’ abuse and information line. In these roles, Julie has consistently delivered compassionate, one-on-one support, reflecting her commitment to caregivers’ well-being.
Julie’s passion for caregiver support was further strengthened by her experience as a long-distance caregiver for her mother. She is grateful to continue this meaningful work at FCBC, offering essential resources and support to caregivers across British Columbia.
Outside of work, Julie enjoys expressing her creativity through painting and cooking, as well as tending to her neighbourhood community garden.
Pam Torres
Administrative Coordinator
Pam is a dynamic and results-oriented business professional with extensive experience in administration, project management, and operations across diverse industries, including hospitality, accounting, and telecommunications. Known for her strategic leadership and operational expertise, Pam excels at driving process optimization, managing high-stakes projects, and empowering teams to exceed organizational goals. Her skill set spans budget management, system optimization, and fostering cross-functional collaboration to maximize efficiency and performance.
Pam holds a Bachelor of Science in International Business Administration from the University of the Valley of Mexico and is pursuing certifications in Data Analytics and Project Management. With a passion for community service, Pam is committed to making a positive impact, particularly through her work at Family Caregivers of BC, where she supports initiatives to enhance the lives of family caregivers, ensuring operational efficiency and effective program delivery.
Tara Hamzeh
Caregiver Rx Social Prescribing Project Lead
Tara is driven by a profound passion for mental health, holding a BSc in Psychology and post-graduate diploma in Mental Health and Addictions, she brings a unique blend of empathy, professional knowledge, and personal experience with mental health and family trauma. Her commitment to cultural competency and safety in healthcare systems aims to create more inclusive environments for both providers and patients.
As a dedicated advocate for caregivers, Tara believes in the transformative power of caregiving and the irreplaceable role these individuals play. She works to ensure caregivers receive the recognition, resources, and support they deserve, understanding their vital role in fostering resilience and well-being in others’ lives.
Beyond her professional life, Tara is a freelance photographer, a vinyl record collector, and someone who finds joy in cooking delicious meals for friends and family.
Grace Cantle
Caregiver Support Lead
Grace Cantle brings over 14 years of experience supporting caregivers, families, and community teams across BC. With a background in nursing and long-term community health, she has worked alongside people navigating complex systems, life transitions, and caregiving roles. Her experience includes community programs, support lines, volunteer coordination, and training facilitation, with a focus on cultural safety, trauma-informed practice, and relationship-based support.
Grace has guided caregivers through crises, helped families navigate service systems, and offered steady, compassionate support during times of uncertainty. Her approach centers on active listening, trust-building, and practical guidance, drawing on both clinical knowledge and lived experience to help caregivers feel less alone and more confident.
Grace is committed to creating spaces where caregivers feel seen, supported, and valued, believing that meaningful connection is key to strong, sustainable caregiving communities.
Samantha Sharp
Caregiver Support Navigator
Samantha is motivated by her passion for mental health, social equity, and community wellness. In particular, she is passionate about supporting people with diverse abilities, chronic conditions, and adverse life experiences. Samantha holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and certificate in Addiction Studies from Vancouver Island University.
Samantha has several years of experience working and volunteering for non-profit organizations, including front line work and brain injury support. She is committed to practicing cultural humility, social awareness, inclusivity, and ongoing learning. Samantha admires the courage, strength and resiliency of the caregiver community and strongly believes that “helpers need help too”.
During her free time, Samantha enjoys cooking and spending time with family and friends. She also enjoys being in nature and is keen to identify bird and plant species wherever she goes.
