Board & Executive

2023–2024 Officers & Directors

Officers

President
Karen Bill
Victoria, BC

Karen Bill is a public policy specialist, having worked with cabinet ministers and elected members of British Columbia’s Legislative Assembly for the last 20 years.  Born in Victoria, Karen graduated from the University of Victoria with a political science degree and is a lifelong learner.  She enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and their dog, Monte, taking advantage of everything Vancouver Island offers.

Vice President
Reza Nazarinia
West Vancouver, BC

Reza Nazarinia is a respected Business Executive with an entrepreneurial spirit and a track record of success driving growth and increasing market share across diverse industries, and a distinguished 22-year career, strategizing and leading sales and marketing operations for fortune 500 organizations. He grew up on the North Shore of BC’s Lower Mainland, and currently lives in beautiful West Vancouver with his two lovely children, Ryan and Anika.

Reza has his undergraduate and graduate degree in business from Simon Fraser University and has achieved repeated success in entering new industries, as a change agent and sales and marketing strategist, across product launch, organizational transformation, and driving record growth. With a unique combination of business acumen and expertise in client’s needs analysis he brings a pragmatic, solution based, consultative approach to partnerships, forging relationships within the community and building consensus across multiple levels of an organization. He is a hands-on leader, with extensive expertise unifying people for a common goal and vision, who inspires and motivates teams to embrace change and achieve results.

A genuine and ethical leader, professional networker, negotiator, and businessperson, Reza is always looking to support others and help in any way that he can, and he finds the opportunity in every situation, always seeing the cup as half full.

Treasurer
Michael Patrick
Ottawa, ON

Michael Patrick holds the designation of Chartered Professional Accountant and is a seasoned business executive with extensive experience in, finance, general administration, strategic planning, operational protocols and corporate governance.

Michael’s distinguished four-decade career includes roles as Vice President Finance and Administration and Board Secretary of Sheridan College in Oakville and several years with Bank of America Canada in Toronto, initially in project finance and later as Chief Financial Officer and Board Secretary.

Past President
Kate Carkner
Ottawa, ON

Kate led the Ottawa Chapter of the Canadian Hemochromatosis Society from 2014 to 2018 to augment awareness for hemochromatosis in the nation’s capital. She currently holds a position as a Business Strategies Consultant with the Federal Government, where she helps decide how our government will support marginalized and underfunded individuals in our communities. Kate enjoys volunteering in her community, travelling with her partner and spending time with their little girls.

 Directors

Arnel Bernabe
Shawnigan Lake, BC

Arnel is a seasoned executive in business development. He is experienced in business development in the local domestic arena as well as in the areas of international business space. He is proud to have been able to build and recruit high performance business development professionals over the years. He is strategic, and laser focused. A life long learner, Arnel is always looking for ways to develop his skills and knowledge in business development.

Arnel is also a true lover of sports. Watching and keeping up to date on NHL, NFL, and NBA scores. He still participates in Ice Hockey and the odd Sunday tag football games with friends.

Allan Connor
Tobiano, BC

Allan has a background in healthcare with experience as a cardiology technologist, and years of experience as an IT business analyst. Currently, Allan is an Operations Manager for a large transportation and logistics company.

Allan volunteers as the men’s varsity soccer goalkeeper coach at his alma mater Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, BC. In his spare time, he enjoys playing soccer, hockey and travelling/camping with his wife and three young children.

Sandra Dalpe

Waterloo, ON

Sandra Dalpe lives in Waterloo, Ontario with her husband, Brian.  She is an administrative professional and has been at Wilfrid Laurier University for 23 years.

Sandra has extensive volunteer experience within her local community as well as the international community. She has a keen desire to increase awareness and information about hemochromatosis within Canada. In addition to being a Director on the board, Sandra leads the Kitchener-Waterloo Chapter for the Canadian Hemochromatosis Society.

Francois Lepine
North Vancouver, BC

Originally from New Brunswick and bilingual, Francois has resided in British Columbia since 1998. Francois became a lawyer in 2003 and has been a federal prosecutor since 2011. He is a dragonboat paddler, enjoys getting out in the great outdoors and walking with his pug Wrinkles.

Justin Leuschner
London, ON

Justin Leushner has had an extensive and diverse business career in the life sciences and biotechnology industries. He was responsible for developing a national molecular diagnostics program for MDS Inc., Canada’s largest life science’s company, and served as a business analyst and portfolio advisor to one of Canada’s largest medical technology VC funds.

In 2003, Justin co-founded Sernova Corp. currently traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. In addition, he developed an Islet Transplant Program for the London Health Sciences Centre and served as Director for Health Care Restructuring. His many years in a hospital and laboratory setting has provided him an understanding of the procurement and processes involved in adopting innovations within a patient provider setting.

Justin has recently provided strategy consulting services to many of the world’s largest pharma and medtech companies providing go-to-market and market access support through a large global consulting firm. Justin is active in the development and commercialization of medical technologies including company formation and financing. He has served on boards and in an advisory capacity for investors, institutions, and industry.

An MBA graduate of the University of Western Ontario’s Ivey School of Business, Justin also holds a B.Sc. in Cell Physiology/Genetics from the University of British Columbia and numerous technical designations in Forensic Science and Molecular Biology.

Christine Ford
Pitt Meadows, BC

Christine works as an Executive Assistant for a manufacturer in Vancouver. As an administrative professional she brings knowledge of marketing and strategic planning to the Board. She has a personal interest in learning more and raising awareness about hemochromatosis in Canada. Christine volunteers in the softball community, enjoys being outdoors and finding new places to visit in beautiful British Columbia.

John King
New Westminster, BC

John King is a retired fund development officer. Over the past 40 years, Mr. King’s experience with HOPE in India, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Sri Lanka has given him an understanding of mission. He combines this with his love for people in communicating the excitement of mission to Canadians. His training has included business administration, communication and human development, and he has a broad business background, including finance (banking), marketing (fireplace & stove sales), and management (HOPE International Development Agency). Mr. King has lived and worked for HOPE in British Columbia, Alberta Nova Scotia, Ontario, and India. He has 2 grown children and now resides in New Westminster, B.C. with his wife, Yumiko.

Honourary Directors

Paul Johnston
Toronto, ON

Paul is an MBA graduate in Finance at the University of British Columbia and has a background in aviation as a commercial airline Captain. He currently serves as a Financial Analyst for a global aerospace company. He enjoys skiing, staying active, and traveling with his partner.

Jonjit Singh
Vancouver, BC

Jon Singh practices as a lawyer in Surrey, BC. A graduate of the Allard School of Law at the University of British Columbia, he practices  in the areas of real estate, corporate and commercial, societies and administrative laws. He brings a valuable legal perspective to the Society and the Board of Directors.