Board of Directors
KAREN HAZELRIGG (& PADS SERVICE DOG OTTO)
email PresidentKaren has been on the PADS Board since 2007 and was PADS Vice President from April 2008 to November 2009. Karen and Otto volunteer for PADS and regularly attend and support PADS events. They are strong advocates for Guide and Service dog rights and regular presenters at schools and other organizations to promote critical public awareness of both the positive impact of service dogs in the lives of their disabled handlers and assistance dog access issues. They have appeared on TV and been interviewed for radio and print. Karen’s eclectic educational background in Registered Nursing and Computer Science has been invaluable in enabling her to advocate successfully on her own behalf on disability and quality of life issues. Involved in the Gamble 100 Squash Tournament since 2001, Karen was instrumental in the decision to make PADS their charity of choice. Throughout the Tournament, Karen and Otto can be found at various clubs, selling PADS calendars and educating anyone who will listen about the PADS mandate of Changing Lives....One Dog at a Time. For PADS, Karen and Otto will do anything. (Otto's photo by Tanya at the Dog and Hydrant.)
MELANIE HANSON
email Vice PresidentMelanie joined the PADS Board in April 2007. As Operations Leader of a 50,000 sq.ft cardiovascular and pulmonary health research Centre at St. Paul's Hospital, Melanie brings project management, human resource, finance, renovation, grant writing, operations and communications expertise to the Board. Melanie and her husband are active PADS volunteers and are experienced PADS puppy sitters and puppy raisers. Their first dog Robo (co-raised by 4 parents) graduated in September 2008. Melanie is excited about what the future may hold for PADS. She is looking forward to working on a capital campaign for the next facility with volunteers, staff and other Board members.
MARK IRELAND
email SecretaryMark holds a Master’s degree in Geographic Information Systems and teaches on the subject around the world as Training Manager for a software company in Surrey. A resident of Port Moody, Mark has sat on various committees with the city. Mark also volunteers his technical and organizational skills to political fundraising and election campaigns as Vice-President of Burnaby MP Bill Siksay’s riding executive. Mark’s work with animals has included several stints as an Animal Technician at the renowned Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition. Mark’s first involvement in PADS was with Service Dog in Training Bewick, and he is looking forward to further puppy-raising, as well as being able to contribute his professional skills to the organisation.
PENNY BUSH
email TreasurerBefore retiring in 1994 Penny enjoyed a successful career in Banking; holding several senior positions in commercial lending and Human Resources. These positions offered extensive experience in managing a firm's financial situation and its employee base. Believing strongly in volunteering she then worked for 2 ½ years with the South Fraser Crisis Line and then another 3 years with the Surrey RCMP Victim Services Unit. In 2000 Penny and her husband, Ron, became involved with PADS as puppy-raisers and are now puppy-sitters. Since that time Penny has assisted with virtually every volunteer aspect of PADS (office work, fund raising and PR events, etc.) and at one point, was Volunteer of the Year.
ASHIQ AHAMED
email DirectorAshiq is a CGA designated finance and IT professional. He is currently working as the Internal Audit lead for a telecommunications company. Ashiq also has extensive experience using social networking tools and is looking to leverage this experience to expand PADS’ profile in the community. After spending a day volunteering at PADS, Ashiq was blown away by the dedication of PADS volunteers and the accomplishments of the society and is now thrilled to be part of this amazing organization
CHERI TURNER
email DirectorCheri is president of ICTraining Services Inc. providing project management, software development and technology services to the legal industry. Cheri also has a degree in Education and taught in Langley before moving to Australia for several years. After attending a PADS event, Cheri was astounded by the accomplishments of PADS. “Changing lives one dog at a time” rang true for Cheri. She is now seeking to become involved with PADS by volunteering her time and skills.
NIGEL AMON
email DirectorNigel is an economist, a university professor, a squash player and an avid supporter of PADS. He knows firsthand how PADS dogs change lives, since his partner has been the fortunate recipient of a PADS dog who, for the last seven years, has fulfilled the PADS mandate of Changing Lives One Dog At A Time. He has taught full time in the Economics department at Capilano University for many years and less regularly at both BCIT and SFU. He plays doubles squash regularly and competitively. It’s a team game, unlike singles, which fits with his view of how an organization such as PADS should be run: As a team. He has been active for the past eight years organizing the Gamble Doubles Squash Tournament as a fundraiser for PADS, raising close to $20,000 during that time.
JEANINE ZIOLKOSKI
email DirectorJeanine is an IT professional, having worked with major financial institutions (Canadian and American) managing regional and global technology implementation and support. Originally from Winnipeg, Jeanine has been actively involved with many charitable organizations in various capacities, volunteering since her youth. She found herself drawn as an advocate of accessibility in the workplace, and has participated in focus groups and steering committees for incorporating adaptive technologies into technology standards. Jeanine's background includes responsibilities for finance, procurement, real estate, facilities, human resources, operations, and customer Service. Her household has been puppy raising and puppy sitting for PADS since 2008.
Matthew D. Mills
email DirectorMatthew has been involved in the capital markets since 1987, first as the founding trader for a private equity fund based in Calgary, Alberta where he raised capital, researched and managed complex trades in the years leading up to the day-trading boom. In 1999 he secured Canadian and US securities licensing and opened British Columbia’s first retail day trading floor. He was instrumental in the design, implementation and support of proprietary software and trading systems now used by 4000 traders in 94 countries worldwide, trading 200 million shares (US$1.6 billion) per day. He consults in business systemization, trader psychology, operational logistics, team leadership and growing businesses, and has spoken publicly on these topics to groups from 50 to 1200 people. He provides interim and part-time executive roles for startups and turnaround organizations needing a fresh perspective and innovative approach. Matthew has been puppy raising and sitting since 2000 and is a past PADS Board member and Volunteer of the the Year. He continues to be an active fundraiser, spokesman and volunteer in many capacities.