Board of Directors
Jennifer Collette, Board Chair
Jennifer moved to the Valley in 2013 with a background in business and financial services.
After being introduced to Ty Watson House, she began volunteering in the kitchen and took the formal Hospice Training. Soon after, Jennifer joined the Board of Directors in the area of Donor Appreciation and Legacy Giving. This year she takes on the Board Chair with great commitment to the AVHS vision of ensuring residents receive excellence in Hospice services now and in future generations.
Jennifer and her husband Bill are settled in the Valley and enjoying this beautiful paradise we call Port Alberni.
After being introduced to Ty Watson House, she began volunteering in the kitchen and took the formal Hospice Training. Soon after, Jennifer joined the Board of Directors in the area of Donor Appreciation and Legacy Giving. This year she takes on the Board Chair with great commitment to the AVHS vision of ensuring residents receive excellence in Hospice services now and in future generations.
Jennifer and her husband Bill are settled in the Valley and enjoying this beautiful paradise we call Port Alberni.
Robyn Monrufet, Vice President
Rob Anderson, CPA, CA, Treasurer, Secretary
Rob’s diverse experiences includes an extensive number of owner-managed and family owned businesses, as well as a significant background in the audit and assurance field, including public company, not for profit, film and television, technology and public sector realms. Prior to purchasing the firm, he served as Chief Financial Officer for a variety of public sector junior mining and exploration companies listed on the TSX Venture Exchange. Rob obtained his Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Kwantlen Polytechnic University and spent his articling time with Staley Okada & Partners and Price Waterhouse Coopers in Vancouver, BC.
Rob’s main focus is providing auditing, accounting and taxation services to businesses and individuals in a variety of industries such as not for profit’s, public sector, construction, wholesale and retail, incorporated professionals, restaurants, and tourism industry to name a few.
He has a very focused dedication in developing and ensuring his relationships with his clients and understanding and meeting their needs and expectations are the firm’s number one priority.
Rob is currently completing year 2 of 3 of the C.P.A. In-Depth Tax program, Canada’s leading program for tax specialists.
He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Port Alberni Fundraising Co-op, which is known to be the first Community Service Co-op in Canada that operates a for profit business with the purpose of donating all their profits towards Charity. He also serves as a director and treasurer for the Alberni Valley Hospice Society which provides compassionate care, and promotes education and advocacy to individuals and their families facing life-limiting illness, death, and bereavement.
Outside of office life, Rob enjoys playing recreational hockey, slo-pitch softball, golf, traveling and spending time exploring the outdoors with his wife and his Rottweiler, Punk.
Rob’s main focus is providing auditing, accounting and taxation services to businesses and individuals in a variety of industries such as not for profit’s, public sector, construction, wholesale and retail, incorporated professionals, restaurants, and tourism industry to name a few.
He has a very focused dedication in developing and ensuring his relationships with his clients and understanding and meeting their needs and expectations are the firm’s number one priority.
Rob is currently completing year 2 of 3 of the C.P.A. In-Depth Tax program, Canada’s leading program for tax specialists.
He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Port Alberni Fundraising Co-op, which is known to be the first Community Service Co-op in Canada that operates a for profit business with the purpose of donating all their profits towards Charity. He also serves as a director and treasurer for the Alberni Valley Hospice Society which provides compassionate care, and promotes education and advocacy to individuals and their families facing life-limiting illness, death, and bereavement.
Outside of office life, Rob enjoys playing recreational hockey, slo-pitch softball, golf, traveling and spending time exploring the outdoors with his wife and his Rottweiler, Punk.
Shelley Chrest, Board Director
Shelley’s work background includes working as a Preschool Supervisor with special needs children and their families, and as a Child and Youth Care Counsellor, in the Inner City Schools Program in Vancouver. Shelley has also worked as a lawyer, both as a sole practitioner and as in-house counsel, as well as in various advisory roles, including in the area of employment standards, human rights and workers’ compensation. Shelley has extensive mediation experience, particularly in employment related disputes. She has held various appointments as an adjudicator in administrative law areas ranging from bylaw enforcement to property assessment appeals.
Shelley has travelled extensively, including solo travel for over three years living and travelling in various countries including India and Bangladesh. She and her spouse Peter love living in the Alberni Valley and show their commitment to the community through volunteer work.
Shelley has travelled extensively, including solo travel for over three years living and travelling in various countries including India and Bangladesh. She and her spouse Peter love living in the Alberni Valley and show their commitment to the community through volunteer work.
Judy Dore, Board Director
Born and raised on the Island I married and moved to the Alberni Valley in 1963, raised two active sons, and thoroughly enjoyed a 35 year career in nursing at the old West Coast General Hospital. During these years I volunteered at Planned Parenthood.
Retiring in 1999, I remained busy with family, hobbies, and gardening, plus volunteering at the Community Policing Office. The then Executive Director of Hospice, Lyn Turner, came to our home to choose from some items my husband wanted to donate for fundraising (as he was a next door neighbour to the Watsons as a young lad, and knew them well). I casually mentioned volunteering; soon I got a call from Theresa, and was orientated to the House March of 2010.
Since then I have volunteered in the community and Ty Watson House kitchen, including sitting vigil both at the House and Hospital, covering a weekend a month on call, sitting as a member of the Board of Directors, and, most recently, assisting with the Planned Giving area by making calls to donors thanking them for their donations to such a worthy cause.
Truly, I feel that by being involved with Hospice I am in some way repaying a community that has given us so much over the years. Each and every time I enter this "Special House" I get a warm, fuzzy sensation. Life is good! Enjoy each and every moment!
Retiring in 1999, I remained busy with family, hobbies, and gardening, plus volunteering at the Community Policing Office. The then Executive Director of Hospice, Lyn Turner, came to our home to choose from some items my husband wanted to donate for fundraising (as he was a next door neighbour to the Watsons as a young lad, and knew them well). I casually mentioned volunteering; soon I got a call from Theresa, and was orientated to the House March of 2010.
Since then I have volunteered in the community and Ty Watson House kitchen, including sitting vigil both at the House and Hospital, covering a weekend a month on call, sitting as a member of the Board of Directors, and, most recently, assisting with the Planned Giving area by making calls to donors thanking them for their donations to such a worthy cause.
Truly, I feel that by being involved with Hospice I am in some way repaying a community that has given us so much over the years. Each and every time I enter this "Special House" I get a warm, fuzzy sensation. Life is good! Enjoy each and every moment!
Matthew Dearin, Board Director
Marie Duperreault, Board Director
Maureen Mackenzie, Board Director
I have always taken pride in being born and raised in Port Alberni. I have a long family history in this community and a vested interest in the betterment of our community. I see the positive work the Alberni Valley Hospice Society has brought to this community. The support and care that is given to the individuals of our city, in what can be the most trying and vulnerable times of their lives, are immeasurable.
I have had the opportunities in my life to develop and build my career and experiences that I feel have made me appreciate the value of “community”. In my current profession as a realtor, I learned the importance of ethics, confidentiality, communication, conflict resolution and comprehension of bylaws. Prior to becoming a realtor, I owned an interior design business. Interior design not only allowed my talent of vision and creativity to unfold, but also allowed me the opportunity to work along with my clients collaboratively, bringing their ideas to fruition. I have also worked in policy and procedure development for safety and environmental standards with Mars Industries as an administrative assistant. I used my experience working at Queen Alexander Centre for Children’s Health and at West Coast General Hospital on the switchboard, the X-Ray dept and admitting, to further my compassion for people and to utilize my organizational skills and my professionalism in very intense environments.
Volunteerism through committee involvement is a value I believe strongly in. When I speak of my belief in the betterment of our city, I am speaking to the amazing work that so many of our committees in this town do for our community. I have been involved in many committees in my life here in Port Alberni such as Safety Days and EFAP. Volunteering on a committee can be hard work but rewarding work. This is so true to the current committee I have founded in Port Alberni, the 100+ Women Chapter which has been a tremendous success and has given me so much pride and pleasure to be a part of as it is incredibly impactful for our city.
Outside of work, I love spending time with my daughter, Sarah, my 2 rescue dogs and relaxing at my favorite place on Earth, Sproat Lake. I also enjoy walking, hiking, going to the gym, playing cards, and DIYing. Most of all I value the time I spend with family and friends.
I strongly believe that the end of our journey in life should be filled with comfort, love and support. End of Life Care and support should be, and can be, as beautiful as the life we bring into the world. I feel that the AVHS has ensured this to happen for many people, both directly and indirectly, in our community. I understand the importance of working in the best interest of the society and community. I stand proud of our “Community with a Heart” and feel that my forward thinking and inclusiveness of others would be an asset to assist in community events through the AVHS.
I am honored to be on the Hospice Society Board of Directors.
I have had the opportunities in my life to develop and build my career and experiences that I feel have made me appreciate the value of “community”. In my current profession as a realtor, I learned the importance of ethics, confidentiality, communication, conflict resolution and comprehension of bylaws. Prior to becoming a realtor, I owned an interior design business. Interior design not only allowed my talent of vision and creativity to unfold, but also allowed me the opportunity to work along with my clients collaboratively, bringing their ideas to fruition. I have also worked in policy and procedure development for safety and environmental standards with Mars Industries as an administrative assistant. I used my experience working at Queen Alexander Centre for Children’s Health and at West Coast General Hospital on the switchboard, the X-Ray dept and admitting, to further my compassion for people and to utilize my organizational skills and my professionalism in very intense environments.
Volunteerism through committee involvement is a value I believe strongly in. When I speak of my belief in the betterment of our city, I am speaking to the amazing work that so many of our committees in this town do for our community. I have been involved in many committees in my life here in Port Alberni such as Safety Days and EFAP. Volunteering on a committee can be hard work but rewarding work. This is so true to the current committee I have founded in Port Alberni, the 100+ Women Chapter which has been a tremendous success and has given me so much pride and pleasure to be a part of as it is incredibly impactful for our city.
Outside of work, I love spending time with my daughter, Sarah, my 2 rescue dogs and relaxing at my favorite place on Earth, Sproat Lake. I also enjoy walking, hiking, going to the gym, playing cards, and DIYing. Most of all I value the time I spend with family and friends.
I strongly believe that the end of our journey in life should be filled with comfort, love and support. End of Life Care and support should be, and can be, as beautiful as the life we bring into the world. I feel that the AVHS has ensured this to happen for many people, both directly and indirectly, in our community. I understand the importance of working in the best interest of the society and community. I stand proud of our “Community with a Heart” and feel that my forward thinking and inclusiveness of others would be an asset to assist in community events through the AVHS.
I am honored to be on the Hospice Society Board of Directors.
Gerri Sing, Board Director
Gerri Sing has an extensive global background in marketing and strategic planning.
Second generation Port Albernian, Gerri was born and raised in the Alberni Valley, and a graduate of Alberni District Senior Secondary School. After leaving Port Alberni her post-secondary University studies took her to Victoria, Vancouver and Switzerland where she pursued her interests in social work and hotel administration and management.
Following her studies abroad, Gerri held a successful Tourism career in convention planning, marketing and strategic planning. During her career she held a range of senior management positions and lead international sales & marketing initiatives for large international hotel chains, destination management organizations such as Tourism Vancouver, the Canadian Tourism Commission and the International Association of Congress and Conventions.
Gerri has also provided consulting services to the organizing committees for the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver 2010 and Sochi Russia 2014 as well as a number of privately held companies throughout British Columbia.
Becoming active with the board of AVHS allows Gerri to fulfill her two passionate interests - providing care for others by assisting AVHS achieve their fiduciary responsibilities and offering marketing support for the long-term fundraising plan for the society.
Second generation Port Albernian, Gerri was born and raised in the Alberni Valley, and a graduate of Alberni District Senior Secondary School. After leaving Port Alberni her post-secondary University studies took her to Victoria, Vancouver and Switzerland where she pursued her interests in social work and hotel administration and management.
Following her studies abroad, Gerri held a successful Tourism career in convention planning, marketing and strategic planning. During her career she held a range of senior management positions and lead international sales & marketing initiatives for large international hotel chains, destination management organizations such as Tourism Vancouver, the Canadian Tourism Commission and the International Association of Congress and Conventions.
Gerri has also provided consulting services to the organizing committees for the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver 2010 and Sochi Russia 2014 as well as a number of privately held companies throughout British Columbia.
Becoming active with the board of AVHS allows Gerri to fulfill her two passionate interests - providing care for others by assisting AVHS achieve their fiduciary responsibilities and offering marketing support for the long-term fundraising plan for the society.