Board of Directors
John Gunn
John Gunn is a Chartered Accountant (CA) with over 30 years experience in a national public accounting firm. His current work responsibilities are as Chief Executive Officer of the CA School of Business, a non-profit organization that provides education to Western Canada residents who aspire to become CAs. John joined the MPA Society Board in 2006 after responding to an advertisement for the Treasurer position posted by MPA Society on the Board Match website. He was attracted to MPA Society by its member-centered approach to supporting an often neglected and misunderstood segment of society. John is married with two daughters and enjoys running, skiing, music and poetry.
Chris Earle
Chris Earle is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) with 30 years of accounting experience in industry. He was attracted to the MPA Society after recognizing the close alignment of his values and those of the MPA Society, in particular equality, empowerment and a member centered approach to providing support. Chris is married with two daughters and enjoys mountain biking, reading and tennis.
Geordie Hungerford
Geordie Hungerford is a lawyer at the BC Securities Commission where he helps regulate stocks, bonds and other financial products. He has a background in finance and consulting. Geordie enjoys volunteering and comes from a family of volunteers. He especially likes to help people achieve their potential and hopes that he can bring this spirit to the MPA Board. A fifth generation Vancouverite, Geordie volunteers and serves on numerous educational and non-profit boards and committees. He is a Gwich'in (Northwest Territories/Yukon Dene/Métis) and is active in the Aboriginal legal community.
Anita Smith
Anita Smith has lived in Vancouver for four years but also lived here in the 90's for a period of time. She speaks publicly about mental illness and her journey with it for the BC Schizophrenia society and has been a peer support worker. Since moving to Vancouver Anita began her journey in recovery - living in MPA housing for four years. The people she has met, as well as MPA Society, have assisted her in becoming the person she is today. She wants to give back by serving on the Board of Directors and contributing in some way to MPA and other people with mental illness.
Chris Heminsley
Chris is a client-focused, strategic leader with a focus on building long-term relationships. Chris provides strategic advice and guidance on a wide range of topics related to the Energy Industry. Chris has more than 20 years of business experience, and has taken on a variety of leadership positions at BC Hydro. He is very excited about being able to contribute fully as MPA Society Board Member and, like fellow Board members, was attracted to the MPA Society by its longstanding history and success and its member-centred approach and philosophy.
Ron Byron
Ron Byron has been a member of MPA for about 12 years and a resident of the Hampton for over 4 years. His interests include music and computers and he is currently writing his first novel. He is originally from Ontario and has lived in B.C. for 15 years. Ron has been helped immensely by MPA, specifically by MHEAP, the Community Resource Centre and the Hampton, and hopes at this time to be able to give something back by serving on the MPA Board of Directors.
Laurie Campbell
Laurie has been an educator in both the public and private school systems for 30 years in Alberta and BC. Her area of specialty is working with students with learning disabilities and, more recently, students with autism. She enjoys volunteering in a variety of ways and was a volunteer for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics as a photo assistant at Canada Hockey Place. In addition to joining the MPA Board of Directors Laurie is also a volunteer with C.A.N. (Canucks Autism Network). Everyone wants to have meaning and purpose in their lives. Helping individuals find their true passion in life in order to fulfill their purpose for living is a goal that Laurie strives to achieve daily with her students. Providing hope to others is a vital part of happiness and the MPA Society does that for many people in our community. Laurie looks forward to participating in an organization that focuses on providing positive supports for individuals needing mental health services.
Ian McBean
Ian is a Real-estate Manager for Alcatel-Lucent where he is involved in large scale telecommunications projects. His business background of over 30 years is in development, construction and commercial real-estate. As part of his personal activities Ian has spent over 25 years as a member of Butokukan Karate teaching both children and adults confidence through empowerment. Recognizing this philosophy aligns directly with MPA's mission and values, Ian felt that his career background may be of assistance to the MPA Society given their growing and diverse real-estate responsibilities.
Cathy Rambarran
Cathy has been employed at Manulife Financial for approximately fifteen years, currently in the capacity of Disability Management Consultant. Cathy is a Board Member of the BC Collaborative for Disability Prevention, the President of the Board for the Canadian Institute for the Relief and Prevention of Disability (CIRPD) and a Member of the Mental Health BC Roundtable. She is looking forward to having the opportunity to contribute as MPA Society Board Member. Cathy was attracted to the MPA Society by its long standing history and success, the initiatives it is undertaking and its member-centered approach and philosophy.
Contact the MPA Society's Board of Directors
The MPA Society's Board of Directors welcomes input, feedback, ideas and suggestions from our Membership. As an elected body, our goal is to ensure we serve you and that your voices are heard. In addition to gathering with you and hearing from you at MPA events, we welcome your input electronically. Please contact the MPA Society Board using our contact form.
Please note:
- Because the Board only meets monthly, we may take up to 30 days to respond to a message.
- This e-mail address is for MPA Society Members only.
- Staff Members and people participating in MPA Society programs and services are encouraged to direct comments, inquiries and suggestions to the appropriate Manager.