Leadership

Dick Vollet is President and CEO of St. Paul’s Foundation, a registered charity that raises funds to support world-leading patient care, research and teaching at St. Paul’s. In his role, Dick works with community leaders and a committed team of staff and volunteers to build meaningful relationships that support the exceptional care and innovations delivered by physicians, staff and researchers at St. Paul’s.

Dick came to the Foundation in September 2012 with more than 20 years’ experience in a variety of executive roles. He has held a number of senior positions within the private sector, including Vice President of Operations of London Drugs, and played a part in executing the 2010 Winter Games as Vice President of Mountain Operations for VANOC. He most recently held the position of President & CEO of StreetoHome Foundation.

In addition to his role at St. Paul’s Foundation, Dick is a member of Imagine Canada’s Advisory Council, working with non-profit leaders across the country to ensure that charities continue to play a pivotal role in building, enriching, and defining our nation. He has also completed the ICD-Rotman Directors Education Program.

Johann Boulter joined St. Paul’s Foundation as Chief Financial Officer in October 2018.

In her role, Johann is in charge of the strategic, operating, and day-to-day financial activities of the Foundation. Her responsibilities include the preparation of timely and accurate financial information and analysis for the Foundation, the Board of Directors and external agencies. Johann was previously the Acting Director of Internal Audit at the University of British Columbia (UBC). She joined UBC as Assistant Controller in 1999 and held several senior finance roles during her 19 years with the organization. She has also held senior finance positions in the private sector, including the BC Area Finance Manager for Coca-Cola Enterprises.

Johann is a Chartered Professional Accountant, Certified Management Accountant, and holds a variety of other governance, risk, audit, and fraud examination certifications.

Cecilia Tupper got her start in fundraising with St. Paul’s Foundation while working as a Simon Fraser University co-op student and was a proud contributor to the inaugural Lights of Hope. Cecilia rejoined St. Paul’s in 2016 as Director of Major Gifts responsible for managing a team of major gift fundraisers who build meaningful donor relationships and have a deep understanding of research and medical areas of Providence Health Care.

Prior to rejoining St. Paul’s, Cecilia held senior positions with BC Children’s Hospital Foundation and Parkinson Society British Columbia, demonstrating her passion for health care philanthropy.

As a Certified Fundraising Executive since 2006, Cecilia teaches ethics in fundraising as part of AFP’s Fundamentals in Fundraising course offered at BCIT. Cecilia also holds a Certificate in Executive General Management from Sauder School Business.

As Executive Director of Stewardship & Donor Relations, Renee provides strategic leadership and vision to create a seamless donor experience and to ensure that each donor is treated with fairness, gratitude, and respect. Renee believes that creating lasting relationships with donors is a key component in the success of the Foundation.

Renee has over 15 years’ experience in the charitable sector. Prior to joining St. Paul’s Foundation in 2011, Renee held a variety of roles including events, donor relations, marketing, and sponsorship across several organizations. She is passionate about the environment and living a sustainable lifestyle; social justice and equity; and giving back wherever and however possible.

Renee holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of British Columbia and loves to travel, read, as well as spend time with her family.

At St. Paul’s Foundation, Sarah Burgess leads the marketing and communications team to tell the story of exceptional care and innovations delivered by physicians, staff and researchers at Providence Health Care. Sarah joined St. Paul’s Foundation in 2015, and led the communications and marketing efforts in support of the $225 million fundraising campaign for the new St. Paul’s Hospital.

With more than 20 years of experience in the field, Sarah leads teams to deliver IABC award-winning integrated communications programs. Sarah joined the Foundation from Edelman, Vancouver’s top communications and marketing agency, where she provided strategic counsel and communications support to local, national and international clients.

Rob Bergida leads the human resources function at St. Paul’s Foundation. He joined the Foundation in May 2023, developing and implementing talent strategy and programs to meet the needs of the organization and to enhance the employee experience. Rob advises and supports the Executive and Senior Management teams, and helps steward the culture at the Foundation. Known as a relationship-builder, Rob employs a collaborative and client-centric approach in working with diverse stakeholders.

Rob brings an extensive background as a human resources leader and business partner across a variety of industries. He established the HR function for a growing biotech start-up and has formal training in negotiation, mediation, and conflict resolution. Rob has also served as director of a non-profit board. Rob has a Master of Business Administration from the University of Manitoba and is a certified Human Capital Strategist. Rob enjoys outdoor recreation, travelling, and spending time with family of the two- and four-legged varieties.

As General Manager at St. Paul’s Foundation, working directly with the President & CEO, Tracy Dallas is responsible for the operational excellence, recruitment and HR functions at the Foundation.

Tracy comes to St. Paul’s Foundation with more than 25 years of operational experience combined with an extensive background in Human Resources and Recruitment. She has managed venture capital investment firms, operated and managed an executive business centre and acted as Corporate Secretary to a globally operating company specializing in asset acquisitions and sales. Tracy has also conducted executive search consulting for an industry specialist in Vancouver as well as a company development and leadership.

Prior to joining St. Paul’s Foundation, Tracy was the Vice President of Operations at a full service recruitment firm. Tracy grew this business from the ground up, quickly establishing a “niche market” in a very competitive Vancouver recruitment industry. Tracy’s proven ability to manage and motivate her team of professional Recruiters and Account Managers with clear communication is something she is personally proud of.

Schooled at BCIT with a Business Administration/Human Resources focus, Tracy has assisted small business organizations in developing and refining programs from recruitment, performance management and workforce training. Strategic approach to human resources and recruitment comes in part from having worked across a broad cross section of organizations.

Tracy is a member of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade and participated the following volunteer programs:

• Past Vice-Chair of the Small Business Council
• Past President of the Ambassador’s Club
• Mentor to the “Leaders of Tomorrow” program

Dayna Backus joined the St. Paul’s Foundation team in 2022. She brings over 15 years of event and not-for-profit experience into her role as the Director of Events. Dayna leads a team of event and fundraising professionals who are passionate about bringing people together, showcasing the innovative work being done at Providence, and celebrating our donors. Events include the Scotiabank Feast of Fortune gala, Lights of Hope, and Health Innovation Series among many others.

Prior to joining St. Paul’s Foundation, Dayna held the position of Regional Director for the BC & Yukon region at JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation). With a team around the province, she led 14 fundraising events throughout BC, ranging from peer-to-peer events to galas. Previous roles at Ronald McDonald House BC and the Jewish Community Centre of Vancouver have placed Dayna in the epicentre of events fundraising in Vancouver for more than a decade. In these roles, Dayna has led these organizations in shaping their storytelling, working with corporate partners, and re-imagining events.

Dayna holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of BC and a certificate in Events and Marketing from BCIT. She has a passion for backcountry camping, amazing food, and local BC wines.

Teija Beck is proud to have served as part of the St. Paul’s Foundation fundraising team since 2017, starting out as the Manager responsible for the Heart & Lung portfolio.

In her time at SPF, Teija has helped to fund projects such as a new cardiac operating room and research professorships. She strives to foster feelings of kinship and belonging among SPF’s esteemed donors, and to welcome more donors into the growing St. Paul’s family.

As Director of Major Gifts, Teija oversees a team of fundraisers who focus on building meaningful relationships with donors, and liaise with clinical and research partners at Providence Health Care to identify and fund diverse needs across the organization.

Teija holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of B.C. and a Journalism Certificate from Langara College. Prior to joining the SPF team, Teija worked in fundraising at VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation.

Email Teija: tbeck1@providencehealth.bc.ca

As Director of Legacy & Estate Giving, Karen’s role at St. Paul’s Foundation is to assist donors interested in leaving a gift for St. Paul’s in their wills, or through some other aspect of their estate plans. Karen also handles all matters pertaining to estates, under administration, for which St. Paul’s has been named as a beneficiary.

Karen’s training as lawyer, and her abiding curiosity about all things medical, make her exactly the right sort of person with whom donors can talk through their ideas of leaving an estate gift to support St. Paul’s and health care in our community. She joined St. Paul’s in November, 2012 and has three decades experience working with law firms, trust companies and hospital foundations in the areas of will planning, planned giving and estate administration.

Karen is a current member of the Canadian Association of Gift Planners and the Vancouver Estate Planning Council. She holds a law degree from the University of British Columbia and a bachelor’s degree (English Literature and Philosophy) from Simon Fraser University.

Email Karen: kbrown@providencehealth.bc.ca

Shellina Lakhdhir started her fundraising career in the international development sector at Aga Khan Foundation Canada, where she headed the annual World Partnership Walk events in BC. Shellina joined St. Paul’s Foundation in 2019 as Manager, Major Gifts in Mental Health, Substance Use, and Emergency, and later moved to the Research and Innovation portfolio.

Prior to joining St. Paul’s Foundation, Shellina lent her skills and made meaningful contributions to Mulgrave School and Science World. She has experience in annual, event-based, peer-to-peer, and major gifts, and capital fundraising. She is passionate about ensuring each relationship is built on respect and authenticity, and is dedicated to upholding fundraising ethics.

In her current role, Shellina leads a team of fundraisers who focus on research, innovation, equipment, Indigenous wellness, capital, teaching and training, and ethics at Providence.

Shellina holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Karachi, Pakistan, and is CFRE certified. She teaches as part of the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Fundamentals in Fundraising course, is Chair of the Membership Committee at the AFP Greater Vancouver Chapter, and serves as VP of Membership at St. Paul’s Toastmasters Club.

Email Shellina: slakhdhir@providencehealth.bc.ca

Loretta Lawrence’s passion for health care has driven her to strive for excellence throughout her career in philanthropy. At St. Paul’s Foundation, Loretta is responsible for all corporate fundraising and annual giving campaigns. She comes to St. Paul’s with more than 15 years of extensive fundraising experience from BC Children’s Hospital Foundation and over 10 years’ experience in the retail sector.

At BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, Loretta led fundraising programs for local and national corporate donors, corporate capital campaign fundraising, direct response fundraising, lotteries, tribute giving, and e-philanthropy. She worked with corporate donors to fund programs within the healing and environment project at the new Teck Acute Care Centre at BC Children’s Hospital.

Loretta collaborated with children’s hospitals from across Canada to support programs for Children’s Miracle Network, where she also participated on committees to standardize best practices and policies for hospital foundations across the country.

Loretta is a member of the Vancouver Board of Trade and AFP Vancouver’s Mentorship program, providing guidance and support to individuals within the not-for-profit sector. She earned a certificate in Marketing from NAIT and a degree in Communications from Simon Fraser University.

Email Loretta: llawrence3@providencehealth.bc.ca

Diana Li joined St. Paul’s Foundation in July 2017. In her role as Director, Philanthropy, Seniors Care and Healthy Aging, Diana leads the fundraising for Providence Health Care’s seniors homes: Youville Residence, St. Michael’s Centre, St. Vincent’s: Langara, St. Vincent’s: Brock Fahrni, and St. Vincent’s: Honoria Conway-Heather as well as Mount Saint Joseph Hospital.

Prior to joining St. Paul’s, Diana held senior management roles at Rick Hansen Foundation and Ronald McDonald House BC. She also served for 5 years as the Executive Director of the Burnaby Hospice Society.

Diana studied environmental science and psychology at Queen’s University and holds a certificate in fundraising marketing from BCIT. She is an avid runner, expedition traveller and a member of the AFP Vancouver.

Email Diana: diana.li@providencehealth.bc.ca