Our Board of Directors

Mark is a senior finance executive with over 25 years of experience as a partner with three of the largest professional service firms in the world.

Currently sitting as a partner at BDO Canada’ Vancouver office, Mark is a technology, manufacturing and resources leader delivering assurance services, providing risk consulting and internal controls assistance, as well as regulatory compliance and financial statement disclosure advice for high growth public companies and private entities working towards a liquidity event. His clients include public manufacturing, mining, mineral exploration and technology clients that often operate globally.

Previously, he had been a senior audit partner at Deloitte LLP and at Grant Thornton LLP. Throughout his experience, Mark has taken on significant leadership roles at the local, national and international level.

Mark lives in North Vancouver with his wife and three kids and enjoys running, swimming, skiing and hiking.

Clara, along with her husband Paolo, is the Founder of Canucks Autism Network. She is the mother of four, including an adult with autism. She dedicates much of her free time to promoting Canucks Autism Network and spending time with her family.

Charmaine is an articulate, high-energy business professional, recognized for her expertise in sports management, strategic consulting, policy development, governance, corporate directorships and the Olympic Movement. During an international competitive sports career, became a five-time Olympian, Olympic Silver Medalist (LA 84), and an eleven-time national champion, representing Canada in Athletics (400m/800m) from 1980 to 1997.

As the first Canadian woman to run under two minutes over 800 metres, she has won gold medals at the Pan American, Commonwealth, World Cup and World Student Games. She had the honour of being named Flag Bearer at the Opening Ceremonies of the 1996 Olympic Summer Games. Since 1994, Charmaine is President of NGU Consultants Inc. a global sports consultancy providing strategic counsel to major corporations and sport entities.

She has been a director on several private and public sector Boards including Aim-Trimark Mutual Funds, University of Northern BC, Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games and the Canadian Museum of Natural History.

Norah is a Business Consultant with expertise in disability related issues. She is the chair of the Provincial RDSP Action Group. She has served on the Board of Directors of Community Living BC and chaired the Quality and Service Committee since 2010.

She is a member of the Advisory Committee of Canadian Business SenseAbility. A former Lecturer at Concordia University in Montreal, Ms. Flaherty has also served on several education-related boards including that of the École Française Internationale de Vancouver.

She founded the West Point Grey Ball Hockey Team for young men with developmental disabilities. Ms. Flaherty holds a Bachelor of Education and Master of Science in Renewable Resources from McGill University, as well as a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Concordia University, Montreal.

Andrew is the SVP & Head of Corporate Finance in BC for the Canadian Commercial Bank and brings over 20 years of banking experience spanning from Retail to Commercial to Corporate Finance. He has oversight for all lines of businesses and direct responsibility for Diversified Industries for Corporate Finance in BC.

In 2003, he joined BMO and progressed through various roles, entering into leadership in 2011 as Vice-President Commercial Banking, and most recently was appointed Regional Vice-President Personal Banking for the North Shore & Vancouver Downtown Market in BC Division.

Andrew sits on the board of Canada Scores, is the Vice Chair of the Banking Committee for BC Children’s Hospital, and also on the Business Development Committee for Canucks Autism Network. When not at work, Andrew loves spending time in the community and with his wife, Kira and his son, Ethan. Andrew earned a Bachelor of Commerce from UNBC and an MBA from Dalhousie University.

Garth is a passionate CAN supporter and parent. Through CAN, his son Christian has learned to bike, skate, play basketball and spent his first-ever night away from home at Overnight Camp.

Professionally, Garth is the VP of Commercial Real Estate for HSBC in Vancouver. He brings considerable strategic business knowledge and community connections, helping to strengthen our impact in BC and beyond.

In 2019, Garth and Christian were chosen to represent the cause at the Fishing For Kids Tournament. Traveling to Haida Gwaii, their presence was instrumental in helping raise $800,000 that year.

Steve is a lawyer who has practiced 30+ years in Vancouver. He has been the managing partner for Dolden Wallace Folick, an insurance defence litigation firm, and continues to play a role in management and leadership.

After previously sitting as a Board member at the Richmond Country Club, Steve is the current Club Captain and Chair of the Match Committee. He has been involved in the annual Els for Autism Golf Challenge, raising vital funding for Canucks Autism Network (CAN).

Steve has lived in Steveston for 20 years with his wife and two adult daughters, one of whom is on the autism spectrum.

Julia has had a career in paediatric occupational therapy since 1981 when she graduated from the Liverpool College of Occupational Therapy in England. She has worked in England, Australia, USA and Canada, before moving to Vancouver in 1987 with her husband. She started a private practice in paediatric occupational therapy in 2002.

During her career, she has developed a strong interest in supporting children with autism and their families. She brings her knowledge of play, sensory integration, gross and fine motor development and daily living skills to the child’s team, supporting the therapy program the family has chosen. Julia is also a trained yoga teacher for adults and children and includes the movement and calmness of yoga into her therapy.

She has two young adult sons and enjoys an active lifestyle with her family.

Marie has a son with autism and is a strong advocate for children with differing abilities. She’s practiced as a physical therapist since 1988, has a PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences from UBC and is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy, UBC.

Her research includes rehabilitation and exercise interventions for individuals with arthritis and joint replacement surgery to enable active lifestyles and safe sports participation. Marie has a long history of volunteering with children with disabilities and amateur sports in BC.

She has served as a physiotherapist for the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria and at other provincial, national and international sporting events throughout BC.