Trustees

THE GOVERNMENT HOUSE FOUNDATION was created to foster the preservation of Government House and its grounds; to enhance its decor, character, maintenance, historical and cultural values; and to provide funding for the Lieutenant Governor’s programs and awards that have a positive impact provincewide. Funds donated to the Government House Foundation are placed in a trust account with proceeds directed for the benefit of British Columbians. Gifts in kind may also be accepted for display and use in Government House.

The Foundation has four Honorary Trustees: The Lieutenant Governor and spouse; The Chief Justice of British Columbia; and the Private Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor.

The Foundation’s Trustees are elected to a three-year term. They are British Columbians who represent particular areas of knowledge — law, history, engineering, horticulture, the arts, etc. — as their role is not only to guide the Foundation’s activities but also to serve as advisors to Government House when so requested by the Lieutenant Governor.

THE TRUSTEES

PAULINE RAFFERTY, OBC
President

Pauline Rafferty is the former Chief Executive Officer of the Royal British Columbia Museum (RBCM). Trained as an archaeologist, her work first centred on archaeology, then on heritage interpretation. Throughout her career, Ms. Rafferty held various high-level positions in government and was appointed Assistant Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Women’s Equality in 1990. After retiring from the RBCM in March 2012, she has continued to be active on the boards of both national and provincial organizations. She is a board member of the University of Victoria Gustavson School of Business Inc, past Chair of the Board of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.  She is also a former board member of BC’s Provincial Health Services, Simon Fraser University, Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, as well as a former president of the Alliance of Natural History Museums of Canada. Ms. Rafferty has also been honoured for her work in 2011 by Royal Roads University with the Chancellor’s Community Recognition Award and in 2014 with an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Victoria. In 2016, she was honoured with the Order of British Columbia. She has also received the Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal and the King Charles III’s Coronation Medal.

DIANA MAUGHAN
Vice-President

Diana Maughan has extensive experience in board leadership, business and community affairs in Vancouver. After high school graduation, University of BC course work and marriage, Ms. Maughan graduated with a diploma in International Studies from the University of London, England. She is also a graduate of the Institute of Corporate Directors’ Governance Essentials Program for Directors of Not-For-Profit Organizations.

Ms. Maughan currently is a director of Heathcliff Properties Ltd. and Ronin Management Inc. After many years of involvement in a variety of community endeavours, her focus was on education. Through board leadership and a consulting business, she has worked to improve the governance practices of Canadian independent schools and international schools. Ms. Maughan’s most recent work was with UWC International in London, England, which comes after many years of involvement with and as Board Chair of Lester B Pearson UWC College of the Pacific. In addition, she is involved with Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club Board Committees and enjoys playing competitive golf.

BERNARD BECK
Secretary / Treasurer

Bernard Beck is a second generation member of the RCMP who retired as Commander Federal Crimes, Commercial Crime Section, after years of joint forces operations targeting international organized crime in Canada, the U.S.A., U.K. and South America. After leaving the RCMP, Mr. Beck became Vice President, Director Forensic Investigations at Deloitte & Touche and later CCO  at Custom House (Western Union Business Solutions), a commercial foreign exchange and cross-border payments company with operations in seven countries. He is a co-founder and current executive VP of AscendantFX Capital, a non-bank financial institution and FinTech company specializing in foreign exchange hedging solutions and international payments. Headquartered in Toronto (with a satellite HQ in Victoria), it operates in the U.S., U.K. and Canada.

Mr. Beck is a past president of the Union Club of B.C. and helped establish its community outreach and scholarship program at UVic. He is currently on the board of Pacific Opera Victoria and co-chaired the recent $2.8-million anniversary campaign. A longtime volunteer, he has worked with children with mental and physical disabilities, school liaison programs, bicycle rodeos, tele-miracles, youth mentorship, and as a director of  Vancouver Crime Stoppers and much more.

BARINDER S BHULLAR

Barinder Bhullar is a strategic executive with over 20 years of experience in government affairs, public policy, and international relations. He currently serves as Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Brains Bioceutical Corp, leading global strategy, regulatory engagement, and public affairs across the life sciences sector. A former Director of Policy to the Premier of British Columbia, Barinder has advised public and private companies, represented British Columbia on international missions, and held senior roles in both government and the private sector. He is a trusted media commentator and recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal for his contributions to Canada.

GERALDINE HINTON, DStJ

Geraldine Hinton has had a 40-year career featuring leadership roles in both health care policy and practice, focusing on older adults. She retired as Executive Director of the BC Government’s Office for Seniors in 2002.
In retirement, Geraldine has continued to advocate for the aging population, serving on many committees and boards at all levels of government and in the not-for-profit sector. She is currently on the boards of Mount Douglas and Dawson Heights Housing Societies and is an appointed member of the Council of Advisors to the Seniors Advocate. She served on the Alzheimer Society of BC’s Leadership Council and is a founding member of that society’s highly successful and long-running “Breakfast to Remember” Committee. Each year, she presents the Sailor of the Year Award at CFB Esquimalt in memory of her husband.
Since joining the Foundation in 2011, she has chaired the Lieutenant Governor’s Programs Committee which supports Literacy, Stewards of the Future, Reconciliation, and Conversations on Democracy as well as other legacy projects. A keen supporter of music and the arts, Geraldine is on the Victoria Conservatory of Music board and plays the cello.
During her 50-year association with St. John Ambulance, Geraldine was elected Vice Chancellor of Community Services for the Priory of Canada and served on the BC/ Yukon Provincial Council. In 2003, she was invested as a Dame of Grace of the Venerable Order of St John.
Her additional awards include the Queen’s Gold and Jubilee medals, the YM/YW Women of Distinction Lifetime Achievement Award, the Alzheimer Society Clyde and Lanny Slade Memorial Leadership Award, the University of Victoria School of Nursing Alumni Award of Excellence and the BC Community Achievement Award.

MARK HORNE, KC

Mark Horne, K.C., has practiced in Victoria since 1979, principally in the Wills, Estates, Trusts and Charities area where he is the senior member of Horne Coupar’s Inheritance and Incapacity Planning Group.

From 1958 to 2002, through Ian Horne and Mark Horne, the firm provided estate administration services to the Government of British Columbia as Official Administrator for the County of Victoria and to the Public Guardian and Trustee as Deputy Official Administrator for the Vancouver Island Region.

After a decade in private practice, Mark received the first Fellowship in Equity, Trusts & Fiduciary Relationships and returned to UVic Law School where he worked and studied with Professor Donovan Waters. Mark has written and taught for the Continuing Legal Education Society and Professional Legal Training Program and taught the Succession course at the University of Victoria Law School for many years. In 1992, he was elected a fellow of the American College of Trusts and Estates Council and, in 1994, as an academician in the International Academy of Estates and Trust Law reflecting his experience in cross-border and international estate planning.

He is a Past President of both the Victoria Estate Planning Council and the Victoria Wills and Trusts Subsection of the Canadian Bar Association. In 2009, he was appointed Queen’s Counsel (now referred to as King’s Counsel).

Mark is an active supporter of the arts and the environment. His firm is a proud member of the 1% For The Planet initiative, contributing 1% of its gross revenues to environmental sustainability, principally on Vancouver Island. He has served as a director of the Pacific Opera Foundation, Sierra Club of BC Foundation, and as an Honorary Governor of the Victoria Foundation.

PATRICK KELLY

Patrick is a member of the Leq:ámel First Nation (Stó:lō Nation.) He operates a consulting business and was Advisor and Director of the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry. A long-time advisor to the Lieutenant Governors of BC, Patrick co-chairs the Banff Centre Indigenous Program Council and is a member of both UVic’s Gustavson School of Business International Advisory Board and UBC’s Sauder School of Business Ch’nook Indigenous Business Advisory Board. Patrick is Past President of British Columbia Golf, Director of Golf Canada, past chair of the Victoria Foundation board and was also appointed to the BC Provincial Judicial Council in 2016.

The Leq:ámel First Nation elected him as Treaty Representative for treaty negotiations, a role he held from 1998 to 2001.

He has served as Vice President, National Services, CESO; as BC Director, Strategic Planning and Communications, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada; as Manager, Cultural Relations and Corporate Training in BC Hydro’s Aboriginal Relations Department; and Executive Director of the BC Chapter of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business.

In 2002, the BC Attorney General appointed Patrick as a Bencher for the Law Society of BC, to represent the public interest in the administration of justice. He was also a member of the Board of Directors of BC Buildings Corporation, completed five years on the Board of Governors of Vancouver Community College and six as Governor of the Law Foundation of BC.

An active community volunteer, Patrick has held executive positions with the Mission Chamber of Commerce, the Mission Heritage Association, the Mission Indian Friendship Centre, and the Coqualeetza Cultural Centre. As well, he attended dinner with Queen Elizabeth II in 1982 as a Young Achiever for Canada at the ceremony to repatriate Canada’s constitution, is a recipient of a BC Community Achievement Award and founding President of the BC Aboriginal Golf Association.

GRANIA LITWIN

Victoria-born Grania Litwin holds an English degree from the University of Victoria. She worked as public relations director at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria and then spent 35 years as a municipal politics reporter, editor and feature writer at the Times Colonist newspaper, where she is currently a part-time columnist.

After serving as a longtime board member and then chair of Victoria Hospice, she became a charter member of the Victoria Hospice and Palliative Care Foundation. She then chaired the Victoria Foundation’s Honorary Governors for five years, served on the board of Queen Alexandra Foundation and was Board Member and President of Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre. In 2000, Grania was named a Woman of Distinction for her communication skills. In 2003, she was given a spirit award by Canwest Global Communications and, in 2022, she received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal for community service, and then in 2023 was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

JACK MCGEE, CD, LLD (HON)

Following a career in the Royal Canadian Navy and Air Force of the unified Canadian Armed Forces, Jack became Dean of Science and Technology at George Brown College (Toronto), President of St Clair College (Windsor, ON), and President of the Justice Institute of British Columbia. As a Founding Board Member of the Pacific Autism Family Network (PAFN), Jack co-founded the Autism Awareness and Techniques Program for First Responders resulting in over fifteen thousand first responders in BC and across Canada being trained on autism prevalence, relevance, and support strategies. His work has benefited countless first responders, families, and individuals who are on the autism spectrum. Over the years Jack has volunteered for over fifty other charitable and not-for-profit organizations, with a focus on supporting youth and families, sport, community, public safety, post-secondary education, hospice, and the disadvantaged. He remains active in the community serving on the Boards of the Sovereign Order of St John and as Board Treasurer for the PAFN.

Jack is a recipient of the Special Service Medal (NATO), Canadian Forces Decoration, Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, and the King Charles III Coronation Medal. He earned a Bachelor of Arts summa cum laude (St Mary’s), a Master of Public Administration (Auburn) and studied Doctor level courses in International Relations and Strategic Studies (York). He was awarded Honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from the University of Windsor and Justice Institute of BC.

Jack continues to make a difference across our communities in BC through his genuine approach, passion, and commitment to the inclusiveness and betterment of society.

NANCY McHARG

Nancy McHarg has worked in media and public relations for 25 years, counselling clients in energy, real-estate development, entertainment, sports and retail, as well as public and private education, academic administration and government. Her areas of expertise include stakeholder engagement and dialogue, crisis and issues management, research, community relations, and media relations.

Ms. McHarg has a passion for sustainability-related issues and led the team at Hoggan & Associates in the design and implementation of the most comprehensive research ever conducted on Canadians’ views on sustainability. First initiated in 2005 and repeated periodically since, the Hoggan Sustainability research has established a rich compendium of insights into Canadians’ views in the context of the shifting and challenging economic, environmental and societal circumstances of the past several years. She has also worked on sustainability related issues with companies such as Shell Canada, Canadian Tire, the North West Cruiseship Association, BC Hydro, Ethical Funds, and the University of British Columbia. Ms. McHarg began her career as a business reporter in Montreal and worked in current affairs research and production for a PBS producer.

Her first public relations job was with McGill University. Other past employers and clients include Bosa Development, BHP Billiton, Orca Bay Sports and Entertainment/Vancouver Canucks, City of Vancouver, District of Kitimat, Whistler Sport Legacies, University of British Columbia, Credential Financial, Tides Canada and Urban Development Institute.

Ms. McHarg is on the Board of West Coast Environmental Law and is a past board member of Canuck Place Children’s Hospice. She has a journalism degree from Concordia University and is pursuing a Certificate in Dialogue from Simon Fraser University. She loves yoga, swimming, running, hiking and skiing.

WENDY PATEL

Wendy was born and raised in Vancouver and now calls Vancouver Island home. She earned her BA from UBC and ventured to Somalia where she volunteered at an orphanage. It was here that she realized she needed more education and returned to Canada. After attaining her teaching degree, she went to Zimbabwe, where she started her lifelong passionate journey as a teacher. Over the course of the next 35 years, she worked in six different schools (mostly in Canada) where she taught students from grade 5 to first year university level. Most recently, Wendy has had the opportunity to teach English to newcomers and refugee adults.

During her teaching career, Wendy married, and they have two wonderful daughters together. Through Wendy’s work with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Wendy also has a fabulous “little sister” in her life.

BRIAN ROGERS

After a successful career in the sugar industry, Brian Rogers retired in 1998, and moved with his wife to Victoria to pursue their passion for gardening.

Mr. Rogers, who grew up in Vancouver, has extensive volunteer experience, including positions such as President of the BC Food Processors where he served on the National Board, Chair and Life Member of the Vancouver Salvation Army Advisory Board, Founding Chair of the Delta Farmland and Wildlife Trust and he was a member of the Environment Committee of the Vancouver Foundation.

After joining the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, his interest in and enthusiasm for gardening led him to also join the Friends of Government House Gardens Society. Mr. Rogers has since served twice as president of the Society. Currently, he is a member of the board and sits on the Garden Management Board. As a Foundation Trustee, Mr. Rogers has served two years as Chair and sits on both the finance and awards committees.

ELSPETH WESTBY
President
Friends of Government House Gardens Society

Elspeth Westby is currently the President of the Friends of Government House Gardens Society (Friends).  She has been a member of the Board since 2021 and joined as a Pearkes Peak gardener in March of 2019.  Having spent her early years in Kamloops and Victoria, Elspeth attended the University of Victoria and then travelled to Europe for six months.  Upon her return she married, started a family, and moved to Prince Rupert. Her husband’s teaching career then brought them to Chilliwack and while raising their two daughters, Elspeth continued her education in career development.  She was a career counsellor for students in the Chilliwack School District, members of the local First Nation Bands, and attendees at Adult Education Centres and at New Westminster Employment Programs with Fraserside Community Services. Continuing her person-centered professional development, she attended Langara College for Integrative Energy Healing and Trauma Therapy.

Elspeth and her husband built their retirement home on Mayne Island where they lived for 26 years volunteering in the boating community and at the Japanese Memorial Gardens.  She was also Mayne Island’s Deputy Leader for the Emergency Services Neighbourhood Program.  After relocating to Victoria, Elspeth and her husband volunteered with the Friends, gardening in Pearkes Peak.  In 2021, she was asked to join the Friends’ Board and in 2023 was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

HAYLEY WOODIN HASTINGS

Hayley Woodin Hastings is an award-winning journalist and editor currently serving as Editor-in-Chief of Business in Vancouver, the largest business news platform in British Columbia, and Editor-in-Chief of Western Investor and The Orca. She is a Pulitzer Travelling Fellow, and a past Overseas Press Club Foundation Scholar, Pulitzer Center Reporting Fellow and Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada Media Fellow. In 2022, Hayley graduated from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism at the top of her class, as valedictorian, with a Master of Science degree (honours). She currently serves as a board director and executive committee member of the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation, a board director of Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland and the BC & Yukon Community Newspaper Association, co-chair of Big Sisters’ campaign cabinet, and co-chair of the Pacific Autism Family Network’s annual LAUNCH Holiday Luncheon fundraiser. In 2024, Hayley was named one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award Winners by the Women’s Executive Network. She is a recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

 

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HONORARY PATRON

BRANDT C. LOUIE, CM, OBC, LLD, FCPA, FCA

Under the stewardship of Dr. Brandt Louie, London Drugs has become one of Canada’s most trusted retail brands, and a leading contributor to environmental and social causes. Dr. Louie practiced as a chartered accountant until joining the family business in 1972, applying his financial mind and entrepreneurial energy to growing H.Y. Louie Group. He became Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of London Drugs in 1998 and again in 2014. A visionary business leader, he advises North America’s most prominent corporations and public institutions.
For his business and philanthropic leadership, Dr. Louie has been honoured with several awards, including Entrepreneur of the Year, the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, the Simon Fraser University Business Impact Award, C.H.I.L.D (Children with Intestinal and Liver Disorders) Foundation’s Great Canadian Achievement Award, the Golden Pencil Award, and the Cornucopia Lifetime Achievement Award CCGD.
An elected Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of British Columbia, Dr. Louie received an Honourary Doctor of Laws degree from Simon Fraser University and served as Chancellor of that institution for six years. He is also a recipient of the Order of British Columbia, the Rix Award for Engaged Community Citizenship and the T. Patrick Boyle Founders Award from the Fraser Institute. In 2015, he was inducted into the BC Hall of Fame Business Laureates and accepted the EY (Ernst & Young) Entrepreneur of the Year Family Business Award of Excellence.

 

THE HONOURABLE JUDD BUCHANAN, PC, OC, MBA, LLD

The Honourable Judd Buchanan joined the Government House Foundation as a trustee in February 2004.

Mr. Buchanan’s background includes a career in the life insurance industry followed by federal politics where he was appointed Minister of the Crown in a number of portfolios, including Indian and Northern Affairs, Public Works, Science and Technology, and President of the Treasury Board.

After leaving politics in 1980, he brought his expertise to the tourism industry, leading Silver Star Mountain Resorts Ltd. and, in 1995, he created the Canadian Tourism Commission. Mr. Buchanan received the Order of Canada in 2000.

 

MICHAEL O’CONNOR, K.C.

Michael O’Connor is a senior partner at McConnan Bion O’Connor & Peterson. In his preferred area of practice – civil litigation with a focus on personal injury claims and estate litigation – he has extensive experience dealing with complex cases, including paralyzed clients, brain injuries, and injured children. A graduate of the University of Victoria (BA) and the University of British Columbia (LLB), he was called to the Bar in 1975.

Mr. O’Connor has deep roots in the community and is Past Chairman of the Victoria Hospital Foundation Board, Past Commander of the Victoria Commandery of the Order of St. John, was Co-Chair of the British Columbia Paraplegic Association Spring Fundraiser in Victoria and co-chaired the David Foster Foundation’s 25th Anniversary Gala.

He has held numerous volunteer positions at the local, provincial and national levels, including Vice-President of the Canadian Rugby Union, President of the British Columbia Rugby Union, Chairman of Canada’s First World Cup Rugby Team and Past Vice-Chairman of the 1994 Commonwealth Games held in Victoria. Mr. O’Connor is also the recipient of The Queen’s Diamond and Golden Jubilee medals and has received a Vice-Regal Commendation.

MICHAEL RYAN

Michael Ryan grew up in Vancouver and completed his education at the University of British Columbia, graduating with a BCom in 1953. He then started a long career in the investment business in Vancouver, retiring in 2003.

Some of his roles in the investment field include Past President of the Vancouver Society of Financial Analysts, Chairman of the Canadian Council of Financial Analysts, Director of the International Association of Investment Management and Research, and Chairman of the Vancouver Stock Exchange. He was also active in several cultural organizations.

He has maintained ties with the University of British Columbia, being a former member of the UBC Senate and of the Sauder School of Business Faculty Advisory Board. He was one of the three founders of the prestigious Portfolio Management Foundation, where a small team of students serves a two-year term managing a portfolio of more than $4 million.

In his spare time, Mr. Ryan plays tennis, pulls weeds out of his garden plot and fiddles around in the stock market.

 

DR. ERIC CHARMAN, CM, OBC, LLD
1932-2020