Meet Our Foundation
Irene Forcier, RSW – Chair
Irene has been a Registered Social Worker in the Province of British Columbia since 1976, and has a distinguished background in leadership and community service.
She was a volunteer with Deltassist in 1972 and in 1977 became Executive Director, leading in the next 20 years through exciting growth and expansion. Since and during that time Irene has committed her personal time to various community agencies and committees, and served on many Boards as Director and President.
Irene was nominated in 1989 for Delta's Women of Distinction in the category of Management and the Professions and again in 2001 in the category of Life Achievement. She has been recipient of the “Paul Harris Fellow” award from the Ladner Rotary Club, and was one of 31 Delta residents awarded the Governor Generals’ Silver Medal for Outstanding Community Service.
“We shouldn’t rely on our past service if we want others to become involved in service. We have to contribute by example and be actively involved with our family, friends and community”.
Jack Davidson – Director
Jack is a retired Manager of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) with 40 years of service, retiring in 1987. Since his retirement Jack has done several years of contract work with the Industrial Development Bank, and has devoted a great deal of his time to volunteering in his community. He is a Life Member of Lions International serving with the Tsawwassen Boundary Bay Lions Club, and helped to set up a “Donors Choice” program in Humboldt Saskatchewan.
Jack has been Director/Treasurer on the Board of Directors for Reach since 2000, and sits on the Reach Finance, Fundraising and Communications sub-committees. He has contributed countless volunteer hours to Reach, and with the benefit of his expertise in financial management has provided the Society with valuable advice and guidance. We are very pleased to announce he is now offering his time and expertise to the Foundation Board and capital campaign.
“I volunteered with the Society several years ago as I felt that I could use my experience as a banker. I did not know much about them until I was involved with the Lions Club and they made a donation. I look forward to continuing to serve the Society especially now that we are looking at new premises”
Kari Thomas – Director
Kari is a busy parent of 3 young children who have all atteneded programs at Reach Child and Youth Development Society. She has lived in South Delta's Ladner community for over 20 years and attended Delta Secondary School. In addition to caring for her children, Kari also keeps busy working at a local salon and running her own home-based business.
Kari joined the Reach Board of Directors in 2007 and has been a valuable voice of parent and community member. Kari now brings her passion for making a difference, and many talents and skills to her role as Reach Foundation Director.
“My oldest son is on the Autism Spectrum and without the programs and services we have accessed at Reach I don’t know where we would be. I am so thankful that such a great organization exists and that I can be a part of it and help give back to this community. I am looking forward to continuing to do so as we move forward into the future.”
Joni Wright – Director
Joni is a Human Resources Administration Coordinator with Response Biomedical, a Vancouver based biotech company. Her background is steeped in the hospitality industry as well as community service. She studied culinary arts, her passion, and operated a successful catering business and café in Toronto for many years. She also worked as a dining room instructor at a non-profit Society in Vancouver training at-risk youth.
Joni is currently busy studying holistic nutrition with the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition and will graduate a Registered Holistic Nutritionist, as well as working towards her Human Services management degree with the University of Phoenix.
Joni brings her positive energy as well as her strong business acumen to the Reach Foundation Board.
“I am extremely honoured to be a part of the Reach Organization as a volunteer to be able to share my knowledge with the intention of enriching the lives of others. As a Board Member, I am committed to serving the organization and excited about the future of Reach Society.”
Agnes Douglas – Director
Agnes has been in the investment industry for 22 years and is currently a Portfolio Manager/ Investment Advisor at Odlum Brown Limited. Reach is pleased to welcome Agnes in 2010 to the Foundation Board as a Director and Financial Advisor . As a CFP (Certified Financial Planner) with a PMA (Portfolio Manager) Designation and FCSI (Fellowship of the Canadian Securities Institute.)
Agnes brings expertise and guidance, as well as a passion for making a difference in her community to the Reach Foundation Board. Agnes also sits on the Building for Children Together campaign events committee offering her organizational as well as creative skills and talents.
“I have been searching for an organization in my community where I can offer my services and experience in the financial world. The Reach Foundation is that organization. I am honoured to be part of the Foundation and am very excited about the campaign of raising funds for the project at hand: The Reach Kinsmen Centre.”
Barbara Wallick – Director
Barb Wallick is a Financial Planner (PFP), Life Insurance Specialist, Investment Advisor and Life Coach and holds an Associate designation (AICB) through the former Institute of Canadian Bankers now CSI Global Educ. Inc. She has twenty-seven years of experience helping people in the financial industry, most currently Envision Financial in Ladner as their in house Financial Planner.
Barb is also a Life Coach Trainer for her own business Fear-Less Coaching & Training where she works with individuals and corporations in working towards overcoming the many fears that hold people from achieving a well balanced life. Between her busy careers and, with her husband, raising a 10-year-old daughter, Barb has given a tremendous amount of herself to the community, as member of the Delta Chamber Golf Tournament Committee for three years, fundraiser for Heart and Stroke Foundation, Ladner May Days Parade participant, and now to the Reach Foundation Board as a Director.
"I have come to realize that providing support and education for children with developmental disabilities is an important part of our education system that is missing. I have natural desire to help and raise funds to build the new facility which is desperately needed in Delta."
Valerie Bartlett, Director
Valerie joined the Reach Foundation Board of Directors in January 2012, and is also currently serving on the Events Committee for the Reach Foundation.
She is an Education Assistant with Delta School District and has previously worked in administration with Price Waterhouse and BC Packers.
Valerie’s been volunteering in the community for over 20 years including Delta Hospital Foundation Gala, Ladner May Days, Dry Grad, as well as Canvasser/Zone Leader with Canadian Cancer Society and Canadian Diabetes Society, Heart & Stroke Foundation and United Way Camp.
“As a resident of Ladner for 25 years this is a perfect fit to utilize current volunteer commitments along with past volunteer experience. I am very excited to participate in the fundraising events planned for this organization. This is a great opportunity to continue working alongside students who will also be volunteering showing commitment and support of this community at this early stage in their lives. I believe in the Reach Foundation and am honored to be part of this team.”