Lindy Welsby
Chair
Lindy Welsby is the Chair of the KBRH Health Foundation and member of the Governance Committee. Though now retired, Lindy had a career as a Leadership & Executive Coach and running her own Leadership Development consultancy. Lindy is proud to have been able to use her leadership skills to help others in their development and lead a large taskforce on the Advancement of Women. Lindy’s professional accolades include her accreditation to the level of Professional Certified Coach (PCC) through the International Coach Federation. Prior to operating her own business, Lindy held a variety of regional and head office positions at the TD Bank, including Branch Management and specialized HR roles. She was also a Certified Financial Planner during her tenure at the bank.
Lindy has been an active volunteer since the of age 14, always valuing connection and contribution through her support of individuals and the community. She recognizes KBRH as one of the most important facilities in the area and the significant role the Foundation plays in contributing to the advancement of healthcare for the community. Lindy, her husband Keith and their dog and two cats, enjoy all outdoor offerings of the Kootenays. She’s a former competitive triathlete, having completed two Ironman distance races, many ½ Ironman races and represented Canada on two World Championship teams.
Lisa Babcock
Vice Chair
Lisa Babcock is the Vice Chair of the KBRH Health Foundation and member of the Ambassador Committee. She is currently a dedicated Manager at Kootenay Savings Credit Union and a lifelong learner with multiple accomplishments achieved during her professional career. Lisa holds strong values of honesty, integrity, and community collaboration, deeply appreciating the generosity and dedication of the people and volunteers that surround her.
Lisa has volunteered on several boards around the Trail area and is motivated by the work achieved by volunteers. She is inspired and motivated by people or programs that are successful and make a difference and values community service. This encouraged her to volunteer her time to the KBRH Health Foundation. Lisa, her husband, 2 sons and their dog love living in Trail and enjoy hockey, baseball, golf and spending time in their beautiful backyard.
Joanne Weninger
Second Vice Chair
Joanne Weninger is the Second Vice Chair for the KBRH Health Foundation Board and a member of the Governance Committee. Now retired, Joanne dedicated many years to education as an Educator and Superintendent of Education and continued her contributions as an Educational Consultant after retirement. Among her many accomplishments, she developed the Saskatchewan Métis resource, “Who I Am,” for childcare and school settings, and significantly improved Early Learning and Childcare within the school division and the province of Saskatchewan.
Joanne values continuous growth, learning, and reflection, along with integrity, trust, gratitude, collaboration, reciprocity, and the responsibility for reconciliation. Giving back to the community has always been important to her. After moving to the Kootenays, Joanne learned about the crucial work of the KBRH Health Foundation in supporting high-quality healthcare in the region, which motivated her to volunteer for the Foundation. Together with her husband and their dog, Max, Joanne embraces the Kootenay lifestyle. They are avid mountain bikers and enjoy golfing, skiing, and fat biking.
Kara Hannigan
Secretary
Kara Hannigan is the Secretary for the KBRH Health Foundation and an active member of the Governance Committee. She works as a Human Resources Business Partner with Interior Health, where she focuses on building relationships and devising creative strategies to recruit, stabilize, and retain critical healthcare staff. Kara takes pride in forming partnerships that foster collaboration and uncover new opportunities to support and sustain health services. Passionate about being part of positive change, Kara understands the importance of community involvement both as a professional and a dedicated volunteer.
She believes volunteering is powerful, allowing her to become more connected to the community and support the future of healthcare in the region. A self-proclaimed “avid cross-fitter and wanna-be runner,” Kara enjoys spending time outdoors with her children, embracing the four-season lifestyle the Kootenays offer. From camping in the summer to skiing in the winter, she is passionate about exploring the outdoors alongside her children, watching them grow and learn.
Debbie Wood
Treasurer
Debbie Wood is the Treasurer of the KBRH Health Foundation and a member of the Finance & Investment Committee. Before her retirement, Debbie spent over 34 years working in her family-run business, which operated grocery stores throughout BC and Alberta. In her role, she focused primarily on accounting and human resources. In 1982, Debbie earned her Chartered Accountant (CA, now CPA) designation, bringing valuable financial expertise to the Foundation Board.
Guided by her values of honesty, integrity, respect, and accountability, Debbie’s volunteerism is a testament to her commitment to the community. Born and raised in Trail, she is motivated to give back to her community in appreciation of the excellent care and services provided by the regional hospital. In her leisure time, Debbie enjoys skiing, hiking, yoga, pilates, gardening, and spending time with family and friends.
Melissa Archambault
Director
Melissa Archambault is a Director for the KBRH Health Foundation and a member of the Ambassador Committee. Melissa is an experienced educator and currently works as a Student Support Teacher in School District 20. Her accomplishments lie within the education sector, including research presentations on ethical decision making and mindfulness in Education, as well as mentorship for teacher candidates at UBC Okanagan. Her core values include connection, contribution, community, and personal & professional growth.
Melissa strives to make the world a better place. She fully comprehends the importance of healthcare accessibility, long-term care, and public health services to the community. Recognizing the significant role the Foundation plays in advancing healthcare in the region, Melissa is a committed volunteer for the Foundation. Outside of work, Melissa prioritizes family and personal well-being, doing activities that nourish or rejuvenate her. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She also loves to read, learn, travel, and stay active.
Albert Benson
Director
Albert Benson is a Director for the KBRH Health Foundation Board and a member of the Finance & Investment Committee. As the Owner and President of B A Benson & Son Ltd. (Benson Oil), a third-generation family business in Trail, Albert has successfully led the company’s transition from being an agency for a major oil company to becoming an independent, multi-branded distributor of fuel and lubricants across the Southern Interior of BC. His experience in managing and evolving a long-standing business has equipped him with expertise in problem-solving, operations, and customer relations.
Albert’s core values of honesty, integrity, and hard work have guided him throughout his career. He’s motivated by continuous learning and adapting to new challenges, both in business and in life. With deep roots in Trail, having been born at KBRH and growing up in the area, Albert recognizes the importance of the Foundation’s role in the community. His desire to contribute to the region he loves and to apply his skills in a new way led him to join the Board. Outside of the office, Albert enjoys spending time at his cabin at Christina Lake, reading, cooking, and staying active with hockey, running, and golf.
Andrea Bushore
Director
Meet Andrea Bushore, Director for the KBRH Health Foundation and a member of the Ambassador Committee. Now semi-retired, Andrea relocated to Trail last summer after a distinguished career in London, UK. Her early career in finance included a decade with an American Investment bank where she initiated a UK presence for one of their business divisions. Andrea’s professional journey has been marked by her courage, confidence, and trust in her abilities. One of Andrea’s proudest accomplishments was returning to the workplace after a 25-year hiatus. She not only thrived but was also well-received by colleagues and clients, demonstrating that age is a mindset, and a positive attitude is essential.
Andrea values trust, honesty, and integrity, which have defined her life. She believes in service and community, and this motivates her to contribute to the local community that is now her home. As a volunteer for the KBRH Health Foundation since last summer, she quickly recognized the importance of the hospital within the Kootenay region and is honoured to support its vital services. Andrea has been married to her Canadian husband for nearly 30 years, and they have two daughters, Jessica and Alice, who work in finance and live in London, England and Amsterdam. Outside of work, Andrea enjoys literature, theater, walking, Pilates, and tennis (as a spectator). Since moving to Trail, she has taken up golf and looks forward to improving her game.
Jeffrey Craig
Director
Jeffrey Craig is a Director for the KBRH Health Foundation Board and a member of the Finance & Investment Committee. As a lawyer and solicitor at Thompson, LeRose & Brown, Jeffrey’s legal practice focuses on corporate/commercial law, real estate, wills and estates, and contract law. Born in Trail and raised in Castlegar, Jeffrey’s career spans roles in retail and agricultural lending, mutual funds, and mortgage brokerage before transitioning into law. He finds fulfillment in guiding clients through complex legal processes and helping them achieve their goals.
He values integrity, loyalty, and communication, recognizing that a strong community requires strong healthcare. Understanding the vital work that the Foundation does in enhancing quality healthcare in the community motivates Jeffrey to serve as a volunteer. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and engaging in hobbies such as woodworking, gardening, golfing, hiking, and cross-country skiing.
Andrea Dutchak
Director
Andrea Dutchak, KBRH Health Foundation Board Director and member of the Ambassador Committee, is highly accomplished healthcare professional. As the Director of Clinical Operations at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital, she is responsible for overseeing both in-patient and outpatient acute care programming. Andrea has achieved significant accomplishments during her career, including the implementation of a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Prince Albert, the only NICU in Northern Saskatchewan. She also served as Registrar of Vital Statistics in Saskatchewan.
Andrea is a passionate advocate for bridging healthcare gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, including supporting traditional birthing processes alongside western medical practices. From a young age, Andrea’s value system was embedded in the healthcare profession. She is committed to wraparound healthcare for all people and inspired by sustainable and improved system-wide change. She also strongly values the progressive movement of women in leadership roles and healthcare professions. Andrea is an avid volunteer and her work with the Foundation is a positive, synergistic relationship that will benefit health in our region. Outside of work, Andrea is a committed mom and adores spending time with her family outside in the sun and water. She also enjoys reading, healthy cooking, strength training and running.
Terry Miller
Director
Terry Miller is a Director for the KBRH Health Foundation Board and a member of the Governance Committee and Ambassador Committee. He is the founder and semi-retired sole proprietor of TMiller & Associates, where he works as an Organization Development Consultant. Terry’s specialty lies in helping organizations gain deep insights into complex problems, facilitating strategic planning sessions, running team-building workshops, and delivering leadership development programs. He was awarded the 2022 BC Premier’s Award in the Evidence-Based Design category for an active-sensemaking project that provided deep insights into the first-hand experiences of clients within the BC justice system.
Terry’s commitment to volunteerism is rooted in his desire to build a better world for his family, friends, and community. He has been involved in various community-building efforts throughout his life and is inspired by the meaningful impact he can make through his work with the KBRH Health Foundation. Outside of work, Terry is married and has a daughter, two dogs, a cat, and eight chickens. He loves staying active outdoors through cycling, skiing, windsurfing, and playing beer-league hockey. Terry also has a passion for music and good sound, restoring vintage audio gear and browsing record stores to add to his vinyl collection.
Michael Shankland
Director
Michael Shankland is a Director for the KBRH Health Foundation Board and a member of the Finance & Investment Committee and Ambassador Committee. Mike has a diverse career background, having worked in banking and government before transitioning to real estate three years ago. He is currently a REALTOR® with RE/MAX All Pro Realty, where he helps people buy and sell properties in the Kootenays. His interest in houses and real estate investments began in 2018, but it was the pandemic that prompted him to pursue a career change. The right opportunity arose, and he feels fortunate to have found his calling.
Mike values honesty, integrity, and direct communication. He believes in calling things as they are, learning from mistakes, and earning trust through consistent actions. Born and raised in Trail, Mike has deep roots in the community and feels a strong connection to KBRH. Mike is excited to give back to the community that has given him so much by supporting the Foundation’s efforts to deliver better healthcare close to home. Outside of work, Mike enjoys traveling and a variety of outdoor activities such as golf, tennis, and hiking.
Eva Siu
Director
Eva Siu is a Director of the KBRH Health Foundation Board, member of the Governance Committee and is a practicing lawyer at McEwan & Co. Law Corporation. With a unique background that includes experience as a marketing manager for a rapidly growing medical device company, Eva has marketed medical devices sold in in over 50 countries. She holds both a BSc and a JD (Juris Doctor) and is committed to using her skills to help and solve problems for businesses and individuals. Eva’s professional accomplishments reflect her dedication to her field and her passion for making a difference. Her transition from marketing medical devices to practicing law demonstrates her versatility and commitment to continuous growth and development.
Eva values community, connection, growth and is deeply motivated by a desire to help her community flourish. She is dedicated to giving back, increasing access to healthcare closer to home, and assisting in removing roadblocks to improve health outcomes in the community. These motivations drive her involvement with the KBRH Health Foundation. Eva loves spending time outdoors, hiking, and gardening in her spare time. Having moved away for a decade, Eva is happy to return home to the Kootenays with her husband.
Rebecca Smyth
Director
Rebecca Smyth is a Director for the KBRH Health Foundation Board and is the Foundation’s Privacy Officer. Practicing as a lawyer and prosecutor for the British Columbia Prosecution Service – Crown Counsel, Rebecca’s role in the Criminal Justice system has given her unique insight into the challenges faced by the more vulnerable members of our community and the evolving needs for healthcare.
Having witnessed the community benefits gained through the efforts of volunteers, including those of her family members, Rebecca understands the importance of volunteerism and its impact on society. This understanding fuels her commitment to the Foundation and its mission to enhance regional healthcare. In her free time, Rebecca enjoys spending time in her house and garden, which she shares with her husband and teenage children. They also enjoy traveling, exploring recreational opportunities, hiking, and skiing.
