New Executive & New Members of Board of Directors Announced at 45th Annual General Meeting

We are pleased to announce the election of Dr. Satwinder Bains as the Chair of the Board following our 45th Annual General Meeting held on April 25, 2024. Marcus Janzen, having completed his two-year term as Board Chair, expressed his support for the change in leadership:

“I would like to congratulate Dr. Satwinder Bains as the incoming Chair of the Abbotsford Community Foundation (ACF),” Marcus went on to say, “I believe her close association with the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) will provide her with a unique perspective as to how the ACF can contribute to the well-being of our community.” Marcus will continue to serve as Past Chair and has dedicated more than seven years on ACF’s Board, investing countless volunteer hours to further ACF’s work in community.

We are also pleased to announce the election of Satvir Gill as 1st Vice Chair and Dave Lanphear as 2nd Vice Chair. Jackie Hogan will continue in her role as Secretary/Treasurer.

The Board has also welcomed four new members to our Board of Directors this year and their appointments were reconfirmed at this year’s AGM. Joining our established team of community leaders are Adam Bausenhaus, Director of Financial Excellence at Technical Safety BC, Kam Grewal, Team Lead, Wills & Estates at RDM Lawyers LLP, Dave Lanphear, Investment Advisor at Odlum Brown Limited, and Susan Mide Kiss, VP of Community Engagement at the University of the Fraser Valley. You can read their full biographies, along with all members of the Board of Directors, by clicking here.

Pictured left to right: Adam Bausenhaus, Kam Grewal, Dave Lanphear, Susan Mide Kiss.

As we welcome new members, we say goodbye to others. Following more than nine years of dedicated service, Andrea Senft retired from our Board of Directors in October, 2023. We also saw the departure of Lynne Harris and Leslie McConnell (August 2023), Denise Thandi (October 2023) and Bryan Born (April 2024) . “We are truly grateful to these community members who have made so many invaluable contributions to the work of ACF during the time they’ve served,” Satwinder Bains, stated.

Satwinder went on to say, “The work of ACF relies on many generous volunteers who par0cipate in various Board commifees and the Board itself. We look forward to working with our new Board and an updated Executive who all bring a wealth of expertise, energy, and a love of Abbotsford to support the governance ACF.”

Areni Kelleppan, Executive Director says, “Together, we have an endowment portfolio that now exceeds $20 million. Since our inception, the ACF has invested over $18 million in grants and student awards into our community. It’s thanks to the many philanthropists in our midst – both donors and volunteers – that we’re able to have such a significant impact Abbotsford. Our Board is integral to the work of ACF and its community impact.”

For more information on how you can support our initiatives and to read our 2023 Annual Report, please click here.