Leadership Team
GWEN GADDES - BOARD CHAIR
Gwen has 45 years of experience in clinical nursing in a variety of settings including acute care medical-surgical units, clinical teaching with Camosun College nursing students in acute care, rehab and geriatric units and community-based health care delivery as a home care nurse, intake nurse, and a case manager. In her position at Island, Health Gwen has volunteered as a member of the Senior’s Services Directory Committee since 2001. She enjoys traveling with her husband.
DR. JIE ZHANG - PAST CHAIR
Jie is a service operations scholar with a passion in cultivating service excellence toward a sustainably prosperous, healthy and fulfilling future. Her research draws on theories and practices in service management, technology and knowledge management, and sustainable development. Her projects apply empirical research tools to studying the value co-creation interactions (i.e., service coproduction) among a network of service providers and their customers in hospitality, healthcare, and elder support service contexts. Jie joined the Gustavson School of Business at University of Victoria in 2016. Prior to that, she was on the faculty at the University of Vermont following a decade-long career in computing technology services. In her spare time, Jie enjoys growing plants, practicing yoga, taking long walks and producing podcasts on topics related to aging and caregiving.
BEVERLEY WILDEN - VICE CHAIR
Bev has called Victoria home since 1990 when she obtained work as a clinical nurse specialist in geriatric psychiatry. Prior to that, her career spanned many provinces, including Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia. Ontario and Manitoba. She has volunteered with a number of organizations and committees to try to benefit seniors. The most recent being on the Board for the Institute on Aging and Lifelong Learning (formerly Centre on Aging). She and her husband have 2 grown children. Her hobby is traveling with her husband whenever they can and while they can.
TREASURER - Currently Vacant
Your chance to become a member of the board of Seniors Serving Seniors. Please send your interest in this position to chair gwen.gaddes@sssbc.org
MARIA HEWITT - SECRETARY
Maria is a retired health policy analyst with volunteer experience as a lay navigator at the BC Cancer Centre. She is engaged in many other volunteer opportunities through Patient Voices. She holds a doctorate in public health.
ANN BOZOIAN - BOARD MEMBER
During her working career, Ann held a variety of senior positions in the British Columbia government and at Island Health, primarily in the areas of policy development and strategic planning. In her work, her primary focus was on ensuring that services were client-focused and delivered with care and compassion. While supporting her elderly parents during their final years, Ann became aware of the helpful information and services offered by Seniors Serving Seniors. Ann received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Alberta and has been a resident of Victoria since 1987
CHRISTIAN GRANEGGER - BOARD MEMBER
Christian possesses more than forty years of experience working with organizations ranging from small startups to global corporations. He holds a degree in telecommunications and has served in a variety of management roles, spanning from technical engineering to senior leadership. The foundational thirty-three years of his career were spent with Siemens AG, one of Germany’s largest enterprises. During this tenure, long-term international assignments took him to India, the Philippines, and Egypt, to name a few. Christian also gained significant exposure to the realm of management consulting during a high-impact, one-year assignment with McKinsey & Company in Denmark. Before moving to Canada in 2012, Christian spent eleven years in Dubai. During this period, he led regional sales operations for both Siemens and Nokia before being appointed Managing Director of the newly established regional office for Trovicor. Subsequently, he became a co-founder and partner of Ytrail AG, a Swiss-based software development company. Christian and his family now make their home in Oak Bay, from where his wife manages an international social development consulting firm.
Carol Fuller – BOARD MEMBER
Carol is a solution driven senior human resources professional with over 40 years of progressive generalist experience in public sector and not-for-profit organizations. She has an in depth understanding and experience in all areas of human resources including labour relations and negotiations, recruitment and retention, compensation and benefits. Carol works collaboratively and in partnership for desired outcomes with all levels of an organization including Board, Senior Executives, Managers and staff. I consider myself a highly energetic and people centred individual who has excellent interpersonal and communication skills. I offer a level of education, training and experience equivalent to a university degree. In 2007 I completed the Graduate Certificate in Human Resources Management from Royal Roads University. In my spare time I enjoy taking our dog Bruno for walks, knitting and reading the next Book Club Book.
Beth-Ann Panmar – BOARD MEMBER
A results-orientated senior health care leader with extensive senior-level strategic and operational management experience. Passionate about building productive coalitions across the health care spectrum. Dedicated and forward thinking with a relentless drive towards creating the best possible environment and working culture that promotes high quality, cultural safety, empowerment, and accountabilit
CHRISTOPHER RIDGE - BOARD MEMBER
JULES ANDRÉ-BROWN - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (P/T)
Jules André-Brown serves as Executive Director of Seniors Serving Seniors BC. He brings over 15 years of experience in community-based organizations, with a focus on governance, program development, and sustainable funding.
His work spans arts, culture, and social service organizations, including roles with ArtStarts, BC Family Caregivers Association, and Spectrum Society for Community Living.
Jules supports organizations through clear planning, strong financial stewardship, and practical systems that help people stay connected and supported. He values collaboration with volunteers, staff, and community partners, and brings a steady, thoughtful approach to leadership
LEAH SONG - RETURN TO HEALTH COORDINATOR (P/T)
Leah holds a degree in Public Health with a minor in Public Administration and has spent more than a decade supporting older adults in diverse clinical and community settings. Through her work, she has developed a deep understanding of older adults’ needs, especially for those returning home after hospital stays. To Leah, older adults carry wisdom, strength, and dreams that deserve to be honoured. She believes that life after retirement is not a time of limitation, but a time that truly belongs to the individuals themselves. Through the Return to Health Program, Leah walks alongside older adults during difficult moments, helping them reclaim their independence and embrace healthy aging.
JASMINE RETZER – VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR (P/T)
