The Prince George Hospice Board of Directors
Steven Henderson
President
About Steve
Steve Henderson was born and raised in Central Alberta (Lacombe) working with the family dairy farm. He graduated high school then graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Arts. Subsequently, in 1978 Steve moved to Grande Prairie with his wife Ann Marie.
Working with the Department of Municipal Affairs, Steve began his appraisal and land negotiation career, which included 4 years working for the County of Wetaskiwin and still years with the County of Lacombe. It was during his tenure with Wetaskiwin that he took on the role of land agent as well as utility and development officer.
In 1990 Steve and his family moved to Prince George, where he worked with the Ministry of Transportation in the role of property negotiator and manager, for 7 years throughout central and northern BC. During this period, he began learning negotiations, history and cultural aspects of Aboriginal peoples.
In 1997 Steve joined Westcoast Energy, working within a lands, community and Aboriginal Relations group. Over the course of 20 years with Westcoast, Duke Energy and Spectra Energy he helped influence community and Aboriginal engagement across the pipeline system, from NWT to the US border and in the prairie provinces.
Steve’s main responsibilities included providing community relations, engagement implementation as well as public and Aboriginal consultation advice into operational and expansion project teams. He was responsible for leading a team dedicated to building sustaining positive relationships with Aboriginal communities throughout the company’s operating areas. His focus was upon ensuring that strategic programs and plans were implemented to support Spectra Energy’s business activities and business development while taking into consideration community and Aboriginal interests.
Steve has a professional appraisal designation from the BC Real Estate Institute and has worked in Alberta and BC in local, provincial and private industries inland negotiation roles. From 2000 to 2006, he was the vice-chair of the Two Rivers Gallery and May 22, 2012, joined the UNBC Alumni as an Honorary Member.
Tara Szerencsi
1st Vice President
About Tara
Tara Szerencsi is the Vice President of Finance & Corporate Services at the College of Caledonia. She has held various roles in accounting and financial services at both the College and at Northern Health and has over 20 years of experience in public sector and not-for-profit accounting.
Tara is an accountant with a CPA, CMA designation. She earned both her Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Commerce degrees at UNBC. She is currently also a member of the Prince George Community Foundation’s Investment Committee, the CNC Research Forest Society Board, and was recently the Treasurer on the Performers North Society Board for three years.
Tara was born and raised in Prince George and is passionate about this city. She and her husband have two children, and a large extended family here. With deep roots in the community, Tara is proud to support the incredible and important services offered by the Prince George Hospice Palliative Care Society and its employees and volunteers.
Jacques Edmond Fournier
2nd Vice President
About Jacques
Born and raised in Montreal, Quebec, and moved to British Columbia in 1980, transferred to Prince George in 1985 where I raised my family. Married, 4 Children and 9 Grand Children.
Jacques is currently a Consultant for Wilson M. Beck Insurance Group, previously 29 years with Western Financial Group in various capacities as Manager, Sales management, Program management/training. Sold my insurance brokerage to them in 1999.
Previously owner of Fournier Insurance Brokers Ltd. From 1990 to 1999
Vice President/ Branch Manager for Reed Stenhouse Ltd. From 1985 to 1990
Claims Examiner for Reed Stenhouse Ltd. In Vancouver 1982 -1985
Claims Manager: Paragon Insurance Company 1980-1982
Claims Examiner: Aetna Casualty 1979-1980 in Montreal
Claims adjuster: Wawanesa Mutual 1975-1979
Education:
Graduate of Insurance Institute of Canada (Chartered Insurance Professional)
Insurance Brokers Association of Canada, (Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker diploma)
College du Vieux Montreal Insurance Graduate
Various business related course, Business Administration, Tort Law at University of Toronto
Community involvement:
Current:
Vice Chair of Two Rivers Crime Prevention Society
Secretary/treasurer Resources Connector North
Member: Rotary International
Member: Spruce Capital Wildlife Association
Past:
Director Le Cercle des Canadiens Francais de Prince George
Director Studio 2880
Member Chamber of Commerce
Teresa Saunders
Treasurer
About Teresa
Teresa was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta and came to Prince George after completing the teacher education program at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby. Like many, she and her husband came to Prince George for a year or two but have stayed for 48, raising three children and enjoying being part of this amazing community and all it has to offer.
Teresa holds a Bachelor of General Studies and a Masters degree in Educational Administration from SFU. She spent her professional career in teaching and school administration.
After retiring from Education in 2009, she volunteered in several organizations of meaning for her: Prince George Hospice as an accounts payable assistant and as a Greeter in the House;
AiMHi – member of the fund development committee; Prince George Cantata Singers – Board member, president and past-president; Prince George Symphony Orchestra – Board member, president and past-president; Prince George Community Foundation – Board Member, chair of the Citizen of the Year Dinner and Fundraiser and the Grants Committee, and serving as president and past-president.
In 2016, Teresa left retirement to work as the General Manger of the Prince George Symphony Orchestra (2016 – 2021) and most recently as the Operations Manager for the Prince George 2022 BC Summer Games (2022).
She is looking forward to her third try at retirement and is pleased to return to volunteering with the Prince George Hospice Palliative Care Society.
Mary Mytting
Secretary
About Mary
Mary Mytting was born and raised in Prince George, lived in Vancouver, then in South Africa for 12 years and returned to Prince George (home) in 2016. Mary has a diverse background in business and not-for-profits. She has started, then sold, two successful businesses in Vancouver and started an ongoing successful charity in South Africa, Boost Africa Foundation. Mary is currently the Project Manager of the Leadership & Entrepreneurial Accelerator Program (LEAP) for Women at Community Futures Fraser Fort George. With over two decades of entrepreneurship, sales, marketing and communications experience, Mary is able to share her experience while enhancing LEAP’s participant’s learning and understanding of leadership and business development.
Mary has a special place in her heart for Prince George Hospice Palliative Care Society and looks forward to utilizing her skills and abilities in supporting the important work done by the society.
Daniel Dwyer
Director
About Daniel
Daniel is a semi-retired Occupational Health and Safety instructor and soon to be ex first aid instructor. He has had a varied work life from 17 years with BC Rail to being a bouncer in a bar. He has worked all over Canada in a variety of industries and positions.
Daniel lives in West Beaverly with his 3 dogs and 4 cats. His wife of 38 years passed in February 2020, and he is now in a new phase of his life with a new friend and looking forward to the future.
Daniel joined the Board of Directors at Hospice to give back to the community. He is in awe of Hospice and all we do, and he hopes to bring a different type of experience to the mix. Daniel describes himself as a simple and honest man. He is always willing to help whoever needs help, just ask.
Daniel is looking forward to learning and being part of the team.
Lyn Hall
Director
About Lyn
Lyn has lived in Prince George for the past 38 years and has been involved with non-profit organizations during that time both as a volunteer, during his professional career, and during his time as an elected official. Lyn’s non-profit involvement began with the Prince George Child Development Centre Board of Directors and has continued throughout his time in Prince George. Volunteering with various organizations such as PG Youth Soccer Association, PG Ringette Assoc. and co-chair of BC Special Olympic Summer Games.
In 2001, Lyn entered Municipal Politics where he was elected to School District #57 Board of Trustees and in 2011 was elected to Prince George City Council and completed his time in Municipal politics as Mayor of Prince George. Throughout this time much of his work included working with non-profit organizations.
When he retired, Lyn wanted to continue to give back to the community he loves. Over the years he saw first hand the tremendous work Hospice does in our community and surrounding region. The dedication of staff and volunteers was a group he wanted to be involved with.
Linda Picton-Bryce
Director
About Linda
Linda has spent her career working with children. After spending fourteen years as an elementary classroom teacher, she took on the role as a school administrator in 2005 and has enjoyed that challenge ever since. She is currently the Principal of Harwin Elementary School and is involved in several district wide initiatives and committees.
Linda enjoys being active, particularly outdoors. She and her husband Mike can often be found on local trails hiking or snowshoeing, and they also spend considerable time camping and exploring. She also enjoys spending time with her three adult children.
Linda enjoys participating in local events such as Relay for Life, Big Brothers and Big Sisters 5 km Your Way, Walk for Diabetes, Run for the Cure, and of course the Hospice Colour Walk.
Hospice has held a special place in Linda’s heart after her own experience with her mom. Serving as a Board Member is an avenue for Linda to give back.
Dan Marcotte K.C. B.Comm, L.L.B, M.I.B.L, L.L.M.
Director
About Dan
Dan has lived and worked in Prince George since 1980. He graduated from the University of British Columbia with degrees in Commerce and Business Administration (Finance and Land Economics) and Law. He holds a Master of International Business Law from the University of Lyon II and a Master of Laws from the Catholic University of Lyon. He is a member of the European Law Institute and is an instructor in the International Business Law Program of the Faculty of Law at the Catholic University of Lyon, France. He is the former Vice Chair of the Board of Governors of the College of New Caledonia and is an active supporter of the arts community. Dan was appointed as a Queen’s Counsel in 2016.
Dan has practiced law since 1981 with an emphasis on corporate, business, and real estate law. He was the creator of econvenyance, the world’s first internet based electronic real estate transaction platform and host to one of the largest networks of real estate conveyance professionals in Canada.
Dan is married to his wife Cindy who is a professional musician and performer, a member of the Executive Board of the Prince George Symphony Orchestra and a former member of the Arts Council of British Columbia and together, they have 5 children and 6 grandchildren.