The Prince George Hospice Palliative Care Society Team

Erin Connelly is the Executive Director at the Prince George Hospice Palliative Care Society, where she provides strategic leadership and oversight in support of compassionate, community-based palliative, hospice and wellness services; while balancing fund development, donor relations and responsible management of donor dollars. A Registered Clinical Counsellor with a Master of Education in Counselling, Erin brings more than two decades of experience in the non-profit and social services sectors, with a particular focus on health, wellness, and community development.

Previously, Erin was the Operations Director at PGHPCS, and operationalized Home Hospice, from a concept to reality; a program which has pioneered dignified clinical care at home. She is a published author, national presenter and passionate advocate for grief support and hospice care.

Throughout her career, Erin has worked for Indigenous organizations across Northern British Columbia, leading programs and initiatives that strengthen health outcomes, foster collaboration, and advance culturally responsive services. During her tenure as Health Director at the Prince George Native Friendship Centre, she developed and implemented a regional Indigenous child and youth mental health program, building strong partnerships with First Nations leadership, Band Councils, service providers, and community stakeholders to improve access to care and support for Indigenous children, youth, and families.

In addition to her professional roles, Erin is an active community leader and volunteer. She served as a Board Member at Soonats’ooneh Community Health Centre for 9 years. She is a current volunteer at the Two Rivers Art Gallery and the Prince George Humane Society. Passionate about wellness, advocacy, and strengthening communities, Erin is dedicated to advancing the work of the non-profit sector and supporting initiatives that enhance quality of life, connection, and belonging for all.

Dr. David Shepherd grew up in Vancouver, BC, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Doctor of Medicine at the University of British Columbia (UBC). In 2016, Dr. Shepherd moved to Prince George to complete his training and begin a career in family medicine. He provides comprehensive primary care in the community and is committed to serving marginalized populations. Dr. Shepherd has a passion for teaching and is a clinical instructor with the UBC Department of Family Practice where he is actively involved in training and evaluating future physicians. Deeply committed to compassionate care, Dr. Shepherd is dedicated to supporting patients and their families through end-of-life journeys, ensuring dignity, comfort, and understanding during challenging times.

Rotary Hospice House Care Aides offer so much more than personal care, cleaning, and meal preparation. They help create a homelike atmosphere by taking care of the garden, ensuring we have plants throughout the house, and making special meals/baked goods when time allows. They welcome guests, family, friends, social workers, physicians and others to the house, and make sure ambulance attendants are well taken care of when they visit us.

Since the team works together at all hours and in sometimes stressful situations; they form close connections and truly support each other when someone is ill or unable to come in to work. They do what needs to be done, and Care Aides make the house home for our guests and hundreds of visitors each year.

Anika grew up in Williams Lake and moved to Prince George to attend UNBC where she completed a degree in Anthropology. She then decided to pursue her accounting designation and completed the Certified Management Accountant program in 2015. Her career started as an Accountant in public accounting and then moved into the forestry sector as the Financial Controller for a local company. She has a broad range of experience in business and accounting and strives to lead her team with integrity, collaboration and encouragement.

Anika has friends and family members who have been touched by Hospice and has seen the positive impact it can make in a difficult time. She is very proud to join the team and support the initiatives set out by the Prince George Hospice Palliative Care Society.

In her spare time, Anika enjoys reading, baking, painting, or spending time outside gardening and relaxing with her pets.

Laurie has been a Licensed Practical Nurse for 37 years. She holds an Advanced Diploma in Gerontology, is an End-of Life Doula and has been working in dementia education for 14 plus years in the north.

Laurie is married with two adult children. She loves the north, the outdoors, and spending her summer days off fishing and camping. Laurie enjoys indulging in quiet evenings with her husband and their two large dogs and cats.

Karen was born and raised in Prince George. She first joined us as a volunteer and after three year facilitating grief support groups has joined the PGHPCS team in grief support. Karen enjoys connecting with and supporting her clients.

Karen loves the outdoors, whether that’s adventures snowmobiling, water skiing, camping or just working in her garden.

Our resale shop staff work tirelessly every day sorting and cleaning thousands of donated items. Both shops have an excellent group of employees who all have a great sense of humor, and truly enjoy working together, as well as for the Prince George Hospice Palliative Care Society. There’s not a day that goes by without some kind of shenanigan taking place that’s got everyone laughing. We’re lucky that our staff are so “bombdiggly,” as per our very own Mandy Rae!

We welcome you to drop by either of our shop locations, and say hi to this fabulous group of people.

Alicia and her husband Don share their love of community and have instilled this into the hearts of their young kids. They spend their family time outdoors, engaging in community events and love cheering on our local sports teams.

Shea has been helping bring people together through technology for over five years, striving to make our daily lives a bit easier and our technology bit less scary.