Board of Directors

Anne Minnings is the board treasurer and chair of the finance committee. She got involved with IDHHC after being referred to the Chair by a former work colleague. Anne is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CMA) with extensive experience in all aspects of financial management largely through her 25 plus years with the Provincial Government. Her role in executive positions in several different ministries has also provided her with experience in strategic planning, financial governance and oversight. Anne is passionate about fairness and inclusivity and is keen to use her skills and knowledge where she can make a positive difference. Since her retirement, when not volunteering Anne is learning a new musical instrument (the harp), indulging in her hobby of cooking and baking for her family, and offsetting that with regular exercise, often in the company of cherished friends.

Chris Beresford has worked with The Boys and Girls Clubs in Victoria and Nanaimo and with MOSAIC, an immigration settlement organization in Vancouver. Since 1982 he has worked with the Ministry of Attorney General in a variety of roles. He has been a family court counsellor and probation officer, and was the first ‘youth gang’ specialist in Vancouver in the late 1980s. He was an instructor at the Justice Institute and then became a policy analyst with the Corrections Branch in Victoria. He then worked as the communications director for the Corrections Branch and then for the Ministry of Attorney General’s office as well as a short term in the Premier’s office in 2000-2001. In 2001 he became the Director of Maintenance Enforcement and has been responsible for a number of family justice programs. Chris has been a board member of the National Child Support Enforcement Association and the chair of Canada’s support enforcement directors. Outside of work, Chris has been a long term member of the John Howard Society of Victoria (and is the current Chair of the Board) and has been the treasurer of the Justice Education Society. He has a great love of older cars and feels fortunate to own a few which provides him with great pleasure. Chris lives in Victoria with his wife and has two adult children.

As an advocate for community involvement, Don has enjoyed participating and leading organizations in achieving their goals. While working with profit and not for profit organizations for over 45 years, he has successfully created, implemented, and managed small and large teams with a focus on effectiveness, profitability -both financial and non-monetary goals, membership numbers, and community impact. As a leader of volunteer groups, he has successfully managed challenging goals and budgets, and helped to raise close to 2 million dollars for not for profit associations.

Gajanan Sahasrabudhe brings with him expertise in healthcare, project management and information technology; experience in managing and leading teams in the public sector and a passion for serving people and communities through volunteering. As a recipient of IDHHC’s Hearing Health Services, he has wanted to contribute to the mission and mandate of IDHHC. Gajanan will like to contribute to IDHHC’s growth by building closer ties with healthcare service providers and evolving technologies available to the deaf and hard of hearing clients and their families. Other than balancing work and family life with 3-generations-under-one-roof, Gajanan loves to spend time outdoors and enjoy wilderness.

Michael Colussi is hard of hearing himself and has multiple family members who live with, or have lived with a variety of disabilities including being deaf and others being blind. He also has a strong interest with Indigenous communities and has a personal goal of building bridges with Indigenous Deaf people. Throughout his working career he has worked in partnership with individuals and organizations supporting people who are deaf or hard of hearing, blind or low vision, mobility impaired and those with mental health challenges. Michael has sat as an active committee member with the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities, BC Human Rights Coalition, National Employment Committee for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the Beckton Dickinson International Safety Advisory Group. His work has been with project and program planning specifically designed to improve individual, group and corporate health and wellbeing through a risk management lens to ensure sensitivity to the individual and culture always remains at the forefront. He has had a life-long connection within multicultural environments.

Mike Hayes has been an IDHHC Board member for over 8 years and is currently Past President. He originally contacted the agency due to his own hearing loss and was inquiring about tech aid support for help with the telephone. After reconnecting with a former colleague who was a Board member at the time he was encouraged to consider running for a Board position. As a retired teacher, school and union administrator he brings communication, problem solving and people skills to help sustain and grow this small but vital agency. There have been many lessons over the 8 years of involvement with the Board and with strong leadership and the fabulous staff, the agency has grown and prospered. His time away from the Board table is filled with family, especially his delightful grandchildren.

Michelle has two hard of hearing children and their family has been involved in IDHHC since the babies were born. She looks forward to contributing to the centre their family has benefited from for the past 7 years. Michelle is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and has an extensive accounting experience, including assurance, financial reporting, and Canadian and Cross-border taxation. Currently, she is working at the Office of the Auditor General BC, specializing in financial audits. Other than balancing work and running a busy household, Michelle enjoys fitness, gardening, and playing piano.

Robin learned about Island Deaf and Hard of Hearing Centre through a friend and reached out to get involved. Having grown up with hearing loss in her family, Robin is interested in programs that promote awareness and inclusiveness for Deaf and hard of hearing individuals in their communities as they go about their daily life. Robin retired from the provincial government after working many years in senior financial and administrative roles. She is eager to use her skills and experience to support the work of IDHHC. Robin is an avid quilter, enjoys gardening, travelling with her husband Dale and spending time with their adult children.

Simone is someone who’s core values are “making a difference” and “community,” and is honoured to be a Director with IDHHC. She is the parent of a son who has recently lost his hearing due to his medical illness. Through her journey of supporting someone as they lose their hearing and helping them and the family adapt, she wants to help others in similar situations. Simone is a passionate, community-minded, and inclusive leader, with strong skills in human resources and team development. Her non-profit experience includes time with Make-A-Wish Foundation, United Way of Greater Victoria, and volunteer work with Tumour Foundation of BC. Simone believes the way to grow any non-profit is through the engagement of the community, something she has repeatedly demonstrated when recruiting and empowering volunteers and supporters to put the best of themselves into worthy causes. She lives in Cowichan Bay with her husband Greg, son Ryan, three rambunctious dogs, and enjoys exploring all Vancouver Island has to offer.

Wes recently joined the Board when he retired after working for more than 30 years in the BC public service (over 13 years as an Assistant Deputy Minister) and BC Ferry Services Inc., leading large teams specializing in corporate and business planning with an emphasis on performance outcomes, business logistics, supply chain management, Freedom of Information and Privacy, and other responsibilities related to the delivery of corporate services.

Wes’ leadership in the above areas has been primarily in the Health and Social Services sector, including as a Board member of the Community Social Services Employers’ Association (CSSEA), and more recently in the Natural Resource Sector.  His experience also includes overseeing the planning and investment in the 2010 BC Olympic Games as the Executive Financial Officer of the BC Olympic Games Secretariat.

Wes is keenly interested in helping make a difference in citizens’ lives and finding a gem non-profit like the IDHHC to be part of is something that excites him. Wes spends his spare time with his old ice hockey and lacrosse teammates and his adult children.