Our Board of Directors

Stephen H. McKenzie

President

Steve has been a Victoria Brain Injury Society Board Member since 2007 and was recently elected President in 2011. He became a caregiver back in May, 2000, when his mother acquired a brain injury. Like so many, a brain injury in a family changes and challenges everyone involved and moving home to live and care for his Mom changed his life. Mostly through trial and error, they (brother, sister, Mom and Steve) discovered the challenges of a brain injury and together they educated themselves and sought out support which led Mom to the doors of VBIS. “My mother’s courage, positive attitude, and strength is contagious,” says Steve, “her fearless ability to challenge her challenges is inspirational!”

On a business note: Steve completed his Chef’s Apprenticeship at the Aerie Resort in 1995 and then returned to University. While working on his BA he worked as a Caregiver for adults with special needs. In 2005, after years in hospitality management and running his own business, his career turned towards financial planning and he has been helping people to protect their family and wealth ever since. Steve enjoys his fundraising role on the board and currently chairs a gala committee for An Evening of Black & White . . . because gray matters! which raises funds for the society.

Barri Marlatt 

Past President

Barri was honoured to serve the Society since 2003. First as a general Board member, then as Vice-President and then as President for the last 4 years. Barri is currently a lawyer and partner in the firm Hutchison Oss-Cech Marlatt.  She practices in the area of personal injury and more than 80% of her practice involves litigating motor vehicle accidents and medical malpractice. The decision to join the Board and volunteer her time came from the need she saw while assisting persons with brain injury and their families through the litigation process.  The practice of law is a second career for Barri. Prior to entering Law School, Barri had her own business in the area of computer systems consultation in the hospital industry. Barri also serves on the Humanitarian Award Committee at the University of Victoria, Faculty of Law and is a Mentor for law students.

Barri describes leaving her position on the board as an interesting feeling. She did not expect to stay for 8 years – yet it seems to have gone in the blink of an eye. So much of who she has become over the past 8 years – has been shaped by her experience on the Board and with the Society. She is excited for the opportunity created by her departure and  will be watching with keen interest as the Society grows and develops in the years to come.

Don Anderson

Vice-President

Don graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, BC and continued his studies at the University of Victoria where he earned a Master of Arts degree in political science.  His graduate thesis traced the development of human rights legislation here in British Columbia.

He moved from the academic world to work directly for elected representatives in Canada at both the national and provincial level. During this time, Don had the privilege to assist in driving legislative changes (many of which stand to this day) that led directly to increased women’s health and safety as well as a number of initiatives to improve environmental protection. Don was the Executive Director for issues management in the Office of the Premier during the 1990s and later the Director of Research for the Official Opposition.

Since 2007, the focus of his work with Dialogue Research Inc. centers on enhanced public engagement and participation in our governing institutions. Most recently, he taught a course in public policy analysis in the Department of Political Science at the University of Victoria and currently he is a Sessional Instructor with the Justice Institute of BC where he offers an on-line course in local government.

Don enjoys the rewards and frustrations of caring for the small piece of green that surrounds his home, golf and time spent with friends, family and community - all in equal measure depending on the day.

Frank Lee

Treasurer

A certified General Accountant since 1971, Frank has previously served on United Way selection committees, the SPCA board, CGA Chapter positions, Private School positions, and as a member of the Rotary Club of Saanich. Frank has run not-for-profit manpower programs for challenged groups. He is principal of Frank M. Lee, CGA public accounting practice, a small accounting practice catering to a broad spectrum of clients from non-profit societies, government agencies, small to medium size businesses and doing tax consulting for personal/corporate and general accounting, including foundations and trusts.

Frank has been married to Jane for 40.5589 years, and has three adult children: Vanessa, CGA; Justin, Senior Loans Officer; and Jennifer, Professional House Mum. Three Grand Kids. One Dog, Sinchia.

Atholl Malcolm

Dr. Malcolm is the senior psychologist of A. T. Malcolm & Associates, a clinical practice that has grown to include fifteen psychologists and counsellors.  He has practiced in the areas of Clinical Psychology and Clinical Neuropsychology for twenty-six years, providing expert testimony to the courts regarding brain injury.  He also conducts psycho-educational, psycho-vocational, learning disability assessments and assessments related to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.  He is a member of the Workers’ Compensation Appeal Tribunal’s Independent Health Professional (IHP) List for neuropsychological issues and holds the appointment of Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Clinical Neuropsychology at the University of Victoria. 

Prior to a career in psychology he flew with the Canadian Air Force for twenty four years.  Combining these two careers, he now provides psychological consultancy services to the Canadian Space Agency and was the psychologist on the 2008-2009 astronaut selection program.

Connie McKenzie

As a member at large Connie is an advocate for her peers and is committed to helping with fundraising activities. Her interest in the work of the board arose from her years of volunteering at VBIS following Peer Support training in 2002. After acquiring a brain injury in 2000, VBIS became a place she found acceptance and support while striving to adjust to a different life.

Prior to her injury, Connie had 35 years of clinical practice as an RN. In 1992 she completed her BScN at UVic and moved into Community Programs with VIHA. Until her untimely "retirement" in 2000, Connie was a caregiver and advocate for Home Care patients and families as well as a leader, teacher and a mentor for Community Nurses.

Connie firmly believes that the support of VBIS, especially in those early post-injury years, has given her the confidence to move on in the 'non-brain-injured world'. She is committed to raising awareness of life with a brain injury. She does so through speaking engagements in community and professional groups, workshops and UVic classes addressing "The Lived Experience". 

Max Uhlemann

Max Uhlemann has been on the VBIS Board for a little over nine years. Max is now retired from his position as a professor in the Counselling Psychology Program at the University of Victoria, which he held for 27 years. During his academic career Max was Section Head of the Counselling Psychology Program at the University of Victoria for 12 years.  He served as the Editor of the Canadian Journal of Counselling for 11 years, and received the Professional Contribution Award from the Canadian Counselling Association in 1996 and 2003.  In 2004 he received the President’s Award from the B. C. Association of Clinical Counsellors.  He was a Past-President of the Canadian University and College Counselling Association.  Max maintained a small private practice in psychology addressing primarily issues of loss, physical injury and post-traumatic stress for 19 years.

Max finds VBIS Board involvement to be an excellent way to give back to the community for all the good experiences he has had over the years in his teaching and psychology practice.  Max came to be interested in the issues related to brain injury when he began to see persons in his private practice working to adjust to the impact of brain injury on their daily lives.  He has always found it to be challenging and gratifying to counsel this group of people who are working so hard to regain their independence and abilities following injury.

Barbara Toller

In June 2009, Barbara relocated from Calgary to Victoria to join the CanAssist team at the University of Victoria.  Barbara has an extensive background in the non-profit industry and, in particular, has worked in the area of fund development for 15 years, most recently with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Calgary, a $13 million organization, as Director of Development.  Previously, she held a Senior Management position with the Canadian Diabetes Association.  Barbara is a member of the Canadian Association of Gift Planners and the Association of Fundraising Professionals, previously serving on their Boards of Directors in Calgary.  Barbara is presently on the Boards of Directors of the CAGP Vancouver Island Roundtable and the Victoria Brian Injury Society.  She obtained her Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation in 2002. 

Murray Langdon

Murray is the program manager, news director and a talk show host at CFAX 1070, where has worked since 2007. Prior to that, he was a freelance print journalist working for The Globe & Mail, the News Group, Douglas Magazine and other publications. Between 1996 and 2006, Murray worked at CHEK TV as a news anchor reporter and producer. Murray has been heavily involved in the volunteer community. He is the BC radio representative for the Radio television News Directors Association. He is also a United Way leadership presenter. His other involvements include serving as chair of a task force dealing with Crystal Meth and coaching minor sports. He is a graduate of the broadcast journalism program at Mount Royal College (University) in Calgary. He is married and has one son.

Natalie Foley

Natalie is a partner with Acheson Whitely Sweeney Foley.  Her practice is focused on catastrophic injury claims in adults and children.  The injuries are typically neurological and orthopaedic injuries with psychological sequelae.  She has been with the firm for over 8 years. She has a law degree and a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Natalie has brought over a hundred acquired brain injury cases to conclusion over the past 11 years.  This has entailed co-chairing lengthy and complex personal injury trials throughout the province, as well as conducting mediations against multiple defendants.  In 2009, she was counsel on the Norsworthy case where ICBC contacted members of the jury.  That case received significant press coverage. Natalie has also prepared and concluded numerous catastrophic medical malpractice cases against physicians and hospitals

In her spare time, Natalie is a strong advocate for animal rescue organizations, where she volunteers her time assisting animals with their rehabilitation after they are rescued.  She also enjoys paragliding and hiking during her vacation time.