Board of Directors

UNITI’s three partner organisations, Semiahmoo House Society, The Semiahmoo Foundation, and Peninsula Estate House Society, share the same Board of Directors.

Three people standing together indoors, posing for a photo, with a projection screen displaying a colorful image in the background.
An elderly woman and a middle-aged man standing together indoors, smiling. The woman has white hair, glasses, and is wearing a sparkly gray jacket, pearl necklace, and bracelet. The man has gray hair, a beard, and is dressed in a black suit with a name tag. The background features black curtains with Christmas decorations, including a white snowflake, a red and white Christmas ornament, and a holiday-themed sign.
A group of people seated around a conference table in a meeting room, with a large screen displaying a presentation titled 'Growing UNITI June 2022'.

To Our Community

We consult with our community to help UNITI move forward.

Our Board of Directors consists of people who believe that inclusive communities are stronger and healthier. Their connections to other organisations and experiences in our wider, local community provide valuable insights into how UNITI can continue to empower people with developmental disabilities to be leaders in their own lives.

Katie Crocker Uniti CEO

Katie Crocker

CEO Designate of UNITI

  • Katie Crocker is the Chief Executive Officer of AMSSA, a provincial umbrella association in British Columbia that supports over 80 member agencies and hundreds of community stakeholder agencies serving immigrants and newcomers. Katie represents the BC Settlement Sector on the National Settlement and Integration Council. She is the Board Secretary for the Canadian Immigrant Settlement Sector Alliance (CISSA-ACSEI), the national body for settlement associations. Katie is also on the Executive Committee of the newly appointed UBC Centre for Migration Studies. With her background in not-for-profit management and knowledge of the settlement and integration sector, Katie brings expertise in children, families, and women’s issues.

    Since joining AMSSA in 2014, she has collaborated with the Federal and Provincial governments to enhance AMSSA’s technological expertise, providing online and e-learning opportunities for service providers throughout BC and nationally. Katie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Master of Business Administration.

A middle-aged man with gray hair and glasses smiling outdoors with greenery in the background.

Ian Jarvis

Chair of Peninsula Estate House Society

  • For over 25 years, Ian provided leadership in organisations that make Metro Vancouver a better place to live. He held various senior positions, including Chief Financial Officer at Metro Vancouver and Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer at TransLink. He was President and CEO of TransLink from 2009 to 2015 and retired from that organisation in December 2015. He is currently employed with the BC Utilities Commission. Ian became aware of Semiahmoo House Society by witnessing its positive impact on his friends’ daily lives. He hopes that by serving on the Board, he can leverage what he learned and practised in his public sector career to support the continuing success of the Society. Ian and his family have lived in South Surrey/White Rock since 1987, and he is a graduate of UBC and holds CPA, CA and ICD.D designations.

Portrait of a woman with dark braided hair, smiling, wearing a white shirt with yellow stripes, against a plain white wall background.

Matilda Williams-Obiajunwa

Board Member

  • Matilda Williams-Obiajunwa is the Founder and Executive Director of Sisters In Canada Wellness Society. This not-for-profit organisation supports immigrant women by creating a safe space for them to connect and thrive through mentorship, group support and collaborations.

    She also works for Canuck Place Children’s Hospice as the Development Coordinator for cause marketing and partnerships. She is also a director at the Daivyan Children’s Cancer Foundation, a not-for-profit that caters to and advocates for the needs of children battling Cancer and their families in Nigeria, where Matilda is originally from. Matilda possesses a strong background in childhood cancer advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and community development. Her passion for supporting minority and racialised groups is an incredible asset, as she is constantly pushing for equality and inclusion at all levels.

    Matilda holds a BA in Creative Arts and a Post-graduate diploma in Educational Administration and Planning, with several other certifications.

    With her years of experience in the not-for-profit sector, Matilda brings her unique strengths, knowledge, and lived experience as a person of a visible minority to the UNITI board. She is delighted to serve this great community.

A portrait of an elderly woman with short white hair, wearing glasses, a cream blazer, and a pastel-colored scarf, smiling at the camera in a bright, professional setting.

Bonita Thompson

Board Member

  • As the second female partner at the Vancouver firm Singleton Reynolds, Bonita brought her passions for public policy, legislative drafting, and effective conflict management into the world of construction law and First Nations relations, transforming these areas of practice in BC in the process. While at Yale University pursuing her Master of Laws, Bonita discovered her passion for public policy and legislative drafting, both of which she applied in her distinguished career as Senior Legislative Counsel in Victoria and later as Senior Solicitor for the BC Attorney General. She served as BC Hydro’s conflict of interest advisor from 1997 to 2010. Bonita’s contributions were recognised with her appointment as Queen’s Counsel in 1985, with the award of the President’s Award for Distinguished Service (CBA – B.C. Branch) in 1991 and with the Commemorative Medal presented by the Governor General of Canada in recognition of her contribution to compatriots, community and to Canada in 1993. Since 2000, she has worked with First Nations Institutions dedicated to furthering the economic independence of First Nation communities.

A woman smiling outdoors with green foliage and white flowers in the background.

Cathy Shum

Board Member

  • Cathy is the mother of a daughter with a developmental disability who participates in South Campus Community Services and Recreation and Leisure Services at Semiahmoo House Society. Cathy is passionate about helping people with disabilities.

    In Cathy’s 35-year career as a Chartered Professional Accountant, she held various financial roles ranging from analytical to management-level positions, with the majority of her career spent at BC Hydro.

    Her most personally rewarding experience was working in HIV/AIDS research in the 90s during the height of the pandemic. She was proud to be part of the team that created the pharmaceutical cocktail still used to treat the disease today.

    She also actively participated in fundraising for BC Children’s Hospital, including appearing on multiple telethons and radiothons and undertaking numerous speaking engagements.

A woman with short blonde hair, wearing glasses, a maroon puffer jacket with a ruffled collar, and a pink top, standing outdoors in front of green foliage.

Marie Sabine

Chair of The Semiahmoo Foundation

  • Marie’s interest in UNITI began when her daughter enrolled in our programs. She is passionate about the rights of people with developmental disabilities. She has advocated for inclusive and affordable housing, independent living, and rent supplements to provide opportunities for individuals to grow and thrive in their own homes.

    Marie has served as the chair of Community Living B.C. (CLBC) – Surrey/Delta/White Rock Community Council. Before retiring, she served as Manager of Administrative Support Services with the Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service for 16 years.

    Marie attended Capilano College and received a Certificate in Local Government Administration. More recently, she completed training in advanced policy governance and Person-Centred Thinking. She lives with her husband in White Rock. She enjoys being near the ocean, the many parks and hiking trails in the area, and being close to her daughter, who lives independently with supports.

A woman with blonde hair smiling outdoors with green foliage in the background.

Nicole Russell

Board Member

  • Nicole Russell feels privileged to be a part of such a wonderful organisation. She has witnessed first-hand the amazing impact that UNITI has on the lives of individuals and the community as a whole. Nicole’s sister, Jennifer, has been a participant in various UNITI programs for over 20 years. Nicole attributes her sister’s growing confidence, life skills and community involvement to the tireless advocacy and support of our organisation. Nicole Russell is a partner at the firm of Graves & Russell, Barristers and Solicitors. Nicole’s growing legal practice is based in South Surrey, focusing on Wills & Estates. Nicole has also been a facilitator at Anti-Harassment and Discrimination workshops for the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia. Nicole and her family have lived in the South Surrey area for the past 25 years.

    Marie has served as the chair of Community Living B.C. (CLBC) – Surrey/Delta/White Rock Community Council. Before retiring, she served as Manager of Administrative Support Services with the Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service for 16 years.

    Marie attended Capilano College and received a Certificate in Local Government Administration. More recently, she completed training in advanced policy governance and Person-Centred Thinking. She lives with her husband in White Rock. She enjoys being near the ocean, the many parks and hiking trails in the area, and being close to her daughter, who lives independently with supports.

Portrait of a man with short dark hair, smiling, wearing a plaid shirt, against a light background.

Michael Mclellan

Board Member

  • Michael lives with a visual impairment. Michael’s first attempt at self-advocacy was advocating for his white cane. Michael gained confidence and shared the importance of having his voice heard. Or specifically, to feel the “power of the white cane”, whatever that white cane may be. He currently sits on the boards for Inclusion BC, BCPF, The Self Advocacy Foundation, The Canadian Institute for Inclusion and Citizenship, and The Learning Community. He is the President of a non-profit workers’ cooperative called ESATTA. Michael collaborates with CLBC and other community services by conducting presentations to promote the importance of self-advocacy and inclusivity within the B.C. community. Michael is a co-founder of SALN.

A woman with long black dreadlocks smiling and wearing a beige sweater, sitting near a window.

Lenya Wilks

Board Member

  • Lenya Wilks is a transformative figure in community development with a commitment to social justice and advocacy. Her journey, marked by her roles in youth Initiatives and as Director of Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement at DIVERSEcity in Surrey, BC, highlights her dedication to amplifying marginalised voices and promoting Indigenous reconciliation.

    Lenya joined the Board because she is passionate about its mission to promote inclusivity and support marginalised communities. She aims to leverage their expertise in community development to contribute to meaningful change.

A smiling middle-aged woman with blonde hair, wearing a dark jacket and earrings, standing outdoors in front of green foliage.

Bea Hadikin

Past Chair of Semiahmoo House Society

  • Bea Hadikin has lived in White Rock/Surrey most of her life. She is a retired Principal from the Surrey School District, most recently working at Semiahmoo Secondary. In her 32 years with the district, she also worked as a teacher and vice-principal. In all of her roles, she treasured her contact with youth, the excitement of problem-solving, and the opportunity to build positive futures. She now has the wonderful gift of time and wants to give back to her community. She feels that Semiahmoo House Society’s work fits with her beliefs and practice.