Karen Baldock  (Vice-Chairperson)

I joined the Board of Directors in 2007, after retiring as a dental assistant. Prior to that career, I was in management for the telephone company. My interest in the New View Society developed because I have a family member who is struggling with a mental illness. I hope to work towards providing more housing and services, particularly for young people.

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Sharon DiSanto

I am an interested community member living in the TriCities. I am a Social Worker and have spent my career working in mental health, family support, and with children and blindness. My employment at the New Westminster Mental Health Centre connected me with individuals with a shared vision which resulted in the formation of the New View Society. Over the years, I have served as the Executive Director, a board member, and a consultant. My goal has always remained constant: It is the members who direct our work, and so we need to ensure that they are the leaders of New View, and that staff and directors are the followers.

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Stephen Anderson

After a career in the restaurant industry for many years, more recently Stephen has moved to the coffee industry. Stephen has been a tenant of Maplewood Manor for 12 ½ years and an active member of New View Society and many of its programs.

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Janice McCuaig

I am a new Board Director effective June 2010. Before retiring I was a Corporate Administrator for an International group of companies. My duties included office management through human resources. I am an interested community member of the Tri Cities. I have lived in Coquitlam for 36 years. I have varied volunteer board experience. I was the Area Coordinator, Coquitlam for Block Parents and served on the B.C. Executive. I have also served on the Eagle Ridge Hospital Board, Share Board and Crime Prevention Board. I was a volunteer for the Ridgeway Community Police Station, Crime Watch and am currently a driver for Meals on Wheels in the Tri Cities. I am looking forward to being an active member of the Board with a view to continue working towards the New View Society’s Vision of achieving mental wellness through respect, growth and support.

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Ted Kuntz – (Chairperson)

I am a psychotherapist in private practice and the author of Peace Begins With Me. I have a Master's Degree in Counselling Psychology and more than 25 years of clinical experience. Much of the wisdom that I share in my counselling, workshops, and book didn't come from my formal training. Rather, it came from my journey as the father of a child with disabilities. This journey taught me how to make peace with life. I have been recognized internationally for my work in assisting individuals, families, organizations, and corporations manage the challenges and opportunities of life more effectively and joyfully.

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Dr. Shauna Little – Honorary Chairperson for Life

I was the psychiatrist at Tri-Cities Mental Health from 1972 until 1990, and have been on the Board of Directors at New View since it incorporated. It is very important to me that the Society continues to offer the best rehabilitation services for the province and for people with mental illness.

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Marian Navin  (Treasurer)

I am a new board member (January 2008). I have worked for the past 22 years as a Human Resources Manager, the last 14 years at Westminster Savings Credit Union. When I heard that New View was looking for new directors, I immediately volunteered. I have been concerned for a number of years about the growing number of homeless people in our communities, particularly those who suffer from mental illness who need support and resources to facilitate long term rehabilitation. My goal is to ensure that New View continues its exemplary work in the Tri-Cities area, and develops a long term strategic plan for sustainability and growth for the future.

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Mark Nazer

I have been a Society member for over 11 years and have served as a director for 7 years. My career is in medical research. I would like to see New View step into a more essential role as a mental wellness centre, providing comprehensive support to all those affected by the many facets of problems and issues associated with mental health, while meeting today's needs by improving our current programming to include help for youth and homeless individuals with concurrent disorders.

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Patience Silbernagel

I joined the Board of Directors in 2004. I have known about the Society for many years during my time as a mental health worker, and have been impressed with the contribution the Society makes to improve the quality of life for individuals with mental health issues. I joined the Board so I could volunteer my time to support its vision. My goal as a director is to ensure New View remains current with the trends in psychosocial rehabilitation and also that it stays integral to the Tri-Cities community.

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Kay Swalwell  (Secretary)

I have been involved with the New View Society since its inception 37 years ago. For the first few years, I volunteered my services, and then I became the Executive Director for 18 years. Although I am now officially retired, I continue to be involved by serving on the Board, providing support to individuals members, and attending the weekly Muffin Mornings (Fridays at 7 a.m.) My goal is for the Society to remain on the cutting edge of mental health services, no matter what the outside influences.

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I was raised in Coquitlam and have lived most of my life here.  I've completed a  Bachelor's Degree in Child and Youth Care and a Master's Degree in Human Security.  I've spent the past ten years working in the field of Mental Health with a variety of populations including adolescents, individuals in conflict zones, individuals struggling with homelessness on the Downtown Eastside and I am currently working in programs support youth with mental health and addiction issues and adults with mental health issues involved with the criminal justice system. 

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Irene McDermott

Originally from Edmonton, Alberta, Irene loves living in Vancouver. She is married to John and they enjoy the company of their three adult children; Sarah, Molly and Adam, who also live in Vancouver. Irene works as a freelance researcher and writer in the area of human services through her firm, McDermott Consulting Inc and has done so for the past eighteen years. She has completed projects in the areas of health services, mental health, disability, addictions, continuing care and perinatal health with governments (federal, provincial and local), health authorities, children’s services authorities, disability groups, various non-profit organizations and other groups.  

Irene is noted for her skills at listening to and working with diverse groups ranging from people who use services to those who design and govern services and being successful in bringing divergent concerns and needs together to a common ground. This facilitation, planning and research work has resulted in over 100 reports and documents. Irene has also published in the popular press and hopes to do more in order to share her passion about relationship, community, well being, and health: physical, mental and spiritual. 

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Lynn Greenaway-King

My involvement with the New View Society began in 1985 when I first started working at the Tri-Cities Mental Health Centre (I am a registered psychiatric nurse). While completing my Bachelor of Health Science in Psychiatric Nursing, I researched the development of the drop-in centre, which became operational in 1995. I have sat on the Board in one capacity or another over several years. Currently I am the mental health consultant to the Board.

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Dave Smith

I have been a About the Board member of New View Society for 5 years. My work experience has been at various construction jobs. On one project I was the head surveyor. I have also worked with Alberta Transportation, driven a taxi for 3 years, and worked at warehouses.

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