College Board
The COTBC Board of Directors leads the College and oversees all aspects of operations. It is comprised of six occupational therapists who are elected by registrants of the College and three public members appointed by the provincial government.
The board is responsible for ensuring the College fulfils its mandate, as set out in the Health Professions Act, the Occupational Therapists Regulation, and the College bylaws.
Board of DirectorsDiane Graham - Chair Public (appointed) MembersSherry Baker - Langley |
Elected MembersAndrea Bowden - Victoria |
Public (appointed) Members
Sherry Baker
Sherry Baker has owned and operated a private consulting and counselling practice since 1990. Sherry Baker and Associates offers teaching and life skills coaching, small business and employment counseling and organizational development. After retiring as the Executive Director of Ishtar Transition Housing Society and Aldergrove Neighbourhood Services, in 2006 she started up two companies: 55pluspros.ca, a web-based employment matching service for people over 50 and Influence Media - re-seller of leading-edge technologies for the advertising industry.
Sherry has sat and chaired many provincial, regional and local boards over the years. She has just completed six years as a public member on the Board of Registration for Social Workers. She is also the Treasurer of the BC Coalition to Eliminate Abuse of Seniors and immediate past chair of the South Fraser Family Court and Youth Justice Committee, as well as a founding Board Member of the Minerva Foundation for B.C. Women. Sherry has been a Rotarian for 15 years and is a member of Soroptimist International. She was awarded the Canada 125 Medal “in recognition of signification contribution to compatriots, community and to Canada”.
Sherry holds a Master of Arts in Applied Behavioral Science from City University in Seattle, a Bachelor of Home Economics from the University of B.C. and a Diploma of Business Administration from Fraser Valley University College.
Vila Nova Carvalho
Vila Nova is currently a lawyer in private practice. Previously, he was a Solicitor for BC Hydro Power Authority, Deputy Chief Corporation Counsel at the Tanzania Legal Corporation and Resident Magistrate for the Tanzanian Judiciary. Vila Nova is a board member with the Gulf and Fraser Fishermen’s Credit Union. In the past, he has served as a board member for the Vancouver Community College and the Richmond Foundation, and is a former Chair for the Richmond General Hospital and the Richmond Multicultural Concerns Society. Vila Nova has his Barrister at Law from Middle Temple in London, England and his Master at Law from the University of Dar es Salaam.
Carol Williams
Carol began her term on February 1, 2007. She comes to the college with a great deal of experience and expertise on several volunteer boards. Carol is the former President of the Board for Big Brothers and Sisters, a past board member of the Greater Victoria Film Commission, a past board member of the Coats for Kids Campaign, and a past member of the Victoria/Hillside Neighbourhood Action Group. An avid volunteer in her community she was the Coordinator for Health Partners and spoke on behalf of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.
She is currently active in the South Vancouver Island Federal Liberal Women’s Commission. Carol began her career working as a court clerk and after 25 years of service to the provincial government, she retired from the position of Acting Manager and Justice of the Peace for the Youth and Family Court in Victoria, BC.
Elected Members
Tanya Boudier, Prince RupertSince 2006 Tanya has worked at Prince Rupert Regional Hospital in both outpatients and residential care. Working in a rural, remote location provides Tanya with first hand knowledge of the challenges faced by clients in accessing services and by clinicians in providing safe, competent care in a fair and transparent manner with so many competing pressures.
An essential part of Tanya’s role as an occupational therapist is to advocate for her clients. She has facilitated the development and implementation of a falls harm reduction program across the continuum of care. Tanya is the Clinical Lead for the Acute Care Falls protocol for Northern Health and site lead for the MSIP provincial initiative in residential care. She feels that these roles have enhanced her ability to consider issues from a wider perspective and work collaboratively toward a common goal of public protection and improved services. Tanya is the current Chair of the COTBC Quality Assurance Committee and also served on the Board from 2009-2011. Welcome back Tanya.
Andrea Bowden, VictoriaAfter completing a BSc(Psych) from the University of Victoria in 1999 and a BSc(OT) from the University of British Columbia in 2002, Andrea has worked in acute care and private practice settings in both Victoria and the Lower Mainland. Andrea currently works for the Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA). Previously a Clinical Educator and a Coordinator of Rehabilitation Services, Andrea recently joined VIHA’s Professional Practice group as a Practice Consultant. In this role she is part of a team that supports learning and performance in the organization.
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Nazneen (Naz) Chow, Richmond
Naz began her term in February, 2010. Graduating from UBC in 1991, Naz has practiced occupational therapy for 18 years. In 1994 she began her work in private practice and three years later established Optimum Therapy Rehabilitation Services Inc. in the Lower Mainland. Her practice interests include Community Brain Injury Rehabilitation, Mental Health, and Life Care Planning. She is also a Canadian Certified Life Care Planner through the International Commission on Health Care Certification. Naz joined the COTBC Continuing Competence Committee in 2007 and is looking forward to serving at the board level. She brings extensive experience with her as a present member of the BCSOT Business Relations Advisory Committee, and former society board and committee experience.
Angenita returned to the COTBC Board in 2011, having served previously as a member and chair from 2003-2005, as well as a member and chair of the Quality Assurance Committee. A practicing occupational therapist since 1987, she also works as the Rehab Manager in at Prince Rupert Regional Hospital. Angenita’s past experience covers many practice settings: home & community care, acute care and outpatient occupational therapy. As a manager she has successfully advocated for occupational therapy services to remote communities for adults and children. She has fostered a supportive work environment where colleagues are encouraged to deliver evidence-based programs that meet the needs of their community. Angenita has returned to the Board to help manage the challenges that lie ahead for occupational therapists in maintaining and enhancing their competency when serving the public in a changing health care climate.
Diane Graham, Kelowna
Diane has served as a board member since February, 2010. She is a 1982 graduate from the University of Western Ontario with work experience in Alberta, Ontario and British Columbia. Although she has focused a large part of her career in paediatric rehabilitation and school health support services, she has also worked in adult rehabilitation and return-to-work programs in both private and public sectors. She is currently the owner/director of KidsCan Therapy Services in Kelowna. Diane’s executive and committee experience on provincial associations and local community groups is impressive. Most recently she has sat on the BC Ministry of Health’s Planning Committee on Autism, was a member of the BC Paediatric OT Executive Council, and is presently a member of the BCSOT Business Relations Advisory Committee.Diane is also involved in clinical teaching, research and guidelines/proposal writing in paediatric occupational therapy.
Darlene Russell, PentictonWith close to 20 years of experience in clinical settings including acute care, community, residential, mental health and private practice, Darlene brings a wide practice lens to the Board. She is currently a professional practice leader for the Interior Health authority having worked in management for over four years. Darlene graduated from the University of Alberta in 1991 and obtained her Master of Rehabilitation Science from the University of British Columbia in 2009. She has served on the COTBC Registration Committee for the past two years.
