Our senior management

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Mark was appointed executive director in 2002. He joined LSS in 1983 when he left private practice to become the managing lawyer of the former Kamloops branch office. A lawyer since 1980, Mark's legal experience includes appellate advocacy in the BC Court of Appeal and Supreme Court of Canada, and four years as an adjunct professor at the UBC Faculty of Law. He is acknowledged as an authority on the right to counsel and a leader for his work in crown agency administration and governance. Mark has also been recognized in the BC legislature as "a passionate advocate for access to justice for the economically disadvantaged in British Columbia, and he brings along with that passion great creativity in the search for solutions for how to make a difference in people's lives." He holds a BA from the University of British Columbia, an LLB from Osgoode Hall Law School, and an LLM from Dalhousie University.

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Heidi has been with LSS since 1994, when she joined the society as a tariff lawyer. Prior to her appointment as the director, Legal Advice and Representation in 2009, she was the director of Public Legal Information and Applications from 2005 to 2008. Previously, she served as manager of Client Services (branches), acting director of Client Services, and Field Operations manager. In those positions, she oversaw the implementation of the provincial family duty counsel and advice programs and the mediation and extended services pilot projects. She also developed and implemented the former Family Case Management Program, recognized nationally and internationally as an efficient model for allocating scarce resources to meritorious family referrals. She has played a key role in the design phase of the Vancouver Supreme Court Self-Help Information Centre, and is a member of its steering committee. She was also on the Family Law Working Group of the Justice Reform Task Force. She worked in private practice from 1989 – 1994.

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Harold has been with LSS since 1998, when he joined the society as manager, Human Resources (HR). He was promoted to director of HR in 2000 and became director of Field Operations and HR in 2002. His position changed to director, Strategic Planning, Policy, and Human Resources with the implementation of Redesign 2005. Harold came to the society with extensive experience in the HR field, including senior personnel officer for the Greater Vancouver Regional District, executive director for Royal Life Saving Society Canada (BC & Yukon Division), and assistant manager, Facility Operations for the City of Burnaby. He holds a BA with a double major in Business Administration (Personnel Management focus) and Criminology, and is a Certified Human Resources Professional. Harold is affectionately known as the "fun guy" in recognition of his leadership role in — and insistence on — bringing fun into the workplace. Harold was instrumental in bringing employee wellness and recognition programs to the fore at LSS. He also developed and introduced the performance management system for LSS staff. In addition to sitting on the society's Executive Management Committee, Harold chairs the Operations, Planning & Policy Committee.

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Catherine became a chartered accountant in 1985 and holds a B.Comm from the University of Alberta. She moved to Vancouver in 1988 and worked for the Greater Vancouver Regional District for 12 years in various financial capacities including financial analyst, financial team lead for an enterprise-wide software implementation, and controller before LSS welcomed her in 2000 as the director, Finance and Administration, to oversee the fiscal management of the organization. Subsequent to restructuring in 2005, she was appointed director, Finance and Corporate Services. Her position continues to oversee Finance and Administration, including the Tariff Accounts group, and also has responsibility for the Information Technology and Audit and Investigation departments. In addition, Catherine attends and supports the Board Finance Committee and liaises with the Ministry of Attorney General on financial matters. Catherine oversees matters such as the implementation of the new financial system and electronic funds transfer, the restructuring of the Information Technology Department, and implementation of an audit strategy for the society.

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Sherry was appointed Public Legal Information and Applications director in March 2009, and served as acting director from fall 2008. She started at LSS as a family staff lawyer in 2000, and subsequently held positions as Client Services manager, Field Operations manager, and Family Initiatives Project manager. During this time, she successfully implemented the family duty counsel program in Provincial and Supreme Courts. She also became involved in the legal oversight of many LSS family law publications and contributed significantly to the Family Law website. Sherry is a frequent presenter at regional and provincial advocate training conferences. In 2006, she became the manager, Applications & Eligibility, responsible for intake services, including the Call Centre and local agents. Prior to joining LSS, Sherry was with the Family Maintenance Enforcement program and in private practice, from 1989 – 1999, in Saskatchewan and then BC. Sherry is a member of the Public Legal Education and Information Working Group, sits on the LSS Executive Management Committee, and chairs the LSS Managers’ Forum.