Speakers

The Power of Giving: How We Can All Make A Difference

The Times Colonist Christmas Fund was started in 1956 as a way to provide help to the neediest families in Victoria in the Christmas season. In recent years its scope has expanded dramatically, so help is given throughout the Times Colonist circulation area, and at all times of year.   Dave says "Every year, we say that the need is greater than ever before -- and sad to say, every year we are correct". The TC Christmas Fund Society is one of many non-profits raising money during the Christmas season, and the message from most of the organizations is the same: It is harder than ever to meet the need".   Dave's message includes the belief that all of us have a responsibility to our communities. It's a responsibility that goes beyond any single club or organization or non-profit. Two questions: Why has it come to this? And how can we make a lasting difference?

Dave Obee has been a journalist for 52 years,  27 with the Times Colonist as editor for 11 and publisher for six years. He is the recipient of an honorary degree from UVic, where he is the honorary librarian and archivist; Bill Good award for significant contributions to the community and to journalism; a Governor General's Sovereign Medal for Volunteers; plus several other awards and honors, including a Paul Harris Fellow.   Dave  has written a dozen books, given more than 700 presentations on family history research, loves Porsches,  early rock'n'roll, and is the father of two thirtysomethings.

Hugh had a long career in Asia Pacific, first with the Department of Foreign Affairs and later in the private sector, as SVP for Public Policy for Asia for Time Warner Inc. In both his government service and in the private sector, he was engaged in international relations and trade issues as well as specific issues related to intellectual property. After “retiring” to Victoria, he began writing an award-winning weekly blog on international copyright issues. (www.hughstephensblog.net) As a result of the blog, he was approached by Cormorant Books in Toronto with a proposal to write a book on the state of copyright in Canada.

His book, In Defence of Copyright, was published in August of 2023. It examines a number of current copyright issues, such as the role of AI in copyright, copyright and the news media (related to Bill C-18 aka The Online News Act), educational copying, and how copyright law fits with Indigenous Cultural Expression. The book also provides an explanation of copyright, copyright piracy, contested uses, and provides an overview of the history of copyright. Finally, it lays out some recommendations for dealing with the current issues government is facing in dealing with copyright issues in Canada today. The book uses examples and anecdotes drawn from the blog to “illustrate” the issues discussed.

Prior to joining Time Warner in 2000, Mr. Stephens spent 30 years in the Canadian Foreign Service with the Department of External Affairs, later the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT). His last Ottawa assignment was as Assistant Deputy Minister for Policy and Communications in DFAIT. He also served abroad as Canadian Representative in Taiwan, Counsellor and Charge d’affaires at the Canadian Embassies in Seoul, Korea and Islamabad, Pakistan, among a number other overseas and headquarters assignments, including service at the Canadian Embassies in Beirut, Lebanon, Beijing, China and Mandarin language training in Hong Kong.

Mr. Stephens was educated at the University of British Columbia (BA-Hons), University of Toronto (B.Ed) and Duke University (MA), and has a Certificate in Mandarin from the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Tracey Drake was appointed to the role of Acting Chief Executive Officer on August 2, 2023. In her new role, Drake will continue to oversee Royal BC Museum operations, BC Archives, and IMAX, as well as the critical work underway with community engagement and the Collections and Research Building project.

An experienced and multidisciplinary senior executive, Tracey joined the museum in 2021 as Head of Marketing, Communications and Business Development and was promoted to Vice President of Strategic Operations. Passionate about the importance of the role of the museum in truly representing diverse communities across BC, she will steward the modernization of the museum. With a collaborative leadership approach to realizing transformative change and organizational stability, Tracey’s knowledge and experience will be instrumental in advancing the museum’s strategic direction.

Prior to joining the Royal BC Museum, Tracey’s career in executive leadership and strategic management consulting spanned more than two decades, working with high profile organizations across the tourism, luxury lifestyle, cultural and non-profit sectors. Deeply committed to community, Tracey has worked tirelessly for numerous charities, including BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, BCSPCA and Dress for Success, and was recognized as a National Philanthropy Day finalist for her significant fundraising efforts.

Tracey holds an MBA from the University of Leicester, Executive Strategic Leadership and Change Management education from Cornell University, and a degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Algonquin College.

The Sergeant-at-Arms is a permanent officer of the Legislative Assembly and is responsible for the ceremonial aspects of the Legislative Assembly ​and for the administrative and support functions primarily related to security, ensuring that the Assembly, its committees, and its Members are able to conduct their business without disturbance or interruption. In doing so, the Sergeant-at-Arms not only administers access to the Public galleries and other parts of the Parliament Buildings, but also manages the security services for the Legislative Precinct, its occupants, and the public.​​
 

Ray Robitaille, former deputy chief with the Calgary Police Service, retired from policing in 2019. According to his LinkedIn profile, he served as an infantry platoon commander with the Canadian military, and worked in several areas of policing including undercover, as a sniper with the tactical unit and as a critical incident commander. 

Eloise is Founder and CEO of the Financial Resilience Institute and is known as one of Canada’s leading experts in financial health and resilience in Canada. She is a high-energy social entrepreneur and Certified Management Consultant (C.M.C) with over twenty-five years of experience in financial services, strategic consulting and financial health research, strategy and impact measurement.   

Eloise Duncan was awarded the Distinguished Achievement Award (October 2021) by the Association of Certified Management Consultants of B.C. in recognition of her Index and her purpose-driven work for Canadians.  Dual nationality Canadian and British, Eloise lives in Vancouver with her family. When she’s not working, she loves skiing, travel and photography.

From the Financial Resiliance Institute website :  As a non-profit, our purpose is to improve the financial resilience and well-being of all Canadians and global citizens. We do this by helping purpose-driven organizations understand, measure, and then improve the financial resilience of their customers and communities.   At the non-profit Financial Resilience Institute, we believe in the power of evidence to build resilience, improve lives and strengthen communities. Financial services innovation, public policy and programs work best when rooted in data and facts. Our research, impact measurement, and cross-sector collaboration spark solutions in programs and practice. We’re working to help expand opportunities for people and improve financial resilience for all.