Our Board of Directors
Blusson Spinal Cord Centre
On Tuesday, November 18, 2008 something magical happened in Vancouver. The Blusson Spinal Cord Centre opened marking the realization of Rick Hansen’s dream to have a centre solely dedicated to advancing world-leading, integrated research and care for people with spinal cord injury.
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Mr. Lyall Knott (Chair)
Lyall Knott is a senior partner of Clark Wilson LLP's Business Law Group, earning his Bachelor of Laws degree in 1972 and Master of Laws in 1973. In 1985 he was appointed to the rank of Queen’s Counsel. Lyall currently sits on the board of S.U.C.C.E.S.S., and was recently named Honourary Captain (N) of the Canadian Fleet Pacific, Canadian Navy. In 2008 he was honoured with an appointment to the Royal Roads University Fellows Council, International Joint Commission and the UBC President's Strategic Advisory Council.
Mr. Jim Watson (Secretary)
Jim Watson was on the board of the original Man In Motion World Tour Society, and remained on the board until 2003. In 2005 he rejoined the board and continues to bring his expertise and extensive business experience to all facets of the Foundation. Dedicated to community service, Jim is an active member of Rotary International and served as the National President of Kin Canada from 1980 to 1981. Jim has received a Life Membership in the Kinsmen Association as well as has been honoured with the prestigious Hal Rogers Fellow.
Mr. George Gaffney ( Treasurer)
George Gaffney retired from the Royal Bank of Canada, Ontario in December 2000, where he was responsible for the overall management of the Bank’s consumer and business operations in the province. In addition to sitting on the board of the Rick Hansen Foundation, George is Governor of the Vancouver Board of Trade.
Mr. Matthew Bosrock
Matthew Bosrock, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Bank Canada, joined the HSBC Group in San Francisco in 1991, and since then has worked in the United States, China, Bangladesh, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Greece. In June 2008, Mr. Bosrock accepted his current position in Vancouver, BC, where he is accountable for leading major change initiatives, improving work processes and re-positioning the bank's business model for future success. Mr. Bosrock has been involved in numerous charitable organizations including establishing an orphanage in Bangladesh and serving as a board member of the South Africa based NGO, Education Africa (where he remains Global Advisor).
Ms. Sally Douglas
Sally is the founder and Creative Director of Kaldor Brand Strategy and Design. She has guided the firm’s strategic and creative development since establishing it in 1996. Prior to starting Kaldor, Sally built a reputation for creating effective brand marketing materials for advertising and marketing campaigns, web design and corporate communications in a variety of design firms in Canada and her native England. Sally is Chairman of the Board for Judith Marcuse Projects, and sits as a board member of the Fraser River Sturgeon Conservation Society.
Mr. Perry Goldsmith
Perry Goldsmith is the founder and owner of Contemporary Communications Ltd. , an independent public relations agency and the National Speakers Bureau, Canada’s original speakers bureau representing over eighty of Canada’s best-known speakers. An active member of his profession and community, Perry has served on the National YMCA Board of Directors; Vancouver YMCA Board of Directors; Board of Trustees for the Vancouver Art Gallery; Board of Directors of the American Marketing Association (BC division); past president of the Public Relations Global Network and as a founding Director of the Chinese Entrepreneurs Society of Canada.
Mrs. Amanda Hansen
As the wife of Rick Hansen, Amanda Hansen shares her husband’s determination to turn big dreams into reality, and brings that energy to the Rick Hansen Foundation board. As a founding board member for the Life Network based in Toronto, Amanda was instrumental in assisting the fledgling channel gain its broadcasting license. A mother to three daughters, Amanda has a particular passion for children’s issues serving as Director of the Rick Hansen School Program from 2002 – 2006, Honourary Spokesperson and board member for Kids Help Phone (BC), Co-host of the Children's Miracle Network Telethon, and chair of her local Parent Advisory Committee.
Amanda recently returned to her professional roots and is currently working as the sole charge physiotherapist at Richmond Lions Manor a residential care facility where she works with an aging population and on a specialized alzheimers unit.
Mr. Jonathan Kallner
Jonathan Kallner is the National Leader for KPMG’s Information, Communication and Entertainment Industry Group, as well an active member of KPMG Canada’s Consumer Market’s Industry Steering Committee, and a key advisor to select KPMG global accounts. Jonathan is based in Vancouver and serves a number of large and medium size corporations with local and global operations. Jonathan is very involved in the community and participates in a number of charitable organizations as well as coaching youth soccer.
Mr. Tod Leiweke
As CEO of Vulcan Sports & Entertainment, Tod Leiweke oversees all aspects of the NFL Seattle Seahawks, NBA Portland Trailblazers, the Rose Garden, Qwest Field and Washington Event Centre. In addition the Rick Hansen Foundation, Tod sits on a number of Washington-based organizations including Washington CEO Roundtable, YMCA of Greater Seattle, and The Space Needle.
Ms. Sue Paish
Peter is a board member of a number of corporate and non-profit organizations, including the Rick Hansen Foundation, and was awarded The Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal for significant community service.
Lyall Knott is a senior partner of Clark Wilson LLP's Business Law Group, earning his Bachelor of Laws degree in 1972 and Master of Laws in 1973. In 1985 he was appointed to the rank of Queen’s Counsel. Lyall currently sits on the board of S.U.C.C.E.S.S., and was recently named Honourary Captain (N) of the Canadian Fleet Pacific, Canadian Navy. In 2008 he was honoured with an appointment to the Royal Roads University Fellows Council, International Joint Commission and the UBC President's Strategic Advisory Council.
Mr. Jim Watson (Secretary)
Jim Watson was on the board of the original Man In Motion World Tour Society, and remained on the board until 2003. In 2005 he rejoined the board and continues to bring his expertise and extensive business experience to all facets of the Foundation. Dedicated to community service, Jim is an active member of Rotary International and served as the National President of Kin Canada from 1980 to 1981. Jim has received a Life Membership in the Kinsmen Association as well as has been honoured with the prestigious Hal Rogers Fellow.
Mr. George Gaffney ( Treasurer)
George Gaffney retired from the Royal Bank of Canada, Ontario in December 2000, where he was responsible for the overall management of the Bank’s consumer and business operations in the province. In addition to sitting on the board of the Rick Hansen Foundation, George is Governor of the Vancouver Board of Trade.
Mr. Matthew Bosrock
Matthew Bosrock, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Bank Canada, joined the HSBC Group in San Francisco in 1991, and since then has worked in the United States, China, Bangladesh, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Greece. In June 2008, Mr. Bosrock accepted his current position in Vancouver, BC, where he is accountable for leading major change initiatives, improving work processes and re-positioning the bank's business model for future success. Mr. Bosrock has been involved in numerous charitable organizations including establishing an orphanage in Bangladesh and serving as a board member of the South Africa based NGO, Education Africa (where he remains Global Advisor).
Ms. Sally Douglas
Sally is the founder and Creative Director of Kaldor Brand Strategy and Design. She has guided the firm’s strategic and creative development since establishing it in 1996. Prior to starting Kaldor, Sally built a reputation for creating effective brand marketing materials for advertising and marketing campaigns, web design and corporate communications in a variety of design firms in Canada and her native England. Sally is Chairman of the Board for Judith Marcuse Projects, and sits as a board member of the Fraser River Sturgeon Conservation Society.
Mr. Perry Goldsmith
Perry Goldsmith is the founder and owner of Contemporary Communications Ltd. , an independent public relations agency and the National Speakers Bureau, Canada’s original speakers bureau representing over eighty of Canada’s best-known speakers. An active member of his profession and community, Perry has served on the National YMCA Board of Directors; Vancouver YMCA Board of Directors; Board of Trustees for the Vancouver Art Gallery; Board of Directors of the American Marketing Association (BC division); past president of the Public Relations Global Network and as a founding Director of the Chinese Entrepreneurs Society of Canada.
Mrs. Amanda Hansen
As the wife of Rick Hansen, Amanda Hansen shares her husband’s determination to turn big dreams into reality, and brings that energy to the Rick Hansen Foundation board. As a founding board member for the Life Network based in Toronto, Amanda was instrumental in assisting the fledgling channel gain its broadcasting license. A mother to three daughters, Amanda has a particular passion for children’s issues serving as Director of the Rick Hansen School Program from 2002 – 2006, Honourary Spokesperson and board member for Kids Help Phone (BC), Co-host of the Children's Miracle Network Telethon, and chair of her local Parent Advisory Committee.
Amanda recently returned to her professional roots and is currently working as the sole charge physiotherapist at Richmond Lions Manor a residential care facility where she works with an aging population and on a specialized alzheimers unit.
Mr. Jonathan Kallner
Jonathan Kallner is the National Leader for KPMG’s Information, Communication and Entertainment Industry Group, as well an active member of KPMG Canada’s Consumer Market’s Industry Steering Committee, and a key advisor to select KPMG global accounts. Jonathan is based in Vancouver and serves a number of large and medium size corporations with local and global operations. Jonathan is very involved in the community and participates in a number of charitable organizations as well as coaching youth soccer.
Mr. Tod Leiweke
As CEO of Vulcan Sports & Entertainment, Tod Leiweke oversees all aspects of the NFL Seattle Seahawks, NBA Portland Trailblazers, the Rose Garden, Qwest Field and Washington Event Centre. In addition the Rick Hansen Foundation, Tod sits on a number of Washington-based organizations including Washington CEO Roundtable, YMCA of Greater Seattle, and The Space Needle.
Ms. Sue Paish
Sue is a former managing partner of the Vancouver office of Fasken Martineau, one of Canada’s largest law firms. She spearheaded the expansion of the firm from one office in Vancouver to an international platform with nine offices in three continents. She joined Pharmasave as CEO in 2007 with a mission to double the franchised stores count by 2012. Her success, dedication and commitment have earned her the titles of one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women and one of Vancouver’s Most Influential Women in Business. Sue recently completed a term as chair of the Vancouver Board of Trade and is the founding chair of the Board’s Women’s Leadership Circle. In addition to the Rick Hansen Foundation, Sue is also a Director of LifeLabs, CORIX, Michael Smith Foundation and the Sauder School of Business.
Mr. Peter UffordPeter is a board member of a number of corporate and non-profit organizations, including the Rick Hansen Foundation, and was awarded The Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal for significant community service.
