Board of Directors
Meet the members of Board of Directors
Darren Fairbrother
Board President
“Darren’s career has been shaped by his core values of fairness and family, guiding him through more than two decades in co-operative and sustainable banking in several risk and finance roles. Since 1997, he has held various leadership roles in finance and organizational development, bringing a deep commitment to both financial stewardship and fostering positive workplace cultures.
Throughout his career, Darren has excelled at balancing big-picture strategy with the intricate details necessary for organizational success. Known for his leadership, Darren’s approach combines clear communication and thoughtful guidance, ensuring that both organizational growth and member benefits are prioritized. He has a strong track record in mentoring and coaching, helping to develop engaged, empowered teams that are critical to the success of the organizations he serves.
Darren has held a variety of roles in areas such as asset liability management, budget development, performance reporting, and regulatory compliance. His broad experience has allowed him to contribute to sustainable financial practices while emphasizing the importance of people-centreed leadership and flexibility.
As a Board Director of the Phoenix Society since 2016 and current Board President, Darren brings his expertise in organizational strategy and his passion for community impact. His approach is grounded in compassion and a commitment to social justice, which aligns perfectly with Phoenix’s mission to support vulnerable populations. Darren is deeply committed to fostering environments where individuals feel supported, respected, and empowered.”
Nancy Gordon
Board Vice Chair
Nancy has been working in the Medical Technology Industry for over 25 years. In her most recent role, Nancy leads a team of sales professionals and product engineers as the Country Manager for Optos Canada Inc. Nancy’s management experience and leadership skills enable her to provide valuable knowledge in negotiating, marketing and human resources with a strong focus on execution. Nancy is passionate about community service and for many years served on the Board of Little House Alcohol & Drug Addiction Recovery Society in South Delta. In May 2021, Little House merged with Phoenix Society. Nancy wanted to ensure the continuity of their programming and education would continue to serve the community well, so when asked, was thrilled to join the Phoenix Board of Directors where she is currently acting as Board Secretary to the Chairman. In other acts of service, Nancy is a Group Chairperson and the BC Regional Representative for NarAnon. Nancy is passionate about helping those touched by addiction. She is a long-time resident of South Delta and enjoys travel, nature and spending time with her husband and two grown children.
Bonnie Wilson
Board Secretary
Bonnie is a Director with the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority (VCH), focused primarily on community-based services. Throughout her time with VCH, she has held a variety of roles and been responsible for a diverse portfolio of services which has included, clinical services in the Inner City neighbourhood of the Downtown Eastside, Primary Care, Mental Health and Substance Use, Supported Housing, Supports for People with Disabilities, Community Rehabilitation and Home Support. A common thread in all her work, is a dedication and passion for supporting people who have traditionally been marginalized by our systems of care. Working for VCH provides rich opportunities to enact real system change to make the lives of the people we serve better. In addition to her formal role with VCH, Bonnie has sat as an employer representative Trustee on the board of the provincial Joint Community Benefit Trust since 2015. Outside of work, Bonnie has been a member of the boards of Kidsport (Tri Cities Chapter) and the Canadian Ski Patrol (Greater Vancouver Zone).
Elain Duvall
Board Treasurer
Elain brought her passion for improving communities to her career as a developer of non-profit and co-operative housing. She worked at Columbia Housing Advisory, a developer of non-profit co-operative housing for 10 years, the last few years as executive director. After a several years working in the public sector in the City of Vancouver’s Housing Centre, she became a development manager for Progressive Homes Ltd, which specialized in developing and building non-profit housing. During this period, Elain also co-authored a report, after extensive consultations throughout BC, for the Province of British Columbia, which included recommendations for solving the affordable housing problems of the time. She became aware of the valuable work the Phoenix Society does when she acted as a development consultant for the Phoenix Centre. Her extensive governance experience includes serving 10 years on the Board of Vancity, three of which she acted as Chair of the Board. She served as a Governor of the Real Estate Foundation for nine years, as well as on the board of directors for PavCo, a crown corporation. Elain joined the Phoenix Board in 2016.
Jag Gill
Board Director
As Regional Manager, Community Business & Investment for Van City Savings Credit Union, Jag has learned how a financial institution can create positive impact in our communities. With more than 18 years’ experience in the financial services industry, his skills support the Phoenix Society where he has been a board member since 2016. In addition to being passionate about building engaged teams, Jag wants to discover how he can be a better global citizen. Having seen first-hand, the destruction that an addiction can cause, he is eager to have his life experiences contribute to the board. Jag resides in Coquitlam with his wife and two children and enjoys the outdoors.
Adrienne Robbins
Board Director
Adrienne Robbins is a passionate and visionary leader with over 18 years of experience in the technology sector, where she has built a successful career centreed around innovation, collaboration, and people-first approaches. As the Co-Founder and CEO of Data Elephant, a consulting firm specializing in helping Canadian organizations better leverage data for innovation and decision making, Adrienne brings a deeply human perspective to modern technology. She is driven by a mission to simplify complex data challenges, providing customized solutions that align with her client’s industry, culture, and team.
Adrienne’s career journey has spanned a range of industries, including oil and gas, government, mining, retail, high tech, and telecommunications. Throughout her career, she has been committed to creating trust-based partnerships, empowering organizations to evolve, transform, and thrive in an ever-changing digital landscape. Her work has taken her across Canada and the U.S., where she has collaborated with both start-ups and large global enterprises at the executive level to drive impactful business change.
Prior to founding Data Elephant, Adrienne held leadership roles at Xerris (acquired by Accolite Digital) and Slalom, leading sales, client relationships, marketing, HR, and operations team through growth, and acquisitions. Her ability to build and nurture strong relationships while leading business development and strategic initiatives has been a hallmark of her success.
Beyond her professional expertise, Adrienne’s heart lies in giving back to the community. As a current Board Director of Phoenix Society, she brings a wealth of experience in leadership and business transformation while championing the values of compassion, inclusivity, and social impact. Adrienne is deeply committed to supporting underserved communities, and her role with Phoenix allows her to contribute to the organization’s mission of helping individuals achieve healing, growth, and empowerment.
Adrienne’s approach to leadership is grounded in empathy, integrity, and a sincere desire to make a positive difference. Her work reflects her core belief that technology should serve people, and she is passionate about helping organizations create lasting change while fostering inclusive, supportive environments for both service recipients and employees alike.
Jeffrey P. Roos
Board Director
Jeffrey P. Roos is a highly respected and dedicated Human Resources and Labour Relations professional, with a career that spans over two decades of leadership, strategy, and service to others. Currently serving as the President of the Interior Forest Labour Relations Association (IFLRA), Jeffrey has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to empowering people, fostering strong relationships, and developing systems that promote both business success and positive workplace culture.
Jeffrey’s career journey has been defined by his passion for guiding others toward success. From his leadership role at IFLRA, where he supports solid wood manufacturing operations with over 2,200 union employees and provides strategic guidance to member companies, to his time at Weyerhaeuser Co. Ltd., Jeffrey has consistently worked to navigate complex challenges, negotiate industry agreements, and deliver outstanding results. His vast experience in labour relations, employee engagement, and organizational leadership has shaped him into a trusted mentor and adviser, known for his ability to find solutions in even the most challenging situations.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Jeffrey is deeply committed to humanitarian work. His volunteer efforts in regions such as Mexico, Haiti, and Guatemala reflect his strong belief in giving back to the global community. He has also served in leadership roles within local organizations, such as Young Life South Okanagan, and has demonstrated a true passion for helping others, whether through coaching youth sports, participating in ski patrol, or supporting community-based initiatives.
Jeffrey’s leadership philosophy is rooted in a profound respect for people, integrity, and a desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. As a current Board Director at Phoenix Society, he brings his wealth of experience, strategic insight, and heartfelt compassion to support the organization’s mission of empowerment and healing. Jeffrey is a steadfast advocate for the power of community, and his work with Phoenix allows him to continue his lifelong commitment to serving and supporting individuals as they overcome life’s challenges and build a brighter future.
Jeffrey’s combination of professional expertise, volunteerism, and personal dedication to others makes him a deeply valued member of the Phoenix Society Board, where he continues to inspire and contribute to the organization’s compassionate work.
Guy Felicella
Board Director
Guy Felicella’s journey is a testament to resilience, hope, and the transformative power of community. Growing up in a middle-class home in beautiful British Columbia, Guy’s life took an unforeseen turn due to the unhealed wounds of trauma, undiagnosed ADHD, and struggles within his home and school life. At a young age, he found himself entangled in the painful cycle of addiction. For nearly 30 years, Guy lived in the relentless grip of gangs, addiction, treatment, and incarceration, enduring some of the darkest corners of life.
He spent nearly two decades in the heart of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, a neighborhood marked by hardship and resilience. Through unimaginable challenges – including surviving the HIV/AIDS crisis, homelessness, life-threatening infections, and six overdoses – Guy clung to hope and found strength through sheer will and the kindness of others. His journey to recovery was not easy, but with the support of harm reduction and his unwavering spirit, he navigated his way through the chaos, emerging stronger, more grounded, and deeply committed to healing.
Now with over a decade of sobriety and recovery, Guy is a proud father, husband, and advocate. He resides with his wife and three young children, grateful for the stability and peace he has fought so hard to achieve. His journey of healing continues to inspire, and he uses his story to shed light on the struggles of others who are still battling addiction and mental health challenges.
Guy’s passion for advocating for vulnerable individuals remains at the heart of his work. He is deeply committed to educating communities about the importance of a full spectrum of care, from harm reduction to recovery, and the need to eliminate the stigma that surrounds addiction. He believes that healing happens when we embrace the complexity of human experiences, and that through understanding, compassion, and support, we can create pathways to recovery for all.
As a sought-after International Public Speaker, Guy shares his personal story and hard-earned wisdom at conferences, seminars, and TEDx Talks, spreading his message of hope and healing. He actively visits school districts and post-secondary institutions, speaking directly to young people about drug addiction, mental health, and the power of hope. Through his powerful presence and shared wisdom, Guy’s mission is clear – to change the hearts and minds of others, and to encourage everyone to see addiction through a lens of compassion and empathy.
Guy’s deep sense of gratitude and responsibility to the communities that supported him during his darkest times fuels his determination to give back. His work with Phoenix Society as Board Director is a natural extension of his life’s purpose: to spread the message of hope, healing, and the potential for transformation. Guy is committed to reaching those who are still suffering, to help them understand that recovery is possible, and that they are not alone.
Guy´s story is not just one of survival, but of thriving. He shows us all the incredible potential of the human spirit when it is held by a community of care, respect, and love. His legacy is one of healing, advocacy, and a call to a compassionate world where every individual, no matter their struggles, has the chance to rise and flourish.