Reach Society Board of Directors

Reach Society has walked alongside our family for over 10 years and provided us support in varying ways for our children. I welcome the opportunity to give back in a volunteer role.

I am passionate about the valuable place REACH has in the lower mainland and I have a desire to be active in the leadership of an organization that has greatly benefited my family. I look forward to gaining a better understanding of this organization and to helping it achieve its goals. 

Phyllis has lived in South Delta’s Tsawwassen community for over 30 years and is currently retired from Delta School Board. She has taught with both the Richmond and Delta School Districts as a Kindergarten and Primary Teacher and has a B.A and B.Ed. from Simon Fraser University and M.Ed. from The University of British Columbia.

Phyllis has been on the Reach Board since 2005. Having worked with a wide range of students with a variety of abilities in the classroom she has provided the Board with valuable advice and guidance from a teacher’s perspective.

Denis joined REACH in 2014. He has had a long history of serving on various government boards and community groups, from Treasurer at Ladner’s Sacred Heart School to serving on the Board of the Delta Hospice Foundation. After a long career with Westshore Terminals LTD Partnership he recently retired as Vice President & General Manager.

Born in Dublin, Ireland Denis attended the University College Dublin graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in 1970. He was an associate member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ireland, and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of British Columbia.

In addition to REACH, Denis is currently on the board of the Elder College.

“I believe that Reach performs an essential service in our community and deserves all the help it can get. There is no greater resource than our children, and Reach is working to ensure that all our children reach their full potential.”

Marcia and her husband have been owners and operators of John’s Thistle Auto Ltd in Ladner since 1983. Prior to that Marcia spent 10 years at BC Gas (now Fortis) in budgets and cost accounting. Marcia has served on the Board of Directors for Reach Child and Youth Development Society since 1997 in the roles of Director, Treasurer, President and currently Secretary. She also sits on the REACH Executive Finance Committee. Marcia has worked tirelessly over the years on many projects and initiatives, and in her role as President helped to guide the organization in its name change from Delta Association for Child Development (DACD) to REACH, and in the development of our Foundation.  

“My youngest son has autism. I was fortunate to have a neighbor tell me about Reach (then called DACD), when I had concerns about his development. Since then he has received amazing supports and interventions that have met his needs over time. I feel so fortunate that I am in a position to give back to this great organization” .

Shirley-Ann Reid first learned about REACH under the former name Delta Child Development Centre.  Her fourth child has Down Syndrome also participated in the Infant Development Program and is a graduate from REACH’s programs.

Shirley-Ann has dedicated many hours volunteering in her community.   Between 1987 and 2009, she volunteered with the executive of Delta’s elementary, high school and district Parent Advisory Councils;  the executive of the Child Care Referral Network Society; and the Delta Literacy Committee.   Currently, Shirley-Ann is President of the Delta Housing Be Mine Society.

Shirley- Ann focuses on helping individuals with special needs build inclusive lives.  She has many advocacy initiatives such as, writing and presenting a Resolution on behalf of parents to have letter grades for students on a modified school program, introducing to the Delta Literacy Committee “The Next Chapter Book Club” for adults with diversities, and creating community awareness for suitable and affordable housing solutions for adults with special needs.

Continuous learning is important to Shirley-Ann.  She has successfully obtained a diversity of certificates such as, the Canadian Inclusive Lives Learning Initiative (CILLI) UBC Course which provided tools and information to help individuals with an intellectual disability build an inclusive adult life; The BC Early Learning Framework Series; and the Ministry of Health – Early Speech and Language Development.

“I will strive to help REACH build upon their successes to further create a positive inclusive difference in the lives of all children, youth and adults​.”

With over 20 years of business development and customer care roles, Stuart’s career has spanned working in large multinational organizations to startups, across the professional services, academic and health innovation domains. He holders a Master of Science degree from the University of Oxford, Saïd Business School where he studied disruptive innovation.

Stuart’s notable accomplishments include leading the creation of Canada’s first specimen collection clinic for individuals with autism spectrum disorders, in partnership with LifeLabs, and a pivotal digital mental health initiative for health care workers at Canada’s largest health authority.

I am a long time resident of Tsawwassen and I was privileged to learn about REACH through my position with the Board of Envision Credit Union when the credit union chose REACH as a worthy organization deserving financial support. Now, many years later, I have the privilege of serving on the board of REACH.  I have gained knowledge about the incredible diversity of programs offered, assisted REACH with its goals and shared information, with many in the community, about the wonderful work that REACH does with hundreds of special children and young adults.

I work as an educator with the Surrey School District and have also worked in both Delta and Vancouver Schools districts.  I look forward to continuing my work with this wonderful organization and ensuring the valuable work done at REACH continues to improve the lives of many more families.

I have been practicing very “human-centric” law for about 20 years and have developed excellent listening and negotiation skills as well as empathy for people from all walks of life. I am Senior Counsel at Johnson Doyle Nelson & Anderson and I also have education in family and child psychology with an emphasis on Truth and Reconciliation.

I have a strong desire to give back to REACH, the organization that was so pivotal in launching my child into school.  I will roll up my sleeves and bring my energy to existing projects but also interested in liaising with Delta Police, the criminal justice system and BC’s legal aid program to assist families facing those unique challenges.

I have two sons and two stepdaughters. We live in Tsawwassen with our two enormous Greater Swiss Mountain dogs!

Christine Sutherland was introduced to REACH Society in 2010 as a support system for her family. She has been in Senior Management roles in banking for over 20 years including Auditor.

She has served as a Director on the Delta Hospice Society and will contribute her knowledge in governance from this role. In addition, Christine is currently on the REACH Events Committee having served for 10 years and contributing to fundraising events including every year’s Gala.

She will contribute her knowledge and insights on services and programs having seen them first hand because she has children with different abilities. She is passionate about making sure all children’s needs are met within this community.

“I find it imperative to give back to the community in which I live and it would be an honour to be on the Reach Society Board…”.

Mike is the newest member of our REACH Board having joined us in May 2024.  He has an extensive background in K-12 education having worked at the school district, provincial and national levels.  In a addition to being a school based educator, he was the Superintendent of the Central Okanagan School District and more recently worked for the BC Ministry of Education as well as the BC School Trustees Association as their CEO.  He has a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary education and a Master’s degree in public administration. 

Recently retired after 43 years of service on behalf of children and families, Mike is committed to supporting the excellent work of REACH in our local communities.  He and his wife live in Ladner and enjoy all our region has to offer. 

Biography to follow