Andrea (Andy) Manson

CHAIR

VICE CHAIR

Bruce Anderson

Bruce is a proud lifelong West Coast resident who lived in various parts of Greater Vancouver until retiring in 2017. Upon retirement, he moved to the South Okanagan with his partner before relocating to Oceanside in 2024. The move brought them closer to their children and grandchildren. Bruce attended the University of British Columbia, earning a commerce degree, and became a Chartered Accountant. His career spanned over 40 years in public practice, where he provided advisory, accounting, estate, and tax services to businesses, individuals, and not-for-profit organizations. Bruce believes that community involvement is essential for cultivating a vibrant and connected society. In addition to volunteering, he enjoys golf, curling, bridge, walking his labradoodle, Cooper, travel, and home projects.

Yvette Battistolo

DIRECTOR

Before retiring to Parksville in 2018, Yvette enjoyed a 30+ year career in the professional and financial services sectors. As a partner in a national Chartered Professional Accounting firm’s Management Consulting Services team, she led national compensation and HR services across Saskatchewan, Alberta, B.C., and the Yukon. She directed complex projects in a range of industries, supporting strategic goals for clients in the public sector, financial services, education, not-for-profits, Indigenous organizations, and private enterprise. Yvette is a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR, B.C.), a Certified Compensation Professional, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources. She enjoys physical fitness, gardening, travelling, and spending time with her three special granddaughters.

Brenda Charles

Brenda immigrated from Scotland with her parents as a baby to the Fraser Valley and grew up on a dairy farm. She moved to the Yukon where she lived for 37 years, raised her family, earned her Bachelor of Social Work, and worked in the health care field for the Yukon government and home care programs for 27 years. Throughout her life, Brenda has volunteered for organizations such as Scouts, Arctic Winter Games, and the Restorative Justice and Diversion Program for Youth. Since moving to the Island in 2016, Brenda has volunteered at the Qualicum Beach Seniors Centre and is excited to be on the Board of Directors for SOS. Brenda was elected to the SOS Board in 2024.

Lorne Clarkson

DIRECTOR

Lorne was raised in Surrey and Abbotsford and ventured to Fort Nelson and Fort St. John to work in the oil and gas industry in the ’70s. Lorne was a volunteer firefighter in Abbotsford and transitioned to fire service employment. In 1994, Lorne joined the Office of the Fire Commissioner as a Codes and Standards Coordinator/Fire Safety Officer until 2005 when he started a trailer sales and rental business. Lorne retired in 2023 and began volunteering with SOS Youth Open Space program. Lorne enjoys spending time with his family and has a passion for travelling, fishing, exercising, cooking, and philanthropy, and is thrilled to work with SOS. Lorne was elected to the SOS Board in 2024.

DIRECTOR

Paul Singh

Paul Singh is a psychotherapist in private practice in Qualicum Beach, where he works with men across Canada to help them change their relationship with alcohol. With over 40 years of experience in corporate law, mental health, and organizational leadership—including serving as CEO of one of B.C.’s largest employee and family assistance programs—Paul brings expertise and a heart for service. In 2020, Paul moved to Oceanside to be with his partner Christine and has embraced life in the community. He holds a degree in psychology from Cornell University, a degree in social work from the University of Chicago, and a law degree from NYU School of Law. Paul is proud to support SOS in strengthening the well-being of individuals and families throughout our region.

Bonnie relocated to Parksville in 1990 with her family.  She earned her accounting degree in 2003 and has an accounting office in Parksville.  Bonnie has enjoyed volunteering with a number of local organizations, usually as Treasurer.  Her daughter and family live in Comox and she has two lovely little granddaughters with whom she enjoys playing.  She also enjoys swimming, hiking and yoga. Bonnie was appointed Secretary-Treasurer of the SOS Board in 2017 until 2020, and rejoined the SOS Board in 2022.

David Wende

David was called to the bar in 1980 and was awarded an honorary CPA designation by the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia in 2017. Most of his legal career focused upon professional conduct and liability issues for CPAs and Engineers. While based in Vancouver, his practice extended to litigation and professional conduct matters across Canada. David also served 21 years as a board member and eventually Chair for a large privately held engineering firm. Today, David serves as a volunteer lay member with Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia and CPABC in their professional disciplinary process. His volunteer experience with SOS includes being a very poor cashier at the Thrift Shop, participating in the Income Tax Program, and running a Wills and Estates service once a week.