Please join us in celebrating the appointment of our new Board Chair, Mélanie Hennessey, and welcoming four new Board members, Christian Kittleson, The Honorable D. Jane Dardi, Lisa Dalton and Terry Yung.
Mélanie Hennessey, has served on the Covenant House Vancouver board since 2018. Designated ICD.D on the University of Toronto’s Board of Directors, her communications and market expertise spans various executive and senior roles in the precious metals sector.
Christian, a seasoned finance professional with a diverse background in aviation, natural resources, and the public sector, currently serves as Partner at Deloitte. His career includes roles such as Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance for multinational companies in Asia and North America. Notably, he has held a key position as Assistant Deputy Minister for Indigenous Relations in the Province of BC. Passionate about addressing societal issues that impact vulnerable communities, Christian, an MBA graduate from the Gustavson School of Business, actively collaborates and innovates to drive positive change.
Jane, a retired BC Supreme Court Judge and a founding partner of Legacy Tax + Trust Lawyers, has transitioned to a role as a mediator who specializes in estate and trust disputes. With a call to the British Columbia Bar in 1983, her legal career initially covered a broad range of civil litigation matters before she focused on trust, estate, and fiduciary litigation, from 1990 onwards. Recognized as a leading practitioner in estate litigation, both in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory and Best Lawyers in Canada, Ms. Dardi has left a significant impact on the legal landscape. Throughout her career, she has authored numerous legal papers and delivered lectures on advocacy, mediation, wills, trusts, and estate law, to diverse audiences, including law students, law clerks, and lawyers.
Lisa Dalton, Chief of Staff at HSBC, boasts over two decades of experience in financial services, with a background in strategic and legal advisory roles. In her current role, she spearheads the development and execution of HSBC’s Canadian strategy, and advises HSBC’s President and CEO on strategic business issues. As a key member of HSBC’s Executive Committee and Risk Management Committee, she oversees financial performance, transformation initiatives, talent management, and risk identification. Lisa is actively involved in the Vancouver community. She contributes to fundraising committees and holds directorial roles in organizations such as Crofton House School. Lisa has a legal background, having practiced corporate law in Canada, and holds degrees from the University of British Columbia and the University of Alberta.
Terry, from the Vancouver Police Department, is at the forefront of diversity, community, and Indigenous relations. Past Chair of S.U.C.C.E.S.S. and the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, he also serves on the Justice Institute of British Columbia’s Board of Governors. Terry has a history of community engagement, having been President of the Vancouver Cambie Lions Club and Director for Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver. Recognized for his contributions, he has received the British Columbia Medal of Good Citizenship and the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers.
The Covenant House Vancouver Board of Directors actively champions the needs of at-risk youth in our community, and upholds best-practice governance with a focus on transparency, financial accountability, and integrity. For more information on the Board, please visit here.