OUR EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS

Fern Fontes – President

Having spent many years volunteering with organizations that directly impacted her children, when they graduated from high school Fern felt it was time to give back to the community in a different way.

Her mother-in-law was diagnosed with dementia and was moved into the Mountainview Lodge nursing home in 2016.  It was at this point Fern realized how dementia is different from other neurological conditions.  When she heard that the Kitimat Valley Housing Society (KVHS) was committed to building a dementia home for those affected with the disease, she knew she had to join them.

Fern became a member of KVHS in 2019 and with her managerial experience with the Kitimat branch of the Royal Bank of Canada has been a great asset to the organization. She was elected President of the Society for the first time in 2022, and entered her second term as President in 2023.  She stated, “It has been most rewarding and educational to work on the Kitimat Dementia Home Pilot Project alongside the diverse, talented and tenacious team of directors and members of the Society and I am continuously amazed at the generosity of our community.”

Margaret Sanou – Vice-President           

Margaret left the hustle and bustle of the lower mainland and moved to Kitimat in 1989.  After living in Kitimat for 30+ years, she appreciates the benefits of living in such a friendly small town and being surrounded by nature.  Since retiring from teaching in 2005, Margaret has volunteered with a number of organizations.  She has been involved with the Kitimat Valley Housing Society (KVHS) since 2017, both as a member and as a director.  Several of her family members have experienced dementia, including her mother.  She is aware of the tremendous need we have in Kitimat and Kitamaat Village for dementia care and believes that KVHS has an important role to play in making this much needed care available.

Corinne Scott – Treasurer

Corinne moved to Kitimat to retire with her husband Ian in 2007.  She brings to the table her 30+ years of experience working in local government, managing municipalities as a CAO, as well as spending time as an elected official.  She has always believed that individuals should give back to the communities they live in. In 2012 she initiated and led the establishment of the first Hospital Foundation in Kitimat, as well as being a founding member in the establishment of the Kititmat Valley Housing Society in 2018.

Her sister was a nurse and her mother managed assisted living facilities in Edmonton, AB, which provided Corinne with a special interest in seniors’ living and health care. She looks forward to the completion in 2026 of the first dementia care home in Kitimat, and is excited to be working on the next project which is the construction of an independent, affordable, and accessible seniors’ living facility.

Heli Skitcko – Secretary

Heli was born in Finland and moved to Kitimat with her parents as a child.  After graduation she moved away for post-secondary education and work, she returned to Kitimat, married her husband Gerry and raised her family. She loves living in a small town, enjoying the outdoors and puttering in her garden.  She is proud to call Kitimat her home now for over 50 years.  Her working career has been varied, but the majority of her time in the workforce was spent in administrative and procurement roles.  She was always involved in extra-curricular activities when her children were growing and volunteered on various executive boards for school and sports organizations.  After she retired from the work-force she once again wanted to get involved and give back to the community.  She was drawn to the opportunity to volunteer with the Kitimat Valley Housing Society, because of our aging population there is a growing need for support and facilities for seniors in the community.  Her goal as a director is to help the Kitimat Valley Housing Society fulfill its vision for dementia care homes for individuals in the community who are suffering with dementia and Alzheimer’s related disease.

Richard Wozney – Director

Richard, known as Rick by his friends, moved to Kitimat in 1971 to carry out his law practice until his retirement in 2018.  He raised his family and was very involved in the community, serving as School Trustee as well as Board Chair from 1976 until 1986.  He was an Alderman, and subsequently became Mayor of the District of Kitimat from 1988 to 2008.  It was during this time Rick came to understand and appreciate that even though Kitimat had a lot, the community needed more and different facilities, to serve the needs of the community.  Over the years he supported many needed public buildings for the benefit of the citizens.  With this spirit in mind, he supports the Kitimat Valley Housing Society Dementia Home Project, as this facility is missing from the over-all plan for the provision of health care and is required for the citizens of Kitimat and Kitamaat Village.

Zachary Garner – Director

Zachary was born in Welland, Ontario and moved to Kitimat in 2014.  He is currently an electrician working at Rio Tinto.  Zachary has experience on many boards in the political realm as well as being involved in youth sports.  He is an advocate for volunteering and has a passion for helping people and the betterment of the community.  Zachary has had family members suffer through dementia and related illnesses, which has strengthened his resolve in helping however he can in this realm.  He is very committed to seeing a dementia care home built in Kitimat, and is grateful for the opportunity to work with KVHS to see this to fruition.

Angela Eastman – Director

Angela Eastman was born and raised in Kitimat. Kitimat General Hospital as a Candy Striper while in High School. In the 1980’s she and husband Lloyd moved to Ontario but decided to return to Kitimat in 1992 with their two eldest children. Lloyd went to work for Alcan (RioTinto) and Angela was lucky enough to continue her career in Museum work at the Kitimat Museum & Archives.

While raising her family of four boys Angela was involved in many community organizations, such as Kildala PAC, Kitimat Minor Hockey, KCDC and Special Olympics.  Her work with the Kitimat Community Development Centre broadened her knowledge of need within the community, specifically for seniors and residents at risk. After retirement Angela decided to volunteer with the Kitimat Valley Housing Society and work towards facilitating housing and services for all seniors who would like to remain in their home community.

Sandra Knowles – Director

Sandy was raised and educated in Saskatoon before living and working two years in northern Ontario and five years in 4 states of Australia. She is a retired elementary teacher who came to live, work and raise a family in Kitimat in 1978. She partnered with her husband in a marine select logging and beachcombing business where she fell in love with the Douglas Channel and the north coast rainforest area. This love of nature has strengthened her passion for preserving the environment. She currently volunteers with a number of organizations including the Kitimat Terrace Clean Air Coalition, Kitimat Airshed Group, Kitimat Retired Teachers’ Association, Kitimat 50+ Society, Hirsch Creek Golf and Winter Club and is member of several other community and environmental groups. Sandy has learned that there are hundreds of retirees like her in Kitimat who want to downsize their home but have been unable to find suitable, affordable housing. Many seniors have moved south because of the lack of suitable seniors housing. The Kitimat Housing Society is an organization that she fully supports so joining the team just made sense.

Amelia Pozsgay – Director                          

Born in San Miguel, Azores, Amelia immigrated to Kitimat with her family at the age of six and has proudly called the community home ever since. With plans to eventually retire in Kitimat, she remains deeply committed to giving back to the place that helped shape her.

After many years in the service industry, Amelia has found her true calling in her current role as the event and recreation programmer at the Kitimat 50+ Centre, a position she describes as her dream job. Through this work, she engages directly with older adults, creating meaningful programming that supports social connection, wellness, and community inclusion. Her experience at the Centre has given her a deep appreciation for the needs of Kitimat’s aging population and strengthened her passion for making the community more age friendly.

As a director on the Kitimat Valley Housing Society board, Amelia brings that same dedication, working to support accessible and affordable housing for older adults in the community. In addition to her professional work, Amelia has a long history of volunteer service. Over the years, she has contributed to a variety of local initiatives, including the St. Anthony’s School parent group, Girl Guides of Canada, church youth programs, the Kitimat Public Library Board, the Age-Friendly Committee, and Kitimat Youth Soccer. She has also supported community events and fundraisers such as Dry Grad, Northern Spirit, and dragon boat team dance events.