The DDA Board of Directors

Ted Bruce – DDA Board President

Ted has over forty years of experience in various policy development, planning and leadership positions in the public sector. He served as the Executive Director of Population Health, and before that the Executive Director of Primary Health Care for the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority. Ted has held numerous Board leadership positions including President of the Public Health Association of BC, co-chair of the BC Poverty Reduction Coalition and Chair of the Institute Advisory Board of the Institute of Population and Public Health of Canadian Institutes for Health Research. He has also served in various governance roles for the Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC’s) Regional Group Executive and National Board.

Julie Mantle – Vice President

Julie is currently Director of Human Resources with Powerex Corp. and has over 24 years of experience in the Human Resources area. She has worked for both private sector organizations and Crown agencies, including Providence Health Care and Provincial Health Services. Prior to joining the Board of the Developmental Disabilities Association, Julie was involved with the Rotary Club of Vancouver Sunrise, serving as Director of Projects, and then President. In 2018 Julie completed the Not for Profit Board of Directors Course through the Institute of Corporate Directors. Julie has a particular interest in educational and vocational programs that support youth.

L.J. Eiben

LJ joined the DDA board in 2019. He is married with three boys and one of them with Down syndrome. While financial advising has been the binding thread of L.J.’s career, he has also been involved in many endeavors surrounding sports. In the late 90s, L.J. was drafted by the Toronto Argonauts as a free safety and has volunteered many hours coordinating and coaching youth sports programs. In addition to the DDA board, L.J. also sits on the board for the North Delta Football and North Delta Baseball Associations.

Debbie Aarons

Debbie is a creative and energetic Talent and Leadership Consultant with a MA in Human Resources and over 20 years of experience gained in the UK and Canada. Specialties include: Learning and Leadership Development, Performance and Talent Management, and Emotional Intelligence.

Sue Swayne

Sue has been a member of the Board since 1998. Her previous activities include: participation in the Vancouver School Board’s Special Education Advisory Committee, DDA’s Child & Family Services and Family Support Advisory Committees; Board member of the BC Association for Child Development and Intervention; and Resource Parent with the Family Support Institute. Sue’s daughter was born with a developmental disability and has graduated from DDA’s IDP, Toddler Group, and Berwick Preschool; she attended her neighborhood schools and DDA day programs, Jobs West, and volunteering in the community. Sue’s interests include early childhood intervention, education, inclusion, youth and adult programs, and family support.

Louise Huber

Louise was first elected to the Board in 1995 and has been Vice-President since 1997. She has been a member of the Adult Services Committee and has a particular interest in transition issues in areas of residential, vocational, and leisure activities.

Chris Neary

Chris moved to Canada in 2002 and is the Brand Strategist and Owner at Frank Strategy as well as Founder and MD of Manifest Wellness which is a mental health facility for men. He is also on the board of TEDx Vancouver. Chris holds a Degree in Design and holds a diploma in Contemporary Art. He enjoys playing guitar and song writing, as well as design and entrepreneurism. Chris is an advocate for mental health and the marginalized populations.

Lauren Chomyn

Lauren is a labour and employment lawyer at Norton Rose Fulbright LLP. Lauren values community service and contributing to greater social inclusion. In addition to her private practice, Lauren maintains a pro bono practice to provide legal advice and representation to individuals in need. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Lauren worked as a Policy Advisor for the Government of Alberta where she assisted in developing labour relations and social services policies and legislation.

Nathan Mah

Nathan and his wife Mimi are the proud parents of 2 sons, Ryan, 19, and Josh, 16. Ryan is currently attending UBC and Josh is currently attending the Learning Adapted Life Skills program at Magee Secondary School. Josh has been a beam of light and positivity in our family and has been able to introduce us to the world of ASL, developmental disabilities, curiosity, and innocence. Nathan has been in senior executive roles in a variety of companies ranging from small family businesses to multinational corporations. Currently, Nathan and Mimi both own 5 restaurants, a consulting services business as well as a chocolate store in Kerrisdale. Nathan and Mimi wish to support the neurodiverse community via their businesses and personal commitments.

Francis Feng – Treasurer

Francis is a financial executive with over 20 years of experience in public and private company financial management, accounting, audit, and administration across diverse sectors including energy, technology, e-commerce, and public practice. Francis is currently working as Senior Finance Officer at UBC Institutional Program Office where he will oversee the finances of the New Frontier Research Fund Transformation Stream grant, which supports medical research for cancer. He has also served in various nonprofit organization leadership roles which include Board Director for the CPA Association Vancouver Chapter, Board Treasurer, and Chair for the UIBE Alumni Association of Canada, and is a long-term volunteer for the Vancouver Olympic and Vancouver Thunderbird Track and Field clubs. Francis is a Chartered Professional Accountant and is excited to dedicate his expertise and experience to serving public health full-time.

Patricia Barnes

Patricia Barnes is the Executive Director of Hastings North Business Improvement Association. The Hastings North BIA promotes the retail and commercial neighborhood of Hastings North within the City of Vancouver. Ms. Barnes serves on a number of committees including LOCO BC, the Employment Lands and Economic Review, the Vancouver Immigration Partnership, and the Community Advisory Committee Hasting Park Ms. Barnes is currently the Chair of the Advocacy Committee for BIABC but has served on the Board of BIABC in the past. She has also served on the Vancouver Police Board for the past 6 years. She has also been a speaker and presenter at many provincial and international conferences. Ms. Barnes holds a BA from the University of Toronto and an MBA from Dalhousie University.