Our Staff
Over the years, the Abbotsford Hospice & Grief Support Society has created a workplace culture of trust and fairness, and has assembled a team of dedicated, skilled, and compassionate staff who work to provide a variety of exemplary services to our community
Andrea Critchley
Executive Director
International Speaker and Life Leadership Coach, President & Founder of Wonder Women Society, former ED of Women of BC/Yukon, PAOC and Capital Campaign Director of Tabor Village. She is actively involved in her community and serves on the boards of Mission Indo-Canadian Business Association and International Humanitarian Hope Society. Her family, faith and friends are the center of her life and the passion to make a difference for others through all aspects of her life. She is honoured to be part of the team that brings their skills and passion to support and care for the friends and families of the Abbotsford Hospice Society.
Susanne Fehr
Director, Programs & Services
Susanne joined Abbotsford Hospice & Grief Support Society in February 2022. Susanne brings 15 years of knowledge in healthcare and has experience with end-of-life care and anticipatory grief for loved ones experiencing loss who lived in care. With her background in healthcare, she supports our volunteers who enjoy sharing their time with our community. Away from work Susanne enjoys spending time with her husband and family. Her pride and joy are her grandchildren who she loves to spend as much time with as possible.
Brendan Adrian
Finance / Admin Director
Brendan joined the team in 2021 having worked in non-profits and development offices with a focus recently on long-term care and assisted living for seniors. He holds a Bachelor's degree in business administration and a diploma in accountancy. He is very excited to join the team and use his abilities to support the existing team at Abbotsford Hospice Society. Outside of work he enjoys time doing volunteer work as a basketball coach, board games with family, and hiking in the area.
Rick Barkwell
Development / Business Manager
Rick started with the AHS team in 2021. He brings his lifetime of customer oriented service to the Society to ensure that the goals of AHS are matched with caring community donors. He believes in the mission of AHS to help people who are dying and support individuals and families who are grieving the loss of a loved one. He has experienced firsthand how hospice helps individuals in their care and felt that now was his time to help in this cause.
Rick is a Past President of the Abbotsford-Sumas Rotary Club as well as current board member of Abbotsford Minor Hockey.
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Melissa Pettit
Development Officer
Melissa joined the team in fall 2023 having worked with other healthcare non-profit organizations and in the media and construction industries. A proud BCIT alumni, Melissa continues to study project management while working towards her Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation. Her considerable experience with corporate sponsorships, organizing large-scale fundraising events, stakeholder engagement and committee management is an asset to the team at Abbotsford Hospice Society. She's humbled to work with the dedicated team at Abbotsford Hospice Society who provide such invaluable programs and services in our community.
Michelle Whalen
Development Coordinator
Michelle joined the team in 2020 having worked at several other non-profit organizations including long-term seniors care and children’s mental health. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Simon Fraser University. Her efforts include grant research and writing, donor relations and everything administrative. She is proud to work with the phenomenal team at Abbotsford Hospice Society who provides incredible support and care for members of our community.
Charanpreet joined AHS in 2020 as a volunteer, which helped her gain an understanding and an appreciation for what AHS had to offer. In 2021, she joined the staff as a Program Support Coordinator. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and is currently pursuing a degree in Psychology. Her previous volunteer affiliations include Abbotsford Community Services, B.C. Cancer Agency, TWECS and Menno Place. She is honoured to be a part of the AHS team and feels grateful to have the opportunity to provide support to those in their grief journey. Away from work, Charanpreet enjoys baking, reading, travelling and spending time with her family and friends.
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Charanpreet Mahal
Program Support Coordinator
Katherine 'Kate' Martens
Youth Services Coordinator
Katherine has just completed her B.A. in Child and Youth Care and going into further education of Child Life and Community Health and potentially Animal Assisted Therapy with a certified therapy dog. Katherine has a background of working with various children, youth, and adults who have diverse abilities. Starting as a practicum student in August of 2022, she is excited to be a part of AHS since January 2023 and walk alongside those who need support in their grieving journeys. She hopes to bring along skills from various therapies and activities to instigate thoughtful discussions and provide tools for coping strategies. On her days off, she likes to work on projects like crocheting, writing, cross-stitching, and reading classic literature.
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Seth Wiebe
Junior Accountant
Bio coming soon.
Abigail Davyduck
Development Assistant
An enthusiastic and relational individual, Abigail joined the Abbotsford Hospice Society team in May of 2023 as a Summer Intern. While learning as part of the Development Team Abigail grew a deep appreciation for the ways AHS supports the community of Abbotsford while anticipating and experiencing the grief of losing a loved one. Majoring in Non-Profit Global Leadership, Abigail is looking forward to continuing her work with AHS as a part-time employee assisting the development of the organization.
Makenna Loft
Volunteer / Development Coordinator
Currently on maternity leave
Makenna has recently graduated and comes with a degree in counseling foundations with some training in grief care. She has also done some teaching and training on the importance of mental health through different seminars, especially during the pandemic, with emphasis on grief and loss and the impact that had and continues to have on individuals. In her time outside of work she enjoys going for walks, shopping, and trying out new coffee shops with her husband. She looks forward to working alongside everyone here at the Hospice and in the community and looks forward to getting to know the amazing volunteers that help here.
Vanessa Aparicio
Children & Family Coordinator
Currently on maternity leave
Vanessa comes with a degree in Therapeutic Recreation and years of experience in health care, providing support, education, and programs for the vulnerable sector. Her vast experience working with families, children, teens, and individuals living with mental health and life limiting illness, gives her the ability to support the children and families of our community. Her knowledge and skills to assess and individualize programs with therapeutic programming for all ages, is an asset to our programs, as everyone’s journey with grief is unique and individualized. Her passion is designing therapeutic and meaningful programs that meet the needs of the people she is supporting, while giving them the tools to move forward with confidence and hope.
Carley Tonn
Development Coordinator
Currently on maternity leave
Carley graduated from Summit Pacific College majoring in Non-Profit Global Leadership. She is excited to join the AHS team this summer, contributing her heart for community engagement and creativity to organize and plan events. She is looking forward to working within the community to raise awareness about the mission of AHS.
Tamara Dolan
Volunteer Coordinator
Maternity Leave Coverage
Tamara comes from a ranch in Alberta with a healthcare background, Death Doula Certification, and training in Hospice Client Support, Life Coaching, Chopra Meditation and Sattva Yoga. Tamara is passionate about providing compassionate care and support to individuals, their families, and loved ones facing the end-of-life journeys. She looks forward to inspiring others to do so while providing them with support, encouragement, training, team comradery, appreciation and lots of love and admiration.
Tamara is Mom to 4 happy & kind adults. Gigi to 3 beautiful grandchildren. Newly married Wife to her perfect love & life partner. Bonus Mom to 2 more loved & cherished adults. She’s a Daughter, Sister, Tia, Niece, Cousin, Friend to many,
and Dog mom to Mo.
Gurveer Sahota
Office Coordinator / Administration
Bio coming soon.
Janessa Neufeld
Children & Family Services Coordinator
Maternity Leave Coverage
Janessa joined the team in 2023 as the Children and Family Services Coordinator. Janessa grew up in Abbotsford and is eager to support and give back to the community that she loves! She holds a BA in Counselling and Human Services and comes with many years of experience working with non-profits, as well as, working with at-risk youth. Her passion is to work with young people and help them in their unique grieving journey through therapeutic and meaningful programs. Outside of work, Janessa enjoys spending time with her family, baking, getting outside for walks/hikes and cuddling up under a blanket with
a warm cup of tea!