Staff

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.

Tina Van Ry

Palliative Services Manager

Tina has always been interested in the Hospice movement and began her work with the Abbotsford Hospice Society as a volunteer grief support companion, offering support to the dying  and to those grieving the death of a loved one. Her current staff position of Palliative Services Manager was preceded by the staff position of Volunteer Coordinator. Tina’s understanding and appreciation of the mission of AHS and of the role of the volunteer enabled  her to recruit, encourage, and equip the volunteer team. When the Palliative Services Manager position became open, Tina served in that capacity alongside the duties of Volunteer Coordinator. It was at that time that Tina recognized that her passion was to build a program that would effectively serve and support those who are dying  and their families, whether in Holmberg House, in the hospital, or in the community. 

Cyndi McLeod

Bereavement Services Manager

Cyndi joined AHS in August 2019 as the Day Hospice Program Manager.  Since then, she has moved into position of Adult Grief & Loss Services Manager. Cyndi’s first touch point with Abbotsford Hospice was many years ago, when attending an Adult Grief Support Group following the sudden loss of a loved one. Cyndi brings with her a varied background in the healthcare field, as well as years of volunteer service in the community. The past decade and more, has been focused on supporting persons living with dementia and their families. This is a journey Cyndi knows well, as she was a primary support & caregiver for her family and mother, who lived with Alzheimer’s disease. Cyndi is excited to begin this new chapter with AHS. Away from work, Cyndi enjoys the gifts of nature – walking, paddle boarding, skiing, travelling and spending time with her blossoming family. 

Leanne Shuttleworth

Children & Youth Services Manager

Leanne had the fortune of joining the AHS team in Sept. 2018. Her educational and professional background is rooted in the helping sciences where she has worked with individuals from infancy through late-adulthood. Her personal experiences have greatly deepened her dedication to helping others; being mom to 3 incredible kiddos and becoming a widow in 2016. Her hope is to help children and youth better understand their grief, as well as promote healthy ways for managing it. Honoured by the opportunity to walk alongside those grieving, Leanne remains dedicated to increasing awareness and inspired by the resilience she encounters daily at AHS.

Ashley Sharma

Children & Youth Services Coordinator

Ashley began her work with AHS as a practicum student as a part of her Bachelor Degree program in Social Work with UFV. She came on staff in 2021 while she finishes her degree. She is also part of the student social work association as the event coordinator. She works as a support worker for women struggling with substance use disorders, has volunteered for many years with Big Brother/Big Sister in Abbotsford, and done some volunteer work with seniors. Her experience with grief started at age 7 when her dad died. Supporting families and children is her passion. In her free time she likes long walks on the beach and doing yoga with her dog, Rosie.

Myra Lightheart

Client Support Training

Myra joined the AHS team in 2012 as a volunteer, supporting those grieving the death of a loved one. In 2014 she joined the staff in the full-time time position of Adult Bereavement Services  which included the role of Client Support Trainer. She retired from full time work in the summer of 2020 but continues to facilitate the training. From personal experience and meeting hundreds of grieving people, Myra clearly understands what good and effective bereavement and palliative support is and why it is so important to the individual, the family and the community. Myra is enjoying the time that retirement affords to spend time with family and friends and indulge in a variety of hobbies. 

Heidy Braun

Office/HR Manager, Communications & Marketing

Heidy started with AHS in 2015 as a part-time receptionist knowing very little about the organization. She quickly found a love for what AHS had to offer our community and over the past years has learned so much and taken on many roles. Currently she is our Office Manager, HR and Communication and Marketing. She believes strongly in the invaluable support that AHS provides and feels proud and grateful to be part of such an amazing team. Away from work, Heidy values the time she spends with her four children. Reading, baking, watercolour painting, and being outside with friends is how she spends her time when not in the office.

Susanne Brown

Client/Office Coordinator

Susanne started at AHS in August 2018 as a Volunteer on the Palliative floor and soon realized the importance of being present for the people in care and their families. Then in November of 2018, she became a staff member and is so thankful to be part of this wonderful, caring team who are truly helping people grieving loss. Susanne enjoys photography and genealogy; she lives with her family in Maple Ridge.

Rick Barkwell

Development Manager

Rick is the newest member of the AHS team starting 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. As Manager of the Development Team, he is responsible for ensuring the community programs for loss and grief are financially supported to ensure that the legacy of Abbotsford Hospice Society continues.

A passion for service has led Rick to this new role. He believes in the Mission of Abbotsford Hospice Society 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 was born in Abbotsford and continues to call it home and believes in community service. He is a Past President of the Abbotsford-Sumas Rotary Club as well as current board member of Abbotsford Minor Hockey.

“One of the deep secrets of life is that all that is really worth doing is what we do for others.” – Lewis Carroll, Writer

Christina Nelson

Development Officer, Community Engagement

Christina started with AHS in 2019. She has grown up in Abbotsford and has been an active volunteer for over 20 years working with many non profits such as Big Brothers and Sisters CFV, Abbotsford Police Department, BC Children's Hospital, Ronald McDonald House, as well as right here at the Abbotsford Hospice Society since 2013. She brings extensive knowledge in the event and logistics field focusing on philanthropy, and brings an unparalleled enthusiasm to create and execute flawless events. Christina is looking forward to working with the many connections she has made throughout her many years within the community and bringing awareness to the importance of AHS and the programs we offer. One of Christina's favorite quotes is "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others" - Mahatma Ghandi

On her off time Christina can be seen travelling the world, on the ice with her ladies hockey team, on the field with her fast pitch team, or riding her motorcycle!

Michelle Whalen

Development Coordinator

New to Abbotsford Hospice Society, Michelle joined in 2021 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.  When not in the office, you can find her spending time with her family, reading and enjoying the outdoors.