Since 2001, SUMS has been serving the Whalley Community
CEO
Jack O’Halloran
CEO
For more than 20 years Jack has served in the Charitable/Non-Profit world having worked with organizations such as The Salvation Army, United We Can, and BFM Foundation Canada. Until recently, Jack was the Regional Director of British Columbia for Mission Thrift Stores and the owner of Ailm Coaching & Consulting. Jack has the designation of Policy Governance Professional and works extensively in that area with Policy Governance Boards across Canada. Jack has Leadership Certificates in Governance and Coaching through Briercrest Seminary and University and is presently working towards getting his International Coaches Federation ACC accreditation. He is married to his wife of 25 years Anne and has two children all living in Delta BC.
Jack has a strong background in program development and board governance, with minors in conflict and change management. Having worked directly with people living on the DTES while at United We Can and the Salvation Army, Jack has seen firsthand the situation and the opportunities that exist there, and it is on his heart to be able to come alongside guests of SUMS in Surrey and share ways to make a better life for everyone.
As someone who has always been hungry to advance the mission through social change, in 2015 he joined United We Can - a social enterprise designed to bring legitimacy to “binning” or “dumpster diving” all with the help of a small team, a solid board of directors and dedicated entrepreneurial businesspeople living and existing on the DTES.
Jack brings an enjoyment of implementing great ideas, researching best practices and is gifted in building relationships, digitizing solutions, and providing operational leadership. He is strong in brand building, strategic planning, and organizational and financial stewardship.
Leadership Team
Ben Bleinis
Director of Operations
Nathan Stein
Director of Strategic Advancement
Shannon Dignard
Director of Community Relations
Paul Zigah
Director of Human Resources
Daniel Zahara
Director of Information & Technology
Support Staff
Jasmine Kaur
Associate Director of Operations & Payroll Specialist
Evelyn Schellenberg
Community Connections Manager
Shay Haynes
Executive Assistant & Jr. Bookkeeper
Mehar Kaur
Funds & Grants Development Associate
Hannah Bohl
Funds & Grants Development Associate
Board of Directors
Stephen Gammer, BA, CCIM
Stephen has worked as a commercial realtor for almost 20 years He has been a contributing columnist for Business in Vancouver, The Surrey Business Journal and a podcast guest talking about commercial real estate, economics, and leasing. He is the past President of the CCIM Western Canada Chapter, a former director of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board and has extensive experience volunteering for many organizations and working on multiple non-profit boards in BC.
Vice President, Remax Commerical Advantage
Board Chair
Board Vice Chair
Vice President, Westone Group
Robert Dominick
Robert has had two careers in his life. Firstly, 25 years service in the UK Armed Forces from which he is proud to be a decorated veteran. Secondly, 34 years in the real estate development industry in Canada.
As Vice President of the WestStone Group, Robert has a well documented and often award winning performance in the development, sales and marketing of large projects including commercial, rental, educational, medical and multi-family. WestStone has completed many award-winning developments in BC, Alberta and Arizona.
Robert is one of the pioneers in the build-out of Surrey city centre, starting in 2005 with West Village a master-planned community of around 2,800 homes. Currently, WestStone has some 5 million square feet of developments underway in Calgary, New Westminster, Surrey and White Rock
Robert served on the Downtown Surrey Business Improvement Association as a Director, President and Chair for 12 years. He also served 10 years as Chair of the Surrey City Centre Economic Development Committee. Robert is currently a member of the Development Advisory Committee with the City of Surrey.
Val Morrison
Val is a dedicated Doctor of Pharmacy candidate at the University of British Columbia with over 5 years of experience in the healthcare sector. With a profound passion for improving healthcare accessibility and promoting wellness throughout the community, Val stands out as a dedicated advocate for positive change. As a fourth-year student, she embodies a fresh perspective and a deep dedication to making a meaningful impact in the lives of others. Val is thrilled and honoured to be a member of the board of directors and contribute to the impactful initiatives of Surrey Urban Mission Society.
Secretary
Theo Warkentin
Treasurer
Scott Nicoll
Board Member
Partner, Panorama Legal LLP
Chantal Diaz
Board Member
Soye Brown
Board Member
Barrister, Solicitor & Notary Public
Soye is a litigator who has had the privilege of practicing law across 2 oceans, 3 continents and 4 common law countries: Nigeria, Botswana, Marshall Islands (a US jurisdiction, where he served as Chief Prosecutor), and Canada. In the Marshall Islands, he briefly served as Attorney-General.
Soye serves as a volunteer with several community-based non-profits. He was, until June 2023, the president of the Nigerian-Canada Association of British Columbia - the province’s largest black organization, which he led for 4 years. He currently serves on the board of the African Descent Advisory Committee of the Vancouver Police Department, which helps the VPD to foster better cordial relations with the black community in Greater Vancouver. He is also an usher at his local, Calvary Church, Fraser Heights, Surrey, BC where he identifies closely with the church’s missionary thrust.
Outside of Soye’s volunteering activities, he loves travelling and meeting new people – with as much passion as he loves reading, baking, and cooking. He is married to Jaffia, his heartthrob, and recently became a grandfather.
Pamela Robertson
Board Member