The ASK Wellness Society

Bob Hughes has worked in the social services field for the past 25 years in a variety of capacities. Previously, he worked as an addiction’s counselor/consultant for seven years. He was the team leader for a stimulant abuser program called Meth Kickers in Kamloops and provided workshops and forums around community mobilization for addiction issues. He has presented to various organizations and conferences including an International Harm Reduction conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. Bob also worked with the Interior Health Authority developing a Youth Addictions program for the Shuswap region.

His other work experiences include the development of a Crisis Response program in Victoria for at-risk youth. This was created in response to the death of Reena Virk and was to help prevent youth from entering the sex trade. Bob has also worked for the BCGEU as a Staff Representative conducting workplace investigations and dispute resolution.

Bob holds a bachelor’s degree from Simon Fraser University in the field of Communications and Psychology, has a diploma in Brief Systemic Family Therapy, and completed his Master’s Degree in Health Leadership at Royal Roads University in 2014.

Kim Galloway has been with ASK for six years and started as a Housing Outreach Worker. With the increased need for housing supports and expanded rental subsidy program, she moved into a role of Program Coordinator to oversee the market housing team and HPS Housing Program.

In the last year her responsibilities evolved, and she took on the role of Director of Housing. As Director of Housing she is involved with the overall function of all housing programs and maintaining relationships with community partners.
Housing has been at the forefront of her professional career for the past ten years. Prior to her work at ASK, she worked with parolees on community release. Prior to her social work years, she spent several years as the Fundraising Co-Ordinator with the Kamloops Art Gallery.

Kim holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in general studies, a Bachelor of Social Work and is currently in her second year of a Master’s in Education with a focus on Administration and Leadership.

Cher Doolan has been with ASK for 13 years watching and assisting the ASK Team grow from seven to over two hundred and sixty staff. As the Director of Human Resources for the region, she fills a multitude of roles. She is responsible to oversee human resources practices, provide leadership support and direction and to promote a healthy and supportive workplace culture. Cher has also taken the lead to oversee the ASK Cultural Advisory Committee to implement the objectives and actions to embed cultural safety throughout the organization.

Her other work experiences include supporting multiple law firms with management and paralegal services. Cher also fills her time volunteering to support her community through Dying with Dignity Canada and the Ruff Start Rescue Society.

Cher holds a Business Administration Certificate from Bow Valley College and a Certificate in Management and Leadership from the Justice Institute of British Columbia.

Rebecca Doyle has been with ASK for sixteen years and has held a variety of positions. She has been instrumental in the organization’s development through the creation of the Property Services Department, as well, she has been the administrative support through projects such as renovations to several properties and the remodeling of two former hotels into low income housing.

Her background is administrative support as well as bookkeeping. She works part-time in community as a property manager for a private landlord and is experienced in property management. She is active in community volunteering for sports functions with her family.

Rebecca’s education includes a Certificate in Management and Leadership with the Justice Institute of British Columbia; a certification as a Housing Professional through Chartered Institute of Housing Canada; and finally she is currently working towards a Bachelor of Business Administration with Thompson Rivers University.

Natascha Strauss joined the ASK team in December of 2018 as the Director of Finance continues to support the Finance team and the organization.

Previously, Natascha has supported the financial management of Mental Health and Substance Use Services programs supporting the organizations through major growth and restructuring.

Natascha has a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor a Business from the University of South Australia and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

Kyra Matheson has been at ASK for eight years starting as a Service Canada funded student to work our front intake desk. Over the term of her position, she started helping administration and finance and by the end of her term was hired on as the admin/finance assistant and rent supplement coordinator. Over the years she discovered her passion for accounting and worked her way into the Finance Department full time.

Prior to ASK she worked as a Care Aid in Kamloops and has volunteered extensively with community partners and various ASK events.

She holds an Accounting Certificate from Thompson Rivers University and a Care Aid Certificate from Thompson Rivers University.

Keri has been with ASK for four years and a longtime resident of Merritt. Keri has had the opportunity to work in a vast array of positions within ASK Merritt including CLBC Community Inclusion, Housing Outreach, and Adult Addiction Supporting Housing (AASH). Most importantly, Keri was involved in the Merritt AASH program from its earliest development stage through to its implementation. With her leadership skills, the AASH program continues to be very successful. Keri took on the new role as Director of Merritt Operations in 2018. With this new role she has been excited to be a part of building relationships with other Merritt partners in order to provide wrap-around support services to community members. She also provides clinical support to the Merritt team and currently plays a pivotal role in the Juniper House initiative.

Keri’s past work experiences include the coordination of the Merritt Extreme Weather Response and the provision of recreation programming for those living in an extended care facility.

Keri holds diplomas in Events and Convention Management from the University College of the Caribou and a Medical Transcription Diploma.

Stan Fike is a retired family physician, having worked in Kamloops for 37 years. He attained an Honour’s bachelor’s degree at the University of Calgary, a Master’s degree in Psychology at Carleton University, and a Medical degree from University of Ottawa. He completed a two-year residency at the University of Calgary.

Stan is also on the board of Phoenix Centre, and his Rotary club. He has been on the board of ASK Wellness for 9 years.

Stan has been a Rotarian for 34 years. He lives with his wife and is an avid gardener and curler.

He worked with ASK when it was still the Aids Society of Kamloops, for over 20 years. He joined the board to assist with the mission and the work that ASK Wellness does. It has been an honour and privilege to serve this agency, with remarkable staff.

Garry Limpright is a retired Certified Professional Accountant (CPA) and former businessman with over 40 years of business experience. His experience includes 28 years with Shell Canada. He started with several locations in Manitoba and then moved to Kamloops in 1994.

Garry has been married to Mary for over 30 years. They have four children together, two in Winnipeg and two in Kamloops, and eleven grandchildren. Garry has previously been an active participant in sports such as curling, and bowling; he continues to be a sports spectator.

Garry serves on the board of other Non-Profit Organizations in Kamloops as he endeavours to give back to our community.

Gina Dillon is a long time Kamloops resident with over 15 years of management experience in the hospitality and retail industries. She recently completed her Bachelor of Business Administration at Thompson Rivers University in Human Resource Management and Leadership and is currently working towards her professional designation in Human Resource Management (CPHR). She has previously served as the Kamloops Unit President for the Canadian Cancer Society, Subject Matter Expert for the Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council, Co-President for the TRU Human Resource Management Club, Student Caucus Member for the TRU Student Union, and Treasurer for a Parent Advisory Council. Gina has also volunteered for a number of other organizations and has served on various committees both at TRU and through previous employment.

Gina believes that everyone has the potential to be successful and they deserve an equal opportunity regardless of background and economic circumstances. She joined the ASK Wellness in March 2020 as a way to give back to her community, and to support the organizations mission to provide the assistance that many marginalized and at-risk people require to be able to work towards their potential.

Gina lives with her husband of 16 years and is the mother of two elementary school aged children and one child in post-secondary. In her spare time, Gina enjoys researching her family’s history, reading true crime novels, and spending time with her family.

Murray was born, raised, and educated in Kamloops. He started his early career as a Professional Musician and worked many years as a drummer, guitar and bass player and also plays some piano. He worked with his own groups as the main vocalist and band leader and travelled throughout Western Canada. He has also volunteered as the Musical Director for professional musical theater.

He opened a Music Store in Ft. McMurray in 1976 (Campbell’s Music) and added electronics and computers to the mix as the business grew. He sold the business in 1995 to return to B.C. He received licensing as a Realtor and Property Manager and worked in the Shuswap and Kamloops, mainly as a Property and Strata Manager.

Over the years Murray has been involved in many organizations. Two of the most memorable are the Rotary Club of Ft McMurray and the United Way in Ft. McMurray as the chairperson for allocations. Now, back in Kamloops, he is a board member for the Kamloops Curling Club and is pleased to now become associated with ASK Wellness as a board member.

Murray has been married to Janie for 48 years, has two grown daughters and, since his retirement from Property Management in 2017, enjoys golfing, curling, and kayaking.

Sean is a Registered Clinical Counsellor in private practice with 15 years of experience, primarily working in the substance use field. He has a BA in Psychology and a Masters in Counselling. His responsibilities in his career have included research and program development for the Phoenix Centre, individual, family, and group therapy, supervision of an outpatient treatment program, conducting psychosocial assessments for the justice system, violent and sexual offender treatment, and substance use and general mental health treatment.

Sean is the proud father of two young adults and has a strong appreciation for nature and its healing abilities. He enjoys active, playful outdoor activities with friends and family. He has served on the ASK Wellness Board since 2016 as a Director and most recently as Secretary. Since his early twenties, he has been deeply concerned about the welfare of Canada’s vulnerable populations, particularly the homeless.