Leadership
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors are comprised of the Board Executive, the Education Standards Commission Chair, the National Ethics Commission Chair, the Professional Practice Commission Chair, the Regional Presidents and the Executive Director (ex officio).
Ajith Varghese
President | Board Executive
Bio
Ajith Varghese is the Manager of the Spiritual and Religious Care Department and Clinical Educator for professional Spiritual Care at the Scarborough Health Network.
He was granted his dual Specialist Certification in Pastoral Care and Pastoral Counselling with the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care (CASC) in 2010. In 2012, he was certified as an Associate Supervisor in Clinical Pastoral Education by CASC. Ajith received his Full Teaching Supervisor Certification in 2014. He holds a Masters of Theology (Th.M.) in Pastoral Counselling from Regis College, Toronto School of Theology, The University of Toronto.
Ajith also holds a Bachelor of Divinity, a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, as well as post graduate diplomas in Counselling and Psychotherapy and Psychological Counselling.
He began his professional ministry as a Pastoral Counselor in a substance de-addiction clinical setting in 2001 and has worked as a pastoral counselor and a spiritual care provider in a variety of multifaith/ multicultural clinical settings. Ajith advocates and promotes ‘culturally sensitive spiritual care’ in the culturally diverse context of Scarborough, encouraging his students to join the diverse ministry team already present in the Spiritual and Religious Care department.
Ajith enjoys cooking and photography.
Dale Nikkel
Vice President | Board Executive
Bio
Dale is the Manager of Spiritual Care at St. Joseph’s Health Care in London, Ontario. Dale holds a Master of Divinity Degree from Trinity College in Toronto and earned a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Issues from Saint Paul University in Ottawa. Dale is a CASC/ACSS Certified Supervisor-Educator and a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. Dale is ordained in the Anglican tradition and practices in the Diocese of Huron. Originally from Winnipeg, Dale is a former school-teacher and musician. Music and nature are important aspects of spiritual practice for Dale. Dale enjoys spending time with his family as well as travelling.
Rev. Dr. Florence A. Juma
Secretary | Board Executive
Bio
The Rev. Dr. Florence A. Juma is a Certified Spiritual Care Practitioner and Supervisor-Educator in Spiritual Care and Psychospiritual Therapy with CASC/ACSS. Florence serves at Grand River Hospital in Kitchener as a spiritual care education lead. She is a Registered Psychotherapist in Ontario and ordained with the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada. Her research interest includes the integration of spiritual disciplines in psychotherapy to foster emotional and mental wellness with individuals and families; the interplay of spirituality in the aging process and more recently, exploring experiential approaches in therapy to examine the similarities with the Oral Traditions of Afro-Indigenous response to emotional trauma.
Florence embarked on the pastoral care path in her youth and have since served in various capacities within her faith tradition and beyond, in her home country of Kenya, in South Africa and currently in Canada. Florence is an Associate Professional Faculty at Martin Luther University College in the department of spiritual care and psychotherapy.
Fritz Clarke
Treasurer | Board Executive
Bio
Fritz is currently the Spiritual Care Practitioner at the Queensway Carleton Hospital, in Ottawa, Ontario. Fritz has worked for 25 years in Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy in health care and corrections settings.
Fritz has served CASC/ACSS as Ethics National Chair, Accreditation Co-Chair as well as the Ontario North East Region Chair, Vice Chair and Ethics Representative. Fritz has been an academic supervisor to students from St. Paul’s University and St. Lawrence College, and has trained medical staff in spiritual care, advanced care planning, ethics and cultural care in medicine.
In addition, Fritz has worked collaboratively in developing training for the spiritual care and pastoral care volunteers in health care and correction settings. Fritz is an ordained minister with the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada. Fritz continues to be a part of Research through the D.Min program at St. Andrews College in Saskatoon. Fritz is the Father of three adult children, and continues to enjoy life through being outdoors, and through physical activities.
Julie Bergen
Educational Standards Commission Chair
Bio
Julie Bergen is a CASC/ACSS certified Spiritual Care Practitioner and Supervisor-Educator with experience in the provision of spiritual care in acute care and long-term care settings. Julie facilitates the Clinical Psychospiritual Education program at St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon, SK. She has previous experience in community-based social work. She is ordained with Mennonite Church Saskatchewan. Julie enjoys the meditative experience of knitting and devours books in her spare time. She and her partner, Matthew, parent their daughter, Nora, and son, Emmett. Together they laugh at the antics of their Miniature Schnoodle, Maple.
Ken Bell
National Ethics Commission Chair
Bio
I have been working in Spiritual Care since 2020, initially in Long Term Care, while doing my CPE, and since 2023, I have been at Lions Gate Hospital in North Vancouver (acute, emergency, paediatrics, hospice and palliative, LTC, and psychiatric). In addition to caring for the patients, I have a particular passion for caring for the staff.
Before working in spiritual care, I served as an Anglican priest in North Vancouver for 15 years and as a youth pastor for 15 years before that. I have an MDiv from Regent College and a BA in Criminology and Psychology from Simon Fraser University. I am also a trained Spiritual Director through Soul Formation.
I am also an occasional host on a podcast, “Rector’s Cupboard”, which has been producing content since 2019. We speak with guests from around the world about faith, spirituality, and culture through a lens of moving towards hope instead of fear, recognizing the humanity of others instead of being shaped by division.
I have been married since 1998, and have two adult children. I ride to work every day unless it is snowing. And I enjoy gardening, cooking, and puttering.
Philip Crowell
Professional Practice Commission Chair
Bio
Rev. Dr. Philip Crowell holds a Master of Arts in Philosophy from the University of New Brunswick , and an MDiv from Acadia Divinity School, Nova Scotia. His PhD in philosophy at the University of Waterloo. Philip has taught extensively across Canada. For the past two decades he has been the Spiritual Health Leader for the BC Provincial Services Authority supporting pediatric care, cancer care, and spiritual/mental health care.
He is a clinical assistant professor with the UBC Faculty of Medicine serving as the medical ethics theme leader. He is a certified clinical psychospiritual educator with the Canadian Association of Spiritual Care (and a past President of that Association.) He is a Minister of Word and Sacrament of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. He is a clinical assistant professor with UBC Faculty of Medicine appointed by the Division of Pediatric Oncology. His writing and research ranges from themes of moral and spiritual distress in healthcare, and the role of spiritual care in bereavement care, end-of-life and palliative care. He is interested in the exploration of resources for spiritual resiliency and agency. He is a father, partner, a runner, and avid sports fan.
Beth Burden
President's Council Chair
Bio
Beth is a Certified Spiritual Care Practitioner and Provisional Supervisor-Educator currently teaching Clinical Psychospiritual Education with the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority. She holds degrees in both Outdoor Education (BA) and Spiritual Care (MA), and is currently completing a certificate in Emergency Management.
After she left outdoor education, Beth began her career in long-term care, although the majority of her clinical work was spent in high-intensity acute care settings, including adult and pediatric emergency departments, ICUs, burn units, and transplant teams. She later moved into leadership, directing spiritual health teams in both Winnipeg and Vancouver, before transitioning into pursuing certification as a CPE supervisor-educator. She has held various association roles, including Chair of CASC Manitoba, Co-Chair of CASC BC, and Co-Chair of the 2023 National Conference in Vancouver.
Beth strives to be an ally to the 2SLGBTQ+ community, a creative CPE educator, and a curious life-long learner. As a grateful (and still slightly starry-eyed) transplant to BC, she enjoys spending her free time sailing, skiing, hiking and camping (preferably without bears!).
Jeff Chant
Chief Executive Officer (Ex Officio)
Bio
Jeff brings over 25 years of leadership experience across nonprofit, corporate, and consulting sectors. Known for his thoughtful, person-centered leadership, he skillfully aligns people with purpose, guiding organizations through growth, transformation, and renewed relevance.
Jeff’s background includes founding Arbinger Canada and Bermuda, and serving as Vice President of Organizational Performance and Human Resources at Petrominerales Ltd., a publicly traded energy company. His work consistently bridges business strategy with empathy, building cultures of trust, collaboration, and performance.
With academic training in business, psychology, education, and theology—as well as formative experience in Clinical Psychospiritual Education—Jeff fosters environments where people feel valued and organizations thrive. Whether developing strategy, coaching leaders, or strengthening governance, he leads with compassion, vision, and a commitment to collective success.
Cheryl Fraser
Board member
Bio
Cheryl has over 35 years of experience working at an executive level with private, and publicly traded companies, governments, not-for-profit organizations shaping culture, advising Boards, CEOs, and executives on governance, talent and strategy. Most recently, Cheryl was Chief Talent Officer & Vice President Communications for over a decade at one of Canada’s leading real estate investment trusts. For the prior 30 years, she was in the federal public service as Chief Human Resource Officers and Assistant Deputy Ministers at Canada Revenue Agency, Correctional Service of Canada, Treasury Board Secretariat, and Fisheries and Oceans.
She chairs Dalhousie University’s Board of Governors and is on the Boards of the Canadian Centre for Substance Use and Addictions and NS Aquaculture Review Board. Cheryl has held directorships with the Atlantic Economic Council, Concentra Bank, Mental Health Commission of Canada, Aberdeen Health Foundation, and YMCA of Pictou County. Cheryl holds a BSc and MES from Dalhousie University, a certificate in Inclusive Leadership through Behavioural Science from London School of Economics, and ICD.D from Rotman School of Management. Cheryl was recognized as one of the top 50 Best Executives in the Globe and Mail’s Report on Business in 2021.
Andrew Terhoch
Reconciliation Circle Member
Bio
Andrew is part of the Réseau Compassion Network as the Spiritual Health Practitioner for the St.Amant community. He is a descendent of English, Celtic, Polish and German ancestors. He has lived and worked on Treaty 1 Land and the homelands of the Red River Métis his entire life. In his daily work, Andrew supports people of all ages and cultures to explore and nurture values that bring purpose and meaning to life. He supports people and families as well as healthcare and human services staff with contemporary and traditional practices in acute, long term and palliative care settings. Andrew was named to the inaugural CASC/ACSS National Reconciliation Council in 2022 and is a Fire Keeper and Ceremony helper to Elders and Knowledge Carriers in his community.
Chris Baron
Reconciliation Circle Member
Bio
I grew up in a small town called Pembroke Ontario in a family of 5 people that includes my parents and 2 younger sisters. I completed my undergraduate, Bachelor of Theology at Eastern Pentecostal Bible College in Peterborough and Master’s of Divinity Program in Hamilton at McMaster Divinity College. This is where I met my wife Pam and married midway through my 3rd year. We have 2 daughters and have been living in London on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee, Lunaapeewak and Attawandaron. Since moving here in 2009 I have worked as a chaplain in a hospital setting and in 2015 I have provided spiritual care within 2 nursing home locations operated by Southbridge. Also while living here I have passionately advocated on behalf of those who are homeless and worked within shelter settings alongside my role as chaplain in the nursing homes. I enjoy spending my leisure time playing pickleball, tennis or reading and camping with my family. I also enjoy any opportunity I have to be outside.
In July 2023 I was welcomed to be part of the Reconciliation Council. I identify as an Indigenous person, specifically Anishinaabe – Ojibwa. My grandfather left Garden River Reserve near Sault Ste Marie when he was 14 and changed his last name from Biron to Baron to dissociate from his Indigenous heritage and roots. Although he died before I was born and I know little of his story I feel an affiliation to him and my cultural and spiritual roots especially when I lead drum circles and talk about him through what little I know of him through my dad and through ancestral documentation. I like to think I am reclaiming my family name through my writings, poetry, drumming and every time I talk about my family.”