Foundation Board of Directors
Board Executive
The Foundation is led by a board that includes representation from all 9 regions across Canada.
Sandy Reynolds
President
Bio
I have been a member with CASC/ACSS since 2008 and recently have the privilege of becoming Foundation President. I work as a Spiritual Health Practitioner for Island Health in Campbell River hospital for last three years with 12 years previous experience in other health authorities.
Before my CPE residence, I finished an MDiv and MA in leadership at seminary and a BA in Religious Studies from University of Calgary. Always a student, I am currently slowly working on a post grad certificate in Art Therapy.
My journey in Spiritual Health Care has been full of turns and adventures! A mixture of experiences in hospice/palliative care, hospital, geriatrics and some forensics with lots of acute care mixed in! Originally trained in CPE in Calgary I have worked in both Alberta and BC.
Currently living on Vancouver Island, I love living by the ocean and Salish Sea, with forest and mountains in my backyard. On long weekends and vacations, I often visit Vancouver and Calgary to see my three grown children and young grandson. I enjoy beach walks, nature trails, gardening, traveling, and exploring the island often with my pug.
As Chair of the Foundation, I feel privileged to be part of The Board and entrusted with sharing resources with those who need financial aid with their psychospiritual education. When I started CPE training many years ago, I was a single mom with three young children and not always sure where the funds were coming from. I felt a calling to serve others in spiritual care, journeying with them in their suffering, giving comfort, nudging them and helping to reach out to the spiritual. If it was not for The Foundation giving me a large grant during my residence, I am not sure I could have made it through! I know what its like to financially struggle through training and schooling! I am glad I can now assist those who need help in their journey through CPE/ PTE and also with research grants.
Philip Murray
Vice President
Bio
Philip Murray is a Certified Spiritual Care Practitioner and Provisional CPE Supervisor-Educator who currently serves as the Professional Leader for Spiritual Health at Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH). Philip completed his Master of Divinity at the Vancouver School of Theology (VST) and a CPE residency at the University Health Network in Toronto before beginning his vocation in spiritual care.
Philip returned to British Columbia to join Fraser Health as the Spiritual Health Leader and Educator before moving to Providence Health Care where he established professional spiritual care for clients and staff at the continent’s first Injectable Opioid Agonist Treatment (iOAT) clinic in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside and was the Spiritual Health Site Leader at the Brock Fahrni Long-Term Care Home through the first year of the COVID pandemic. He moved to VCH in 2021 to work with the Vancouver Community Palliative Care program and begin teaching CPE. In 2025, VST selected Philip as a recipient of their Honorary Doctor of Divinity, which is awarded to individuals who exemplify VST’s values and have made significant contributions through the integration of theology and practice of ministry.
Philip has served on the National Board of the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care (CASC/ACSS) as Chair of the Professional Practice Commission and Chair of the President’s Council. He has served the BC Region of CASC/ACSS as Regional Co-Chair and a liaison to the BC Ministry of Health.
Philip is an Elder at Brentwood Presbyterian Church in Burnaby, BC where he also serves as the congregation’s Cantor and in his spare time he enjoys cycling, walking along the Fraser River and singing with the Good Noise Vancouver Gospel Choir.
Lorrie Welch
Treasurer
Bio
I am a student in a First Advanced Unit of the Vancouver Coastal Health Clinical Psychospiritual Education program. During CPE, I have enjoyed working as a Spiritual Care Intern in long-term care, with the Community Health teams, and in hospital wards.
I recently retired as a high school Chemistry and Calculus Teacher, a role I had for 20 years. I particularly enjoyed working with those students who found the courses challenging. It is a huge step to have a student change from “I don’t get it” to “I don’t get it yet” where they give themselves time and space to understand a new concept. In 2019, my students nominated me as an Inspiring Teacher for a province-wide competition. After being chosen for this honour, Global News created a commercial about me for Teacher Week and interviewed us on the Morning News program.
Before teaching, I worked as an engineer at the Canadian Mars Bar factory and, before that, installing computer systems in pulp mills. I received the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada Scholarship which enabled me to obtain my Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering. I have had articles published in education and engineering journals.
On a personal level, I played ice hockey throughout my life. As an undergraduate, I was a member of the UBC Women’s Hockey team, winning the Western Canada competition. In 2016, I participated in the North America Masters Games where our team won the bronze medal for women’s hockey.
Becky Jones
Secretary
Bio
Becky is a client-centred spiritual care team intern who is ready to walk alongside individuals, providing a safe place to explore their lives in a safe and non-judgemental way.
Becky has a background in art therapy and has led many support groups for seniors and their families living with dementia. She has worked with children who are medically fragile, encouraging self expression. She has journeyed with kids in the school system that live with a wide variety of mental health challenges. Finally, she has worked within the long term care system providing therapeutic art interventions both in group settings as well as with individuals. Becky works to meet the individual where they are at as they navigate challenges such as grief, anxiety and depression.
When not working, you can find Becky painting, gardening or sewing. She enjoys all different ways of expressing her creativity. You can find Becky walking by the river with her dog, enjoying nature. She loves it when her grown children come to visit and also go on a walk with her – hopefully stopping ahead of time at the local coffee shop before the journey!
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors are comprised of the Board Executive and CASC/ACSS Regional Representatives.
Sandy Reynolds
BC Region
Elizabeth Hoffman
Alberta Region
Jerry Fitzgerald
Saskatchewan Region
Michelle Pante
Manitoba Region
Cameron Ellis
Ontario Central Region
Vacant
Ontario South and West Region
Vacant
Atlantic region
Vacant
Ontario North and East Region