Board Members 2023-2024
Alma Lee
After a career promoting writers and reading at the House of Anansi Press in Toronto in 1971. Alma moved to the west coast in 1984 and founded the Vancouver International Writers & Readers Festival in 1988.
Alma has served on several boards - the founding Board of Aids Vancouver, the Alliance for Arts & Culture Cultural Society, the Performing Arts Lodge and the Koerner Foundation. She was a member of the Granville Island Trust for five years and was Vice-Chair of the British Columbia Arts Council. She also served as chair on the board of the Granville Island Cultural Society.
She is currently writing book reviews and working on a novel. Alma also created Writers ‘Inn’ Residence at the Wickaninish Inn in Tofino. Most recently she helped to fundraise for the new Carol Shields Prize.
Patrick Couling
Patrick is now retired from a 30-year position at the Board of Directors for the False Creek Community. He is also involved in a variety of activities that gave him the experience in facilitating the development of our Centre, as well as managing a variety of projects.
Fred Zhuang
Fred is a CPA. He is engaged in the automotive industry. As the controller, he oversees accounting, evaluates financial performance, and provides strategic advice to the owner. He is interested in the social well-being of our local community and believes in SGSC's mission to support the well-being of seniors. Fred understands and embraces the organization's vision to include a new style of program presentation combining in person and virtual elements. He is excited about this opportunity to join the board and is looking forward to contributing his expertise to help SGSC to move forward.
Iro Lugo
Iro was born in the Dominican Republic, on a beautiful Caribbean island... " on the path of the sun;" as described by its national poet, Pedro Mir. From an early age she was drawn to: art, social studies and community initiatives. At the Siena Heights College (USA) she obtained a BA in sociology that comprised French language studies at the University of Neuchatel (Switzerland). Afterwards Iro completed a Teacher’s Certificate Program at the University of Alberta (Canada) and a Master in Educational Leadership at the University of Alabama (USA). In a varied career path with the US Peace Corps she held the positions of: Language Instructor in Puerto Rico, and Costa Rica and of Language Coordinator and as an Elementary School teacher at the Carol Morgan School of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. Iro carried out several educational initiatives to benefit the under-privileged children in the Dominican Republic. Since 2008 upon her arrival in Vancouver she has volunteered at the 411 Senior Centre, the United Church and the South Granville Seniors Centre. Iro enjoys nature, learning about other cultures, learning new things, dancing, traveling and most of all spending time with her grandchildren. She hopes to contribute to the well being of others, to making the world a better place and to give back with gratitude to such a generous country like Canada.
Irene Loncar
Irene is an active member of the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, which leases the building to the South Granville Seniors Centre, Pacific Theatre, and other community-minded organizations. She worked for the Vancouver School Board for thirty-three years and is now enjoying retirement in the vibrant South Granville area. Irene loves spending time with family and friends and attending music and theatre productions. She finds South Granville to be a wonderful place to call home, with many shops, restaurants, and amenities in the neighborhood. Irene invites everyone to join the South Granville Seniors’ Centre to enjoy the many activities available.