Staff Directory
In addition to all the volunteers who support our organization's mission, Saanich Volunteer Services Society runs on a small team of part-time staff
Linda Dawson Reid, Client Services Coordinator
(250) 595-8008 Ext. 126
csc@saanichvolunteers.org
Linda is a social worker with more than 25 years social work experience working in community based non-profit organizations in Canada and Great Britain. She has a strong belief in the importance of community service and in the work done by non-profit organizations.
Linda is committed to providing quality service to SVSS clients and facilitates the monthly Macular Degeneration Support Group meetings.
MJ Cousins, Coordinator of Volunteers
(250) 595-8008
cov@saanichvolunteers.org
MJ knows a lot about the business of volunteering. She volunteered and worked at the YM-YWCA in Kamloops for 15 years. She left her position of assistant executive director at the Y to go back to school for a degree in marketing and HR.
MJ has lived in Victoria for the past five years and has volunteered for organizations such as Jazz Fest and Kidsport. She brings a lot of experience to the Office Coordinator’s position and we welcome her to our team.
Beth Penny, Coordinator Assistant
Beth joined SVSS in the Spring of 2020. She started by helping SVSS get online during the pandemic lockdown through her marketing content consultancy, Baetli.
She is now assisting with various technology-based projects around the office. Check out our YouTube channel to see some of her videography!
Janet Mathews, Bookkeeper
(Contract)
I am a busy mother of 2 grown children and 1 pre-teen plus 3 international home-stay students. My hobbies include cooking (luckily!), gardening and hiking (which is lucky for my dog who also loves hiking).
As a Bookkeeper/Payroll Officer, SVSS shares me with: Our Place Society, and Vancouver Island Strata Owners Association, and SoozSports (another Saanich based organization). I am proud to represent such an essential and nurturing organization as SVSS.
Also the gorgeous country setting of the office does something wonderful for my historical imagination. I love that it feeds my creative spirit which rarely gets a break in the midst of all this number crunching! Thank you SVSS! Here's to many more years of service!
Brenda Lynn, Executive Director
(250) 595-8008 Ext. 121
executivedirector@saanichvolunteers.org
Brenda joined Saanich Volunteer Services Society as Executive Director in August 2017, after retiring as provincial Director Community Oncology Network with the BC Cancer Agency. She brings 30 years' experience as an innovative, strategic Health Care Administration professional to her role at Saanich Volunteer Services, together with a BSc in Nursing, an MSc with a major in Health Administration and LEAN Six Sigma Yellow Belt certification.
Brenda inspires teams, cultivates relationships and works strategically to effect positive and progressive change. Through strong support and leadership, she established a Patient and Family Advisory Council for patients diagnosed with cancer, in her previous role. Building dynamic teams and maximizing their performance are her focus.
Brenda sees her role with Saanich Volunteer Services Society as a great opportunity to work within her Saanich community and be part of a long-standing, dedicated group of individuals who support Saanich residents living independently while enhancing quality of life
Through innovative ideas and collaboration, Brenda aims to enhance the positive Saanich Volunteer community profile that inspires our vision of a community of neighbours helping neighbours.
Peggy Hancyk, Client Services Outreach Worker
(250) 595-8008 Ext. 128
peggy@saanichvolunteers.org
Peggy left Ontario over 28 years ago, to enjoy life on the coast. As a former teacher, educator, consultant, business owner and volunteer, she enjoyed all the benefits of living in Victoria while raising a family and taking care of her aging mother.
Retirement wasn’t in the cards for her and her lifetime passion of working with seniors led her to Home Instead Senior Care and Home Care Assistance where her roles were Community Relations Coordinator and Cognitive and Music Therapy. She also put on Dementia and Eldercare workshops and presentations. One of her favourite roles is being the Volunteer Chief Executive Elf for the non-profit “Seniors on Santa’s List” Program.
Her hobbies include hiking with her husband and dog, gardening, cooking for family and friends and reading an eclectic assortment of fiction and non-fiction books.
Linda Dawson Reid, Client Services Coordinator
(250) 595-8008 Ext. 126
csc@saanichvolunteers.org
Linda is a social worker with more than 25 years social work experience working in community based non-profit organizations in Canada and Great Britain. She has a strong belief in the importance of community service and in the work done by non-profit organizations.
Linda is committed to providing quality service to SVSS clients and facilitates the monthly Macular Degeneration Support Group meetings.
MJ Cousins, Coordinator of Volunteers
(250) 595-8008 Ext. 125
cov@saanichvolunteers.org
MJ knows a lot about the business of volunteering. She volunteered and worked at the YM-YWCA in Kamloops for 15 years. She left her position of assistant executive director at the Y to go back to school for a degree in marketing and HR.
MJ has lived in Victoria for the past five years and has volunteered for organizations such as Jazz Fest and Kidsport. She brings a lot of experience to the Office Coordinator’s position and we welcome her to our team.
Beth Penny, Coordinator Assistant
Beth, jokingly referred to as our "token millennial", joined SVSS in the Spring of 2020. She started by helping SVSS get online during the pandemic lockdown through her marketing content consultancy, Baetli. She is now assisting with various technology-based projects around the office, including this website. Check out our YouTube channel to see some of her videography.
Beth's hobbies include surfing, climbing and music production. She studied at the Alberta College of Art and Design, got her B.A. Hons at the University of Victoria, and has a Masters degree in Museum Studies from the University of Toronto. In a nutshell, she knows how to tell a compelling story using visual materials and leverage that to help businesses and organizations connect with their audiences.
Janet Mathews, Bookkeeper
(Contract)
I am a busy mother of 2 grown children and 1 pre-teen plus 3 international home-stay students. My hobbies include cooking (luckily!), gardening and hiking (which is lucky for my dog who also loves hiking).
As a Bookkeeper/Payroll Officer, SVSS shares me with: Our Place Society, and Vancouver Island Strata Owners Association, and SoozSports (another Saanich based organization). I am proud to represent such an essential and nurturing organization as SVSS.
Also the gorgeous country setting of the office does something wonderful for my historical imagination. I love that it feeds my creative spirit which rarely gets a break in the midst of all this number crunching! Thank you SVSS! Here's to many more years of service!
Twiggy, Office Troublemaker
Twiggy is an important member of our staff. She is a very good girl and works in tandem with cookie-loving team members at the office by helping to hide the evidence.
Her curiosity and enthusiasm plays a huge role in staff morale. Current projects include learning to stay in Brenda's office when there's hustle going on at the front door and finding the comfiest spots in McRae house to hunker down and observe the organized chaos.