Leadership Team
Get to know the Leadership Team of Cedar Strong Prevention & Intervention Society.
Management
Gerry Dyble
Gerry Dyble has been the Executive Director for Cedar Strong Prevention and Intervention Society since it was a small non-profit in 1998, Gerry with the support of her team and Board of Director’s has grown the agency into the largest non-profit in Fraser East.
Holding a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, she has an eye to business and understands social issues and the complexities and challenges faced by many.
She has held various Provincial committee and Board positions, advocating for rural and remote communities. She spent 7 years as a District of Hope Councilor, using the knowledge and networks gained through local politics she continues to raise difficult conversations within the community and bring forth emerging issues to local, Provincial and Federal delegates.
Gerry retired from her role as Executive Director in June of 2025 and has returned as of January 2026 as the Interim Executive Director as the Board of Director’s conducts their leadership search. Gerry is pleased to be able to provide support, guidance and leadership during this transition period.
Brent Dafoe
Brent Dafoe has built both a career and a life across British Columbia, shaped by a strong connection to community and place. Born and raised in the Lower Mainland, Brent spent time in Whistler during the Olympic years before heading to the Cariboo to experience the outdoors and quieter pace of life. Now based in Hope, he values being closer to family and finding a sense of balance both personally and professionally.
In his role as Finance Manager, Brent brings a steady, thoughtful approach to supporting the organization’s mission and ensuring resources are managed with care and accountability. He takes pride in contributing to a team that is making a meaningful difference in the community.
Outside of work, Brent enjoys basketball, golf, cooking, and travelling throughout BC, always appreciating the people and places that make the province unique.
Crystal Sylvester
Crystal holds a Master’s degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and has experience supporting organizations through employee relations, recruitment, training and development, policy implementation, process improvement, and workplace culture initiatives. Her professional background spans post-secondary education, international workforce development, community-centered programming, and experience working within the aviation and oil and gas sectors.
Prior to joining Cedar Strong, Crystal worked within higher education and community programming environments, including leadership roles connected to student support, workforce readiness, futures studies, and organizational development initiatives. While working in Saudi Arabia, she taught university-level Human Resources and business courses and collaborated with the global NGO World Futures Studies Federation (WFSF) in the development of the country’s first Futures Studies courses and Futures Centre, focused on futures literacy, innovation, and long-term societal thinking.
In addition to her HR background, Crystal has pursued professional training in digital wellbeing and coaching practices, with a strong interest in healthy workplace culture, sustainable leadership, communication, and the evolving relationship between people and technology.
At Cedar Strong, Crystal is focused on strengthening organizational systems, supporting employees and leadership teams, and helping foster a respectful, collaborative, and people-centered workplace culture that aligns with the organization’s mission and community impact.
Crystal is excited to join the Cedar Strong team and looks forward to building relationships across the organization and supporting the important work being done within the community.
Outside of work, Crystal enjoys spending time with her husband and cat, community engagement, lifelong learning, travel, wellness practices, and exploring creative and sustainable community-focused initiatives.
Allison Paterson
A seasoned professional with a wealth of experience, Allison has dedicated over two decades to delivering compassionate, frontline services across diverse healthcare and office settings. Originally from Montreal, Allison came to Hope via Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. She joined the Cedar Strong Prevention & Intervention Society in February 2008 after seven years in geriatric care. Throughout her career, Allison has filled a wide variety of roles, from Office Manager to Substance Use Counselor, showcasing her adaptability and commitment to serving her community. In July 2023, Allison’s talents were recognized with her appointment as the Manager of Outreach Services at Cedar Strong. Appreciated for her diplomacy and trauma-informed approach, Allison is driven by a passion for promoting dignity, humility, and respect in her work with people. With formal education from UFV, JIBC, and the Satir Institute, she brings a wealth of expertise to her leadership role, where she aspires to support and empower her dynamic, diverse Outreach Team. When not working, Allison finds comfort with family and books and endeavors to travel whenever possible.
Sam Kelley
Sam has been part of the Cedar Strong Prevention and Intervention Society since 2019, initially joining as a Key Worker and now serving as the Program Manager for Family and Youth Services. With a Bachelor’s degree in Child and Youth Care, Sam’s career in social services spans a range of roles across the Fraser Valley, each of which has deepened her expertise in navigating complex systems and honed her advocacy skills. Throughout her career, Sam has demonstrated a deep commitment to serving her community, one that she has called home for much of her life. She is dedicated to creating positive, lasting changes, especially for children, youth, and families. Her advocacy extends beyond professional duty, as she is deeply passionate about empowering individuals and families to overcome challenges and achieve their goals. Now a proud mother, Sam, is raising her family in the same community where she grew up, and her dedication to making a difference remains stronger than ever. Her work is grounded in a feminist perspective and guided by a commitment to strength-based, collaborative, and trauma-informed approaches. She believes in walking alongside the people she supports, fostering resilience and supporting healing through empathy, advocacy, and active community engagement.
Renee Marlatt
Renee has worked in the social service sector for over 25 years. Her creativity and person centred Philosophy lead to a variety of roles such as developing a Clubhouse for adult survivors of brain injuries as well as the first public sensory Snozelen room in North Vancouver for people with disabilities.
As an epic nature lover, Renee spends her free time with her family at their cabin near Chilliwack Lake. When she’s not at her cabin you’ll find her in the backcountry rockhounding with her lab Pepper.
Renee is passionate about advocating for our communities most vulnerable members and works tirelessly to enhance services to people in need.
coordinators
Isabel Perez
Isabel has proudly been part of the Cedar Strong Prevention and Intervention Society since Spring of 2018 and is one of the Program Coordinators for the Emergency Shelter Program.
Having overcome her own adversities with stigmatic barriers, her empathic nature and heart for humanity led her to seek ways she could be of service to others. Isabel has organically developed the skills required to take on this current role at Cedar Strong through years of volunteering and then working on the front lines in the shelters. Her favorite aspect of the job will always be establishing meaningful connections with the diverse folks by listening to their stories and supportively walking alongside them while they navigate their personal journeys. She believes that every person deserves safe shelter, nutritious food, clean water, and community supports. Isabel intends to continue being of service in this sector for many years to come and is committed to continue encouraging empathy and excellence in the staff she oversees while they deliver supportive care in the emergency shelter program.
Nina Rihal
Strategic and empathetic social services professional with 18 years of experience managing transitional housing programs for vulnerable women and families. Dedicated to staff supervision, operational excellence, harm reduction, and trauma-informed crisis management. Proven ability to navigate complex community networks, secure resources, and lead multidisciplinary teams to create safe, empowering residential environments. Working collaboratively with local community partners, service providers, and housing agencies to advocate for sustainable housing solutions.
Nina is a passionate advocate and dedicated Program Coordinator with over 30-years of experience in the social services sector, specializing in anti-oppression and legal advocacy. Grounded in a feminist analysis of gender-based violence, Nina oversees the daily operations of transition housing and develops resident-centered support programs. Holding a Degree in Organizational Psychology and majoring in Feminist Studies, she is deeply committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and empowering environment where women and children can rebuild their lives with dignity.
Sandra Olsen
Sandra has been a dedicated member of Cedar Strong since August 2019. After a successful career as a retail supervisor, she chose to pursue her passion for helping others by returning to school. In 2017, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in Psychosocial Rehabilitation. She also has a certificate in Basic Musicianship and enjoys sharing her love of music. Outside of work, she attends the Hope community choir as one of her interests.
Drawing on both her academic background and personal experience in the recovery field, Sandra redirected her career toward work that aligns closely with her values of compassion, integrity and service. She has extensive experience supporting individuals living with substance use challenges, mental health conditions and acquired brain injuries.
Beginning as a Support Worker and now serving as a Program Coordinator, Sandra is committed to fostering an environment of dignity, respect and kindness. She strongly believes that everyone deserves the opportunity to live a fulfilling life. Deeply grateful for the support she once received, Sandra is passionate about giving back to her community and continuing to serve with empathy and purpose.
Sarah Agnew
Sarah has been working in the social services field since 2019, beginning her career in Vancou-ver’s Downtown East side, where she worked at a front desk in an SRO supporting some of the city’s most vulnerable individuals. This experience provided her with a strong foundation in cri-sis response, overdose response, harm reduction, and person-centred support.
She later transitioned to the Fraser Valley, where she expanded her experience through shelter, supportive housing, and outreach programs. Her outreach work included supporting individuals living in encampments and helping connect people to housing, community resources, medical service and substance use supplies.
She is passionate about supporting individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health crises, and substance use challenges. She believes strongly in meeting people where they are at with compassion, dignity, and respect. she cares deeply about the pets that accompany many individu-als through these experiences and understands the important role they play in providing compan-ionship and emotional support.
Throughout her career, she has gained experience working in low-barrier environments and re-sponding to complex situations. These experiences have strengthened her ability to remain calm under pressure, lead with compassion, and support teams in providing client-centred care.
As Program Coordinator for shelter services, she is look forward to continuing to advocate for vulnerable populations, support frontline staff, and help create programs that promote safety, connection, and positive outcomes within our community.
Parmaveer Grewal
Paramveer is a Program Coordinator at the Emergency Shelter Program. Originally from Punjab, India, Paramveer’s dedication to community advocacy is deeply rooted in his upbringing. Inspired by their parents’ lifelong commitment to assisting others with basic necessities, Paramveer brings a profound, value-driven approach to his work in the non-profit sector. Paramveer has proudly been part of the Cedar Strong Prevention and Intervention Society since 2022.
Currently advancing his expertise through a Bachelor of Business Administration program, Paramveer integrates formal principles of management and organizational behavior to enhance facility logistics. This academic foundation, alongside a background creating internal training materials and digital content, allows for streamlined and effective shelter operations. Furthermore, professional experience as a Visitor Information Counsellor underscores his continuous commitment to public service, effective stakeholder communication, and community well-being.
Peter Strum
Peter is a dedicated culinary professional with a deep passion for community service and food security. New to Cedar Strong and enjoying the challenges and rewards the position offers. Bolstered by dedicated kitchen staff makes providing balanced, nutritious and comforting meals to the guests a daily pleasure.
During time off Peter enjoys exploring the rugged beauty of British Columbia. Often, he will be found off roading on the backroads with his dog as the dedicated copilot and companion.
“In every community, there is work to be done. In every nation there are wounds to heal. In every heart, there is the power to do it.”
– Marianne Williamson
Board of directors
The Cedar Strong Prevention & Intervention Society is guided by a Board of Directors that follows a governance model. The Board oversees the organization’s operations, approving new policies and ensuring the Executive Director effectively implements them.
Board Chair
Julie Blok
Board Members
Susan Johnston
Michelle Vandepol
Gina Bennett
Mark Bentley
Anne Todd
Lynne Marvell
For more information about becoming a Board member, please contact us directly at [email protected]
or (604) 869-5111 ext 231.