Canuck Place Senior Leadership Team

Filomena Nalewajek, Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Hal Siden, Medical Director

Tanice Miller, Director, Program Development & Administration

Leanne Freeman, Manager, Volunteer Services & Support Services

Anne Schretlen, Manager, Human Resources

Anastasios (Tasso) Tsalamandris, Director, Finance & Facilities

Filomena Nalewajek, Chief Executive Officer

Prior to her appointment as Executive Director in March 2003, Filomena was Director of Programs and Services, a position that gave her the lead responsibility for Canuck Place’s clinical programs.

Fil has a Bachelor's and a Master’s degree in nursing, and has focused on pediatrics and palliative care for more than 25 years. Besides her clinical nursing experience, she has taught at several universities in both British Columbia and Alberta and currently holds an adjunct appointment with the Faculty of Nursing at the University of British Columbia.

She is involved in Pediatric Palliative Care initiatives at the local, national and international level. She is past Co-Chair of the Canadian Network of Palliative Care for Children [CNPCC] and currently sits on a number of Boards, including the Lions Gate Hospice Society and the Women's Leadership Network Advisory.

Filomena's title changed to CEO in May 2007.

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Dr. Hal Siden, Medical Director

Dr. Hal Siden, MD, MHSc, FRCPC, DABP. As Medical Director at Canuck Place, Dr. Siden directs the physician team and collaborates in implementing research and education programs. His clinical interests are pediatric palliative care, pediatric pain management and general pediatrics. He has Fellowship and advanced training in biochemical diseases, developmental pediatrics, palliative medicine, pain management and pediatric hypnosis.

Dr. Siden is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of British Columbia (UBC). He has a cross appointment in the Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Family Practice at UBC. He is also a physician on the Pain Service at British Columbia's Children's Hospital. He founded the Telehealth Program at Children's & Women's Health Centre of BC, which uses advanced telecommunications for long-distance clinics and education around the province.

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Tanice Miller, Director, Program Development & Administration

Tanice has responsibility for directing the interdisciplinary team of professionals that deliver the clinical and counselling programs, and the school program. Tanice has more than 20 years of experience in designing, managing and evaluating interdisciplinary, community-based healthcare programs.

Prior to joining Canuck Place, she held positions with Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, the Vancouver Health Department and Vancouver Richmond Health Board. Tanice has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of British Columbia and a Master’s degree in Leadership and Training from Royal Roads University.
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Leanne Freeman, Manager, Volunteer Services & Support Services

As Manager, Volunteer Services, Leanne is responsible for leading a team of more than 300 volunteers who give their time, energy, and skills to support Canuck Place.  As the Manager for Support Services, Leanne is responsible for the Kitchen and Houskeeping teams.

Leanne first joined Canuck Place in 2002 as a Family/Special Events Volunteer before becoming a staff member in 2006. With many years of volunteering and participation with the Canadian Cancer Society, the Walk for Breast Cancer, Relay for Life, Aids Walk and various Community Boards, Leanne has first hand knowledge of the power of volunteerism.

She has been involved with non-profit organizations for 20 years, in Canada and extensively in the United Kingdom. Prior to joining Canuck Place, Leanne held contract positions with the Canadian Cancer Society and was the Family Support Network Coordinator with the West Yorkshire Health Authority (UK). Leanne was responsible for outreach projects that recruit, train, and support volunteers for placement within families experiencing stress and crisis. In this role she dealt with child protection issues, “in-home” assessments, and all aspects of volunteer management.

Leanne brings her extensive experience as a facilitator and trainer with the National Childbirth Trust, The Pre-School Playgroups Association, and the Learning Alliance Training group for Special Needs Children (UK).

Leanne’s studies include the University of British Columbia, Bachelor of Arts (Psychology), and further certificates in Assertiveness, Listening Skills and Positive Behavior.
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Anne Schretlen, Manager, Human Resources

Anne is a seasoned Human Resources professional with experience in HR management and recruitment within small, medium and large organizations in both private and public sectors.  Prior to joining Canuck Place she held the position of HR Relationship Manager at BC Hydro.

Previously, Anne worked at Providence Health Care as the HR Recruitment Manager designing and implementing policies and processes, developing a team of eight and focusing on several local, national and international health care HR initiatives.

Anne brings her strong leadership, coaching, mentoring and team building skills to Canuck Place. She has a BA in Psychology as well as a Business Administration Certificate in Human Resource Management.  She is a long standing member of the BC Human Resources Management Association (BCHRMA) and has her CHRP designation.

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Anastasios (Tasso) Tsalamandris, Director,  Finance & Facilities

Anastasios is a Certified Management Accountant that brings over 20 years of finance and accounting experience to Canuck Place.  He was most recently the Director of Finance for the Olympic Broadcasting Service, a not-for-profit IOC organization filming the 2010 Winter Olympics.  Prior to that, he worked with a number of public organizations and private companies in progressively more senior finance and accounting roles. 

From his early days as a Senior Regulatory Analyst with Terasen, Anastasios progressed to a senior management role within ICBC’s finance department with a few stops along the way and a few years working in the US.  Anastasios has taken on a wide variety of roles and worked with a broad range of organizations and brings with him a strong commitment to his profession, a thoughtful and supportive demeanour as well as a passion for his many outdoor pursuits.

Anastasios proudly accepted the appointment of Director joining Canuck Place in November 2010.  A long time resident of Vancouver’s West side communities, Tasso went to high school a short distance from the Glen Brae Manor and attended UBC where he obtained his Bachelors of Commerce.  He has known about the Hospice since its inception and now looks forward to lending his skills to the betterment of Canuck Place.
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