PAUL LATOUR | Founder & CEO

Paul Latour is the creator and CEO of HeroWork.

HeroWork began because Paul wanted to help a friend with MS. His initial idea was to bring 20 people together, have a pizza party, and help his friend. Seven weeks later Paul spearheaded a single-day $25,000 renovation with a budget of $380.

Without construction experience or money Paul has gone on to create and grow a society that has now completed millions worth of non-profit renovations in Victoria BC, mobilizing hundreds of companies and thousands of volunteers.

Paul’s next goal is to expand the HeroWork program into many urban centres across HeroWork Canada, using an innovation he calls the “Social Impact Corporate Franchise” model. This model uses franchise business systems with the for-profit mechanisms stripped away in order to create bigger social impact.

Paul also has hosted and produced three uplifting TV specials, showcasing the power of community. He has been featured on Global national news as well as the Times Colonist, Douglas Magazine, Canadian Living Magazine, and many more.

LINDA MORRISON | Operations Manager

Linda has an extensive background in human resource management with the public sector in AB and BC public sector. She is most happy solving problems and managing change and is eager to assist HeroWork in developing and designing processes to streamline work flow and program areas. More important, however, Linda is thrilled to be able to give back to charities in the Greater Victoria area.

Linda holds a Master of Arts in Conflict Analysis and Management from Royal Roads University, an Event Management Extension Certificate from Mount Royal University and a Certificate in Human Resources Management from Camosun College.

Linda was born and raised in Victoria and spent 14 years in Grande Prairie, Alberta. She is happy to be home where she can spend more time with her nieces and nephews.

CHRIS BRANDT | Advancement & Communications

Chris is a respected non-profit leader that guided a charitable foundation from inception to directing over $1 million in program funding in under 5 years and established World Music Therapy Day, which was celebrated in 24 countries and 15 languages in its first year. His background includes over 25 years in the music industry and brings music industry marketing to the charity world.

Chris is also the creator & instructor of the Music Business program at BCIT, and he spent 3 years as the President of the Board of Directors for Music BC. As a marketing strategist he has worked with over 100 authors around the world to help them launch their books and achieve their business goals. 

He is a marketing and social media consultant for businesses ranging from retail and health brands to alcohol and technology companies. He’s travelled to over 25 countries and was once deported from Brazil. 

SHARLENE SMITH | Board Chair

Sharlene Smith has extensive governance experience; having held leadership positions with national, provincial and local organizations.

In addition to joining the board of HeroWork — an organization she’s excited to be a part of — she has served on the boards of ten public and civil society organizations, and been the lead director on five of them. Her governance experience is in healthcare, transportation, parks and recreation, tourism, victim services and policing, as well as her own professional association – the Canadian Public Relations Society, where she is currently the chair of their national governance committee.

Sharlene is a graduate of Leadership Victoria, and actively participates in professional development on governance as part of her membership in the Institute of Corporate Directors.

Professionally, she is a communication management consultant, and a member of the Canadian Public Relations Society’s College of Fellows.

GREG BAYNTON | Past Chair

Greg spent his working life in the construction industry, most of it as a contractor with operations in numerous locations, and always headquartered in Victoria. He was the recipient of personal awards for his leadership and his firm was the recipient of project awards for its innovation and achievements.

Greg was always very active in industry associations that promoted best practices and excellence. He was often an industry liaison to government and construction related authorities on a variety of topics that included design, building science, standards and practices. When he decided to leave the for-profit sector in 2004 his company operated in three locations in BC.

In 2006 Greg became CEO of the Vancouver Island Construction Association. One of Greg’s key achievements during his tenure with the Construction Association was the amalgamation of four island construction associations. The amalgamation proved to be timely and critical to solidifying the industry’s voice as a key stakeholder in the island’s economy, and as the industry transitioned from the 2008 recession to a sustained period of unprecedented growth on and off the island.

In 2015 VICA and HeroWork initiated a collaborative dialogue and in 2016 the VICA U40 sponsored the Camp Pringle Radical Renovation Project. The partnership cultivated between VICA and HeroWork continues to this day.

Greg retired as CEO of VICA in early 2017 and was recruited to the HeroWork board that year. Greg brings comprehensive construction and board expertise to the HeroWork Board.

Greg also joined the Victoria Civic Heritage Trust Board of Directors in 2017.

BRUCE JOHNSON | Vice Chair

With over 39 years as a Structural Engineer, Bruce brings a wealth of leadership and experience from the building construction industry. His career at RJC Engineers included 22 years managing their Victoria office, followed by 4 years leading the 600-person Canada-wide firm as President/ Managing Director. He was elected to RJC’s Board for 14 years, including Chairman for 6 years.

His volunteer experience includes 6 years as a member of the Architectural Conservation Committee and Board of Directors with the Victoria Civic Heritage Trust, including 3 years as President.

“I first learned of HeroWorks through others in RJC’s Victoria office, and was instantly drawn to the concept. I have been so blessed in my life and career, and I want to give back in ways that change lives; HeroWorks can do that. Having volunteered on a few projects, I am honoured to be a member of the HeroWorks Board and look forward to helping lead the organization.”

ANNA NELSON | Treasurer

Anna is a seasoned financial executive with a history of success in leading organizations through strong financial oversight, specifically where it pertains to significant capital development projects. Paired with this, Anna’s experience and expertise enables organizations to build their capacity to deliver on organizational strategies through sustainable business practices.

Currently, Anna provides Consulting CFO services to the non-profit and social purpose sector, primarily in capital redevelopment, government fund development and business reorganizations. Prior to starting her consulting practice, Anna held Chief Financial Officer roles in both the non-profit sector as well as the corporate sector.

Anna holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of Saskatchewan, is a Chartered Professional Accountant (Chartered Accountant) and an alumnus of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta’s CFO Leadership Program, as well as the Ivey Business School Community Shift Program. Anna is a former board member and past Chair of the Board of Directors of Distress Centre Calgary.

DANIELLE BOUCHARD | Director

Danielle is a commercial litigator with a particular focus in construction and insurance law.

Danielle obtained her J.D. from the University of Alberta. During this time, she was the recipient of the Catherine Miller Community Service Award for her volunteer work with with a number of organizations, including Student Legal Services, Pro Bono Student Services, and the Elizabeth Fry Society, and served as a Committee Member on the University of Alberta Campus Law Review Committee.

Prior to attending law school, Danielle obtained her Bachelor of Arts with distinction from the University of Alberta and also obtained certificates in Peace and Post Conflict Resolution and Globalization and Governance. During her undergraduate degree, Danielle represented the University of Alberta at the National Model United Nations Conference in New York, N.Y., attended the Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars and completed an internship with a non-profit organization located in Washington, D.C.

SUSAN CLIMIE | Director

Susan is inspired by HeroWork’s focus on enhancing the infrastructure and impact of charities that serve vulnerable populations. HeroWork’s community-building approach brings to life the proverb ‘it takes a village raise a child’.

Susan has a BA (UBC), an MBA (Western), a GBA+ certificate, and is a graduate of Rotman’s Governance Essentials Program for Non-Profits. After working eight years in international investment banking, Susan listened to her heart and switched to the non-profit sector. She has held leadership roles with non-profits including Family Services of Greater Vancouver, Big Sisters of B.C. Lower Mainland, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada, and Looking Glass Foundation for Eating Disorders. Her current focus is on helping non-profits enhance their governance and operations so they can do their best work possible, for the people and communities they serve.

Having recently moved to Victoria, Susan loves spending time with her family and their dog, and taking advantage of the wonderful outdoor environment.

SEAN DHILLON | Director

Sean is a second-generation, award-winning Finance and Real Estate professional. Born to a successful, hard-working immigrant South Asian single mother, Sean has been engaged in community services since he was seven years of age. Sean was previously the Chair of the Victoria Sexual Assault Centre, Vice-Chair of Threshold Housing Society and is currently the Governance Chair at the Victoria and Esquimalt Police Board, the Chair of the Men’s Therapy Centre, the Treasurer at PEERS and the Secretary at the Alliance to End Homelessness in the Capital Region.

In 2018, Sean co-founded and presented at Canada’s #Metoo conference engaging men and boys at the University of Victoria which brought together all levels of government across party lines. His work led him to collaborate with the Federal Minister of Women and Gender Equity.

Sean is pursuing his ICD.D from the Institute of Corporate Directors. He brings knowledge in DEI, ESG and Governance. Sean has experience with HeroWork, the Forrest House, and the PEERS office/kitchen renovations.

LISA RICCI | Director

Lisa joins the HeroWork Board as a qualified Chartered Accountant with a strong background in ESG, financial reporting and corporate advisory. She has also served on several non-profit boards and volunteered as a mentor in the CPA Canada Professional Education Program and as a volunteer CPA Financial Literacy program facilitator.

Having explored controllership, entrepreneurship, and professional services, she has experience in various areas, including financial statement audits, systems and control implementations, due diligence processes, and finance team hiring and development. After a decade or so as a term instructor, Lisa transitioned full-time to academia in 2021.

Lisa is pursuing her Ph.D. at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, where her research interests include the intersection of sustainability and accounting and the future of the accounting profession. 

GRAEME SILVERA | Director

Graeme has worked in the real estate industry for 30 years, in the fields of residential construction, sales and marketing for residential single and multi-family development, commercial real estate brokerage, commercial shopping center development and institutional construction. He completed his B.A. in Economics from UBC in 1989. He has since held positions with firms such as United Properties, Colliers International, BC Rail Properties, Smart Centers and P3 developer Plenary Group Canada. His last position before starting his own consulting practice was with Ivanhoe Cambridge as Vice-President of Retail Development.

• Extensive Public and Private sector experience
• Mixed use and master planning expertise
• LEED-certified and knowledgeable about sustainable building and development practices
• Accomplished team leader and project manager
• Expert in construction contracts, negotiation, and project delivery models
• Past President NAIOP Vancouver Chapter
• Guest lecturer for UBC Civil Engineering courses and a frequent guest speaker
• Extensive industry and non-profit volunteerism

ASHUTOSH TRIPATHI | Director

Ashutosh is a dynamic and accomplished professional, currently serving as a Director at Deloitte. With over 17 years of experience in Enterprise Technology Consulting, he is a seasoned expert who has performed various versatile roles throughout his career, successfully delivering technology implementation projects and operate engagements for Clients in Canada and globally.

As a certified Project Management Professional and Scrum Master, Ashutosh is dedicated to helping clients achieve their business goals through the latest technology solutions. He is passionate about building powerful teams that can solve complex business problems. He believes in the power of building trusting relationships with his clients.

Ashutosh has learned through experience that change is inevitable, and that candor is key to efficiency, while emotional intelligence is a source of power. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family and pursuing his interests in Leadership and Mindfulness.