Maria retired after a successful career in public service, first as a member of the RCMP in BC and later as a manager at Richmond Fire Rescue.
Maria is committed to supporting the Richmond community in her role as Board Chair of Touchstone Family Association. She strongly believes in supporting children, youth and families to help them reach their full potential. Maria shares Touchstone’s vision of delivering programs and services that help to develop “strong, self-reliant families, youth and children”.
Maria Salzl was first appointed to the Touchstone Board of Directors in 2005. She has served as Chair since 2008.
Shawn Issel, currently serving as the Vice-Chair on the board of Touchstone Family Association, brings a wealth of experience to her role. She is retired from an accomplished career at the City of Richmond where she worked as a manager in the Law and Community Safety department. Her background allows her to have an in depth understanding programs like the Restorative Justice program offered by Touchstone Family Association. In addition to her work experience, Shawn contributes expertise in strategic planning, meeting facilitation, training, and report writing to her board position.
When she is not travelling or spending time with family, Shawn enjoys pursuing her hobbies including cooking and gardening. Shawn continues to be committed to the Richmond community and enjoys being able to give back through as a board member.
Shawn Issel was first appointed to the Touchstone Board of Directors in 2010. She has served as Vice Chair since 2014
Lisa Martella is the Executive Director with A Loving Spoonful. A Loving Spoonful provides free, nutritious meals to people living with HIV/AIDS in the Greater Vancouver area. Every week, all year round for volunteers deliver frozen meals and 1200 snack packs to men, women and children who are primarily homebound with AIDS. Prior to working at A Loving Spoonful Lisa was the Associate Director at the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society which is the 3rd largest food bank in Canada and the largest in British Columbia. Lisa’s experience is invaluable as she is able to put a strategic plan into place, increase public awareness about important issues and create new and exciting opportunities working towards the betterment of our communities. Lisa continues to move forward bringing innovative and sustainable solutions to operating a not for profit organization. With a warm smile, enthusiasm and dedication for helping others, Lisa is a true leader in her field.
Lisa Martella was first appointed to the Touchstone Board of Directors in 2007. She has served as Secretary since 2008.
Ian Chian has dedicated his career to volunteer management. His passion lies in coordinating and supporting volunteerism ensuring their impactful contributions to various causes. His background includes working with programs supporting low-income families, newcomers and health care where he has made a difference through program design and day to day operation.
Additionally, Ian has been part of large-scale events, including the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver coordinating volunteers for the Richmond O Zone celebration site. His commitment extends to engaging corporate volunteers, fostering meaningful partnerships that benefit both businesses and communities.
As a volunteer management consultant, Ian has helped organizations and government entities design effective volunteer programs. His exemplary leadership was recognized by his peers and AVRBC in 2018. Currently, he manages the provincial strategy for volunteerism support at United Way BC.
Ian was first appointed to the Touchstone Board of Directors in 2007. He has served as Treasurer since 2016.
Mahmood Awan, now retired, was the owner and president of Premier Transmissions in operation since 1979. Mahmood has served on many boards and committees supporting the community of Richmond including the BC Multicultural Advisory Council, Richmond Advisory Committee on Policing, Inter-Cultural Advisory Committe as well as founding and chairing the Muslim and Canadian Federation. Mahmood also took part in the Vancouver/Richmond Health Committee. He was also an active member of the Rotary Club of Richmond Sunrise.
Mahmood has served on the Touchstone Board of Directors in 2008.
Stacey Boon has a broad background in counseling psychology, instructional design, and organizational coaching. She is currently working as the Professional Practice Leader in Psychological Health and Safety, at the Provincial Health Services Authority. She’s passionate about creating healthier, more resilient workplaces through thoughtful strategies that support the mental well-being of employees and leaders working healthcare settings. Stacey’s journey in the helping professions began at Touchstone Family Association, where she honed her counselling skills and deepened her commitment to supporting others.
Beyond her professional world, she's a partner, auntie, and dog mom. She enjoys cycling, playing guitar, and even roasting her own coffee—and what she lacks in skill, she makes up for in enthusiasm.
Stacey has served on the Touchstone Board of Directors since 2015.
Pamela Toor was first introduced to Touchstone Family Association through the Volunteer Richmond Youth Now program. She really enjoyed this experience and following the completion of the program in 2011 elected to become a full fledged Board Member with Touchstone. Pamela has a B.A in Sociology / IR from the University of British Columbia and is very interested in the community development field. She has and is currently pursuing this interest by helping UBC students become engaged in their broader community. Pamela brings experience in event planning, volunteer management and training, social media outreach and technical research and writing skills to her role on Touchstone’s Board. She is an avid vegetarian foodie, and in her spare time, enjoys reading, photography and blogging.
Pamela has served on the Touchstone Board of Directors since 2011.
Lawrie Portigal is a native of Calgary, attended the University of Alberta where he received degrees in Science and Law. He is a member of the Alberta Bar. Lawrie was first employed by the City of Calgary and later was a senior executive in the coal, electricity and natural gas industries. He moved to Richmond in 2002. Lawrence is active in the volunteer sector and is the immediate past President and a Director of Volunteer Richmond Information Services and is a Director of Volunteer BC.
Lawrie has served on the Touchstone Board of Directors since 2008.
Sandi Swanigan spent five years at the City of Richmond, now works for the City of Vancouver as the Senior Manager for Film and Special Events Branch. Sandi’s interest in Touchstone was drawn by the organization’s service model; she strongly believes in the immediate access and provision of critical services for those in need. Travel, music, gardening and a voracious appetite for literature is how Sandi fills her free time.
Sandi has served on the Touchstone Board of Directors since 2014.
Talia Ahmad provides expertise and skills in communication, community research, strategic planning while practicing her values of inclusiveness and respect for individual of all abilities. Talia is a champion of inclusive and accessible community development and an advocate of mental health and social well-being. Talia believes building healthy and resilient communities requires the empowerment of marginalized groups. She is a firm believer that community health is central to sustainable and inclusive community growth.
Talia has a Bachelors of International Relations and a Masters of Public Policy and Global Affairs both from the University of British Columbia. Talia works in the area of community social development and planning. She is a strong supporter of using human centered service design to align services to the needs of all community groups by bringing the voices of priority groups to the center of the design process.
Talia has served on the Touchstone Board of Directors since 2020.
Grant Grobman is a Registered Psychologist of the College of Health and Care Professionals. He is a graduate of the University of British Columbia and the University of Alberta. Grant has been in clinical practice for over 40 yrs.
Grant began his counselling career at Touchstone Family Association as a child and family counsellor in 1983. He has worked as a counsellor and psychologist in both private corporations and non-profit settings. He has been a practitioner , supervisor, manager and director in various organizations.
Currently, in private practice, Grant specializes in providing assessment, trauma treatment and interventions for employees, employers and compensation programs addressing situations that involve mental health and workplace concerns.
Grant hopes to give back to Touchstone Family Association by bringing his experience and knowledge to assist in the governance of the organization.
Grant has served on the Touchstone Board of Directors since 2023.
