DIRECTORS ELECTION RESULTS

Deborah Buszard | ICD.D

Principal Emerita, The University of British Columbia | Kamloops, B.C.

Director | Incumbent

Born in the UK, Deborah emigrated to Canada to begin a career at McGill University. Deborah is an agricultural scientist who has held executive roles at three universities: McGill, Dalhousie and UBC. Most recently she served as Interim President of UBC and prior to that was Principal of UBC Okanagan (2012-2020).

Deborah’s experience leading large, complex, organizations in a rapidly changing environment, championing equity, diversity and inclusion, and environmental, social and governance issues is applicable to First West as it moves forward. Guiding UBC as Principal and then President caused her to think deeply about how institutions best serve society and what it takes to nurture a great enterprise in this century. Deborah is passionate about the role enterprises can and should play in creating a better future.

During her first term on the First West board, Deborah was grateful for the many opportunities to learn and grow and looks forward to continuing this learning journey and she will admit there is much to learn!

The skills Deborah brings to the board include enterprise strategy, risk management, equity, diversity and inclusion (“EDI”), environmental and social accountability, governance and stakeholder engagement.

What attracts Deborah to First West is the Credit Union is an innovative, values-led, member driven organization with deep community roots and with the potential to be a national force for positive social and economic change.

Deborah feels privileged to continue to serve on the Board and to support First West on its Federal journey to best serve our members and communities. She also aspires to help build on the great culture of First West to enable the Credit Union to continue to flourish and grow.

David Letkemann | ICD.D

Founding Partner, Linley Welwood LLP | Abbotsford, B.C.

Director | Incumbent

David is a founding partner of the law firm of Linley Welwood LLP, an Abbotsford firm focused on providing business law services. He graduated from law school at UBC in 1995, and from SFU. with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1992. From its inception in 2007 until September 2022, David served as a founding and volunteer director of Run for Water Society, which raises money for clean water in Ethiopia.

David lives in Abbotsford with his wife and they have three adult children. He comes from a humble and vocationally diverse family background: his mother was a nurse, his biological father was a high school science teacher and his stepfather was a farmer. Having grown up and lived in the Fraser Valley his entire life David has been a proud member of First West Credit Union for approximately 40 years. He began serving as a director of First West in 2006, and currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Board, Chair of the Government Relations and Partnership Committee, and is a member of the Governance and Nominations, and Risk Committees.

During his time on the Board, David has helped direct First West through three different mergers in 2010, 2013 and 2015. In September 2022 he graduated from the Institute of Corporate Directors, Rotman Directors Education Program. He has a keen interest in governance, policy and risk, and feels that this, along with his academic and professional background gives him the tools to add value to First West.

David is excited to champion First West as a federally regulated credit union and believes in our unique organizational model and feels privileged to represent the members of First West as we move into the future.

Balraj Mann | AScT, P. L. Eng

Chair and CEO of BM Group of Companies (BMG) | Langley, B.C.

Director | Incumbent

As a personal and commercial business member for the past three decades, I believe First West Credit Union has been instrumental in the success of my professional career and the growth of BM Group of Companies, which is comprised of 22 business brands across Canada, USA and South Asia in the Real Estate Development and Construction Industries.

Balraj’s education, technical expertise and proven business acumen, will provide valuable support to the First West Board as the organization grows and expands into other parts of Canada and navigates challenging economic times and housing challenges in Canada.

Balraj is a regular volunteer and sponsor of many community health, sports and cultural organizations. His personal values are well aligned with First West’s philosophy of social conscience and diversity.

Serving as a director is Balraj’s opportunity to give back to First West and encourage other young immigrants to get involved in community organizations.

Karley Scott | LLB

Tribunal Member and Governance Advisor | West Kelowna, B.C.

Director | New

Originally from a small community in northern Saskatchewan, Karley’s very first banking experience as a child was with the local credit union.

A proud citizen of the Metis Nation, Karley has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Saskatchewan, a Law degree from the University of Calgary, and is a qualified Arbitrator. At the beginning of her career, she spent 10 years working for the Government of Canada focusing on addressing challenges for Indigenous Peoples and youth. Later, with two young children and a supportive husband in tow, Karley earned a law degree and began her legal career in Kelowna in 2012. She practiced in the areas of Corporate Law, Wills and Estates, Family Law, and Aboriginal Law until 2019, when Karley was appointed as a member of the Parole Board of Canada.

Currently, Karley splits her time between the Parole Board and working as a consultant, which is largely Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) focused, with emphasis on the complex intersection of advancing Reconciliation in all facets of Canadian society.

Karley is a dedicated volunteer and experienced board member, most recently completing an appointment as a Governor with Okanagan College where she chaired the Governance Committee. Her skills and experience are a complement to First West’s unique regional model of brands, commitment to community, strong ESG rating, and desire to seek the input of Indigenous Peoples.