Paul Challinor | ICD.D
Retired | Tsawwassen, B.C.
DIRECTORS ELECTION RESULTS
2025 elected directors
Meet the elected directors
New term begins at the conclusion of the AGM on May 6, 2025
Paul Challinor | ICD.D
Retired | Tsawwassen, B.C.
Director | Incumbent
Paul has served on the First West board since 2019, chairing the Risk, Investment, and Loan Committee, and participating in the Audit and Conduct Review Committee and the Governance and Nominations Committee. He has also been on the Board of Central 1 Credit Union since 2020.
With over 35 years as a Chartered Professional Accountant, Paul retired as a PricewaterhouseCoopers partner in 2019, having led the Financial Services practice for 15 years. He has extensive experience serving large public, private, and member-owned financial services clients, including credit unions, fintechs, wealth managers, and insurance companies. Paul is well-versed in regulatory environments such as the British Columbia Financial Services Authority (“BCFSA”) and OSFI.
Meryle Corbett | C.Dir
Retired | Kelowna, B.C.
Meryle Corbett | C.Dir
Retired | Kelowna, B.C.
Director | Incumbent
Meryle has served as a director at First West Credit Union for the past six years, where she has witnessed the organization’s commitment to diversity, community, and exceptional member service. Her passion for leadership and support extends to young people and community members in need, with over 40 years of volunteer experience on various boards, mentoring, and fundraising.
Meryle’s business career includes roles as Chief Financial Officer, Controller, and Corporate Planner, providing her with a diverse skill set. Her FCPA credentials and C.Dir (Chartered Director) designation further enhance her ability to contribute to First West as it transitions to a federally regulated financial institution.
Waheed Hirji | CPA
Retired | West Vancouver, B.C.
Waheed Hirji | CPA
Retired | West Vancouver, B.C.
Director | Incumbent
Waheed brings over 20 years of experience with Canadian financial institutions, successfully growing them at both provincial and federal levels. He grew up locally, attended the University of British Columbia Commerce, and obtained his CPA, CA, and IT risk (CISA) accreditations while working with a global professional accounting firm, where he counted several credit unions as clients.
Waheed’s career has prepared him well to contribute to First West. He has held executive positions in both provincial and federal financial institutions, overseeing finance, strategy, reporting, treasury, tax, procurement, project management, and operations. His roles have included responsibilities for lending, deposits, wealth management, branches, and back-office functions. In all these roles, he has collaborated with community groups, service partners, regulatory bodies, and boards of directors.
Renee Merrifield | ICD.D
CEO, Troika Management Corp | Kelowna, B.C.
Renee Merrifield | ICD.D
CEO, Troika Management Corp | Kelowna, B.C.
Director | New
As the founder and CEO of Troika Management Corp., Renee brings over 25 years of experience in leadership, strategic planning, and financial oversight. She is known for her collaborative and visionary leadership style, which emphasizes innovation, sustainability, and community building. Renee has successfully led teams in real estate development, construction, and property management, always fostering a culture of excellence and inclusivity.
Having served on numerous boards, Renee possesses a deep understanding of governance, risk management, and organizational strategy. In 2020, she stepped away from the First West Board to serve as a Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly for Kelowna-Mission, a position she held into 2024. Her ability to inspire and empower others has been instrumental in driving positive change and achieving strategic goals. Renee is passionate about fostering sustainable growth, stimulating the economy, empowering members, and ensuring that First West remains a leader in the credit union sector.
Call for Nominations
A call for nominations to the First West board of directors was issued on Dec. 2, 2024 and closed Jan. 17, 2025, inviting qualified candidates to apply.
Determining what the First West board needs
Each year the board evaluates its current composition and skill set and identifies any critical skills, experience or expertise that would be beneficial to attract to the board given changes in our market and evolving strategic direction. The board also considers diversity in (but not limited to) gender, ethnicity/culture, geography and age.
Desired skills, experience and diversity
For this year’s call for nominations it was determined the following skills and experience would best complete the needs of our board.
- Financial and Accounting
- Real estate and/or development
- Risk Management
The Board sought to attract a diverse array of high-calibre candidates in accordance with First West’s Board Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Policy, and recognizing that competence is paramount, the Board was particularly seeking expressions of interest from: Women, Indigenous Peoples, and Other equity deserving groups.
Possession of director accreditation, such as ICD.D, C.Dir or other designation was considered an asset.
The candidate search
The candidate search process is led by the board’s Nominations Task Force. The Nominations Task Force includes three members of the Governance and Nominations Committee and two non-director members-at-large. The task force was assisted by an independent company that aided in checking references and conducting additional interviews.
Important information about the endorsement process
Learn how First West determines which candidates to endorse.
Endorsement
Once critical skills, experience and expertise are identified, the Nominations Task Force then seeks candidates with those attributes and, with insights gained through candidate applications and interviews, endorses those who would bring the most overall value to the board if elected. Incumbent candidates are not automatically endorsed—they are subject to the same assessment and interview process as other candidates, and only receive endorsement if their skills, experience and attributes meet the needs of the credit union.
The task force is required to endorse at least as many candidates as there are seats available in the election.
Endorsement helps members identify which candidates have the skills, experience and personal qualities needed to oversee the credit union on behalf of the membership. Candidates, for example, are not automatically endorsed—they are subject to the same assessment and interview process as other candidates, and only receive endorsement if their skills, experience and attributes meet the objectives of the credit union.
Board of directors election
The terms of four directors expire at the conclusion of the 2025 AGM.
At the close of nominations
At the close of nominations on Jan. 17, 2025, 15 candidates had submitted nominations papers. After a thorough candidate interview process, the Nominations Task Force endorsed four candidates. Although not required to, the candidates who were not endorsed subsequently and voluntarily withdrew their candidacy. As a result, the following candidates were declared elected as at-large directors by acclamation and their respective terms (as determined by lot) are set out below:
3-year term expiring 2028
- Paul Challinor | Incumbent | Tsawwassen, B.C.
- Meryle Corbett | Incumbent | Kelowna, B.C.
- Waheed Hirji | Incumbent | West Vancouver, B.C.
- Renee Merrifield | New director | Kelowna, B.C.