Executive Director Announcement
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Deanna Friesen as Executive Director of Greenwoods Eldercare Society, effective October 5, 2026.
Ms. Friesen brings extensive senior leadership experience in long-term care, assisted living, and community health programs across British Columbia and Alberta. She brings a strong clinical foundation to her leadership, grounded in years of direct nursing and care experience, and has led campuses of care with responsibility for clinical, operational, and financial performance in complex regulated environments. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and is currently completing an International Master’s Program in Health Leadership through McGill University. Throughout her career she has shown a consistent commitment to resident and family-centred care, culturally safe practice, and collaborative workplace cultures — values that align closely with our own.
The Board extends its sincere gratitude to David Thompson for his steady leadership as Interim Executive Director. His careful stewardship of Greenwoods through a period of transition has left the organization well positioned for the chapter ahead, and we are grateful for the calm and considered manner in which he has guided us.
I also wish to acknowledge the work of Boyden Canada, whose thorough executive search process helped bring Ms. Friesen to us.
We warmly welcome Ms. Friesen to the Greenwoods community and look forward to introducing her to residents, families, and staff in the coming weeks.
Eleanor Dawson
Board Chair, Greenwoods Eldercare Society
The Greenwoods Eldercare Society, founded in 1975, is a non-profit healthcare organization that provides a range of services and programs for elders.
The Society is an affiliate of Island Health and all of the services and programs offered by the Society are funded in part through IH.
The Society is also partnered with B.C. Housing for the Braehaven Assisted Living residence. The Society depends on the generosity of the Lady Minto Hospital Auxiliary to fund special projects and equipment purchases.
It is through a range of funding tools, small user fees and donations that the Society fulfills its mandate of providing a broad range of services and programs to the elders of the community.
Join the Greenwoods Eldercare Society
To join the Society, please complete the membership form found below.