Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is elected by the members of the Mennonite Benevolent Society at their Annual General Meeting.
The MBS Board is comprised of 12 elected members from Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, representing a wide range of distinguished careers in business, management, academia, public service, medicine, education, and the social sciences.
With a pervading sense of faith in God, compassion for our residents, and respect for each other and the staff, the Board of Directors is committed to the vision that began in 1953 of providing long term care and housing—and to keep growing in our capacity to do so.
Carol Dyck, BSc – Chair, MBS Board
Carol Dyck has had a long career in the biotech industry and currently works as the Director of Regulatory Affairs (The Americas). She has been on the board of the Mennonite Benevolent Society (MBS) since June 2020. She sits on the Finance & Facilities, Quality Improvement and Risk Management, and Board Development and Redevelopment Committees. Carol has been a member of Broadway MB Church since 1980.
Deanna Klassen, BSc, LLB – Vice-Chair
Chair, Board Development
Deanna Klassen has been a member of the Law Society of British Columbia since 1993 with a practice primarily focused on family law. She has been a member of the MBS board since 2017, and currently chairs the Board Development Committee. Deanna is a member of the South Abbotsford Mennonite Brethren Church.
Terry Christie, BComm, CPA, CA – Treasurer
Terry Christie has been involved in local government since 1981. He was the Director of Finance for the City of North Vancouver for 10 years and the College Business Administrator for Columbia Bible College for almost four years. He has been part of the MBS board since 2022 and sits on the Finance & Facilities, Redevelopment and Board Development Committees. Terry is a member of North Langley Community Church.
Martina Klassen, BSc, RN – Secretary
Chair, QIRM Committee
Martina Klassen has had a long career in nursing in a variety of settings and leadership positions. She currently works as a Clinical Nurse Advisor for two hospitals. She has been on the MBS board since 2019. She is the Chair of the Quality Improvement and Risk Management Committee and sits on both the Board Development Committee and the Nominating Task Force. Martina is a member of Greendale Mennonite Brethren Church.
Mark Rempel, BEd, MEd – Member at Large
Chair, Redevelopment Committee
Mark Rempel is a retired public high school teacher, vice principal and principal. He has been on the MBS board for six years. He chairs the Redevelopment Committee and also sits on the Finance Committee. Mark is a member of Eden Mennonite Church.
Laura Loewen, BA, MDiv – Director
Laura Loewen has been a pastor in both Abbotsford and Montreal. Previously she has served with MCC in Europe, Africa, and as MCCBC Executive Director. She has been on the MBS Board for six years and currently sits on the Executive and Board Development Committee. Laura is a member of Emmanuel Mennonite Church in Abbotsford.
Ingrid Schultz, BEd, MDiv – Director
Ingrid Schultz has been a pastor and chaplain in multiple locations since 1992. Most recently she was the chaplain for Menno Home for 10 years until her retirement in 2022. She served on the board of the Mennonite Central Committee for nine years before joining the MBS board in 2023. Ingrid is a Deacon at Emmanuel Mennonite Church.
Gary Schellenberg – Director
Gary Schellenberg has owned and operated Clearway Car & Truck Rentals for almost 40 years. He has been part of the MBS board since 2018 and sits on the Finance & Facilities Committee. Gary has been a member of Northview Community Church since 1985.
John Dick – Director
John Dick has had a long career in the design, build, fabrication and construction of steel structures for the industrial, astronomy and entertainment sectors, appended with involvement in commercial and residential real estate projects from 1984 – 2009. He has been on the MBS board for three years and sits on the Redevelopment Committee. John is a member of Eagle Ridge MB Church.
Arnie Friesen, BA, MA, Ed.D – Director
Arnie Friesen was the Director of Admissions at ACTS Seminaries for eleven years and worked as a Gift Planning Consultant for Abundance Canada from 2010 – 2016. He has been on the MBS board since 2016. Arnie is a member of Northview Community Church.
