Dena Rantz – ISSC Chair
Dena began her career with Teekay Shipping in 2002 as a summer intern. She has held various positions throughout the Teekay organization, all with a focus on planning and strategic projects. In 2017, Dena led the operationalization of the oil spill response assets for the TransMountain Expansion pipeline project for Western Canada Marine Response Corporation. Most recently, she has launched Vertical Consulting, a maritime-focused consulting company that offers project management, change management, and business transformation services to enable business strategies into action. She holds a BBA and a PMP certification. Dena has three children and in her free time also volunteers on the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS).
Bonnie Gee – Chair, Fundraising Committee
Bonnie was appointed President of the Chamber of Shipping in March 2023 after serving as the Vice President since 2008. Her experience and strengths are multi-faceted and include membership engagement, government relations, communications and marketing, and project management. She currently sits on several external national and regional Boards and committees and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia, with a major in Transportation and Logistics.
Donna Spalding – Treasurer
Donna Spalding is Cruise Lines International Association Senior Advisor for Canada and has been with CLIA since 1999. CLIAmember lines include the major cruise lines operating in the Pacific Northwest – British Columbia, Washington State, Oregon, Alaska & Hawaii; and in Atlantic Canada and Quebec. Donna’s principal role includes government and community relations on behalf of the member cruise lines. She also acts as a representation on a variety of community, government and industry boards and committees. As environmental and sustainability issues are front of mind for most marine industry stakeholders, Donna is one of a very few civilians, globally, who has completed the cruise Safety, Environmental & Health Officer training course. In previous roles she has experience within the resource, financial, regional government and legal sectors, executive level experience in nonprofit management, and marketing and planning.
John Darbyshire – Director
As a UK dual ticketed mariner (SCTW Class 1 deck, Class 2 engineering) John sailed with various vessel owners around the world for 13 years. He came ashore in Victoria BC in 1999 to become a Canadian Resident and start a family. John has worked on the waterfront as cargo surveyor, supercargo and stevedoring superintendent since then, and proudly became a Canadian citizen in 2004. Today John lives on Vancouver Island and manages DP World’s stevedoring and logistics business out of their terminal in Nanaimo. He has been volunteering time as a director of the ISSC and wants to make a difference to sailors and seafarers who call to Canadian ports.
Kevin Obermeyer – Chair Nomination Committee
Kevin has over 45 years in the maritime industry, retiring in 2023 after serving as the CEO of the Pacific Pilotage Authority for over 16 years. He has in depth knowledge and experience in deep sea shipping, port management and marine pilotage serving in various capacities in Canada and South Africa. Kevin has served on numerous Boards including the Western Transportation Advisory Council (WESTAC) and the Association of Canadian Port Authorities. He presently serves on the board of the Halifax based AI company GSTS, the International Sailors Society Canada (former Chair) and the Chelsea Green Condominium Association (former Chair). He holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree, a Certificate of Competency as Master Mariner and is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors holding the ICD.D designation (Director Education Program).
Peter Swanson – Director
Peter is a senior litigation lawyer with over 35 years of experience and is a founding partner of Bernard LLP. Peter practices extensively in the field of maritime law, handling cases involving the enforcement of maritime liens, vessel arrest and security, carriage of cargo, civil and regulatory liability for ship source pollution, collision, salvage, port state control, immigration, bodily injury, charterparty disputes, and constitutional issues arising in a marine context. Peter appears regularly as counsel before courts and other tribunals. He has represented clients at all levels of court in Canada, including the British Columbia Supreme Court, the Federal Court, the British Columbia Court of Appeal, the Federal Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada. Peter has also been appointed and acted as an arbitrator in maritime law cases. Peter speaks and writes frequently on maritime law topics, and is an adjunct professor of law co-teaching the maritime law course at the University of British Columbia. He is recognized by his peers as a leader in the field of maritime law being listed in The Best Lawyers in Canada, Chambers Canada, the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory and Who’s Who Legal: Canada.
Richard Smith – Chair Bursary Committee
Richard is a retired deep-sea Mariner and Marine Surveyor with over 40 years of experience in Canada, the USA, and the United Kingdom. He is a certified RAB Lead Auditor for Quality Management Systems ISO 9001 / ISO 17025. Director of the NPESC (Nautical Professional Education Society) whose mission is to further the education of Canadian mariners. Honorary Treasurer of the Company of Master Mariners of Canada – Vancouver Division. Member of the Board of Directors of the ISSC (International Sailors Society of Canada). Along with sea-going experience on a number of different types of vessels Richard was involved in a number of areas of the marine surveying business including cargo, P&I and vetting surveys and inspections. As a certified SIRE inspector he also conducted OCIMF vetting inspections of vessels on behalf of charterers and owners. In the mid-90s he helped develop inspection protocols for deep sea vessels loading commodities in bulk for Australia in compliance with FIFA (Fertiliser Industry Federation of Australia) requirements. Richard’s Surveying Specialties included deep sea tanker and oil barge operations; on/off hire and pre-purchase surveys; Quality Management and Laboratory Management Systems auditor; Richard is a licensed drone pilot.
Tim Ellis – Director
Prior to establishing his marine business in 1977, Tim Ellis was employed by a European shipping and forwarding agent, working in offices in London, Vienna and Hong Kong. Tim gained useful experience in commercial, operations, accounting, management and analysis departments…as well as training in container operations, packing, elements of risk management, truck management for European operations and shipments of all kinds worldwide through the company’s deep sea break-bulk and liner services. In the summer of ’76 while still in Hong Kong, Tim joined the Hong Kong Outward Bound School as the 2nd. seamanship instructor. Later, after moving from Hong Kong to Taipei, Taiwan, Tim provided marine surveying and project management services for new building construction of sailing yachts and powerboats for American clients importing yachts from Taiwan into the United States, as well as offering commercial marine surveying services to established clients, particularly in the arena of risk and risk management. Plan A was to stay in Taiwan for a while followed by a long sojourn in Australia, but love and work interfered with this plan. After ten years in Taipei, Tim and his wife took a sabbatical in the UK before emigrating to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, arriving in 1993. Since 1993, Tim has been based in Vancouver, B.C. and provides services for cargo, project management, transport consultancy, ocean going vessels, commercial craft including floating and fixed structures, risk management and control, valuations, survey of motor yachts, cruising sailboats, floating homes and other marine surveying related services. Tim started sailing with his father long before he was a teenager and has raced and cruised in dinghies and yachts all over the world. Even after all that water under his keel, he still enjoys sailing, rowing, boatbuilding and time with his wife at their waterfront camp located on a remote island on the western fringes of Desolation Sound.
Yoss Leclerc – Director
Captain Yoss Leclerc has over 30 years of experience in the maritime, logistics, transport and port industries. During his career at sea, Captain Yoss Leclerc specialized in gas carriers and oil tankers. Ashore has had the opportunity to work and collaborate in the strategic development of several major Canadian port authorities, such as the Port of Metro Vancouver, the Port of Montreal and the Port of Quebec. Throughout his many years in the maritime sector, he used his experience to develop strategic, tactical and operational sustainable solutions in response to many complex and diverse problems related to human factors, safety, security, emergency preparedness and environmental protection. His role as President of the International Harbour Masters Association enabled him to work on various international maritime issues with international organizations such as IMO, ILO, IPA and PAINC. As President & CEO of Logistro Consulting International, Capt. Leclerc has been involved in a myriad of programs and projects around the globe that offered him the unique opportunity to understand the idiosyncrasies of every countries, regions, maritime industries and ports. Hence, to develop tailored solutions for different issues or challenges including sustainable development and optimization. Yoss holds a master’s certificate (FG), a Bachelor of Science degree, a Master’s degree in Business Administration with specialization in logistics and transportation from the University of Montréal. He is currently undertaking his PhD in Maritime Studies at Memorial University of Newfoundland. His research focuses on the impacts of digitalization on the maritime domain. Yoss sits on several international groups, including IMO’s MASS Correspondence Group, PIANC and BugWright2’s Senior Advisory Group. Yoss also sits on several boards of Directors, including the Canada National Seafarers Welfare Board and the International Sailor Society of Canada.
Shri Madiwal – Director
Captain Shri Madiwal is a maritime and port leader with over 30 years of experience in the industry. He is currently acting as vice president of operations and supply chain at the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority. He is responsible for land and marine operations, trade development, health, safety and emergency management, and supply chain optimization activities in this role. He joined the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority in 2019 as Director of Marine Operations and Harbour Master. Before this, he worked in senior roles in the ferry industry and ship management. Shri is a certified Master Mariner from India and Canada. He also holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Simon Fraser University. As an ex-seafarer, he is passionate about seafarer welfare, advocating for the well-being and rights of those who work at sea.
Mariana Gunter – Director
Mariana Gunter Serrano is an accomplished executive with over 17 years of leadership experience in the maritime, shipping, and logistics sectors. As Business Development and Commercial Director at SAAM Towage Canada, Mariana has spearheaded innovative initiatives driving strategic growth across diverse markets. Her expertise encompasses commercial strategy, contract negotiation, and stakeholder engagement, with a proven ability to expand customer portfolios and deliver sustainable value. Mariana’s career includes significant accomplishments in both harbour and offshore towage, as well as leadership roles in commercial management and marketing within multinational organizations. Mariana holds a degree in Industrial Engineering from Tecnológico de Monterrey. She is recognized for her analytical acumen, collaborative leadership, and commitment to advancing environmental stewardship and operational excellence in the shipping industry
David Vanderstelt – Director
Paula Copeland – Director
Paula Copeland is the Strategic Advisor to the CEO at Port Saint John, focusing on Indigenous partnerships and community connections. Paula has worked at the Port since 1998 were she started as marketing assistant and most recently transitioned from a Vice President role. Today, she aligns the Port’s strategy with industry best practices and innovative solutions. Paula is dedicated to social responsibility, advocating for inclusivity and community well-being. Over the past decade, she has integrated community outreach, investment, dialogue, and education into the Port’s mission. Recognized by her peers North America for her work in community engagement, Paula has shared her insights at national and international conferences, emphasizing the importance of positive community engagement for the resilience of ports. She chairs the Harbour Lights Campaign and the Saint John Seafarers Mission and has been involved on boards and committees with several other organizations over her career. Recently, Paula was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal for her commitment to community service and was recognized by UNB Alumni Association as an Alumni of Distinction. She holds a BA from UNB and MA from University of Waterloo and throughout her career at the Port has earned various graduate certificates, diplomas, and professional designations. Paula has 2 grown daughters, lives in Hampton, New Brunswick, with her husband Eric and enjoys exploring the Bay of Fundy coastline.
HONORARY DIRECTORS
Peter G. Bernard KC
George Adams
Educated in the UK, George Adams started his seagoing apprenticeship in 1954. After obtaining his Master’s Certificate in 1964 he came ashore to work in the Chartering Department of Furness Withy & Company Ltd. In 1970 George joined Canadian Transport Company Ltd. serving in various roles both in Canada and overseas. He was appointed President of Canadian Transport Company in 1980 and Vice President Transportation for MacMillan Bloedel Limited in 1981. He served in both positions until his retirement in 1997.
George has been very active in the Canadian maritime community. Over his many years in Vancouver, he become a member of no less than 16 different organizations in Canada and around the world, holding roles that ranged from Director, Treasurer, Trustee, Vice President and Chairman.
George was an ISSC Board Member 12 years, from 2007 to 2019, where he held the Chair role from 2009 to 2015. Throughout his career and subsequently, George has been a strong and generous supporter of the local maritime industry.