Darrell Burnham (2028 - 2029)

Darrell Burnham: A Biography

Darrell grew up in Burnaby, British Columbia. with his older sister, Lynn, and a large extended family that includes nearly 40 cousins primarily residing in Saskatchewan and British Columbia. Family gatherings played a significant role in his upbringing, contributing to his strong sense of community. Darrell was participated in a large variety of sports while maintaining academic success.

His academic journey began at Simon Fraser University (SFU) in 1971, where he pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Psychology. During his time at university, he met Nancy in the fall of 1972 at a pub. They married in 1979 and settled first in New Westminster and later in Port Moody, where they raised three daughters: Shannon, Michelle, and Jessica. In January 2000, their lives were profoundly affected when Nancy was diagnosed with breast cancer. She sadly passed away in March 2004 after a courageous battle.

In a fortunate twist of fate, Darrell's Rotary connections introduced him to Krista Wright, then a a member of the Semiahmoo Rotary Club. They married in 2009, expanding their family to include Krista’s children, Jaime and Charles.
Professionally, Darrell has dedicated much of his career to mental health advocacy. He served as the Chief Executive Officer of Coast Mental Health in Vancouver from June 1987 until September 2023. In this role, he was instrumental in transforming Coast into one of Canada’s largest community mental health organizations. His leadership resulted in significant accomplishments, including the development of innovative supportive housing for over 1,400 individuals. Darrell's commitment to open communication and responsiveness allowed him to navigate community opposition effectively when opening new facilities, ensuring the organization's growth and success.

In addition to his work at Coast Mental Health, Darrell contributed to the Expert Advisory Panel on Specialized Populations for the Ministry of Social Development from 2012 to 2018, focusing on employment programs for diverse and specialized populations. He also served on the board of the Health Employers Association of BC from 2001 to 2011, where he helped shape health sector employment strategies and policies.

Darrell's involvement with Rotary began in 1991 when he attended a meeting of the Vancouver East Rotary Club. His journey through Rotary has been marked by active leadership roles, including serving as president, where he established the Killarney Interact Club. After his wife's diagnosis, he transitioned to the Port Moody Rotary Club, where he continued to engage in youth exchange programs and community service initiatives. He has served as an Assistant Governor, a PETs Instructor and has hosted many youth Exchange Students over the years. His commitment to service has fostered lasting global connections.

Throughout his career and community involvement, Darrell has received numerous accolades, including the 2023 Denise Leblond Lifetime Achievement Award from the BC Non-Profit Housing Association and the 2022 Award of Excellence from the City of Vancouver’s Healthy City for All Awards. IN 2014 he was also honoured with the SFU Outstanding Alumni Award in 2014 for his contributions to community service.

Now retired, Darrell remains dedicated to the Rotary Club of Port Moody, actively participating as President Elect, Community Services Chair, and Chair of the Rotary Club of Port Moody Foundation. In his spare time he also likes to golf and is an avid sailor and is looking for opportunities to travel the world.