Leadership
Governance Processes
at Mount St. Mary Hospital
The governing body at Mount St. Mary Hospital is a group of Board Directors who are appointed by the Marie Esther Society Members.
They follow the Marie Esther Society Bylaws in fulfilling their duties as a Board. Their responsibilities are the management, administration and operation of the affairs of the Society. The Board membership consists of seven to nine members who fulfill the Board Competency Matrix in providing a variety of skills and expertise to enhance the work of the Board and the success of the organization. The Board follows best practices on fiduciary, strategic and generative modes of governance in its deliberations and decision-making activities. The Board also acts in accordance with the Heath Ethics Guide, Third Edition, Catholic Health Alliance of Canada, 2012 and the Denominational Health Agreement.
The Board oversees the operation of Mount St. Mary Hospital through the work of Committees of the Board including the Finance Committee, the Governance Committee, and liaison with the Hospital Ethics and Fund Development Committees.
The Board follows an Integrated Quality & Risk Management Plan in ensuring that resident- and family-centred care and resident safety are priorities for the Hospital.
The Board also reviews and follows the Hospital Communication Plan. The Board has policies and procedures which it follows in exercising its authority and accountability.
The Board shares its decisions internally and externally though a variety of venues including in Staff and Resident & Family Newsletters, and in its Annual Review. The Board develops the Hospital’s Strategic Plan with the Senior Leaders, and then develops Board Goals & Objectives. The Senior Leaders develop the operational goals and objectives guided by the Strategic Plan.
Through a dedicated and expert appointed Board of Directors and our experienced Senior Leadership Team, Mount St. Mary Hospital works to ensure that we fulfil our commitment to the community we serve and the individuals we provide services to.
Mount St. Mary Hospital is owned and operated by the Marie Esther Society, a non-profit corporation established under civil law and the British Columbia Society Act.
Mount St. Mary Hospital is a Catholic health care facility and is Sponsored by the Apostolates of the Sisters of St. Ann.
- The Diocesan Public Juridic Person (the Sponsor) is established for Diocesan purposes under canon law.
- The Members of the Public Juridic Person (PJP) are appointed by the Bishop of Victoria upon the recommendation of a Selection Committee comprised of the Bishop, a nominee of the Board of Directors and a nominee of the PJP.
- The PJP Members appoint themselves as the Members of the Marie Esther Society.
- The Marie Esther Society Members appoint the Board of Directors.
The role of the Marie Esther Society Members is to uphold the Mission of the Hospital in accordance with the Constitution and Bylaws.
The Marie Esther Society Members and the Sisters of St. Ann Apostolates are: Elaine Berthelet, Gary Mitchell, John Mochrie, Bev Pulykand and Darlene Southwell.
Our Board meets monthly and is comprised of two standing committees: the Finance Committee; and the Governance Committee.
The Committees’ responsibilities are to provide expert advice and recommendations to the Board as a whole for information, discussion and decision-making.
The Board exercises its governance role by assuming the management, administration and operation of the affairs of the Society including fiduciary oversight, strategic planning and generative discussions.
The Senior Leadership Team ensures that the operation of the Hospital upholds the Mission, Vision & Values, and delivers programs and services ensuring: stewardship of resources; innovation in programming; and implementation of exemplary best practices.
Board of Directors
Maria D'Archangelo
Board Chair
Maria D'Archangelo
Maria joined the Board in 2022 and is Senior Legal Counsel at the Ministry of Attorney General, Legal Services Branch for Infrastructure Projects and Initiatives, where she provides senior strategic and substantive legal services to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure Executive. She was called to the Bar after receiving her Juris Doctor degree (UVIC). Maria is a member of Holy Cross Parish and she has served as a Board Member of the Craigdarroch Castle Historical Museum Society. In her spare time, Maria enjoys cooking and rollerblading.
Manuel Achadinha
Board Vice Chair
Manuel Achadinha
Manuel joined the Board in 2022 and is currently a Business Consultant. He holds a Master of Public Administration (UVIC) and an Institute of Corporate Directors Certificate. Manuel’s most recent leadership positions include Chief Operating Officer - Vicinity Motor Corporation, President and Chief Executive Officer, BC Transit, and Vice President Terminal Operations, British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. He serves as a Board Member for Island Catholic Schools and as a Member of the St. Patrick’s Parish Finance Committee. Manuel and his family are soccer enthusiasts.
Samir Ben Takaya
Chair, Finance Committee
Samir Ben Takaya
Samir joined the Board in 2021. He moved to Victoria from Montreal in 2016. Samir is Senior Vice President & Head of Investment Risk at British Columbia Investment Management Corporation. Samir holds a Master of Science in Administration (HEC Montreal), a Degree in Engineering (INSEA Morocco), and completed an Advanced Management Program (INSEAD, France). Samir engages as a Speaker/Panelist within his field, and is a member of the Investment Advisory and Steering Committees of the Applied Portfolio Management Program (UVIC). His community participation includes his children’s activities.
Joseph A. Calenda
Governance Committee
Joseph A. Calenda
Joseph joined the Board in 2024. He has worked as a city planner and development consultant, with affordable housing is his primary focus. Joseph has 40 years in public service in three provinces and several municipalities where he served as City Planner and/or City Manager. He continues to provide consulting services within his profession. Joseph retired in 2008 and continues to serve on the Gorge View Society, Greater Victoria Acting Together, St. Patrick’s Local School Council, and the Knights of Columbus as a Sacristan and Caretaker. Housing the poor is his spiritual vocation.
Linda Campbell
Governance Committee
Linda Campbell
Linda joined the Board in 2022, and retired from leadership positions in Home and Community Care with Island Health in in 2007. She is an Occupational Therapist by profession and holds a Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation (UBC). Linda has been very involved in her local and professional community including volunteer work as a founding member of the Oak Bay Community Association, Board Member and President of Volunteer Victoria, Board Member of Victoria Housing for Disabled, and Board Member of the Shelbourne Community Kitchen Society.
Joe Colistro
Governance Committee
Joe Colistro
Joe joined the Mount St. Mary Board in 2025. He recently retired having spent over 40 years in Catholic Education. He had a rich and varied career holding many leadership positions including Principal and Superintendent with Island Catholic Schools in Victoria. Over the years, Joe worked for the BC Ministry of Education in various roles including Chairperson for school evaluations in British Columbia and offshore. He was appointed as a member of the British Columbia Teacher Council. Joe has a Masters in Educational Administration and is an active member of Holy Cross Parish.
Marina Diacu
Chair, Governance Committee
Marina Diacu
Marina joined the Board in 2021. She has worked in public service with the government of British Columbia for the past 24 years and is currently the Executive Director of Laboratory and Blood Services for the Ministry of Health. Marina has a Master in Leadership (RRU), a Bachelor of Law (UVIC) and a Bachelor of Law in Civil Law (University of Bucharest, Romania). Marina supports her community through involvement as a Board Member with the Victoria Separation and Divorce Resource Centre and the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Society. Marina is a dedicated tennis player.
Angie Sorrell
Finance Committee
Angie Sorrell
Angie joined the Board in 2023. She had been an advisor to the BC Minister of Finance and the BC Provincial Treasury Board for many years before she became the BC Minister of Finance’s representative for the Canada Pension Plan and the BC Public Sector Pension Plans. Angie retired in 2022. One of Angie’s career achievements was the establishment of the governance structures and frameworks for representing the BC Minister of Finance, and the restructuring of each of the pension plans’ provisions to ensure greater equity and sustainability. Angie enjoys taking hikes with her dog, swimming, drawing, and playing the cello.
Bev Roney
Governance Committee
Bev Roney
Bev joined the Board in 2022. She recently retired from Island Health where she worked as a Seniors Mental Health Nurse Consultant. She has practiced in five Canadian provinces and worked in non-governmental organizations in Switzerland. During her career, she has held leadership positions in medical-surgical, geriatric and psychiatric areas of care. Bev studied at the University of Ottawa and McGill University. She serves on the Diocesan Health Care Committee, and attends Holy Cross Parish. She and her husband enjoy spending time with their grandchildren, kayaking and hiking.
Melanie Hennig
CEO and Board Secretary
Melanie Hennig
Melanie was appointed at the CEO of Mount Saint Mary Hospital in July of 2025. Melanie brings a lifelong of dedication to seniors’ care with extensive experience and a strong academic foundation. Melanie began her professional career in long-term care at the age of 15, working her first job in a seniors’ home, and has since served in senior leadership roles including Director of Care, Executive Director, Vice President Care and Community Programs and Chief Operating Officer in both for profit and not for profit organizations. She has led multiple care homes, the largest serving 300 veterans, and at times overseeing more than 400 residents and 750 staff.
Before joining our Mount Saint Mary Hospital she was responsible for the operations of five communities, including funded long-term care and adult day program spaces. In that role, Melanie provided strategic planning, developed leadership teams, ensured compliance with all regulatory authorities, managed financial and human resources, and represented the organization with key stakeholders including Island Health. Melanie also led her teams through the COVID-19 pandemic and achieved Exemplary Standing in an Accreditation Canada survey. Melanie’s leadership was instrumental in delivering services to over 400 residents and 15,000 adult day program spaces with approximately 650 employees.
Melanie holds a Master of Arts in Sociology with a specialization in Gerontology from the University of Victoria, providing her with a deep understanding of the unique needs and experiences of older adults. Melanie also serves on the Denominational Health Association Board, contributing her expertise to the advancement of faith-based health care.