Board & Staff

Board Members

Tracey Carpenter, President

Tracey joined CHN when her daughter Avery was diagnosed with ALCAPA in 2009. Avery has had two open heart surgeries, her ALCAPA repair immediately after diagnosis, and her mitral valve repair two years later. The Carpenters have two daughters Chloe and Avery. Tracey has a bachelor of commerce degree and has worked for her family business in industrial sales for her entire career. Tracey was thrilled to be a part of the organizing committee for the CHN “Growing Up with Heart Disease Conference” in 2012 and she is a family resource parent for CHN. “I am very thankful for the support that we have received from the CHN and its members throughout our journey. Knowing that you are not alone in this sometimes surreal experience of being a heart parent has been a tremendous comfort and I am so honoured to be able to help other families through their journeys. I look forward to collaborating with our more experienced board and helping to carry the CHN and its membership forward. Even though all of our stories are unique we find common threads that join us together and help to make us stronger when we know we are not alone.”

Kerry is an art educator who has been teaching since 1998. She lives in North Vancouver with her husband Scott and her two kids. Kerry has been connected with the Children’s Heart Network since 2007, shortly after the birth of her son Kailen, who was born with Transposition of the Great Arteries. Today he is a very active 18-year-old who is training to become a paramedic. Kerry is excited to continue to work with the Children’s Heart Network and offer her expertise as an educator and mother of a young adult with CHD. She has previously served on the CHN conference planning committee, organized February 14 walks to bring awareness to congenital heart defects, and offered art workshops for the Children’s Heart Network. As a board member, Kerry is able to give back to an organization that has done so much for her family. “I have always felt a sense of connection and understanding with the families from the Children’s Heart Network.”

Jeff joined the CHN as Treasurer in September 2014. He has over 30 years of accounting, business, and management experience in engineering, technology, and manufacturing environments.  Jeff is currently Controller for Highland Foundry, where he oversees finance and administration.  Previously he has been Director of Finance at Lance Bissett Ltd., Director of Finance for Paradigm Environmental Technologies, Controller for Westbay Instruments, and Division Controller for Schlumberger Water Services. Over his career he has been responsible for accounting, treasury, human resources, risk management, IT, and administration.  Jeff resides in Pitt Meadows with his wife, Darlene, and has a son, Matt. He has a strong sense of compassion for those in need. “I am delighted to be able to give back to the community and contribute my time and expertise to this important children’s charity.” Jeff holds a Diploma of Technology in Financial Management from BCIT and is a CPA and CMA.

Sonia was first introduced to CHN when her daughter Ada was diagnosed in-utero with tricuspid atresia, a single ventricle defect. She was very excited to attend her first CHN event, the holiday party, when her daughter was 3 months old. She now lives in Coquitlam with her husband, daughter Ada, and Ada’s younger brother Cassian. She is a high school science and learning services teacher. The Children’s Heart Network has been a great source of community and connection for her family.  After participating in a number of CHN events, she is very happy to give back to the organization as a board member.

Jackie has enjoyed a long and rewarding career in Human Resources specializing in the area of employee compensation and benefits for a number of organizations including Vancity Credit Union, TELUS, and the Provincial Health Services Authority. Jackie is currently the Director of Compensation with the BC Public School Employers’ Association (BCPSEA). Jackie became a Heart Mom in October 2016 when her daughter Londyn was born. Londyn has Pulmonary Atresia with Intact Ventricular Septum (PA/IVS). Along with a number of heart catheterization procedures, Londyn had open heart surgery when she was 5 ½ months old. In early 2020, Jackie approached the Children’s Heart Network expressing an interest in becoming a Board Member. “I very much struggled with becoming a Heart Mom knowing the incredible responsibility and difficulties it would bring. I would not have survived the first six months without the support of this amazing group. Now I feel extremely proud and grateful to be a chosen to be Londyn’s Heart Mom. I have grown as a person and learned so much about life through my extremely special and courageous Heart Warrior. It is time to give back and support others as they begin their unique journey…”

Barb is a retired registered nurse who spent 17 years working with heart kids and families and is one of the founders of the Hearts of Gold Youth Program. She also has a niece who has grown up with a congenital heart condition.

“I am so grateful to be a part of the CHN board of directors. Each time I participate in a CHN event or board activity it reinforces to me the important role and impact of the CHN. I continue to be amazed at the strength and hope heart kids and families can gain from one another.”

Barb lives in Vancouver with her husband Gordon.

Joelly was thrilled to join the board of the Children’s Heart Network in 2017. She lives in Vancouver with her husband Jory and their four children, Zane, Emmett, Shae and Mattea.  Joelly first became aware of The Children’s Heart Network in 2009 when her daughter Mattea was born with a VSD, and shortly after became a volunteer and then a resource parent.  Joelly is passionate about giving back to the community and supporting families and children.  Joelly has an extensive background in hospitality and event management.

Hello, my name is Leslie and I’ve been working in cardiology for 26 years, with 17 of those at the Children’s Heart Centre. I always wanted to be a nurse or a doctor. My mom is a retired maternity nurse and I remember reading about medical procedures when I was a young girl. My dad, a television news station anchor, had a rare condition called Gaucher’s disease, which forced him to spend weeks and months in hospital. I grew up with a passion for helping the sick and hurting through watching my dad’s healthcare journey and was always surrounded by home nurses and spent lots of time in hospitals. At Children’s, I have worked in outpatient cardiology, 3G, Room 9, Intensive Care, Step down, Pain services, Research. Before this, I worked at Shaughnessy Hospital in EENT, Float and Emergency Dept. I’ve also done some 3rd world Nursing trips which is another passion! In my spare time I like to do yoga, biking and hiking and play French Horn in a community band.

Stephanie joined the CHN board in January 2014. She grew up in Victoria and trained and worked as a social worker in Victoria and in the UK, before moving to Vancouver with her husband, Charlie, and their three children, Chloë, Rhys, and Drew. Stephanie first became involved with CHN as a volunteer in 2010. Her niece Mila, was a heart child, who, sadly, passed away in August 2012. Stephanie’s sister and brother-in-law started Mila’s Fund to enable heart kids living throughout BC to enjoy the experience of camp.

Staff Members

Samantha Aitken, Provincial Coordinator

Samantha has been a member of the CHN since 2006. She initially became involved as a board member for three years and then eventually took on the role of provincial coordinator. She lives in Vancouver with her husband Rob, son Jackson, and daughter Danielle. She holds a bachelor of commerce from UBC and worked in the restaurant/purchasing industry for the majority of her career. “Our daughter, Danielle, was born with congenital heart disease and had a large VSD repair at three months old. As the mother of a heart child I felt it was important to give back and volunteer in some capacity. This led to me volunteering on the CHN board and ultimately to my current role as provincial coordinator. It is truly gratifying to be able to help a family that has a child recently diagnosed with congenital heart disease, and I am so happy to be working with a very committed board of directors.”

Patty has a background in bookkeeping and accounting and will be focusing on finance and other administrative duties.  Patty has been a heart mom since 1992 when her son Connor was born. She was first introduced to CHN as a parent and she remembers how great it was to find someone to talk to who had gone through similar experiences. Patty then got involved with CHN  as a resource parent helping to support other parents whose child has just been diagnosed with a congenital heart defect. Patty lives in Maple Ridge with her husband Ted.  She is a mother of two grown sons, Kyle and Connor. As a child, Connor underwent repairs to correct his transposition of the great arteries and a VSD repair, and he has transitioned to St. Paul’s PACH clinic. He is now a young adult working for the family business while attending university.

Emily Deimling is a Certified Child Life Specialist at BC Children’s Hospital and the Hearts of Gold Coordinator for the Children’s Heart Network. Originally from Windsor, Ontario, Emily earned her undergraduate degree in Developmental Psychology, focusing on mindfulness in youth, and a master’s degree in Child Life and Psychosocial Care from McMaster University. Her clinical training included internships at Winnipeg and London Children’s Hospitals, where she worked with children of varying needs and complexities.

Since joining BC Children’s Hospital two years ago, Emily has embraced life in Vancouver, spending her free time hiking, paddling, and performing in community theatre. With a passion for empowering youth, she is excited to lead Hearts of Gold, organizing fun social events like the annual camp at Zajac Ranch. Emily looks forward to connecting with heart teens and their families, helping them feel supported and engaged in their community.

Shae Mellors is a certified child life specialist and a registered clinical counsellor. She currently practices at her Pediatric Power Play clinic, where she has accomplished her dream of allowing Island folks access to Child Life within the community. She was born with Aortic Stenosis/ Bicuspid Aortic Valve and saw Dr. Sinclair yearly for appointments and tests as she grew up. She then transitioned to the PACH clinic at St. Paul’s Hospital, where she still visits for her congenital heart condition.

Shae received her Child and Youth Care degree at the University of Victoria and completed an internship within the Cardiac ICU, Emergency Dept, Ambulatory and Surgical units of the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton, AB.

In her spare time, Shae enjoys being home with her family in the backyard, where they have built an oasis. She loves paddleboarding, dirt biking, adventuring around nature and throwing the ball for her Mini Australian Shepherd. Shae is excited to join the CHN as the Hearts of Gold Youth Coordinator for Vancouver Island and looks forward to organizing fun HOG events, family events and building supportive relationships with the youth!

Dee has been a dedicated Gala Coordinator for the Children’s Heart Network (CHN), leveraging extensive experience in public relations, marketing, and event planning to ensure the success of the organization’s flagship event. With a career spanning more than two decades, Dee has worked on high-profile projects, including the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) and the UBCP/ACTRA Awards, showcasing her expertise in crafting impactful campaigns, managing media relations, and creating unforgettable experiences.

As a parent of a child born with congenital heart defects, Dee understands firsthand the importance of CHN’s mission.
Her son, Winston, has undergone three open-heart surgeries and continues to thrive. Inspired by the resilience of heart families, Dee combines professional expertise and personal passion to make CHN’s annual gala a meaningful and successful event for all.

Outside of CHN, Dee serves as a consultant and project manager for businesses, where she manages social media strategies, member recognition initiatives, and event coordination. She also shares her love of food and culture through her blog, Gastrofork.ca.

Dee is proud to support CHN and the heart community through her work.