We’re passionate about delivering better.
We’re a dedicated group of people who work hard, collaborate and challenge the status quo while still making time for fun. With every new community we build, we strive to enhance the lives of the residents, complement the existing communities and add something special to the neighbourhood we reside in. We are Berwick.
Berwick’s Leadership Team
Chris Denford
Chris Denford
President
Amir Hemani
Amir Hemani
Chief Executive Officer
I’m truly lucky to be working alongside so many dedicated Berwick and Marquise staff members. I came into the Berwick organization in 2011 and haven’t looked back for a minute. As they say, time flies when you’re having fun and you love the people you work with.
My previous roles with other senior living organizations have reinforced for me that Berwick operates in a unique space and that is thanks to our wonderful community of team members and residents. Outside of work, I enjoy doing any kind of physical sport, and squash and football rank among my favourites—go Hawks go!
Sundari Ware
Sundari Ware
Chief Financial Officer
I have had the privilege of working for Berwick Retirement Communities for over 30 years as the company’s Chief Financial Officer. When I first started at Berwick, our Head Office team consisted of Gordon, myself and two support staff—oh my, how we’ve grown! Today, our head office team exceeds 20 wonderful individuals whom I’m proud to call co-workers. It has been an amazing journey that I wouldn’t have missed for the world.
Personally, my husband Larry and I are the proud parents to Eddie and Laura. Larry and I are looking forward to resuming our trips to Phoenix, where I can practice what retirement will look like someday.
Kelly Lazaro
Kelly Lazaro
Chief Operating Officer
It’s been an unforgettable tenure with Berwick, and I have never once looked back. I have held a number of positions, including Marquise District Manager, Berwick General Manager, Director of Operations and now COO. Knowing all aspects of our business has been a huge asset in helping me develop a dream and a vision for Berwick.
A few of my favourite things are children (especially chubby babies), candies, spending time with my wonderful husband and two daughters and, in those rare moments of spare time, relaxing with a book at the lake.
Blair Echlin
Blair Echlin
Project Manager, DCM
My dad always told me, “Whatever you do, be the best at it.” These words stuck with me. The first day I moved to Victoria in 1985, after growing up and graduating from high school in Port Alberni, I was mesmerized by the tower cranes on construction sites; this wasn’t yet part of my visible future. I’ve frequently heard it said, “If you want to be successful, surround yourself with successful people.” I’ve always found satisfaction in passing down the things I’ve learned and experienced in life.
The “Berwick Way” checks all these boxes for me. As a Project Manager in this organization since early 2021, I get to construct and remodel fantastic communities, work with the best team with the highest ambitions and pass along the philosophy and knowledge I’ve accumulated to the next generation of our team. Learning and teaching never stop.
In my personal time, there’s no one place you’d find me or one thing you’d find me doing. Me and my beautiful wife, almost empty-nested, are explorers by nature and continually seek new experiences. If you ever find me driving a Tesla, or my wife sporting a Mediterranean tan, you’ll know we’ve got a few new goals to set. If you see me, please stop me and introduce yourself.
Graham Colley
Graham Colley
Director of Operations
Before joining the retirement industry, I held operational, accounting and human resources positions over a period of 15 years within the first-class sector of the hotel industry. Finding further fulfillment in the ability to positively impact the lives of seniors, I have been working in a variety of leadership roles within the retirement industry since 2014. I joined Berwick Royal Oak in 2017 as General Manager and immediately felt at home.
In my new role as Director of Operations, I’m excited to support all Berwick Communities and contribute to our continued success and growth as a family owned business. We have incredible teams across all of our communities, and I look forward to getting to know everyone even more.
My wife Shannon and I have two boys, Grayson and Rhys, who are constantly playing sports of all kinds. We enjoy hiking, camping and board games and are often found up at Lake Cowichan for summer holidays. I also have a passion for hockey and play weekly on a roller hockey team.
Lesley Sikorski
Lesley Sikorski
Director of Sales, Marketing & Internal Community Engagement
When I returned to Vancouver Island after spending six years in Vancouver working in the very fast-paced real estate development world, I transitioned into the senior living industry and immediately felt a match for my career and personal values. I found myself visiting Berwick Royal Oak in my first year back in Victoria (I was working for a competitor at the time) and knew that I wanted to work for this organization someday. It took me six years, but I got here.
I now work with an incredibly talented and dedicated group of people who all come together to make Berwick the very special and innovative company that it is today. In my role, I work closely with the sales & marketing and active living teams. We’re all on a unified mission to challenge the senior living status quo. Why? Because it’s our obligation to do better and think bigger for the extraordinary older adults who are the heart of our big Berwick family.
My work ethic is tempered by ensuring a balance exists between my professional world and my family priorities. My husband Mike and I love spending time outdoors, skiing, adventuring in Europe and continually learning. I also find tremendous peace horseback riding and walking my dog, Zara.
Paulette Goodman, CPA, CGA
Paulette Goodman, CPA, CGA
Manager of Financial Operations
I’ve been working at Berwick for the past three years, after over a decade in public practice accounting, and I’m so happy I made the change! There’s such great energy at Berwick, and I’m grateful to be part of a wonderful team where I’m happy to come into work each morning. I love the problem-solving aspects of my job and the opportunities for creative thinking. Collaborating with other departments on various projects is also something that keeps my job interesting.
My husband and I have a young daughter, so my life outside the office centres around my family. Most of my “free” time is spent with them, along with my siblings and many nieces and nephews. Living on Vancouver Island provides us with endless parks to explore and I love being outdoors with the family. I love to cook and am always up for trying out new recipes, and I’m also a big reader and have a stack of fiction on my nightstand at all times.
Trevor Hammond
Trevor Hammond
Director of Human Resources
I grew up in Victoria and am proud to work for a Vancouver Island owned and operated company like Berwick, which I joined in 2016. As Director of Human Resources, I have the privilege of working with Berwick’s greatest asset: our people. Our Human Resources Team is here to support Berwick staff in areas like recruitment, compensation and benefits, employee relations and staff recognition. It’s our staff and residents that make coming to work every day so meaningful.
Outside of work, I enjoy time with my family, lifting weights, boxing, coastal adventures and NFL football.
Jenny Jessa, CPA, CGA
Jenny Jessa, CPA, CGA
Manager of Special Projects
I’ve practically grown up at Berwick; I was 28 when I started over 20 years ago. It was my first professional accounting job since achieving my CGA in the same year. I had my very own office and was Sundari’s one and only assistant.
Berwick has been my extended family—when I had my first baby, a co-worker made me a quilt that was built of squares designed personally by employees of the three Berwicks that existed at that time. Today, we have many more homes, accountants and support staff; my position has morphed into Manager of Special Projects to handle the new cloud era, but it still feels like a family.
My “Out of Office” family consists of my husband, Mo; my teenage kids, Sara and Caden; and our labradoodle, Milo. Family is a priority for us and dinner for 12 is a common weekend gathering. We have a lot of family overseas and started travelling a few years ago where we had the opportunity to visit Africa and experience wildlife safaris—seeing giraffes, lions, elephants, etc., from a front row seat in their natural habitat was amazing! I hope to do more travelling with my family in the near future and will try to beat Sundari’s record of 30+ years with Berwick!
Andrea Purvis
Andrea Purvis
Senior Brio Care Manager
We do things the Berwick way.
Featured Team Member
Kenneth Waterman
Executive Chef, Berwick House
“What do I love about my role? The word is ‘mentorship.’ In 2000 I was the first apprentice within all Berwick properties. I was nervous going to Camosun College to hone my craft. Turns out Berwick was the perfect place to learn. I finished top of my class and completed my Red Seal in 2003. As my career progressed, I found myself in a leadership position working with many young individuals. To keep a full culinary roster, I needed to develop associates, giving them added responsibility along the way. By identifying individuals who showed hard work, good character and a willingness to learn, we have developed four Red Seal chefs during my tenure as Executive Chef at Berwick House. As a company, we are contributing to our communities as a whole in developing very capable chefs in our trade.”
Featured Team Member
Maggie Raw
Operations Support, Berwick
“I began my career at Berwick House as the Office Manager. Ten years of working at the front desk was challenging but rewarding. My relationships with the people in the community has always been the most important part for me, so I resisted moving over to the corporate side of the business, fearing that I would lose that contact. What I have found in my new role is that I still get to be connected to the people in the communities. My aim is to provide as much support as I can to all the Berwick communities. Each has enthusiastic staff and great ideas. I see so many advantages in working for Berwick. Big enough for development, yet small enough for proper relationships and clear communication.”
Featured Team Member
Kenneth Waterman
Executive Chef, Berwick House
“What do I love about my role? The word is ‘mentorship.’ In 2000 I was the first apprentice within all Berwick properties. I was nervous going to Camosun College to hone my craft. Turns out Berwick was the perfect place to learn. I finished top of my class and completed my Red Seal in 2003. As my career progressed, I found myself in a leadership position working with many young individuals. To keep a full culinary roster, I needed to develop associates, giving them added responsibility along the way. By identifying individuals who showed hard work, good character and a willingness to learn, we have developed four Red Seal chefs during my tenure as Executive Chef at Berwick House. As a company, we are contributing to our communities as a whole in developing very capable chefs in our trade.”
Featured Team Member
Maggie Raw
Operations Support, Berwick
“I began my career at Berwick House as the Office Manager. Ten years of working at the front desk was challenging but rewarding. My relationships with the people in the community has always been the most important part for me, so I resisted moving over to the corporate side of the business, fearing that I would lose that contact. What I have found in my new role is that I still get to be connected to the people in the communities. My aim is to provide as much support as I can to all the Berwick communities. Each has enthusiastic staff and great ideas. I see so many advantages in working for Berwick. Big enough for development, yet small enough for proper relationships and clear communication.”
