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Exciting Leadership Changes at the FNHDA

May 20th, 2025

Photo of Janice George, a woman smiling with shoulder-length, dark brown hair.
Nauness, Janice George, President FNHDA Board

Announcing Nauness, Janice George as new FNHDA Board President

Paternally, Janice is from Sts’ailes; maternally, she is from Squamish Nation. Her husband is from Tsleil-Waututh Nation, and together they have seven children and eight grandchildren. Janice lives in the pristine Sts’ailes territory, along the Harrison River in the Fraser Salish Region.

As a leader, Janice is known for her deep knowledge of Sts’ailes culture and spirituality, and emphasizes the inclusion of cultural practices in her daily work. As a Health Director, she also actively promotes Lateral Kindness and Healthy lifestyle choices for a better tomorrow for future generations.

Janice brings to the Board a strong professional background, including five years of managerial experience and eight years of supervisory experience. In addition to her work as Sts’ailes’ Health Director, Janice held a position in administrative governance and also human resources and employment counselling, among other roles.

She holds a Psychology Associate of Arts Degree, General Studies Diploma from Douglas College and an Office Technology & Administration Certificate – Finance Option from Capilano University. She is currently completing her Certified Aboriginal Professional Administrator Diploma with AFOA Canada. Janice is a lifetime learner of cultural teachings.

Photo of Valerie Birdgeneau, a woman smiling with long brown hair, and wearing a scarf with Indigenous art from BC.
Valerie Birdgeneau, FNHDA Executive Director

Announcing Valerie Birdgeneau as FNHDA Executive Director

We are pleased to announce Valerie Birdgeneau, previously FDNHA Secretariat Director, as the new Executive Director, FNHDA Secretariat.

Valerie is Déne and a proud member of the Fort Nelson First Nation in Treaty 8 territory in northeastern BC. She brings a strong record of leadership and a deep commitment to advancing health governance and wellness for First Nations communities in British Columbia. Over the past 14 years of working within FNHDA, Valerie has shown her dedication to creating strategic and operational structures which strengthen the professional development, knowledge exchange, and advocacy for Health Directors across the province. As we move into a new fiscal year with a new FNHDA President, Valerie will bring our history forward and use her strong leadership skills to help chart a new path for engagement with our Board of Directors, community Health Directors and our pillar partners.

Valerie holds a Master of Business Administration in Indigenous Business and Leadership from SFU with more than 20 years’ experience supporting Indigenous non-profit organizations. With her extensive background in Indigenous health and organizational leadership, Valerie will play a key role in advancing the FNHDA’s mission and strategic plan and supporting the broader vision of community-driven, Nation-based health transformation.

Please join us in warmly welcoming Nauness, Janice George and Valerie Birdgeneau to their new roles at the FNHDA.

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