Donna Gordan moved to to the South Okanagan in 2017 to join Desert Valley Hospice Society as the Executive Director. Donna’s background includes Fundraising Coordinator for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, extensive marketing experience and nine years management experience with a public relations firm in Las Vegas. She is responsible for creating business plans, overseeing day-to-day activities, improving performance, developing organizational culture, supervising staff, reporting on revenue, and directing the Society’s organizational strategy. After three year, she is still excited to experience the energy and vision of the Society and to fulfill the mission of the society in the communities of Osoyoos, Oliver and Okanagan Falls. Donna is a trained Hospice Volunteer. Prior to joining DVHS, she had a personal connection with hospice and palliative care and senior citizens by caring for a family member and a co-worker. Donna enjoys making handcrafted cowgirl jewellery, gardening, and watching movies. Recently, Donna joined a local amateur theatre company as a props assistant, backstage crew and producer.
Shelley Middleton moved to the South Okanagan in 2016 from Fort Nelson, BC. Shelley had a long career in small business management, office administration and human resources. After semi-retiring to the Okanagan Valley after thirty-two years in Fort Nelson, Shelley came out of retirement to join the staff of Desert Valley Hospice in December of 2018, as the Volunteer Program Director. As VPD today, she manages the Society programs, trains and coordinates our Hospice Volunteers. Shelley was active in the Fort Nelson Hospice Society, taking her hospice volunteer training in March 2010. Her volunteer experience gave her the understanding of hospice palliative care to fulfill her role as VPD. In her time away from work, Shelley still volunteers, enjoys her yard and patio, likes to bike ride, swim and walk the many trails with her Westie, Captain. “I have always had an inner sense to give back to my community. I served on the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality Council for six years in Fort Nelson. I was invited to come to a Hospice meeting by a dear friend. After the meeting, I knew this is what my next gift to give back would be, becoming a Hospice Volunteer”.