Meet the Board

  • Founder, Chair, Burn Survivor

    Victoria is a burn survivor and the founder of Life After Burns. In 2002, at 9 years old, she sustained third degree burns to 20% of her body. 18 years after her accident, she found support for herself and that is how she came to understand and appreciate the strength, resilience and endurance of those affected by a similar traumatic experience. Through helping herself, she realized that she could help others who have had similar life-changing experiences by creating connections, finding resources, and bringing people together.

    Victoria's focus is connecting survivors and their loved ones to resources, as well as building a strong community. She is passionate about community work, self awareness and development. She will continue to raise awareness and advocate for burn survivors, and develop more resources and avenues towards healing.

  • Treasurer, Firefighter in Training

    Tibor is an electrician, a mentor, a firefighter and a proud board member of Life After Burns. He is your hands on guy that you can depend on to find the solutions. He has spent many years watching a burn survivor near and dear to his heart struggle with her self image and periodically with isolation. She had no community or help who could truly understand her struggles. He joined LAB to help create a safe space, a space where her and people like her can go to recover and grow together. The fire industry does a spectacular job at fire prevention and intervention. But there is still lots of room to grow on the rehabilitation front. He is here to learn, grow with the LAB community and help bridge this gap, to create a future where everyone has the chance, resources and ability to thrive.

  • Board Member, Burn Survivor

    Hadi began navigating life's challenges as a burn survivor at the age of 3. In 2019, Hadi discovered the support of the burn survivor community, finding solace and acceptance for both scars and personal narrative. Inspired by this connection, Hadi openly shares his journey, aiming to resonate with and inspire others facing similar challenges. Hadi's advocacy is dedicated to promoting self-acceptance.

  • Vice Chair, Mother of a Burn Survivor

    Peggy is a mother two including her son, who is a burn survivor. She became part of Life After Burns when attending the Caregiver Support group.

    In 2017, the family’s lives changed forever when their son was injured as a result of arson. The support received from friends, chosen family members and extraordinary work colleagues were incredible and words cannot express the gratitude the family continues to feel and cherish. Without their village, they would not have gotten through those difficult times.

    In the short time being connected with LAB, it has made such a difference to Peggy and has increased her determination to ensure aftercare for members of the burn community is more readily available.

    Her passion for connecting with others who have witnessed or experienced similar trauma within the burn community, adds to her healing. “Everyone needs someone” are words she lives by.

    Peggy and her family take great advantage of ‘flash sales’ for inexpensive flights to the west coast to visit their son who is doing really well and living life to the fullest!

  • Board Member, Burn Survivor

    Chelsea Wang brings her knowledge and experiences of human resources management to LAB, helping LAB to grow and thrive. When she was 16-months old, Chelsea was burned by boiling water, which left visible scars on her chin, front chest and right arm. The most difficult thing for her to do till this day is to show her scars to people. However, she doesn’t want to hide anymore because she is deeply proud and grateful of who she has become today. She is still learning and challenging herself to show up for herself.

    Chelsea joined LAB to contribute, to share, and also to continue to grow and heal together with everyone else in the community. She believes that every burn survivor deserves a fulfilling life in which they can freely express themselves through their voices and their physical appearances. She’s excited to be part of the team and looking forward to getting to know more excellent individuals in the burn community.

  • Secretary

    Stef, a committed social service worker on the path to becoming a registered psychotherapist, is driven by her background in sociology to address societal flaws and foster positive change. Her involvement with Life After Burns began with admiration for a dear friend who founded the organization after her own burn trauma, inspiring Stef to be part of this transformative change. Her connection with Life After Burns has developed into a deep love for the supportive community. As an ally to those recovering from burn trauma, Stef is dedicated to supporting their healing journey and working toward a more inclusive and compassionate future.

Honourable Mention,

Team Member

  • Peer Support Group Co-Facilitator

    Barbara-Anne Hodge is a retired Occupational Therapist who worked for over 25 years on the Burn Unit at the HSC Hospital in Winnipeg, MB. In the course of her work, she came to know many burn survivors who were dealing with the changes to their appearance and to their daily life due to the burn injuries. To address these needs and along side other Burn Unit staff, she was a founding member of the Mamingwey Burn Survivor Society in Manitoba in 2003. She continues on as Chair to this day. She is a Board member of the Firefighters’ Burn Fund Inc. in Manitoba, the current Chair of the Canadian Burn Survivors Community and is also the Secretary of the Board at the Canadian Skin Patient Alliance.

    Barb is now retired from hospital work and enjoys working with burn survivors and other skin patients as a volunteer through these various organizations. She is mom to 4 grown kids and a grandmother to 2, and spends as much time as possible with her family.