Cory Kent, Director
He graduated from Carleton University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1990, and from the University of British Columbia with a Law degree in 1995.
Cory spent 20 years as a member of the Canadian Naval Reserve, first as a Naval Signalmen, and subsequently as a MARS Officer, serving in ships and shore establishments on both coasts, and in reserve units in Ottawa and Vancouver. Cory retired from the Naval Reserve in 2008 as a Lt(N).
He has been a director on the board of directors of a number of public and private companies, and actively involved in the public capital markets as an officer or director for the past 25 years.
Melissa De Genova, Director, Secretary
In her professional life, Melissa is the Director of Development for the Vancouver Resource Society, a non-profit organization, where she leads initiatives to secure accessible housing for persons with disabilities. She also owns a marketing and event production company.
Melissa holds a degree from Simon Fraser University in political science and has in the past worked in communications and senior management roles for many companies and organizations in both non-profit and private sectors.
As the wife of a Vancouver Police Officer and former Royal Canadian Navy member, Melissa brings a fresh perspective to the Honour House Board. She lives in Vancouver with her husband Blair and daughter Lili.
Jeannie Yee, Director
Jeannie Yee joined Honour House in 2016 and has been involved in the marketing and fundraising areas. She was a member of the Vancouver Police Department, becoming the first female Chinese Canadian police officer in Canada. Besides various operational duties, Jeannie had management responsibilities in Human Resources, Training and Recruiting, and was the Executive Officer in the Chief Constable’s Office. She has been the recipient of a variety of awards including three Chief Constable’s Commendations. Jeannie retired at the rank of Inspector in 2018.
Jeannie has a Bachelor of Recreation Education from the University of British Columbia and an Emergency Management Certificate from the Justice Institute of British Columbia.
Jeannie enjoys volunteering and is always looking for different opportunities to do so. Besides Honour House, she has volunteered for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Vancouver Sun Run, Rugby World 7’s and many dragonboating events.
John Appleby, Advisor
John has been involved with Honour House since the outset, serving on the board as director and treasurer through its formative years and into its fifth year in operation. He stepped down in early 2013 when he retired and moved to Duncan, BC.
He is a former Victoria stockbroker and business development consultant. In 1990, he moved to Vancouver where he later founded a company specializing in the design and development of a high speed freight transfer system. In addition to this he was the president of a number of community organizations including the Delta Chamber of Commerce and Trails BC, where he was heavily involved in the development of the Trans Canada Trail. He still chairs the Advisory Board for the Centre of Excellence in Sustainability, Infrastructure and Transportation Economics at the School of Business of the British Columbia Institute of Technology.
John spent over thirty years as an army reservist, retiring in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, having served as the Commanding Officer of 11 Victoria Service Battalion and in the appointment of Senior Staff Officer (Administration), British Columbia District.
In addition to the board of Honour House, he has served on the boards of a number of military support organizations including: as president, the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada Regimental Association; as president, the British Columbia Veterans’ Commemorative Association; as first vice president, the Royal United Services Institute of Vancouver; and as a member of the City of Vancouver Remembrance Day Observance Committee.
Michael Flanigan, Advisor
Michael Flanigan brings twenty-five years of experience in partnering with different levels of government, non-profit and private housing partners, and the development community to promote the creation of affordable housing. In 2001, after five years as Director of Leasing and Vice President for Hong Kong based Henderson Development, Michael joined the City of Vancouver as the Deputy Director of Real Estate Services. Six years later, Michael served as the Director of Real Estate Services, where he was responsible for the strategic planning and financial management of the City’s three billion dollar Property Endowment Fund.
In the fall of 2013, Michael accepted the position of Vice-President, Development and Asset Strategies for BC Housing. BC Housing’s role is to assist British Columbians in need of affordable housing by providing options along the housing continuum. They work in partnership with the private and non-profit sectors, provincial health authorities and ministries, other levels of government and community groups to develop a range of housing options. Development and Asset Strategies facilitates the creation of new housing through a range of programs; provides portfolio planning and strategies for the maintenance, capital improvement, redevelopment and sustainability of social housing and coordinates major repairs, renovations, capital improvements and energy retrofits for social housing.
Michael holds a degree in Urban Land Economics and Finance from University of British Columbia.
Walter Francl, Advisor
As Principal of Walter Francl Architecture Inc., Walter brings to our team extensive experience in providing design and project management leadership on a variety of complex civic projects. Walter has over 25 years experience as an Architect and Structural Engineer.
He combines conceptual design ability with project management skills and technical expertise. Walter has been active within the profession, serving on numerous professional committees.
He is a Past President of the Architect’s Institute of British Columbia, and has in the past and is again currently serving on the Vancouver Urban Design Panel and Development Permit Board. He has also been an advisory member of the Development Permit Board.
Debbie Lepore, Advisor
Debbie is a native of British Columbia with a passionate love for the outdoors. Debbie worked as a Chartered Accountant for Price Waterhouse Coopers where she became team leader for Dreams Take Flight, an organization dedicated to providing a trip of a lifetime to 125 disabled or socially challenged children.
After the horrific attack on her fiancé, Captain Trevor Green, Ms. Lepore dedicated her full time and energy to be Trevor’s advocate and to spearhead his recovery.
Debbie and Trevor reside in Nanaimo with their daughter Grace and are writing a book to share their story of hope and survival.
