Festivus for FAIT is BACK for its 4th year! Watch this space for an official announcement soon!
Directors
Dr. Lianne Soller is the Allergy Research Manager at BC Children’s Hospital (BCCH). Dr. Soller manages a growing food allergy research team, including research nurses, research coordinators and assistants, and multiple trainees. Within the FAIT program, Dr. Soller leads several research initiatives including development and implementation of food allergy treatment protocols for older children and adolescents, as well as multiple clinical trials. Dr. Soller has published several important publications on preschool oral immunotherapy, multi-food sublingual immunotherapy, and quality of life and anxiety, in a real world setting.
Lianne Soller, PhD
Founding Member, Scientific Director
Dan Sharp has been the CEO/Owner of Western Allergy for over 36 years. Dan spearheaded the very first clinical trial of sublingual immunotherapy in North America over 20 years ago and is passionate about evidence driven emerging allergy treatments. His philanthropic work includes the BC Cancer Foundation, UVIC Alumni, The Victoria Symphony and numerous other groups, now including FAIT. Dan has 2 grown sons and lives in Victoria with his wife Pam and 2 gigantic goofy dogs. He speaks terrible French and Spanish.
Daniel Sharp
Founding Member, Board Chair
Tim Lo practised as a lawyer, patent & trade-mark agent for 20 years before retiring from the partnership of Smart & Biggar to become a stay at home dad to his 2 then pre-teen children. During his years of study at UBC, Tim was highly involved with the AMS, UBC's student society, including being elected as one of the society's executives. During his law practice, Tim held various committee positions with the International Trademark Association, contributed written materials to and taught courses for the Continuing Legal Education Society of BC, and was an adjunct professor at both UBC and UVic. Tim has recently joined the governance committee of the Dr Peter Centre.
Tim Lo
Founding Member, Vice-Chair
Katie Walsh is deeply engaged in raising awareness and providing support for food allergy research, inspired by her role as a parent of a FAIT program patient. With firsthand experience in navigating the challenges and benefits of food allergy immunotherapy, Katie brings a personal and empathetic perspective to her advocacy work. Drawing from a background in early childhood development and child and youth care, Katie possesses a rich understanding of the needs and experiences of families and children.
Katie Walsh
Founding Member, Secretary
Andrea (Ange) leads software organizations—shaping products, wrangling tech, and crafting meaningful experiences. Her connection to food allergies is deeply personal: her younger brother has a peanut allergy that has sent him to the ER more than a few times, and her son was diagnosed with multiple food allergies (peanuts, dairy, sesame, cashews, walnuts, and flax) before he was 18 months old. Thanks to two years of immunotherapy, he’s no longer allergic to three of them—and they're getting ready to challenge the rest. Her goal is to help ensure as many families as possible can access treatment and avoid the constant fear and anxiety that come with food allergies.
Andrea Harrison
Treasurer
Team Members
Kimberly Waines began her nursing career in Hamilton, Ontario, before completing specialized ICU training in Arizona. After returning to Canada, she earned her Asthma Education Diploma in the UK and became an asthma and allergy educator in Vancouver. She later transitioned into the pharmaceutical industry, where she worked on asthma and allergy therapies, served as a Medical Science Liaison in immunotherapy, and ultimately became a National Sales Manager building strong relationships with allergists across Canada. Kimberly is a past Board Member of the Canadian FAIT Foundation and the Canadian Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Foundation.
Kimberly Waines
Director of Development
Patti Bacchus is a dedicated advocate for better allergy treatments, influenced by her own severe food allergies and those of her two adult children. She served as chair of the Vancouver School Board from 2008 to 2014 and actively participates in various non-profit organizations, including the Institute for Public EducationBC) and the Mayne Island Food Bank. A Political Science graduate from the University of Victoria with a Journalism diploma from Langara College, she has been recognized as one of BC’s Top 100 Influential Women and has on Vancouver Magazine’s “Power 50” list twice.
Patti Bacchus
Member at large
Jennifer Fortkamp joined the Allergy Team under the leadership of Dr. Edmond Chan in 2019. She studied as a Medical Office Assistant/Unit Clerk and graduated in 2007. She worked at UBC Student Health Service for 11 years before realizing her dream of working at BC Children's Hospital. She loves working with allergy kids and their families.
Jenni Fortkamp
Member at large
Bear advances the Canadian FAIT Foundation’s mission through strategic partnerships and his own journey as a patient. He started giving back at age seven and hasn’t stopped. For Bear, helping others, especially kids, isn’t just something he does, it’s who he is. What began as an idea during the pandemic has grown into his annual Toys and Devices Drive for BC Children’s Hospital, now Canada’s largest toy drive. He also supports Lions Gate Hospital and Zajac Ranch for Children. For him, advocacy is not abstract. It’s personal. This is his fight.
Jonathan "Bear" Yeung, M.G.C.
Founding Patient Advocate
Dianne McKerrell joins the FAIT board to help share the stories of the ongoing developments in food allergy treatment and research. With her personal history, growing up with an anaphylactic allergy, a bachelor’s degree in marketing communication, much of her professional career spent sharing stories about non-profits and community groups she is excited to work with FAIT to share their work. Dianne has worked with over 50 Victoria local non-profits and charitable organizations to share their unique stories as the former publisher of Your Magazine Victoria. Her philanthropic involvement has included SALTS, Oak Bay Fire Fighters Charitable Foundation and Santas Anonymous. Dianne lives in Victoria with her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Lady Charlotte; she enjoys traveling, cooking and spending time with friends and family.
Dianne McKerrell
Member at large