Fraser Health is welcoming new appointments made by the Province to its Board of Directors, reflecting a continued commitment to strong governance and quality care for the communities it serves.
Cindy Oliver has been appointed Chair of the Fraser Health Board by the Ministry of Health, succeeding interim Chair Opreet Kang. A respected leader in education and public service, she previously served as President of the Federation of Post-Secondary Educators of BC.
Ms. Oliver brings decades of leadership in education, skilled trades and community initiatives, including chairing SkilledTradesBC and the Interprovincial Alliance of Board Chairs. Recognized with the King Charles III Coronation Medal for advancing women in underrepresented fields, her experience in governance and workforce development will help strengthen and innovate health care delivery.
The Province has also appointed two new members to the Board. Leslie Bonshor is a Stó:lō Nation and Nooksack Tribe leader. She is a respected knowledge keeper and advocate for Indigenous resurgence, and brings decades of experience advancing reconciliation and embedding Indigenous priorities in health care and leadership.
Loren Muth, a Councillor for Ch'íyáqtel (Tzeachten) First Nation, also serves as a representative for Fraser Salish communities and as Deputy Chair of the First Nations Health Council, contributing important perspectives on partnership, culture and community-driven care.
Fraser Health extends its sincere thanks to outgoing interim Chair Opreet Kang for her leadership during a period of transition.
“Serving as Board Chair for Fraser Health has been an incredible privilege,” said Kang. “I’ve had the opportunity to see firsthand the dedication and compassion of staff and medical staff across the region. While there are real challenges facing health care today, what stands out to me most is the commitment of our people to keep moving forward and finding solutions. I leave feeling hopeful we have the people, the partnerships and the focus to continue improving care for the communities we serve.”
Fraser Health also recognizes the contributions of departing board members Jessie Kaur Lehail and Inderjeet Singh Hundal, whose service has helped guide the organization’s continued growth and responsiveness to the communities it serves.
The Fraser Health Board of Directors provides governance and oversight for the organization, holding accountability for performance and quality. Working closely with the executive team, the Board ensures strong stewardship of public resources, monitors progress on long-term priorities and supports meaningful engagement with the diverse communities Fraser Health serves.
A backgrounder follows.
Cindy Oliver
Prior to retiring, Cindy Oliver was President of the Federation of Post-Secondary Educators, an organization representing educators in B.C.'s colleges, universities and institutes. Previously, she was an Instructor and Educational Advisor for the College of the Rockies.
Cindy is currently finishing up a seven-year term as Chair of SkilledTradesBC, as well as Chair of the Interprovincial Alliance of Board Chairs, a pan-Canadian board of apprenticeship agencies chairs. Active within her community, Ms. Oliver sat as a Director of the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum Board for 10 years and served as Chair of the Working Opportunity Fund Board, a B.C.-based venture capital fund.
In addition, she spent four years as the Speaker/Deputy Speaker for the Canadian Association of University Teachers in Ottawa. Cindy was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal for her work promoting women in underrepresented fields. Ms. Oliver holds her Bachelor of Arts and her Honours Bachelor of Arts from Lakehead University. She holds her Master of Education from the University of Lethbridge.
Leslie Bonshor
Leslie Bonshor is from the Stó:lō Nation, Ch’iyaqtel community and a member of the Nooksack Indian Tribe; with ties through marriage to the Dzawada’enuxw First Nation of Kingcome Inlet. She is a grandmother, mother, auntie, friend and caretaker of her community, and a visionary leader and knowledge keeper with Thélá:ylexw awtxw Foundation—The House of Life Givers—a non-profit dedicated to amplifying the voices and leadership of Stó:lō womxn and fostering Indigenous resurgence and social change.
Leslie has spent decades leading transformational change to advance reconciliation and Indigenous inclusion within large institutions.
In health care, she played a catalytic role at Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health during a pivotal time when organizations were beginning to confront systemic colonial harms but lacked clarity on how to take meaningful action. Leslie helped chart a path forward by working collaboratively to embed the TRC Calls to Action, UNDRIP and Indigenous priorities into policy, leadership and service delivery, while growing the capacity of other leaders to advance this work.
Her cross-sector leadership extends through roles with the Visions First Nation Planning Group, multiple Indigenous-led research initiatives with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and advisory work with the Vancouver Foundation and UBC.
A respected knowledge keeper, community leader and systems change strategist, Leslie brings cultural depth, relational leadership and practical expertise to her coaching and facilitation. She creates supportive spaces where corporate leaders can engage in courageous learning, deepen their understanding of reconciliation and decolonization and build their own capacity to lead meaningful change within their organizations.
Loren Muth
Loren Muth is a local First Nations leader from Chilliwack, currently serving as a Councillor for Ch'íyáqtel (Tzeachten) First Nation and as a representative for the Fraser Salish communities and deputy Chair to the First Nations Health Council (FNHC).
Elected to council in 2016 and health council in 2023, Loren works collaboratively with First Nations leaders, health partners and community to ensure the advancement of culturally safe health governance and health outcomes for Indigenous communities across B.C.
In addition to his role with the FNHC, Loren serves as an Executive for the S’olh Temexw Stewardship Association (STSA), is a member of the Emergency Planning Secretariat (EPS) Leadership Committee and as a Board member for the Invasive Species Council of BC (ISCBC). In his many roles, he contributes towards regional governance, strategic planning, environmental stewardship and emergency preparedness initiatives that support community safety and resilience.
In his professional background, he has served his Nation in various capacities from Lands management, administration and financial oversight. His experience shapes his practical grassroots approach to leadership, ensuring that strategic decisions are grounded with operational realities and long-term sustainability.
As a registered Professional Agrologist, he holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Geography and a certificate of berry production from UFV. His unique background blends his education, professional experience and leadership to help shape his holistic view of health – one that emphasizes deep connections between healthy lands, food security, cultural continuity and overall well-being.
With a collaboration at the centre of his leadership style, Loren values transparency, relationship building, accountability and inclusion. Across his governance, health and community roles, he remains focused on advancing self-determination, strengthening regional partnerships and building resilient, healthy communities.
About Fraser Health:
We recognize that Fraser Health provides care on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the Coast Salish and Nlaka’pamux Nations and is home to 32 First Nations within the Fraser Salish region.
Fraser Health is dedicated to serving all Indigenous people, and honours the unique cultures of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit living within the Fraser Salish region.
Our hospital and community-based services are delivered by a team of 50,000+ staff, medical staff and volunteers dedicated to serving our patients, families and communities.
