Board of Directors

Canadian Mental Health Association, Kamloops Branch Board of Directors

Shari Finlay – President

Shari Finlay (she/her)  is a passionate and dedicated servant leader committed to creating a more inclusive and supportive community. With a strong belief in the power of restorative justice, she tirelessly promotes healing and understanding in both her professional and personal life. A graduate of Royal Roads University with a certificate in Professional Management, Shari brings a unique blend of leadership skills and a heart for service to the CMHA board.

Outside of her professional work, Shari enjoys spending quality time with her family and their beloved dogs, as well as indulging in creative crafting projects. As a servant leader, she is focused on fostering environments where individuals feel supported, valued, and empowered—driving positive change at every level

Amisha Patel

Amisha Patel is a practicing registered nurse who graduated from the University of Alberta BScN Collaborative program. She has various experience providing care for those suffering from mental illness, disabilities, dementia and neurodegenerative disorders. She is currently completing her Master of Nursing degree with a specialization in education and research. An interest in system improvement has fed into her Master of Nursing research topic exploring women’s experiences of breastfeeding support. Amisha is a proud intersectional feminist and is proud to serve on various boards and committees within the community. In her free time, she enjoys spending time in nature, travelling, and trying new food.

Shari Caputo

Shari worked at RIH as a RN for 15 years on medical and maternity units and is currently an Assistant Teaching Professor for the BScN program at TRU. Shari enjoys teaching in clinical practice, psychomotor skills and simulation, and has a passion for nursing history. She joined the CMHA Board with the hope to positively effect change for people with mental health issues because of her own family history of mental health illness, in addition to witnessing the negative impact of the pandemic on the public’s mental health.

Maureen Anderson

Maureen Anderson retired as a psychiatric nurse in Manitoba in 2020, and moved to Kamloops to enjoy the milder climate and being closer to her grandchildren. Being on the board of CMHA Kamloops is an opportunity to contribute to and support mental health services here.

Jo Kang

Jo was born and raised in Kamloops and is a graduate of Thompson Rivers University. He has been working in local government since 2018 and is currently a Community Services Coordinator with the Thompson Nicola Regional District. He is also an elected School Trustee on the Board of Education for School District #73 – Kamloops Thompson. Jo brings 5+ years of experience from past boards to the CMHA board. Jo is an active member of the community, volunteering for numerous causes in Kamloops. Outside of work, Jo enjoys coaching basketball, working out, traveling, and spending time with family/friends.

Paul McGowan

Paul was born and raised in Kamloops, though he has also spent significant time in Calgary and Vancouver. He joined the CMHA Kamloops board in 2023, marking his first board appointment. Since 2017, Paul has been working at BCLC in Kamloops, where he is currently responsible for talent attraction and sourcing. Throughout his career, he has held various Human Resources Management positions. Paul’s decision to join the board was influenced by his personal experience with severe depression, which he overcame nearly a decade ago. He saw this as an opportunity to support impactful mental health initiatives in Kamloops and give back to his community. Outside of work, Paul enjoys spending time with his family, being outdoors in nature, cooking, trying new foods, and traveling. Paul has taken solo trips to both Mexico and Las Vegas. Paul has Japan and Italy up next on his destination list.

Rachael Briglio

Rachael Briglio moved to Kamloops in 2016 to be closer to family and begin her own life’s journey in this beautiful city. She has a diverse work experience from being a heavy-duty mechanic, parts person, and now working for the BC Lottery Corporation. Rachael has 2 dogs alongside her husband, both enjoy living life to the fullest by exploring the outdoors from camping, hiking, and boating, as well showing gratitude to this land. Rachael loves building authentic meaningful connections with people in the community, supporting local businesses, and advocating for mental health. She has worked and healed her own traumas with supports available within the community and continuing to build on her mental health daily. Rachael joined CMHA to help advocate for mental health and to help connect those to support systems when in need.

Kim Jensen

Kim Jensen has lived in Kamloops, BC for over 42 years having married a born and raised Kamloopsian. Kim raised two children in Kamloops and now has a granddaughter that she enjoys spending as much time as she can with.   Kim was born on the prairies and has mixed ancestry of Indigenous, Metis, and European ancestry.  Her birth family names are Fiddler, Lavalee, Byrd, and Nelson.  Kim’s professional background includes being a former Registered Nurse; Hospice Coordinator; Volunteer management workshop creator and facilitator and Board Development group facilitator; Personal Development and Wholistic Health educator and coach; and program coordinator and project manager.  Her work has included working and volunteering in the non-profit sectors for health, education, and human services.  She believes in a strengths-based approach to working with and within communities. 

Meghan Bryant

Meghan Bryant is a Registered Psychiatric Nurse with a passion for making a positive difference in the well-being and lives of others. She has a diverse experience in healthcare, including community mental health, seniors care, and health care related education. She is dedicated to a person-centered approach, meeting others where they are.  She joined the CMHA board of directors to continue supporting and positively impacting vulnerable population, with the hopes to reduce stigma and fear around mental illness and homelessness.

Kamal Grewal

If you are interested in becoming a board member, you can find more information here.