Brenda became the Executive Director of Turning Point in 2005. At that time the organization was operating just two residential addiction recovery sites with 3 homes and a dozen staff.

Today, thanks to her visionary leadership, Turning Point has grown into one of Canada's most respected and innovative recovery service providers. Her strategic expansion of programs and services during her tenure included:

• Eight bed-based treatment facilities offering a continuum of care.
• Five community-based outreach programs specializing in mental health, overdose prevention, and addiction
• An emergency shelter and drop-in center that provides critical low-barrier access to supports for those at
• An award-winning social enterprise café, integrating vocational training with community
• Two affordable and supportive housing developments, offering dignified recovery- oriented living environments for individuals to rebuild their

Brenda's impact extends beyond the organizational level. As Co-Founder and Board Chair of the BC Addiction Recovery Association (BCARA), she and the BCARA team championed the introduction of Adapted Therapeutic Communities in British Columbia—an innovative treatment model that integrates addiction and mental health care with cultural and community-informed practices. BCARA has evolved to become a voice of influence in provincial recovery policy and service design.

A passionate advocate of collaboration, Brenda has served on more than 25 boards, coalitions, and task forces throughout her career—locally, provincially, and nationally. Her involvement ranges from serving on the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Expert Panel to the North Shore and Richmond Homelessness Task Forces and includes contributing to both the BC and National Guidelines on Alcohol Use Disorder. She worked closely with Streetohome Foundation and the BC Centre on Substance Use, the VCC Addictions Counselling Skills Program Advisory Committee and the BC Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health.

 She mentored numerous emerging leaders and promoted ethical practices across agencies, presenting at BC’s Public Policy Institute for 2 years under Ida Goodreau. Brenda prioritized professional development, ensuring her staff had access to training, clinical supervision, and annual ethics sessions.

Brenda tirelessly dedicates herself to community service, earning recognition for her efforts. She has received some of Canada's highest honours for her contributions.

• Brenda received the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of her significant and sustained contributions to Canadian
• The Val Anderson Humanitarian Award, recognizing her lifelong commitment to social justice, equity, and leadership in the fields of addiction and mental
• Brenda was also honored to be a nominee of the prestigious Ethel Tibbits Women of Distinction Award.

Under her leadership, Turning Point Recovery Society and its affiliated projects have received numerous awards, including:

• The Richmond Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award – Association of the Year;
• Best of Richmond Best New Restaurant – Storeys Café
• Richmond Cares-Richmond Gives Volunteers are Stars Constellation Award for Storeys Partnership
•   Volunteer Richmond - Volunteers are Stars Award for Community Service
• Recognition from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) for innovation in integrated, inclusive, and supportive housing