Sandra J. Hentzen BOARD DIRECTOR | APRIL 2023 to present
I was born in the town of Corentyne, Guyana, South America. During my childhood and youth, my country was then British Guiana and is still the only English- speaking country in South America. Guyana is known as the Land of Six Peoples (Amerindian, East Indian, Black, Portuguese, Chinese, and White) and I am proud to represent three of the six – East Indian, Black, and Chinese. My family moved from Guyana to British Columbia in August 1976, and we lived in North Burnaby. Before settling down in Surrey in 1998, I also lived in South Burnaby, Toronto, and Richmond. Even though I have lived in Canada longer than I lived in Guyana, I have the fondest memories of my childhood and youth – playing outside in the yard, sunshine all year round, going to the seawall and wading in the ocean.
and Blue SANDRA HENTZEN
My husband Orin and I knew each other when we were children in Guyana, and he immigrated to Montreal in 1972. We reconnected 23 years later at a friend’s birthday party in Los Angeles in 1995 and he relocated to BC that same year. We married in July 1998 and will celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary this year (2023).
When I’m not working or volunteering, I enjoy reading, playing golf (fair weather) and walking Blue (our rescue dog).
When I arrived here in 1976, it was my first trip outside of Guyana so just about everything was new, exciting, and challenging. My first job was a Receptionist which was a great help to me in communicating with a variety of people. I soon discovered my passion for helping and working with people, and while working in the various entry level roles, started my education at BCIT in the evenings. I have worked in all facets of Human Resources – starting at the entry level HR Assistant and retiring as an Executive VP. In my current role as COO at the Independent Investigations Office, I am responsible for running the office and supporting the Investigative staff in carrying out our mandate of civilian oversight of police. My Mum who was diagnosed with vascular dementia lived with Orin and me for a few years, and it was my first experience dealing directly with this disease. Accessing various forums on the Alzheimer’s Society of BC website was a godsend in helping me to understand what was happening to her and the role of a caregiver who is a child. After my Mum passed, I wanted to give back to the community and became a volunteer caregiver support group facilitator which has continued to present. I have always been interested in serving on non-profit boards which I have done a few times over the years. I could not expand on this due to work commitments. However, as I near my second retirement in the coming years, the opportunity to serve with Options as a Director seemed to be right for me, and I hope that I can contribute to its success. I look forward to serving with a variety of individuals who are all there for the goal of supporting Options in the great work they do.
OPTIONS COMMUNITY SERVICES SOCIETY
JUNE 2023
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