Our team

Laura McAlear
Position: Chair of the Board of Directors and Director of Campaign Operations

Laura works in Odlum Brown Limited’s Research Department where she assists with the communications from their team of Equity Analysts. She is also a member of the Operations Team, which executes and implements projects and initiatives as directed by the firm’s Senior Leadership Team. 

As Chair, Laura is actively involved in all aspects of the Ascenta Foundation. She was Director of Campaign Operations for our medical expeditions to Peru in 2014 and Nicaragua in 2016 and again in 2019. She wholeheartedly believes in the power of collaboration to achieve the Foundation’s goals.

Duncan Miller
Position: Director, Chair of the Medical Campaigns Committee and member of the Fundraising Committee

Duncan Miller is a family doctor who has been in practice in Vancouver since 1995. He obtained a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from the University of British Columbia in 198, followed by a Medical Degree from UBC in 1991. He completed his training with a Rotating Internship at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia in 2002. Prior to assuming his present practice, he worked as a locum tenens throughout south eastern British Columbia.

Duncan has a keen interest in teaching, and has lectured at Mt. St. Joseph’s and St. Paul’s Hospitals, as well as Richmond General Hospital. He is also involved in teaching second-year family practice residents going through the UBC program. Duncan was a regular guest on the Shaw Cable television program “Urban Rush” where he discusses a variety of medical topics.

Duncan was involved as physician representative for the St. Vincent’s Hospital Foundation for approximately five years, but withdrew his participation with the closure of that hospital. Duncan has a keen interest in fundraising for the B.C. Cancer Agency, in particular to contribute money to benefit breast and prostate cancer research. He has hosted a series of parties, under the name of “Rave Against the Disease”. The most recent event, at the Vancouver Art Gallery raised over $11,000.

Rob Stenstrom
Position: Director and member of the Medical Campaigns Committee

Rob Stenstrom is an emergency physician at St Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver, as well as the research director there, since 2004. He also works part time at Peace Arch Hospital in White Rock BC. He completed his medical school at McMaster University and a PhD in epidemiology and biostatistics at McGill University in 1997. He completed emergency medicine residency training at the University of Ottawa in 2001. He is an assistant professor of medicine at the University of British Columbia, and an adjunct professor in the School of Population and Public Health at UBC. He is also a scientist at the Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences (CHÉOS). His active areas of research are in sepsis and septic shock, and infectious diseases. He is also the medical director for UFC events in Vancouver, and has a strong interest in MMA and crossfit.

Rob has a keen interest in global health and has been on medical missions in Peru, Nepal, Nicaragua, as well as an upcoming mission in Africa

Elaine Reid
Position:Director

Elaine graduated from UBC with a BSc in Chemistry. She enjoyed a few years working in student services at UBC before embarking on a 20-year career as a dental hygienist.

As a hygienist, she actively promoted health and well-being within the realm of dentistry. On a personal front, she embraces an active lifestyle enjoying the world of distance running and Ironman triathlon competitions.

Nearing the end of her dental hygiene career, she followed her passion into health and wellness promotion and now works with individuals and teams as a personal trainer and cycling coach.

In joining the board, she hopes to contribute her enthusiasm and dental knowledge to the Foundation’s health and wellness promotion.

Dr. Brandon Baker
Position: Director

Brandon is an optometrist at West 10th Eyes, practicing in Point Grey with Dr. Patricia Rupnow. He received his Doctorate of Optometry from the University of Waterloo. Brandon enjoys travelling with a purpose. His most recent venture involved teaching optometry and eyecare skills to students in Malawi, Africa. This incredible experience gave him deeper insight into third world eyecare missions and heightened his desire to get involved with the Ascenta Foundation.

David Allard
Position: Director

Dave is a partner at the law firm of Lawson Lundell LLP, in Vancouver, B.C., practicing corporate and commercial law. He is a native of B.C. and has an LLB from UBC and a BCL from Oxford University. Dave was previously a board member of The Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation, The Canadian Craft Museum and The World Services Group.

He has admired the work of the Ascenta Foundation for many years, and looks forward to making a contribution to its continued great works.