Our Team

Jeff has been providing the leadership for the Place of Refuge Society since early 2012 and is our Executive Director and clinical supervisor for the staff. He earned his master’s degree in leadership from Royal Roads University and is internationally certified as a counsellor and clinical supervisor in Canada and the USA. Upon completing his master’s degree, Jeff’s thesis project was an action research inquiry on Organisational Sustainability and Capacity Building for Place of Refuge.

In the beginning days of his work with Place of Refuge, Jeff observed an opportunity to design and implement a new program. For the first few years, he worked in consultation with his mentor, Dr Michael Wilson, the founder of the Phoenix Drug and Alcohol & Education Society, to create and author a methodology for a unique, boutique-style, non-clinical transitional housing program. Jeff’s life work draws from Dr Michael and Dr Ann Wilson’s approach to creating a collaborative learning community model, which involves bringing forward the wisdom of the people he works with by supporting a mutually created wellness model. Jeff further believes that when you make a space for people to legitimise and empower themselves, great things occur, and the community flourishes.

With over thirty-two years of experience in the substance use field, Jeff has worked in various settings, including the Ministry of Children and Families, the Provincial Health Authority, Turning Point, Phoenix Society, Community Living of British Columbia, and private practice counselling, organisational consulting & program design. Since 2010, he has regularly provided ongoing workshops and training in Mexico. Jeff also sits on the advisory board of directors for City University of Canada’s graduate counselling programs.

Jeff’s unwavering dedication to helping people overcome their substance use issues is evident in his work. He values co-creating a safe and supportive environment for our residents, ensuring they feel secure and cared for as they explore healthier options to improve their quality of life. As a lifelong learner, Jeff also believes the people he serves are invaluable teachers.

Jeff was born and raised in Vancouver. He is passionate about photography, reading, music, film, and travelling.

Reive Doig joined Place of Refuge in 2020 and now serves as our Site Manager.
He continues to advance his counselling education through Vancouver Community College and is in the final stages of completing his professional certification as an Addiction Counsellor, with his practicum running from January to April 2026.

Reive has a long history of community engagement. He served on the board of the PACE Society from 2011 to 2014 and facilitated weekly SMART Recovery meetings for five years at two local first-stage programs before stepping back to focus on his studies. Reive brings a calm, relational, person-centred approach to his work. He also contributes to the creation and delivery of programming within the residences. His commitment to supporting individuals on their recovery journey is reflected in his day-to-day work and the strong relationships he builds with the people he supports.

Brandon stepped into the Live-in Support Staff role in November 2025 and quickly became a steady, welcoming presence in the house. He brings a strong work ethic, an easy-going style, and a relational approach to his work. In his spare time, he’s an avid reader and computer enthusiast. Brandon is committed to continual learning and steady personal growth in every area of his life.

Adam joined the Place of Refuge team in February 2026 and has established himself as a calm, reliable presence in the house. He brings a practical mindset, a strong sense of responsibility, and a grounded approach to his work with residents. An electrician by trade, Adam approaches his role with care and thoughtfulness. Outside of work, he enjoys outdoor activities and staying active and is committed to ongoing personal growth