Genesa has built a 25-year career as a community leader and social justice advocate. Genesa joined Vancity Community Foundation in early 2022 where she is being tasked to facilitate systemic change by leveraging the Foundation's assets to build a just and sustainable future. Genesa has led the reorientation of the work of the Foundation by centering commitments to Truth + Reconciliation, decolonization, anti-racism, climate justice, trust-based philanthropy, and to being community-led.

Prior to joining Vancity Community Foundation, Genesa served as President and CEO of the BC Women's Health Foundation, an organization recognized as an effective advocate for women's healthcare policy, research investment, and as a voice for gender equity and intersectionality in health.

For nearly ten years, she worked in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside on homelessness, poverty, mental health, and addiction as Executive Director of the First United Community Society after serving as Director of Community Strategies and Resource Development at Union Gospel Mission. During this time Genesa was a founding member of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Coalition as a response to the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry.

Genesa has also worked abroad as Chief Operating Officer of The Dream Corps in Oakland, California, working to support Black communities throughout the US through the reformation of the criminal justice system, growth of the green economy, and inclusion in the tech sector.

In addition, Genesa is a dedicated community volunteer. She sits on the Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver, Elizabeth Bagshaw Clinic, and Philanthropic Foundations of Canada Boards of Directors. Genesa is also the Board Chair of the Elizabeth Fry Health Society's Board of Directors and serves on the Advisory Board to the Institute of Gender and Health, part of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and the Women's Health Research Institute's Scientific Advisory Committee.

However, Genesa’s most important title is Mama. She is the proud single mother to her eight-year-old boy, Nnamdi. They love reading together and exploring nature with their two pups, Bishop and Fawkes. The great outdoors of BC reminds Genesa of where she was born and raised – Newfoundland and Labrador – and where she also developed her love for community building, storytelling, wind and water.

Genesa is grateful that she gets to live, work, and play on the traditional, unceded, and ancestral territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ílwətaʔ /Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

His most recent experience includes helping elect Vancouver's first independent Mayor in more than three decades and serving as Director of Communications in the Mayor’s Office for four years, including during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

With an Interdisciplinary Studies degree from the University of British Columbia, Alvin has a long history of commitment to public advocacy and social change at all three levels of government as well as with for-profit and non-profit organizations.

Alvin’s past work includes serving as National Communications Manager for the David Suzuki Foundation where he worked to build support around a constitutional right to live in a healthy environment. He was also the City of Vancouver's first Renter's Advisory Committee Chair where he helped advocate for affordable housing and renters rights.

Deborah is a Squamish Nation and descendant from Namgis and Shishalth Nations. She is the mother of 5 adult children and grandmother to one who was raised and lived on the Capilano Reserve in West Vancouver.

Deborah graduated with Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Studies and served 16 years as an Elected Councillor of Squamish Nation. She volunteers with Honouring Indigenous People, All Nations Outreach Society and had previously worked with Indigenous Entrepreneurs and with First Nation Communities on Economic Development.

Deborah is a survivor of Indian Residential School.

She is supportive of Housing, Education and Health Care for Indigenous People.

Sean is the Director of Social and Economic Innovation with Vancity Community Foundation and brings extensive experience in social enterprise business development and management to the position.

Prior to his current role, he was the Managing Director of 312 Main, a VCF-led social and economic innovation centre in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. Supporting more than 50 impact organizations, Sean helped ensure the space met its impact goals while being financially sustainable.

In addition, Sean was the founder of Megaphone, a magazine sold on the streets of Vancouver by people experiencing poverty and homelessness. Sean helped build Megaphone into an award-winning social enterprise that worked with more than 300 community members every year and put more than $100,000 annually into the pockets of its vendors.

Inspired by the opportunity to work within an organization committed to social justice, financial inclusion, and environmental sustainability, Michelle joined the Foundation in 2005 shortly after completing her degree in Communications (SFU). Over the years, Michelle has held several roles where she contributed to communications, community engagement, and organizational/program development; primarily with the Enterprising Non-Profits program and Strategic Programs team. Later, she lead the Foundation’s Communication + Engagement efforts. During this time Michelle acquired a professional Certificate in Community Economic Development (SFU), IAP2 Certification(s) in Public Engagement, and participated in Vancity’s Cooperative Economics Study Tour (University of Bologna, Italy).

Currently, Michelle is leading the Foundation’s Philanthropy team to embrace community centric fundraising and to expand and deepen the Foundation’s trust based grantmaking practices. In doing this work, Michelle has been reflecting on her social location and the intersectional power and privilege she holds. As a fifth-generation settler with Irish, Scottish, and English heritage she recognizes that her family has benefitted from stolen lands for many generations and that settler-philanthropy is rooted in colonization and white dominant culture. Michelle has made personal commitments to be a better ally and professional commitments to support a reorientation of philanthropy towards equity and justice.

Michelle is profoundly grateful for the wisdom and teaching shared by her team, peers, and the many instructors and advisors she has had the privilege of learning from, including through Partners in Reciprocity (the Circle on Philanthropy), the JEDI Accelerator (Philanthropic Foundations of Canada), Power in Privilege in Philanthropy Cohort (Community Foundations of Canada),  Community of Practice (Recast Philanthropy), and the Unfunded Report (Foundation for Black Communities).

Michelle is a mom, sister, auntie, friend and daughter. She loves to read, write, and be in nature paddling or meandering in the forest. She is grateful to for Elders past and present, for their stewardship of the land since time immemorial, and for being able live, love, learn, work and play on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ílwətaʔ /Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

During her hiatus from the Foundation, Irene led the Community Investment division at Affinity Credit Union, an important sister organization to Vancity with a similarly long track record supporting innovative community development and also a fellow member of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV).

Irene has a broad range of experience supporting and leading different nonprofit organizations, including specific expertise in each of our focus areas of social enterprise, community owned real estate and impact investing. Irene has also worked in microcredit, through international experiences in Bolivia and Guatemala, as well as domestic examples including inner-city Winnipeg, and as the founding Executive Director of the Immigrant Access Fund in Saskatoon. Her university degrees are in Business and in Rural Planning & Development, and she also had a role with the SFU Centre for Sustainable Community Development doing post-graduate research and coordinating a joint program delivered through a Mexican University in Cuernavaca.

She and her husband Rob live in North Vancouver with their 2 young children.

Having previously worked at Vancity for over 25 years, her work involved developing and deepening connections with not-for-profit organizations to build their capacity and create impact.

Njeri has developed and managed granting programs, financial products, services and policies that support the Financial Inclusion of people in Indigenous, Racialized and Equity deserving communities to build assets, including overseeing work serving refugees and newcomers, supporting the low barrier branch Pigeon Park in the Downtown Eastside, financial literacy, home ownership and access to credit.

Njeri has a BA in Economics from the University of Manitoba and a Masters of Management of Cooperatives and Credit Unions from St. Mary’s University in Halifax. Njeri has a passion for community and her volunteer work includes serving as a volunteer facilitator for the Cooperative Development Foundation's Women's Mentorship Program in Ottawa since 2007. This program brings women from credit unions all over the developing world to learn about credit union operations in Canada. She has volunteered for non-profit boards and networks including serving as Vice President at Archway Community Services in Abbotsford and is currently on the Board of Kinghaven Peardonville House, a treatment center in Abbotsford. She is a founding director of a non-profit, whose main aim is to support racialized individuals and families at risk of homelessness in British Columbia.

Njeri is humbled to live and work in Surrey, BC, the traditional territories of the QayQayt, Kwantlen, q̓íc̓əy̓ (Katzie), Semiahmoo, kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) and Tsawwassen First Nations, with her husband and two sons, their dog Maddie and cat Max.
 

Michelle has been involved in the not-for-profit sector for over 10 years and worked as the Director of Operations and Human Resources for Surrey Crime Prevention Society since 2013. She has vast experience in program development, human resources and community engagement. With a passion for working with Youth At-Risk, Michelle developed a Mentorship and Leadership Program to target issues faced in the City of Surrey.
 
Michelle is a graduate of Simon Fraser University with Bachelor of Arts Degree in a Joint Major in Criminology and Psychology. She holds a Human Resources Management Post- Baccalaureate Diploma from Kwantlen Polytechnic University and is a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR). She has stayed involved in her community through actively participating in a number of committees and through volunteerism. She is a proud mom of a toddler, who enjoys reading, and travelling in her free time.

Marie-Geneviève joined the Foundation in January 2018, as the (then) sole member of the Finance department, following 10+ years of progressive accounting roles in charitable and small business sectors. She obtained her CPA designation in early 2022 and was promoted to Director of Finance later that year, while also growing the Finance team to four.

Originally from Montreal by way of Edmonton, Marie-Geneviève moved to Vancouver in 2002 to complete a master’s degree in Women’s Studies at Simon Fraser University. Her career took a turn a few years later when she fell in love with bookkeeping at her then workplace, and she went back to school, completing her Diploma of Technology in Accounting (with Distinction) at BCIT in 2014. Since that time, she has worked in various accounting roles in diverse organizations including Options for Sexual Health, SPUD.ca, and Pace Accounting (a small private practice firm where she worked primarily with NPOs and housing co-ops). Marie-Geneviève has always prioritized working in values-based environments and, in her work, tries to marry keen financial analysis with a feminist social justice lens. She believes that a strong financial backbone is necessary to facilitate meaningful change, and she is proud to support her colleagues at VCF in this capacity.

Splitting her time between Vancouver and the Saanich Peninsula, Marie-Geneviève enjoys playing with her two rescue pups, attempting to birdwatch, lifting weights, and going to see live music.

Nancy is responsible for managing the day to day activities of the Foundation.

Terran completed a Master's degree in Gender & Social Policy and has worked with various non-profit organizations in Vancouver and abroad. Before coming to the Foundation and Vancity, her work was focused mainly on coordinating regional responses to gender-based violence. She brings a broad range of experience from her work in frontline support, program development, and policy analysis. She cares deeply about building community and finding innovative and creative ways to connect resources to community.

Zach moved to Vancouver from a small town in rural Alberta to pursue post-secondary education. He is very grateful to live and work on the unceded territories of the 

xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaʔ /Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

In May of 2020, he graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Psychology. Shortly after, Zach began working with Vancity Credit Union as a branch staff where he worked until joining the Philanthropy team.

During Zach's time at the University of British Columbia, he became very intrigued by the study of Gender, Race, Sexuality & Social Justice theory, as well as the University's commitment to Reconciliation. Given that he is a member of the Ojibwe First Nations from Northwestern Ontario, he sought out his position at Vancity Credit Union, and subsequently Vancity Community Foundation, as he's always wanted to be a part of an organization that highlights these core values.

Loucia has over 10 years of experience in the non-profit sector where she led award-winning fundraising campaigns, with a focus on organizational growth, sustainability, and innovative solutions. She is proud to have won multiple CASE VIII awards in Fundraising and Communications, and Silver in Circle of Excellence for her work in digital strategy and design.

After completing her undergrad at the University of British Columbia, Loucia completed a dual Master’s degree in Global Management and Business Administration from Royal Roads University and Management Centre Innsbruck in Austria, with a focused thesis on the relationship between cultural diversity and entrepreneurship in Canada.  

As a first-generation immigrant, Loucia is grateful for the opportunity and privilege to live and work on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. Growing up in two different cultures has given Loucia a unique perspective and understanding of inclusivity and diversity. She is honoured to be part of an organization that is committed to advocacy and driving community change.

Gracious joined VCF in spring of 2023 as the Community Engagement Officer, where she focuses on fostering deep, reciprocal relationships with the communities we serve, founded in the principles of Trust Based Philanthropy.

As a settler in Canada, Gracious acknowledges that her presence and participation in the colonial system contributes to the continued struggles of Indigenous peoples. She is committed to active listening, unlearning and learning to decolonize the systems and practices that perpetuates the harm against Indigenous people.

As a Black, cis woman, Gracious understands the burden that sometimes comes with lived experience. She strives to hold space, create, and foster a trauma-informed environment where others can be their authentic self. As a transformational leader, Gracious is committed to supporting an inclusive workforce and communities with diverse experiences, perspectives and backgrounds which reflect the communities we serve and live in.

Gracious has a background in the financial services spanning over 12 years, where she held various roles as a retail banker and a marketer.  A dynamic change agent and advocate who believes in being part of the solution. Gracious has served in numerous Non-profit Organizations including YWCA, UNICEF and Lifeline who embody the basic tenants of humanity and believe in making the world a better place. She is currently working towards completing her Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Certificate through UBC.

Gracious also has a background and is passionate about human rights, social justice, and financial inclusion. In addition to her work, Gracious volunteers and facilitates the Each One, Teach One literacy course in the community. 

Madison graduated from the University of British Columbia with a major in First Nations and Indigenous Studies and a minor in English Literature in 2016. Before joining the Foundation in 2021, Madi worked for Vancity at several branches in the Vancouver region, and drove the horse drawn carriage tours in Stanley Park. In her spare time, she enjoys embroidery, walking her dogs, and enjoying the beautiful outdoors. Madi’s favourite part about her job is getting to work with people who want to make our communities better for everyone.

Kaeda has built a career as a marketing communications professional and a social justice advocate. She brings a broad range of experience from her work at full-service marketing agencies where she helped organizations of all sizes co-create and develop effective and inclusive marketing strategies and campaigns that resonate with the communities they serve.

Born and raised in the Vancouver Lower Mainland, Kaeda is privileged to live and work on the lands of the Katzie, Kwantlen, Semiahmoo and Tsawwassen Frist Nations and is constantly in awe of the beauty and powerful gifts of nature she is honored to experience. Kaeda is a graduate of the British Columbia Institute of Technology where she holds a Diploma of Technology in Marketing Management – Communications. She also holds a bachelor's degree in Sociology and Asian Culture and Language from the University of British Columbia.

When Kaeda is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her partner and pets exploring the outdoors, sharing a meal with her family, or gaming/streaming with her friends online.

Bryn has over 15 years experience working in impact assessment and cost-effectiveness analysis. Prior to joining the Foundation, Bryn worked as a consultant and researcher at SFU, leading numerous projects for government, private sector and non-profit organizations. Bryn holds a B.A. from Carleton University and a Masters of Resource and Environmental Management from Simon Fraser University.

Hannah was born and raised in Toronto and relocated to Vancouver to attend the University of British Columbia, where she earned a B.A. in Political Science and Geography (Environment & Sustainability), and spent six months abroad studying at the University of Amsterdam. She loves the west coast and feels immense gratitude to be living, working and playing on the lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

Hannah joined Vancity Community Foundation in 2021, excited by the opportunity to work for an organization with aligned values and commitments, including financial inclusion, equity, climate justice, anti-racism and Truth and Reconciliation. Previously, she worked in the non-profit sector with a focus on women's health and community building. Continuing her professional development, Hannah is now finishing the Nonprofit Management program at the British Columbia Institute of Technology.

Outside of work, Hannah enjoys testing new recipes, attempting to complete the daily crossword, watching or playing sports, and going for long walks outdoors with her partner.

Alex was born and raised on Vancouver Island where she attended Vancouver Island University, receiving her B.A. with a Major in Graphic Design. Over the last decade, she has resided in the Lower Mainland and feels enormous gratitude to live, work and play on the ancestral and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

Alex has cultivated a career as a design and marketing professional across a variety of industries, honing her craft for bringing innovative creative solutions to life. She feels inspired and energized to work with an organization like VCF, where she can contribute to initiatives that have a meaningful impact on the community and align more closely with her personal goals and values. 

Outside of work, Alex can be found cuddling with her two cats, spending time with family and friends, enjoying nature, collecting antiques, working out at an F45 class, or listening to a true crime podcast.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Gloria worked with Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada as a project specialist. Experienced in research and data analysis, she holds a Masters of Science degree in Migration Studies from the University of Oxford and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto. She has worked in the International Organization of Migration, United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Economic Social Commission of the Asia Pacific, and other non-profit organizations in both Canada and Asia.

Landon supports the day-to-day financial operations of the Foundation; reviews and improves financial systems, policies, and procedures; and assists with database management. He has extensive administrative, customer service, and fundraising experience and graduated from the Sustainable Business joint major program at SFU. He is currently working towards a CPA designation, and in his free time enjoys bird watching, tending to his house plants, and exploring the city.

Peter supports the management of day to day operations of the Foundation with a focus in relational database administration and information management applications.

Elyse is responsible for the grantee, borrower and investor relationship management and administration of the Affordable Community Housing Program and Accelerator Fund at Vancity Community Foundation and the Greater Vancouver Community Assistance Foundation. Elyse brings 5 years of experience in community investment, working as a member of the Vancity Community Investment team from 2018-2022 where she facilitated impact investment opportunities for local economic development initiatives focused on affordable housing, financial inclusion and environmental sustainability. Elyse started in the Vancity branch network in 2012 and earned an undergraduate degree in Health and Community Services from the University of Victoria in 2015. When she's not at work, Elyse loves cooking and sharing meals with friends and family and spending time in and on the ocean!

Mischelle is our Strategic Investment Coordinator and will be bringing in administrative capacity to the overall Program. She will be working closely with the Strategic Investment/Housing Accelerator Program to support effective and efficient program delivery, administration, and management. Prior to joining the Foundation in 2023, Mischelle has been with Vancity since June 2021 where she was a Representative at the Member Service Centre. She later moved to the Centralized Lending Administration Department in August 2022, where she worked as a Lending Administrator. Mischelle is originally from Kenya and moved to Vancouver, BC in 2015 to complete a Bachelor of Arts Major in Political Science. She graduated in 2020 and decided to settle down in Canada. When she is not at work, Mischelle enjoys travelling, painting, music, and braiding hair.

Trevor Koch grew up in Langley, B.C, where he completed a year of Applied Leadership at Columbia Bible College while playing on the varsity volleyball team. He then moved to Ontario to further his education, earning a B.B.A in Business Management, along with a minor in Urban Ministry, from Redeemer University. After graduating, Trevor spent two years as an analyst on the Commercial Banking team at FirstOntario Credit Union. In this role, he managed a small portfolio of members and helped fund various affordable housing projects. In his free time, Trevor enjoys playing volleyball, snowboarding, swimming, and finding the best coffee shops in town.

Melissa is the Managing Director of BC Rent Bank, a project of Vancity Community Foundation funded by the Province of BC. BC Rent Bank supports a network of rent banks across the province that provide essential eviction prevention and housing stability supports. She has almost 20 years of experience working in the non-profit sector, both domestically and internationally, and is passionate about social justice and housing affordability issues. In her work with BC Rent Bank, she focuses on what’s important: assisting renters with practical solutions in their time of crisis. Apart from work and study, Melissa enjoys hiking, cycling and enjoying the great outdoors.

Faith graduated 3 years ago from Simon Fraser University where she studied Business, with a concentration in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. In line with her degree, Faith has quite dabbled into different businesses in the fashion and beauty world on a smaller scale (makeup, styling, designing, vintage reselling, etc.).

Before this role at BC Rent Bank, Faith worked as an assistant in a wellness clinic, as a teaching assistant at SFU, and had a few retail jobs as a university student. She is passionate about helping others and has always gravitated towards roles that help her do that.

In her free time, Faith loves cooking and trying out new recipes, going out to eat with friends, and can be very competitive at games. She also loves watching thriller movies and videos about social justice. If you’re not catching Faith at work, there are two other places to check - in Church, or in her bed sleeping. She doesn't have any pets, but absolutely adores children, and works with them often in her volunteer role.

Prior to joining Vancity Community Foundation in 2014, Shauna spent several years in front-line capacities in mental health and addictions, and women's health. Through her interactions with clients, she gained an intimate understanding of the far-reaching and devastating consequences of housing precarity and homelessness -- soon after, Shauna made the move into the housing sector. Prior to joining the BC Rent Bank team, Shauna worked at Reaching Home, Canada's Homelessness Strategy, as a Senior Program Officer.

She is now the Program Manager at BC Rent Bank, a homelessness prevention and stability program that supports low to moderate income renters in BC. Shauna oversees and supports the operations of rent banks across the province. She brings with her a Diploma of Technology in Human Resources Management from BCIT's School of Business.

When not working, you can find Shauna with her husband and two young children exploring all of the beauty and adventure that Vancouver Island has to offer.

Hemant Kumar is the Lead Developer for BC Rent Bank. Before joining the Foundation, he worked with various software consultancy firms in the last 10 years and has gained extensive experience in web development and a wide range of technologies. He is driven by a passion for continuous learning and staying current with the latest industry trends. He is an accomplished IT professional with a B.Tech engineering in Information Technology from India. Following his graduation, Hemant pursued further studies in Canada, completing a postgraduate diploma in Internet Programming and Database Management. 

For the past seven years, Hemant has made Victoria, BC his home. Outside of his professional life, he enjoys long drives across scenic Vancouver Island and exploring its picturesque hiking trails.
 

Anastasia has a decade of experience managing campaigns and projects that have changed laws and policies in the UK and Canada. While managing the Living Wage campaign she has helped double the number of Living Wage Employers in BC. She has previously worked for the MS Society Canada and the Children’s Society and Ramblers in the UK. In her spare time, she enjoys trying to visit every park, library, and brewery in Vancouver.

Marina brings significant and progressive experience from leadership roles working closely with the non-profit sector and Indigenous partners. Her most recent work experience includes BC Housing Management Commission for more than 13 years, where she worked in the provision of programs and services aimed at assisting equity denied communities. Marina has cultivated productive relationships with various levels of government, non-profit organizations, and communities. She has led teams and stakeholders through successful and meaningful change initiatives aimed at strengthening service delivery in agile environments.

Marina has a passion for continued learning and purpose driven change. She holds a Bachelors degree in Science and maintains the following Professional Designations: Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR), Chartered Member of Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (MCIPD), Project Management Professional (PMP) and Certified Canadian Administrative Professional (CCAP).

Marina's passion for social contribution and promoter of positive interactions is reflected in her profound continued mentorship roles at Minerva BC and Chartered Professional Human Resources BC & Yukon Professional Mentoring Program and Project Management Institute. She also keenly volunteers with various charities such as Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives and the Sharing Farm in impactful initiatives that unlock opportunities for the community.

Swapna brings a broad range of skills and experiences to the Foundation. Her work and experiences with nonprofit, for-profit and government stakeholders in Canada, UK, Denmark and India have shaped her to be a multifaceted professional with cross domain expertise.

Swapna’s nonprofit professional experience includes working with the Canadian Red Cross, Department of Children & Families UK, Danish International Development Assistance, Child Rights & You, India and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, India. 

Swapna has also been an active community volunteer. Currently, she serves on the Burnaby Family Life Board of Directors, Social Planning Committee of the City of Burnaby, the board finance committee of MOSAIC, BC and the Immigrant Advisory Council of Burnaby Intercultural Planning Table. 

Swapna is a Registered Social Worker with the BC College of Social Work. She was awarded the Leela Wadia prize while specializing in mental health as part of her Masters in Social Work program for her community work, mental health research and academic achievement. She has dual certifications in Project Management and Program Design from the United Nations. In addition, she also has a certificate in Entrepreneurship and Global Innovation from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.

Swapna’s life and work is rooted in her eclectic and natural spirituality, and she lives with her family in Burnaby.
 

Prior to joining Vancity, Margaret was a small business owner for over 12 years, managing in partnership a retail and wholesale clothing and giftware store specializing in fair trade items from developing countries. She started with Vancity as a micro credit specialist with Community Business Services in 2001, extending innovative credit to marginalized people and newcomers to Canada. The bulk of her time was in the branch as a Senior Account Manager, where her role was of a trusted advisor providing knowledge and seamless services to assist members in meeting their financial goals through loans, investments, and retirement needs.

Outside of work, Margaret has extensive volunteer experience working with the homeless and those at risk of homelessness in her community in Abbotsford, and her passion with these folks is helping and making a positive impact in their lives. She is a co-founder of a non-profit organization focused on racialized and marginalized individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and an active board member of Ravens Moon, an organization that serves the homeless in Abbotsford.

Margaret loves travelling, running, hiking, and above all, making new friends.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Konrad worked for a Kelowna non-profit as a support worker providing essential front-line services and advocacy to unhoused members of his community. Konrad is deeply passionate about working to create systemic change by supporting community-based organizations in the battle against homelessness. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of British Columbia. Outside of work Konrad is an avid martial artist and enjoys mountain biking and hiking on the lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

Before starting with Reaching Home, Julie joined Vancity Community Foundation in 2014 as part of First Call: BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition and the Living Wage for Families Campaign. Through her work at YWCA Metro Vancouver and the Vancouver School Board, Julie has seen first-hand how a safe place to call home can help the most vulnerable citizens move forward. That’s why she’s excited to work at Reaching Home to help prevent the cycle of poverty and create better lives for the homeless or those at risk of homelessness.

Julie has been the editor of the Renfrew-Collingwood Community News since 2007 and previously worked at Raincoast Books and Alive magazine. She holds a bachelor of commerce from the University of B.C. and a certificate in community economic development from Simon Fraser University.

Prior to joining Vancity, Sayaka worked in the non-profit sector in the Downtown Eastside with a focus in housing security and community investment. She also has experience working with underserved communities facilitating economic development initiatives, providing specialized supports, and programming.  Sayaka also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Women’s Studies from Simon Fraser University and a Certificate in Project Management from the University of British Columbia.

My name is Ellie. I joined the Foundation as an administrator in the Finance team, before moving to Reaching Home as the Officer, Finance and Contracts. I have always been ambitious to be a part of a team who makes a big difference in people's lives. I love to learn about other cultures and looking forward to travelling around the world.

Amy is excited to join the Foundation as a Community Program Officer. She has a background in the non-profit sector and full-cycle grant coordination. Amy holds a Master of Business Management from Sauder School of Business and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of British Columbia (UBC). Her educational focus was ethical business management and community development, which led to opportunities to work in rural Uganda, a community development program at UBC, and as a Human Resources Manager for a large non-profit in Penticton, BC. Amy brings an asset-based community development approach to projects and relationship-building with stakeholders.

For Amy, community development extends beyond work hours. She also coaches youth hockey and serves as a League Coordinator for a Women’s Hockey League. 
 

In collaboration with the Reaching Home leadership team, he will lead the creation, data migration and resolve ongoing bottlenecks issues of the Grant Lifecycle Management system for Reaching Home.

Avatar, with over 16 years of international work experience, has led successful projects in over 5 different countries. His ability to constantly seek efficient ways of handling end to end business processes is unique. His Green Belt Initiatives across multiple industries have brought many cost savings.

He has valuable project and product management experience working with Google for developing Mapping Projects, GE Money Bank for process re-engineering initiatives, Qwipo to develop a single mobile-based platform that connects producers, prime vendors and business retailers in Asian Markets. He worked on new tech implementation and change management-based roles in companies like Al Futtaim and Sharaf Group in the past in Dubai, Saudi Arabia & Jordan as well.

His last role was working with a Canadian start-up to develop an AI-based tool to support end to end processes in the short term lending space and to develop GTM Strategy of the new product. Avatar completed his Master’s in business administration from ITM & Southern New Hampshire University & holds Six Sigma Certification from IQF USA.

Karimah Naguib is the Program Lead of Data Analysis and Research for the Reaching Home program at Vancity Community Foundation. Her expertise includes standardizing data collection tools, developing dashboards, and creating actionable insights to guide resource allocation and advocacy efforts. With a background in international development and gender equality programming, Karimah brings experience from previous roles with the Aga Khan Foundation in South and Central Asia and East Africa, UNICEF, and the UNDP. She holds an MSc in Globalization and Development from SOAS, University of London, and a BSc from the University of British Columbia.

Reaching Home provides federal funding to agencies addressing homelessness across Canada. In the Greater Vancouver region, Reaching Home is delivered by Lu'ma Native BCH Housing as the Community Entity. We serve as a partner to help administer the program in that region. We also have a similar partnership with the Community Entity of the City of Abbotsford, which serves that region.

Lisa has worked in government and non-profits in a wide variety of areas. She has an educational and professional background in criminology having worked with youth involved with the criminal justice system, women in the downtown eastside dealing with addictions and housing issues and adult offenders in federal and provincial institutions. Prior to joining Vancity Community Foundation, Lisa oversaw a portfolio at Jewish Family Service Agency which included: Financial Assistance/Case Management, Housing assistance and advocacy, a food bank, Mental Health Outreach, The World in Garden urban agriculture project, Special Needs related to families with children living with a disability as well as specialized holiday and prison outreach programs.

Since 2002, Louise has enjoyed various roles within Vancity concentrating in Community Investment. Principally working on the Community Partnership Program, a grant program supporting underserved communities, and focused on areas of social justice, financial empowerment, co-operative economy, and climate justice with a racial equity lens. Her work also expanded into the enviroFund Local Food Project Grants Program, which focused on the development of a sustainable local food system. Over the years she has supported Vancity staff to deepen their understanding of Community Investment impact areas, while exploring community partnership and business development opportunities.

In 2020 she joined Vancity Community Foundation as Program Officer for the Reaching Home Program: Canada's Homelessness Strategy to assist with COVID response homelessness. She continued on with the Reaching Home Program, supporting the aim to prevent and reduce homelessness in the community, as Finance and Contracts Officer and currently as Program Lead, Finance and Risk.

Van holds an MA in Quantitative Methods in Political Science from U of T, with a research focus on political economy and development economics. Her research explored various topics, including labor market mobility, macro-prudential policies, and homelessness strategy. Prior to joining Vancity, Van interned with BEworks in the role of data scientist, where she conducted experimentation and applied advanced econometric and statistical modelling to evaluate the efficacy of behavioural economics interventions in real-world business challenges.

With 13+ years of experience in the non-profit sector, David brings a wide range of experience to his role at 312 Main. He has worked in many organizations in the lower mainland. Much of his work has included individuals seeking support around education, mental health, substance use, gender identity, employment, food security, housing, and primary care. He has spent his entire life in Vancouver and feels strongly about supporting those in his community to thrive, while eliminating as many barriers as possible. He passionately believes in the power of collaboration, inclusion, and community engagement to ensure the voices of often marginalized communities are heard.

Sonam is driven by good storytelling, big picture thinking and doing things with a socially conscious mind. She has spent the last 10 years working with various social impact organizations including The Wellbeing Project, The Discourse and The Urban Worker Project. Previously, she co-founded a social venture that focused on engaging immigrant women and their transition to the Canadian workforce through cultural cooking classes. She earned her BA from Simon Fraser University and has studied internationally at Maastricht University in the Netherlands. She has received multiple awards for her work including HSBC Women Leader of Tomorrow for Western Canada and an AMEX Emerging Innovator.

With over 15 years of marketing, sales, and project consulting within sustainable real estate development and co-operative financial services, Kelly brings a comprehensive and compassionate perspective to her work with the 312 Main team. She is inspired by the project through the core values of coworking – Community, Collaboration, Openness, Accessibility and Sustainability. Born in Victoria and raised in the Lower Mainland, Kelly has lived in and visited most of BC. While she loves to travel, she is always happy to call Vancouver home. She spends her time being an active participant in community events, and enjoying family life with her husband and her son.

Lisa began working in the non-profit sector during her days at university. Since then she has also been a frequent entrepreneur, having started businesses here in Vancouver, as well as internationally, in Scotland and Germany. She now brings her skills and intrapreneurial spirit to her role at 312 Main, solving challenges using compassion and innovation. Her passion is helping people get organized and she loves to improve systems to make them as efficient and user friendly as possible. Lisa's full-time sidekick is Bella, a chihuahua who has a wardrobe bigger than her own.

As a lifetime resident of Vancouver, Dave, our Building Maintenance Technician, has seen the evolution of this vibrant community. With over 10 years of custodial and maintenance experience, as well as 15 years of commercial construction experience, Dave is more than qualified for this role. He brings a quiet determination to make this facility a co-working showcase and an interactive community hub that brings respite and connection to all those who enter.

Florence has studied sciences for the majority of her life. She has always been interested in health sciences specifically because of her passion for caring for and helping people, especially those who are vulnerable. She has an associate degree in Health Sciences and has been volunteering in her local community. She has volunteered with Fraser Health and volunteered with children for over 3 years. 

Florence’s self-taught skills in content creation, social media marketing and video editing, as well as her customer service skills from her experience at McDonalds, have helped her to work on various creative projects.

Milan moved to Vancouver in 2018. After completing his business management degree, Milan has worked for many different organizations in various sectors. He has been a part of the 312 Main security team for the past two years and has received praise for his work ethic and determination. Milan has now taken on this new role and is excited to see how he is able to grow his skill set and understanding of organizations that support those in the Downtown Eastside. He possesses great problem solving and de-escalation skills and works very well in a team. He is very enthusiastic to serve the community members seeking support.