About Me:

As a member of Vancity for more than 30 years, current chair of the Vancity Board Human Resources Committee and Vice-chair of Citizen’s Bank, I seek your support for re-election.

In 2012, I earned the director's designation (ICD.D) from University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management. This adds to the financial skills I have from being trained as an accountant, and to my effectiveness as a strategic thinker and team player gained from Vancity and previous board work.

You may know of my dedication to progressive causes through my work as a journalist at Co-op radio, CKNW, The Province, as CBC TV's National Labour and Economics Specialist, and the Vancouver Courier.

For the past 18 years, I've promoted urban agriculture and the environment through the expansion of urban beekeeping.

My time as president of a non-profit housing society serving people with disabilities continues to inspire my passion for social justice.

Relevant background and experience

 

Community

  • A strong commitment to co-operative values and principles, 34 years belonging to Vancity, a member of MEC and a founder of Vancouver Co-op Radio.
  • Food sustainability advocate through urban agriculture and beekeeping.
  • Serve on Vancity Board, involved with social impact as past-president of Non-profit providing housing for severely disabled.

Leadership

  • Served on every Vancity standing committee. Now chair HR committee. Former VP, B.C. Honey Producers and Canadian University Press; President VRS for disabled people.
  • Shown high degree of integrity when dealing with ethical issues facing Vancity’s board.
  • Innovative and inclusive leadership style. Province-wide organizer Day of the Honeybee 2010. As President built Richmond Beekeepers to biggest club on the B.C. Mainland.

Technical

  • Hold ICD.D (national Institute of Corporate Directors) designation and have completed regulatory required Credit Union governance training.
  • Trained as an accountant and adept at reading and interpreting financial statements.
  • Possess the basic IT literacy to use technology required as a Director including email, internet and shared networks.

Personal attributes

  • Have made time for Board commitments and to take advantage of opportunities to learn from in-house, seminars and formal courses to improve director skills.
  • I'm an independent thinker who appreciates the benefit of having an open mind and researching matters before deciding.
  • Work collaboratively, skilled journalist able to listen and communicate effectively and seek decisions that optimize the relationship between risk and reward.