Who We Are – Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland

Our Vision

Every child and youth in the BC Lower Mainland who needs a mentor, has a mentor.

Our Mission

Big Sisters is committed to enhancing the confidence, self-esteem and well-being of female, transgender, and non-binary youth through supportive relationships with mentors.

Our Annual Report & Strategic Plan

Core Values

We Champion Potential

As an organization that seeks to build self-esteem, we believe that every person has limitless potential and individual strengths. We seek to maximize these traits in each person who is a part of Big Sisters: the Little Sisters who haven’t yet seen what they are capable of; the mentors who are realizing their capability as role models; our supporters and community partners whose collaboration and backing is needed to help us build sustainable programs; and the volunteers and staff whose skills and knowledge help guide and grow this organization.

Every Connection Counts

Every get together, every phone call, every email, every letter, every hello and goodbye – matters. We are an organization that seeks to build connections: between mentor and mentee; organization and supporter; employee and colleague; family and caseworker. We know that building strong connections requires honesty, consistency and respect and we seek to foster those in every connection we make, every day.

Showing Up Matters

One of the most important aspects of effective mentoring is being there. When we consistently show up for our Little Sisters – as mentors, caseworkers, champions and advocates – it matters to them. When we show up – to a meeting, to work, or to a get-together with a Little Sister – we bring everything we’ve got to the table, every time. We are present, open and engaged.

Board of Directors

Chair

Susan Tomaine
Vice-Chair

Amir Moghadasi
Treasurer

Wesley Marstaller
Secretary

Shelley Parker
Director

Jennifer MacKenzie
Director

Deanna Louie
Director

Barbara Meens Thistle
Director

Carol Robinson
Director

Lorna Nimmons
Director

Diane Jang
Director

Lynda Phinney
Director

Danielle Veldhuis
Director

Katie White

Honourary Advisory Board

Advisors

Big Sisters’ Honourary Advisory Board acts as a team of advisors to our Board and senior staff; offering their ideas, experience and expertise as needed.

JOANNE BROWN
MORNA CREEDON SILEIKA
CHARMAINE CROOKS
- Olympian; Member, VANOC 2010; Member, IOC
GAYLA DEHART
- Nurse Next Door; Achieve Excellence Consulting
ED DES ROCHES
- Co-Owner, Plum Clothing
JILL DIAMOND
- Executive Director, Diamond Foundation
LISA ETHANS
- Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP
KAY GRAY, Chair
- Partner, Grant Thornton LLP
MARGOT JAGGER
- Principal, Margot Jagger Design
DENISE KARKKAINEN
- Principal, Bravura Business Solutions Inc.
SARAH MCNEILL
- Co-Founder, McNeill Nakamoto Recruitment Group
TRACEY MCVICAR
- Managing Director, CAI Capital Management
SUSAN MENDELSON
- Owner, The Lazy Gourmet
RENATE M. MUELLER, CA
- President, AMAC Consultants Inc.
SHANNON NEWMAN-BENNETT‎
- ‎Director Family Services, YWCA Metro Vancouver
KATIE O’BRIEN
- Co-Owner, Plum Clothing
LINDA PARSONS
- Retired, former Partner, Davis LLP
MICHELLE RUPP
- Principal, Lighthouse Leadership Ltd.
PATRICIA SHIELDS
- Principal On-Leave; Educational Consultant
RON STERN
- President, Stern Partners Inc.
CARMEN THERIAULT
- Partner, Norton Rose Fullbright Canada LLP
SHEILA TUCKER
- Lawyer, Shapray Cramer Fitterman Lamer

HONOURARY ADVISORY BOARD ALUMNI
Janet Austin * Catherine Boivie * Barbara Constantine * Shelley Ferris * Marguerite Ford * Gail Hulnick * Leslie Lee * Margaret J. Livingstone * Darlene Marzari * Marion McAdam * Ann Mortifee * Beverly Nann * Marina Pratchett * The Honourable Patricia Proudfoot * Suki Takagi * Anna Terrana * Roz Wishinski

Our Supporters

However you choose to donate to Big Sisters, we thank you. We greatly value our supporters—we simply couldn’t do the work we do without them!

Loyalty and Giving Circles

We are pleased to recognize and thank the following donors and sponsors for their generous support for our programs and events over the past year. Bolded names are Loyalty Circle members that have made multi-year commitments or who donate monthly.

Visionary ($50,000+)

Cottonwood Foundation | Peter & Joanne Brown Foundation | The Estate of Bernard Reed | The Province of British Columbia | United Way of the Lower Mainland

Champion ($25,000 - $49,999)

Bell Media* | City of Vancouver | First Light Foundation | Frank and Francis Darling Family Fund

Believer ($10,000 - $24,999)

Match Maker ($2,000 - $9,999)

2017 Event Sponsors