Who We Are

Our Vision

All young people realize their full potential.

 

Our Mission

Enable life-changing mentoring relationships to ignite the power and potential of young people.

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

Board of Directors
  • Tara Amiri-Khaledi

    Director

    Tara Amiri-Khaledi

  • Ashley Baker

    Director

    Ashley Baker

  • Julia Hibbard

    Director

    Julia Hibbard

  • Gurinder Kang

    Director

    Gurinder Kang

  • Deanna Louie<br> 

    Director

    Deanna Louie
     

  • Jennifer MacKenzie<br> 

    Director

    Jennifer MacKenzie
     

  • Wesley Marstaller<br> 

    Treasurer

    Wesley Marstaller
     

  • Renee Murdoch

    Director

    Renee Murdoch

  • Amir Moghadasi<br> 

    Chair

    Amir Moghadasi
     

  • Lorna Nimmons<br> 

    Secretary

    Lorna Nimmons
     

  • Lynda Phinney<br> 

    Director

    Lynda Phinney
     

  • Carol Robinson<br> 

    Director

    Carol Robinson
     

  • Danielle Veldhuis<br> 

    Vice-Chair

    Danielle Veldhuis
     

  • Anisha Virani

    Director

    Anisha Virani

  • Katie White<br> 

    Director

    Katie White
     

Honourary Advisory Board

Advisors

HONOURARY PATRON

JANET AUSTIN
Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia

HONOURARY ADVISORY BOARD

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.

  • CATHY BROWN
    • Director, Windsor Plywood Foundation
  • JOANNE BROWN
  • ROXANA COLQUHOUN
    • Co-Founder & Principal, HNW Services Inc. 
  • CHARMAINE CROOKS,C.M
    • Olympian, President NGU Consultants
  • 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
    • Partner, Grant Thornton LLP
  • MARGOT JAGGER
    • Principal, Margot Jagger Design
  • MARTINA LEE
    • Senior Legal Counsel, Insurance Corporation of British Columbia
  • 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, DLA Piper
  • PATRICIA SHIELDS
    • Principal On-Leave; Educational Consultant
  • CARMEN THERIAULT
    • Partner, Norton Rose Fullbright Canada LLP

HONOURARY ADVISORY BOARD ALUMNI
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 * Michelle Rupp * Morna Creedon Sileika * Ron Stern* Suki Takagi * Anna Terrana * Sheila Tucker * Denise Karkkainen Turner * 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.