Our board of directors
Leadership Team
Executive Office
Ann Kutcher
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Programs and Services – Vancouver
Jill Summerwill
Manager, Programs and Services Vancouver Coastal
Ali Bonesky
Team Lead, Access & Associated Services
Sue Tan
Assistant Team Lead
Shannon Svingen-Jones
President
With a background in education and over 15 years experience working in the nonprofit and for-profit sectors, Shannon brings a wealth of experience to the Westcoast team.
An early childhood, special needs and infant toddler development specialist, Shannon was previously the Executive Director of Novaco Childcare Centre, located adjacent to the Squamish Nation Reserve in North Vancouver. For the past 5 years she has been the Dean of Student Affairs and Director of Services for the Art Institute of Vancouver. Prior to that, she spent 5 years as Regional Director of Operations for Vancouver Career College where she wrote the College’s Early Childhood Education Curriculum which was successfully approved by the Ministry of Education. Additionally, she has been the publisher of the award-winning Fabuplus Magazine for the past two years.
Board Member Since: 2015
John Clark
Vice President
John Clark is a lawyer who has practiced environmental law and represented the Federal Department of Justice for over 25 years.
Prior to being called to the bar, John worked with Lookout, an emergency aid organization in Vancouver’s downtown eastside. In recent years, he has been active with the annual fundraising campaigns for both the United Way and Canadian Diabetes Foundation.
“I love being part of such a vibrant and supportive agency.”
— Shannon Svingen-Jones
Board Member Since: 1990
Major Brar
Secretary
A Certified Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) and Simon Fraser University Alumni.
Major is the General Manager of Labour Relations and People Development for the Pattison Food Group, a Canadian company with operations spanning Western Canada, Ontario, and the US Pacific Northwest. With a company tenure spanning 30 years, Major oversees labour and employment, people development strategy and the administration of collective agreements, often acting as the chief spokesperson at bargaining. He also sits on the Board of Trustees for the WFC Union Health & Welfare and Pension plans.
“I have benefitted from a strong community built by dedicated volunteers. I believe in WFC and what we represent to our communities and am proud to play a part in serving our clients and members”
— Major Brar
Board Member Since: 2011
Mikaela Taylor
Treasurer
Mikaela Taylor is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and Partner of Assurance Services with BDO Canada LLP.
She joined BDO Canada in 2015 and is the Group Technical Leader for Public Companies. Prior to joining BDO, she spent seventeen years with KPMG LLP, providing business advisory and auditing services in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors. She also spent two years as the Corporate Controller of Coastal Contacts Inc., a publicly traded multi-national optical products company based in Vancouver. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce in International Business and Accounting from McGill University and currently serves on the IFRS Discussion Group committee of the Accounting Standards Board of Canada. Previously, she served on the Boards of the Aerospace Industry Association of BC and Student Biotech Network.
“I am a Board Member at WFC because it lets me use my knowledge and skills to help make a difference in my community”
— Mikaela Taylor
Board Member Since: 2005
Geri Anderson
Director
A 1986 UBC Pharmaceutical Sciences Graduate, Geri practiced as a pharmacist in a variety of communities across the lower mainland.
She spent the majority of her career (22 years) with Save on Food and Drugs in Maple Ridge. As a healthcare provider, Geri’s focus has always been to promote physical and mental wellness with a special interest in preventative medicine and diabetes. As a mother of 4, Geri was actively involved in the community as it related to children’s activities and programming, she has served multiple positions on PAC committees and as team manager and tournament coordinator for multiple sports in various years. Coming from a large extended family, Geri has always recognized that keeping families together, thriving and growing, is an inherent part of a healthy society.
Joanna Clark
Director
Joanna has been working as a Community and Regional Planner for over 14 years.
She has worked in food security, transportation, emergency response and public space planning. She is currently the Senior Project Manager at the City of Vancouver leading a team to transform road spaces into plazas. Part of her work involves working with vulnerable communities and non profit organizations creating outdoor spaces to expand access to services and provide space for community to gather. Previous to this work, she was the Senior Planner for long range transportation planning, following a role at TransLink as a Senior Transportation Planner.
Gyda Chud
Director
Gyda is a long-time feminist, activist, early childhood and adult educator, and a child care and diversity advocate.
Gyda is the founding Chairperson of Westcoast and has held several other key positions on the Board. Over the years, she has been fundamental in establishing the foundation for Westcoast’s vision, guiding principles, and practice. She is the recipient of numerous community awards and the accomplished author of several leading childcare publications. A leader in many organizations including the Child Care Sector Council, Gyda continues to offer perspective, expertise, and heart to Westcoast.
Trish Wallace
Director
As a former client of Westcoast Family Centres services, Trish brings a well-informed point of view to the Board.
She thoroughly enjoys being part of the community and has volunteered with several organizations in the past, including the Elizabeth Fry Society and Hollyburn House in West Vancouver. Now happily retired, Trish plays an active role with Westcoast and sits on our Indigenous Learning & Sharing Circle.
Karen Norman
Director
With a career-path of over 46 years in the early childhood and social service field, Karen brings experience and expertise in a wide range of programs and services as well as human resources, project and community development.
Prior to her retirement, Karen was the Deputy Executive Director of Options Community Services, a large multi-service organization based in Surrey. Including front-line work, she has supervised and had over-sight for Family, Group, and Emergency/short-term child care; Child Care Resource and Referral programs; Pregnancy and Parenting support; Women’s Services; and Immigrant Settlement.
Additionally, she is the Co-Developer of the ‘GOOD BEGINNINGS: Professional Development for Child Care Providers’ training course that has been taught throughout B.C. She was the recipient of the Canadian Child Care Federation Award of Excellence in Child Care and the Volunteer Vancouver Community Service Award.
A founding member of the Westcoast Child Care Resource Centre, she served on the Board of Directors for over 30 years and joined the WFC Board in 2024.
Programs and Services – Tri-Cities
Shannan Davies
Manager, Programs and Services North Fraser
Stephanie Briggs
Assistant Team Lead
Programs and Services – Ridge Meadows
Michelle Picard
Team Lead
Clinical Services
Gabriela Gutierrez
Director, Programs & Clinical Services
Child Care Resource Centre
Crystal Janes
Director, Child Care Resource Centre
Kirin Sandhu
Team Lead
Operations
Johnny Zheng
Director, Finance
Simon Weeks
Director, Human Resources
Kala Servansingh
Director, Advancement
Laury Lo
Manager, IT
Rajan Manhas
Manager, Communications & Development
Life is not easy, if we can bring some comfort and hope to people, giving them our hands when they need them, and if we can make other people’s lives easier, then it’s a beautiful thing to do, Westcoast has been doing all these beautiful things to support and help families!
Westcoast Staff
WFC encourages staff to have work/life balance by checking in regularly and encouraging us to use our vacation time and take care of our own mental health.
Westcoast Staff
What I love about Westcoast is the team I work with and the managers we have. I love how the managers are able to highlight and empower me and my work with strength-based approach.
Westcoast Staff
This agency is dedicated to the development of their staff; that’s why I have been here for over 10 years. I am valued and surrounded by good people who believe in supporting vulnerable children and families.
Westcoast Staff
I feel incredibly valued as an employee and am proud of the work that they do. I would recommend them as an agency to anyone in need of a job or to those in need of our programs.
Westcoast Staff
