The West Vancouver Foundation works with highly qualified expert leaders and advisors with a broad range of knowledge and experience. They generously volunteer their time, leadership and financial expertise on our Board of Directors and our committees. Their knowledge and dedication helps shape our work and ensures we remain connected to the community we serve.
board members
Margaret Lanthier
Chair
Committee: Finance, Investment, Board & ED Development, Donor Development, Governance
Margaret Lanthier
Chair
Recently retired, Margaret concluded her 35-year career in investment management as a portfolio manager and partner at Genus Capital Management. Her specialization in managing assets for foundations, endowments, and families helped influence her desire to help others.
Margaret believes in the power of giving back and actively contributed to the community through various board and committee roles. Notable among these are her involvements with the Boys and Girls Clubs of South Coast BC, Music in the Morning, and the St. Paul's Hospital Planned Giving Committee.
An avid sports enthusiast, Margaret has had a lifelong passion for downhill skiing, biking, golf and yoga and is dedicated to a well-rounded and active lifestyle. The North Shore has been the ideal place for her pursuit of these interests.
Chair, Board of Directors
Committees: Investment, Finance & Audit, Board & ED Development, Donor Development, Governance
Mary Jo Campbell
Vice Chair
Mary Jo was a partner at a national law firm where she practiced in commercial real estate with a sub-specialty in environmental law. For the past 20 years since retirement, Mary Jo has actively volunteered in West Vancouver, committed to fostering a dynamic and connected community. Mary Jo served full terms on the Board of Enhance West Van, where she chaired the Community Engagement and Outreach Committee, and on the Board of Trustees of the West Vancouver Memorial Library, including as Board chair for the last 2 years of her term. Mary Jo also chaired the West Vancouver Field Sport Forum Working Group for 6 years, providing recommendations on the use and development of 41 sports fields in West Vancouver. Mary Jo has also participated on a variety of other committees and boards in West Vancouver.
Mary Jo enjoys tennis, hiking, skiing, books and friends. The North Shore has been the perfect venue for these pursuits.
Mary Jo is passionate about West Vancouver and the North Shore and believes strongly in the importance of a vibrant, well and connected community where all belong.
Member, Board of Directors
Member, Governance Committee
Carmen Ryujin
Secretary
Carmen recently retired after a successful 32-year career with RBC Royal Bank where she completed her Certified Financial Planning designation and held roles in branch management, commercial banking, and regional office. Carmen’s most recent role was Regional Manager, Citizenship & Social Impact, overseeing RBC Foundation in British Columbia. Passionate about the power of community connection and engagement, Carmen nurtured charitable partnerships and employee engagement strategies across BC.
With a strong love of travel and a heart rooted in service, Carmen continues to explore the world while staying closely tied to the causes and communities that matter most to her. For the past 18 months, Carmen has been proud to contribute as a member of the West Vancouver Foundation Grants Committee.
Board of Directors
Chair, Grants Committee
Grace Wong
Treasurer
Grace retired from Vancity after 40 plus years. Her career with Vancity allowed her to work all over Metro Vancouver in various positions. It was her time in Chinatown that she found most challenging, rewarding and memorable. She sat on many boards including social services, BIA, business associations, Chinese classical garden, community policing, dragon boat racing and several others. From all this involvement she learnt that change is a constant. The only control we have is to do good things, no need to be great, just do simple, good things.
Grace and her husband love to travel. They have visited all continents and seen many world wonders. The places she found most intriguing were the Tibet Potala Palace and Xinjiang. These places are so beautiful and full of culture. She and her husband can't wait to return and discover more.
As a member of the West Vancouver Foundation Grants Committee she has learned a lot about our community and looks forward to learning more in her additional board role.
Board of Directors
Chair, Finance and Audit Committee
Grants Committee
Arzoo Babul
Director
A semi-retired entrepreneur, Arzoo has extensive experience in business development, relationship-building, and organizational management. He is dedicated to supporting educational programs and community engagement to combat social isolation.
His extensive community involvement includes serving on the board of the Edgemont and Upper Capilano Community Association, participating in District working groups across North and West Vancouver, and reviewing grants for the West Vancouver Neighbourhood Small Grants program and Scholarships on behalf of the West Vancouver Community Foundation.
Currently, he also serves as an active PAC member at Sentinel Secondary School and volunteers with the West Vancouver Foundation's Feed the Need program, remaining dedicated to creating lasting positive impacts in the neighborhood his family calls home.
Member, Board of Directors
Chair, Scholarship Committee
Amanda Calla
Director
Amanda comes from the Calla and Band families of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw and European ancestry. She was born, raised in and continues to reside on the unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wúʔmesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, North Vancouver, BC. She enjoys summer mornings on a paddleboard, as often as possible.
Member, Board of Directors
Member, Investment Committee
Zahra Jenab
Director
Zahra is keenly aware of the cultural differences that often play a significant role in conflict resolution. She has had the privilege of volunteering in a number of different organizations, and has presented workshops for numerous multicultural organizations, assisting immigrants to Canada to better understand, and benefit, from the Canadian legal system and culture. Her knowledge of Persian language and her experience with cultural and legal issues allows her to overcome language and cultural barriers and provide legal services tailored to her clients’ specific needs. Throughout the years, she has been actively involved in numerous cultural and social associations, advancing the interests of the Iranian-Canadian community. Zahra is a director of the BC Hear the Child Society, Civic Association of Iranian Canadians, past-Director of Access Pro Bono, and past-President of the North Shore Bar Association. In 2017, Zahra was honoured to be a recipient of a Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers.
Member, Board of Directors
Member, Governance Committee
Ross Marsh
Director
From 1990 to 2004, Ross was with DVA Navion, an international fundraising consultancy. Ross progressed through DVA Navion's ranks to become President of the Canadian division, overseeing all aspects of client services and management of the firm. In 2004 Ross established Ross W. Marsh Consulting Group Inc. to provide the charitable sector with something new; personalized, senior-level, hands-on service in collaboration with other senior practitioners to organizations across Canada. Today, Ross leads a team of ten Associates with over 300 years combined experience in fund development and non-profit management.
In 2010, Ross co-founded and became president of Sponsorship Connections, which quickly become one of Canada’s top sponsorship sales agencies. With clients from coast to coast across Canada, Sponsorship Connections was eventually spun off and rebranded as Stream Sales and Marketing. Ross W. Marsh Consulting Group and Stream continue to collaborate on projects for clients needing a two-front solution to private sector revenue development.
A graduate of the University of Toronto, Ross has sat on a number of for-profit and not-for-profit boards, including the Beta Theta Pi Foundation of Canada, Hillandale Corporation, LinkAGES Foundation (chaired the fund development committee), Sage Theatre (chaired the fund development committee), is a founding trustee of the Dave Williams Leadership Fund at the Edmonton Community Foundation and volunteers with numerous other organizations, such as Inn from the Cold, Grace Presbyterian Church in Calgary and others. Ross was a long-term volunteer mentor through the AFP Calgary and Area Chapter, and was also a volunteer member of the Sponsorship Cabinet for the United Way of Calgary and Area for 2017 and 2018. He currently sits on the Development Committee of the West Vancouver Foundation, is a Board member of the Rwanda EJO Foundation for Youth, is an Honorary Lifetime Director of Independent Schools Advancement Professionals Canada, and has authored a number of published articles on industry issues.
Board of Directors
Chair, Donor Engagement and Fund Development Committee
Dave Mason
Director
Dave previously sat on the West Vancouver Community Foundation board and after a couple of years off, rejoined in 2025.
Member, Board of Directors
Chair, Investment Committee
Laurence Wang
Director
Laurence is past treasurer of the Rotary Club of Fort St. John. He is chairing the Mandarin Committee for BC Children’s Hospital Foundation and treasuring Impact North Shore and Kay Meek Art Center.
Laurence lives in West Vancouver with his wife and two boys.
Board of Directors
Member, Finance Committee
Interested in joining the board?
Visit our volunteer page to learn more about volunteering on the board or other roles.
Grants Committee members
The volunteer grants committee is comprised of members from the community. The committee oversees the Community Grants, Transformation Grant and Give Where You Live Grants programs.
Carmen Ryujin, Chair
Jessica Bratty
Hoon Choi
Carolyn Coleclough
Melina Tai
Grace Wong
Committees
The primary roles of the Executive Director & Board Development Committee is to attract and grow leadership, both at the ED and the Board levels.
- Margaret Lanthier
- Adine Mees
- Denise Howell (staff)
The purpose of the Finance & Audit Committee is to provide financial oversight for the organization including budgeting and financial planning, reporting and internal controls and accountability policies.
- Grace Wong (Chair)
- Margaret Lanthier
- Kristi Millius
- Laurence Wang
- Naomi Denning
- Alexandra Pearson (staff)
The purpose of the Governance Committee is to ensure that the Board fulfills its legal, ethical and functional responsibilities. Key responsibilities also include the recruiting and nominating Board directors, evaluating the performance of the board.
- Zahra Jenab (Chair)
- Margaret Lanthier
- Zahra Ramji
- Mary Jo Campbell
- Phil Baudin
- Alexandra Pearson (staff)
The Donor Development Committee provides expertise and strategic guidance in relation to the stewardship of existing donors and fundholders, as well as the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of new donors and fundholders.
- Ross Marsh (Chair)
- Darrell Ert (Past-Chair)
- Margaret Lanthier
- Jody Rebak
- Laurence Wang
- Stacie Graham (staff)
The role of the Investment Stewardship Committee is one of strategic direction and oversight of the WVF investments. The Investment Manager is responsible for the operational implementation and execution of the Statement of Investment Policy & Guidelines, which is developed by this Committee and approved annually by the Board.
- Dave Mason (Chair)
- Alison Parry
- Amanda Calla
- Margaret Lanthier
- Naomi Denning
- Alexandra Pearson (staff)
- Arzoo Babul (Chair)
- Merla Beckerman (Past Chair)
- Tracy Dignum
- Sandy Earle
- Judy Duncan
- Anne Langdon
- Barbara Atkinson
- Rebecca Johnson (staff)
The purpose of the YPC is to improve the quality of life for youth on the North Shore through granting, by encouraging community philanthropy to address changing needs. The 2026/2027 Council is:
- Audrey Jessop, Handsworth
- Chacha Gill, West Van
- Coco Gill, West Van
- Lauryn Heath, West Van
- Kiara Bibby, Handsworth
- Liam Dadon, Sentinel
- Mason Woodley, Rockridge
- Nima Gholipour, Rockridge
- Marnie Giblin (Adult Lead)
- Zahra Jenab (Board Liaison)
- Rebecca Johnson (staff)
The purpose of the Vital Signs Advisory Group is to provide guidance on the Vital Signs report from a community perspective. The group is being reworked for 2025.
Honorary Governors members
The primary purpose of the Honorary Governors Committee is to help grow awareness of the Foundation, and in doing so, to grow the spirit of local philanthropy on the North Shore. Members of the Honorary Governors Committee are a group of local citizens who are committed to the West Vancouver Foundation’s mission, vision, and values. They represent a mix of high profile residents, community and corporate leaders, past board or committee members, and influential persons from a diversity of sectors and backgrounds that have a commitment to the goals of the West Vancouver Foundation.
Nancy Farran, Chair
Merla Beckerman
Jo-Ann Wood
Mark Ballard
Fanny Patterson
Geoff Jopson
Christopher Loat
Gerry Humphries
Naomi Denning
District of West Vancouver Mayor LaPointe and Council
Council:
Peter Lambur
Lee Lau
Scott Snider
Linda Watt
Tim Webb
Jaime Webbe
Past board members
Since the Foundation was formed in 1979, many wonderful community leaders have served on the Board of Directors.
Peter Ackhurst, Director
Kassem Aghtai, Director
Tom Allison, Director
Robert Annable, Director
Tom Baillie, Chair
Mark Ballard, Director
Merla Beckerman, Director (Honorary Governor)
Robert Bentall, Director
Peter Bogardus, Director
Patricia Boname, Mayor
Helen Boultbee, Director
Jim Boyd, Director
Barbara Brink, Director
Brooke Campbell, Director
James Cameron, Chair
Craig Cantlie, Director
Jim Carphin, Director
Colleen Cattell, Director
Naomi Chard, Director
Malcom Clay, Director
Stuart Clyne, Director
Carolyn Coleclough, Director
Naomi Denning, Chair
James Dixon, Director
Margie Driscoll, Director
Keith Duncan, Director, Chair
Darrell Ert, Sectretary
Mohammed Faris, (Honorary Director)
Nancy Farran, Director, Chair
Nassreen Filsoof, Director
Peter Finch, Director
Margaret Forsyth, Director
Donald Gardiner, Chair
Robert Gayton, Director
Barbora Gaziova, Treasurer
Marjorie Gibson, Director
Pamela Goldsmith-Jones, Mayor
Brayden Gordon, Director
James Green, Director
Catherine Greyell, Director
Frank Griffiths, Jr., Founding Director
Ann Hamilton, Director
Bill Harvey, Director
Byron Hender, Chair
Gordon Holley, Director
Charles Hopkins, Founding Director & Chair
Gerry Humphries, Chair
Derrick Humphreys, Mayor & Founding Chair
Bill Hyndman, Founding Director
Stephen Hynes, Director
Patricia Jarvis, Director
Geoff Jopson, Director, Chair
Don Lanskail, Mayor
Ray Leeden, Director
Wendy Lisogar-Cocchia, Director
Chris Loat, Secretary
Richard Loat, Director
Carol Ludvigsen, Director
Claire Lynch
Barbara MacDougall, Director
Kristin MacMillan, Director
David Mathieson, Founding Director
Cowan McKinney, Director, Chair
Stuart McLaughlin, Director
Philip Mcleod, Treasurer
Barbara McMillan, Director
Dave Mason, Director
Kay Meek, Founding Director
Bruce Milley, Chair
Sara Mohamadkhani, Director
Ed Moul, Director
Coleen Nemtin, Director
Liisa Ohara, Director
Jennifer Orum, Director
John Parker, Director
Robert Paterson, Treasurer
Fanny Patterson, Director
Mary Pattison, Founding Director
Keith Pelletier, Director
Les Peterson, Director
Tim Porteous, Director
Richard Rees, Director
Ken Rekrutiak, Director
Martin Roberts, Director
Frank Robertson, Director
Paul Robillard, Vice-Chair
Gordon Rowntree, Founding Director
Ron Royston, Director
Mark Sager, Mayor
Shirley Sager, Founding Director
Don Saunders, Director
Azad Shamji, Director
Pat Shannon, Director
Michael Smith, Mayor
Audrey Sojonky, Director
Peter Speck, Director
Jonathan Stewart, Director
Ann Sturrock, Director
Judy Summers (Okazaki), Director
Gary Sutherland, Director
Doug Taylor, Director
Rob Travers, Director
Peter Van Drimmelen, Director
Richard van Liempt, Director
Helen Vanee, Chair
Jo-Ann Wood, Chair
Ron Wood, Mayor
Justin Yoo, Director
Thank you to all past Board Members, Founders and Mayors for your time served at the Foundation.