With a mandate from the Chief Member Service Officer, the Initiatives Team takes an integrative approach to strategizing, testing, piloting and delivering business initiatives that build, support and secure the values, sustainability and prosperity of the organization.• Spearheaded the strategy, design, pilot and implementation of a foundational client advice program, empowering 1,200 staff across 54 retail branches, business and investment services departments. Re-engineered traditional branch-based financial services to radically refurbished digital/virtual-based services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.• Revitalized climate-focused product offerings to align with Vancity’s sustainability goals, leading to the creation of five new or enhanced products, and driving the training of 900 employees. Leveraged project management tools to optimize communication, resource allocation, and risk management, delivering objectives on time.• Cultivated strong stakeholder relationships within projects and across the organization to drive collaboration, resulting in the delivery of timely and effective solutions consistent with organizational objectives.

The Community Business and Real Estate department offers a full suite of products and services to small and medium sized businesses. Comprised of four regions, each with 12-15 small business and commercial lenders, cash management account managers and analysts, the team provides banking services to 45,000 business clients, manages a $1 billion lending portfolio, and a $5 billion business deposit portfolio.• Led a high-performing team of 12, increased loan and deposit volumes while embedding social, environmental, and community impact into traditional business banking services. Initiated transactions that led to a 10% increase in community impact deals.• Executed business strategies that exceeded performance goals, including growth targets, referrals, and profitability metrics, consistently monitoring alignment with KPIs.

The core banking system replacement program was critical foundational program. After the initial 24 months, the project was put on hold to deal with multiple hurdles. Was selected to be part of a team tasked with re-scoping and re-writing the program’s business case. In addition, acted as change consultant translating the programs impacts to the business and worked with the business area management teams to solution and adopt the changes into operational practices.• Played a pivotal role in re-scoping the core banking system replacement program, a critical project that impacted the entire membership’s financial activities.• Designed and implemented change leadership plans and communications that drove project objectives and fostered business readiness.• Consulted with stakeholders, conducted readiness assessments, identified risks -including people risks- and made recommendations for mitigation.• Advised stakeholders, assessed risks, and coached departments like Risk and Finance, ensuring successful adoption of new processes, leading to the realization of benefits outlined in the program’s business case.

The Community Investment team is a key function that reports to the VP Impact Strategy. The team’s focus is on leveraging tools and resources available to support and invest in local businesses and organizations in innovative ways. Focus was to support the creation and development of co-op businesses. This includes sharing expertise, giving advice, and using the strength of the Vancity networks to partner and collaborate. The team provides specialized financing solutions that combine grants, microcredit, start-up financing, traditional loans, mortgages and lines of credit with cash-flow and growth financing.• Championed the creation and development of co-operative business structures, social enterprises and not for profits in BC, leveraging Vancity’s networks and resources to deliver innovative financing solutions and support the sectors evolving needs.• Collaborated across functions to design and deliver growth-oriented financing, impact investing, and partnership opportunities, fostering sustainable economic development.• Co-founded the first active community investment co-operative in BC, advancing local food-based business initiatives.

Vancity is proud to take a leadership position on climate change and wants to enhance the environmental sustainability of clients’ lives and their communities. This means being environmentally conscious in our operations through energy efficiency, recycling and a selection of green building materials in our facilities, as well as providing environmental sustainability advice to clients and grants to select organizations active in developing technology and services that benefit the environment. Vancity became the first financial institution in Canada to achieve Carbon Neutrality.• Drove sustainability initiatives that reduced Vancity’s greenhouse gas footprint by nearly 10% and maintained its carbon neutral status through the development of comprehensive GHG accounting systems and implementation of reduction programs.• Launched an employee GHG reduction program that cut over 400 tonnes of CO2 emissions within nine months.• Conducted research on environmental and carbon accounting systems, identified emerging trends and established Vancity as an international leader in climate change and sustainability initiatives.

Attained international recognition for Vancity’s 2004-05 Accountability Report by winning the Ceres-ACCA North American Sustainability Reporting Award; played critical role in the design, development and production of the report; carried out data/information collection, analysis and verification activities.Prepared numerous presentations and documents to support internal and external communication of Vancity’s social and environmental performance, and reinforced the organization’s commitment to corporate transparency and accountability. Organized consultations with over 100 members, staff and community representatives to obtain feedback on Vancity’s Accountability Reports, Employee Engagement and Community Leadership Surveys.

Built relationships with clients, a trusted advisor that assisted with banking transactions.Oversaw team of front-line staff, providing guidance and support to the best possible customer service outcome.Designed and conducted training programs to enhance the skills and competencies of employees on a new core banking interface, updated policies and procedures.