Our People
Our team is here to support you to acheive your full potential
Zahra Esmail
Chief Executive Officer
Zahra has worked in the not-for-profit sector for over 15 years with experience in international development, housing..
Maria Turnbull
Associate Executive Director
Maria Turnbull brings over 20 years of leadership experience in staff and director roles within the not-for-profit sector..
Rowan King
Communications Manager
Rowan is the Communications Manager for Vantage Point, previously the Marketing & Communications Coordinator. He..
Kathleen Lane
Learning & Evaluation Manager
Kathleen Lane was drawn to Vantage Point’s focus on lifting the capacity of not-for-profit organizations. As Learning Manager, she draws from her management..
Shemin Bhatia
Executive Coordinator
Shemin brings a positive outlook, sense of curiosity, and attention to detail to Vantage Point. As a people person and continuous learner, Shemin is happy..
Rachelle Smalldon
Operations Manager
Rachelle loves working with not-for-profit organizations to make them more efficient, effective, and impactful. She has over 12 years experience supporting..
Shagun Bhanot, PhD, CPHR
People Manager
Shagun brings her warm energy, positive spirit, and passion for volunteerism to her role of People Manager at Vantage Point. As a Chartered Professional in..
Joyce Lin
Sector Development Coordinator
Joyce is the Sector Development Coordinator for Vantage Point – she facilitates the foundational work involved in Vantage Point’s goals to contribute to a..
Dorla Tune
Organizational Consultant
Dorla Tune is our Organizational Consultant who supports and strengthens our training, planning, and consulting services. Dorla has over 20 years’ experience..
JP Baker
Planning Consultant
JP is our Planning Consultant, ready to support organizations strategize the most effective ways to reach their goals. JP has extensive experience as a facilitator..
Olivia Gordon
Client and Program Delivery Coordinator
Olivia is our Client and Program Delivery Coordinator, who is the first to greet our clients interested in custom and on-site delivery opportunities. She brings..
Dillon Dhak
Marketing & Communication Coordinator
Dillon Dhak is Vantage Point’s Marketing & Communications Coordinator. He is responsible for the design and build of the new Vantage Point…
Samantha Kannegieter
Education & Projects Coordinator
Samantha (or Sam) is our Education and Projects Coordinator where she works with clients to support registration and delivery..
Biao Zheng
Operations and Fund Development Coordinator
Biao is our Operations and Fund Development Coordinator, who has a passion for continually learning and tackling..
Jenessa Ellis
Interim Sector Development Coordinator
Jenessa is our Interim Sector Development Coordinator, who has a passion for volunteering and continually pushing..
Cherie Payne
Director of Government Relations and Sector Development
Cherie is our Director of Government Relations and Sector Development. Born and raised in Vancouver, Cherie has lived in seven cities on three continents. She is a..
Board of Directors
Gordon Matchett
Chair
Gordon Matchett is a senior leader in with over 25 years’ experience in the not-for profit and corporate sectors, and has earned a Masters of Business Administration..
Bruce Okabe
Director
Bruce has an extensive background in corporate strategy, marketing, and leadership. At TELUS Corporation he held executive positions in marketing..
Cheryle Beaumont
Vice Chair
As the Head of School at Urban Academy, New Westminster’s premier JK-Grade 12 private school, Cheryle Beaumont provides leadership and direction to help..
Azim Dahya
Director
Azim is a project manager (BSc, PMP), trainer and a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CGA) at AAD Consultants Inc. He is a leader, trainer, mentor..
Bob Wang
Treasurer
Bob Wang is currently the VP of Finance at Traction Guest, a fast-growing venture-backed startup. He’s passionate about helping teams succeed and organizations..
Robbert Visscher
Director
Robbert has a broad and varied international background, both in education and work experience as well as board experience. After finishing his Masters..
Lori Pyne
Director
Lori Pyne has worked as a socially responsible leader, facilitator and community builder. She has managed multiple projects..
Trish Kelly
Director
Trish Kelly is a purpose-driven leader who uses a facilitative leadership style alongside an equity lens in her professional work and..
Jennifer McKinnon
Director
Jennifer is a BCIT graduate in Human Resources and working towards her Operations Management. She is a Director..
Paromita Naidu, BA, MA, MHA
Director
After an early career in academic and nonprofit leadership, Mita has transitioned into communications..