Our People
Our team is here to support you to achieve your full potential.
Vantage Point Staff
Maria Turnbull
Interim Executive Director
Maria Turnbull brings over 20 years of leadership experience in staff and director roles within the not-for-profit sector, both here in Canada and in the UK. With a BA in International Relations and MBA, Maria is a skilled facilitator and consultant in board governance…
MIRANDA MASLANY
Membership & Government Relations Coordinator
Miranda leads Vantage Point’s membership program and coordinates our government relations work. She has always had a passion for environmental issues and completed a Double Major in Environmental Studies and Sociology, with a Minor in Business at the University of…
Rowan King
Interim Communications Manager
Rowan is the Interim Communications Manager for Vantage Point, previously the Marketing & Communications Coordinator. He manages everything from our external communications to hosting the podcast. Before becoming a staff member…
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 experience, research in adult education and over 10 years experience creating and facilitating leadership programs – to develop, evaluate, and…
Shemin Bhatia
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 to be among a team of passionate people supporting the not-for-profit sector. As Executive Coordinator, Shemin provides key support…
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, training, and mentoring staff and volunteer leaders. Rachelle completed her undergrad in Communications Publication Design…
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 Human Resources and with her passion for people engagement, she recruits, trains, and manages our team of professionals, consultants, and skilled volunteer…
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 healthy and thriving not-for-profit sector in BC. On any day, she is monitoring and sharing information that will support sector success and those…
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 in the not-for-profit sector which spans across multiple provinces and organizations. She started in Ontario where she graduated from McMaster University…
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, consultant, researcher, and writer. As a consultant, JP is sought out for his expertise in governance, organizational culture, strategy, process design, and change…
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 a thoughtful, compassionate, and critical thinking lens to her work. She cares deeply about social and environmental justice…
Dillon Dhak
Interim Marketing & Communication Coordinator
Dillon Dhak is Interim Marketing & Communications Coordinator. He is responsible for the design and build of the new Vantage Point website to create a user-friendly experience for all our site visitors. Dillon has a background in marketing, design theory, CMS & customized styling application, communications…
Samantha Kannegieter
Education & Projects Coordinator
Samantha (or Sam) is our Education and Projects Coordinator where she works with clients to support registration and delivery programs. Sam has spent the last twelve years involved with Vancouver’s not-for-profit and arts communities. Specifically, in festivals with the Vancouver Folk Music Festival Society…
Biao Zheng
Operations and Fund Development Coordinator
Biao is our Operations and Fund Development Coordinator, who has a passion for continually learning and tackling new opportunities. Throughout his career, Biao has accumulated experience in both the healthcare and not-for-profit sector. Specifically, MJ’s Natural Pharmacy(an independent pharmacy servicing the vibrant…
Jenessa Ellis
Interim Sector Development Coordinator
Jenessa is our Interim Sector Development Coordinator, who has a passion for volunteering and continually pushing the not-for-profit sector forward. She’s an advocate for connecting, collaborating, and learning from the community – they’re the experts! Jenessa completed a Bachelor of Arts at UNBC, with a major in International Studies…
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 former Vancouver School Trustee and staffer to a federal health minister, and sits on the Boards of Food for the Poor Canada and Girls Club, an activity club for girls with neuro/developmental differences.
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. He is currently the CEO of Take a Hike Youth at Risk Foundation, has held senior roles in several other charities and was a Financial…
BRUCE OKABE
Director
Bruce has an extensive background in corporate strategy, marketing, and leadership. At TELUS Corporation he held executive positions in marketing, business strategy, and channel management, leaving in 2006 to become Deputy Minister of Tourism, Sport, and the Arts in the Government of BC. In this position…
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 the school as a whole live its mission every day. The Head of School role is diverse, and Mrs. Beaumont’s extensive background in education…
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 and advisor to the staff, volunteers and management of corporations and nonprofit organizations. In 2010, he founded the Muslim Food Bank…
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 thrive. Previously, he started his own accounting firm, which was eventually acquired by Deloitte. Bob Wang won the Top 40 under 40 Award…
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 in Artificial Intelligence he worked for a private research institute in Switzerland on artificial Neural Networks and then moved to IT and…
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