Management Team

Jim McLaughlin, Executive Director
Jim is a graduate of the human services program at Western Washington University. He has been employed by The Children’s Foundation for 39 years in a variety of service supervisory and management roles, culminating in his appointment as Executive Director in 2002. Jim has wide experience in residential care, family treatment, program development and administration, and human resource management. Jim has consulted widely in the human services arena, including membership in a variety of provincial ministerial committees and initiatives.

He has a passion to involve communities in service development and governance. He has also provided leadership in building collaborative services in the communities that The Children’s Foundation serves.

Lana Cho, Director of Finance and Administration
Lana manages the finance, information technology, and administration departments of The Children’s Foundation. She works with the Executive Director, the Director of Operations, and the Program Directors to develop and maintain the contracting, budgeting, and financial reporting processes for all programs. She also ensures compliance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) requirements.

Lana has over 15 years of management experience in industries ranging from oil and gas to cinema management. She has been with The Children’s Foundation since 2004, and has worked with organizations in the social service and child development sectors for five years.

Stephen Hockey, Clinical Director
Stephen is a family man with a wife and two teenaged daughters. Building on years of experience working in child care and child protection, Stephen earned a clinical master’s degree at UC Berkeley in 1988, which gave him additional skills to help children and families pursuing healing and growth. As a clinician, Stephen has worked extensively in progressive psychiatry, community-based family development, and private practice. In recent years, he has particularly enjoyed providing clinical supervision, training staff, and getting involved in program development. He is most passionate about the emerging possibilities in our field as we increasingly embrace appreciative, culturally competent, and evidence-based practices.

Lisa Lowe, Program Director
Lisa is an expressive art therapist who has worked at The Children’s Foundation for over 10 years. Currently, she is the Program Director at Alderwood Family Development Centre. She is passionate about team building and dynamic leadership. She is also committed to building relational, imaginative, and stronger social justice practices.

Brenda Jebsen, Fund Development Manager
Brenda joined The Children’s Foundation (TCF) as the Fund Development Manager in May, 2008.  She brings over 17 years experience as a professional fundraiser to TCF.  With a commitment to matching donor interests to the organization's needs, Brenda is passionate about helping others to help those most in need.

Wayne Sydorchuk, Program Director
Wayne started his career in the social services sector in February 1972, soon after his university graduation. Since that time, he has worked as a manager in a variety of roles that have focused on working directly with children and families. In 1984, Wayne joined The Children’s Foundation to operate a large residential assessment centre. He joined TCF’s management team in 1990. Wayne has been the director of three programs in the Fraser South region since 2002. He has a real commitment to providing team-based leadership, and is passionate about making the workplace a proactive, enjoyable, and productive environment.

Board of Governors

Elizabeth Demner, President
Elizabeth is a community volunteer of long standing. She has served on the boards of St. George’s and Crofton House schools, and was President of the Junior League of Greater Vancouver. She has been President of The Children’s Foundation for two years, and she is very proud of her association with this outstanding social-profit agency.

Earl Phillips, Secretary
Earl is a lawyer and the practice group leader for McCarthy Tétrault LLP’s labour and employment group. He resides in Vancouver with his wife, Barbara, where they have raised four children. He has been on the board of The Children’s Foundation since 2004.

David Eppert
David has an entrepreneurial spirit and has been in the information technology field for over 10 years. His latest venture, an internet security solution, was recently acquired by a UK-based competitor. He now serves a select clientele, offering technical and information security and privacy consulting services. Having experienced family and children’s services as a client during his childhood, David is ambitious to participate with The Children's Foundation.

Blair Harvey
Blair is the father of two children, and the grandfather-to-be of a baby from China. Blair is a Metis and was raised in northern Manitoba. He is a canoeing professional and a 30-year specialist in Aboriginal community development. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree and is a registered social worker (RSW). He is also a documentary film producer and a substance abuse counsellor.

Helen Shim
Helen has been a director on The Children’s Foundation board since 2003. She presently sits on the finance and fund development committees. Helen has significant volunteer experience that has mainly focused on project and financial management. She is a passionate supporter of the work done by The Children’s Foundation, and is committed to helping the organization meet its present targets and reach its future goals.