Board of Directors
Elizabeth Demner
President
Loa Fridfinnson
Vice-President
Simon Chen
Treasurer
Steven had a long and successful career at Telus where he held positions in Marketing, Sales, Project Management and Engineering. Steven brings his diverse experience as well business acumen to the board table.
Loa Fridfinnson is an entrepreneur and marketing specialist operating her agency, Activ8 Corporate Relations + Training for over twenty years. Loa designs, implements and manages marketing, PR and digital media projects and campaigns that support the growth of her clients’ brands, market share, industry presence and thought leadership.
Loa is also an educator in the areas of entrepreneurship, sales and marketing having developed and taught a 15-course business curriculum to Indigenous adults and youth since 2011. She is a marketing instructor at BCIT, speaks at industry events and has been a guest lecturer for UBC’s Sauder School of Business MBA Program and SFU’s Entrepreneur of the Year Program.
Loa is a mentor to youth in the community, volunteers for causes such as Big Sisters, StartUp Canada and New Ventures BC, and is honored to contribute her skills and expertise to the advancement of The Children’s Foundation.
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 13 years, and she is very proud of her association with this outstanding social-profit agency.
Simon is a senior manager in KPMG’s tax department and has been with KPMG since 1999.
VIEW MORE
Barbara Constantine
Cindy Brannan
Danielle Douglas
Liezl Behm
Alyssa Leyba
Danielle Douglas
Danielle Douglas is currently the in-house labour and employment lawyer for a global tech company headquartered in Vancouver, BC. Danielle received her law degree from the University of Calgary, where she led the pro bono program and received awards for her commitment to pro bono work. Danielle is honored to serve the Children’s Foundation and support the important work of the Foundation.
Barabara Constantine
Alyssa Leyba
Alyssa is a clinical counsellor who has served children, youth, and adults since 2016. She had the pleasure of completing her first practicum at The Children’s Foundation where she also worked as an employee. Passionate about her work, Alyssa returned to school in recent years and is pursuing her doctorate in clinical psychology. One of the most fulfilling aspects of her career has involved supporting underserved communities and reducing barriers to mental health services. Alyssa is thrilled to be a member of the board where she can continue supporting families and promoting social justice within The Children’s Foundation.
Cindy Brannan
Cindy is a compassionate Human Resources leader with over 15 years of experience shaping people and culture strategies. As Vice President, People & Culture at LGM Financial Services, she drives talent management, employee engagement, and leadership development initiatives that create high-performing, inclusive workplaces.
Holding a Master’s in Organizational Management, Cindy is passionate about giving back and making a meaningful impact both in the workplace and her community.
Liezl Behm
Liezl’s short bio will be published soon!
Leadership Team
Terri Calvert (She/Her)
Executive Director
Terri began her role as the Executive Director of The Children’s Foundation in September 2024. She has over 30 years in nonprofit leadership with the previous 15 years as the Director of Child and Youth Development at the BC Centre for Ability.
Terri is a compassionate leader specializing in non-profit management and early learning for vulnerable children and families. Her priorities include fostering a psychologically safe environment where everyone’s ideas are heard and valued and staff can thrive to reach their full potential.
Terri is excited to use her innovative ideas and strong community relationships to grow the impact of The Children’s Foundation, contributing to its continued success in advancing its mission of ‘changing lives every day’ and serving the community.
Helgi Remmelg(She/Her)
Program Director
Helgi has worked for The Children’s Foundation for over 30 years. She is currently responsible for the Communities Caring for Children, Out of Care, Respite and Family Care Support programs. Helgi is also responsible for Continuous Quality Improvement, Accreditation and is the organizations Privacy Officer.
Lisa Lowe(She/Her)
Program Director
Lisa Lowe is an expressive art therapist, co-active coach, facilitator and somatic practioner. She identifies as part of the LGBTQIA+ community and approaches her work from an intersectional lens. She is passionate about team building and leadership. She is committed to shaping workplaces and services into co-created, imaginative and libratory spaces for the purpose of generating and reclaiming choiceful, resourceful, healing centered engagements. She continues to develop an understanding of the impacts of systemic oppression as it intersects with western mental health and educational models.
She is currently responsible for Alderwood – Expanding The Circle, Complex Care.
Rachel Madu(She/Her)
Program Director
Rachel Madu (she/her) has worked as a family therapist to families (adoptive, foster and birth), experiencing relationship challenges for over 20 years. Rachel has worked alongside families impacted by mental health, relationship ruptures, and varying types of trauma. Rachel practices as a person-centered therapist, valuing and trusting the potential of each individual, facilitating the counselling process with unconditional positive regard, authenticity and empathy. Rachel grew up living in Western and Northern Canada and has spent long periods of time in Madagascar and Zambia, and feels grateful to call the Lower Mainland home. Rachel acknowledges that she is student in understanding her own privilege, and looks for opportunities to facilitate dialogue about racism, privilege, fragility, inclusion, equality, and equity. Rachel professes to be a Christ follower, believing in the unequivocal power of love and grace. Rachel has provided clinical supervision to other therapists for the past 7 years.
Rachel oversees the Cedarwood South Fraser Family Program, Cedarwood Langley Program, Four Start Connection Program and RISE at Cindrich and ETC.
Laura Dutton(She/Her)
Director of Inclusive Childcare
Laura brings over 27 years of experience in the childcare field, with a deep passion for inclusion and emotional well-being. She is dedicated to creating trauma-informed environments where every child feels valued, supported, and celebrated for who they are.
Prior to joining the TCF team, Laura worked with the Supported Child Development program as a Supervisor and Consultant, supporting teams and childcare programs to implement inclusive strategies for children with neurodiversity and disabilities. She has delivered workshops and trainings to groups of all sizes, sharing her expertise in social-emotional development, leadership, and emotional regulation.
Grounded in Early Childhood Education and extensive leadership experience, Laura is a trusted advocate for inclusive practices and a dedicated mentor to professionals in the field. Outside of work, she enjoys yoga, baking, and glamping with her family.