Brenda Benham, Chair
Brenda works at the British Columbia Securities Commission as Special Counsel, Market Relations. She is responsible for facilitating meetings to ensure the Commission has timely information about evolving industry and market trends. Brenda has a B.A. (Hons) from the University of British Columbia and a LLB from the University of Toronto. 

Debbie Gregg, Vice Chair
Debbie is currently an Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of British Columbia. She has also worked for the Ministry of Education where she was responsible for overseeing teacher education and international initiatives. Debbie has served as Chair of the BCTF Provincial Bargaining Committee and was the founding member and Vice Chairperson of the BC College of Teachers.

Sherry Tryssenaar, Past Chair
Sherry joined the board in September 2005 as President & Chair. She is the Chief Financial Officer of QuestAir Technologies Inc. and is also a founder of Association of Women in Finance Vancouver. Sherry holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (1st Class Honours) from Simon Fraser University, and a M.Sc. in Economics from the London School of Economics.

Jennifer Chow, Secretary
Jennifer is a trial lawyer at the Department of Justice. In her spare time Jennifer has raised funds for various charity groups including United Way, the MS Society, and the BC Lung Association. Jennifer has a B.A. from Dalhousie University, an LL.B from UBC and an M.P.A. from UVIC.

Beth Fisher, Treasurer 
Beth is the Director of Finance for OncoGenex Technologies Inc. She has 15 years of financial and operational experience in public and private companies. Beth is a Certified Management Accountant.

Brenda Crump, Director at Large
Brenda is a Career Exploration Instructor & Employment Counsellor at the newSTART Bridging Employment Program for Women. Brenda is herself a single mom and was once on Income Assistance - so knows the struggles that women have raising children on their own and the barriers they face when looking for employment.

Ed Desroches, Director at Large
Best known as the Co-owner (with wife Katie O'Brien) of the nine-store Plum Clothing Company for the past 26 years, Ed has always been active in the Vancouver community. He is on the honorary advisory board for Big Sisters and is co-chair of the Fair Tax Coalition and on the Retail BC board of governors. Ed and Plum have given both material and intellectual support to Dress for Success Vancouver since its start in 1999.

Becky Knapton, Director at Large
Since 2000, Becky has developed and facilitated job search workshops and assisted clients with career development. Becky has a Bachelor of Education from the University of British Columbia, certificates in Career Development Facilitation and Employment Counselling from Capilano and Douglas Colleges, and completed Vancouver Community College's Leadership Certificate Program. Her other volunteer activities include the 'Out of the Cold' program, Habitat for Humanity, Canadian Cancer Society, and Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Sarah Murray, Communications
Sarah is a Communications Professional with experience in writing, editing, publicity, photography, event coordination and management in the publishing and fashion industries. Her talents landed her an interview with award winning stylist Jon Paul Holt, and styling for DJ Ariel for MTV Canada. Sarah has volunteered with DFS Vancouver since 2004 and was the Fashion Show Coordinator for the DFS Corporate Challenge from 2005 to 2007.

Cheryl Nakamoto, Director at Large
Cheryl is the Co-founder and Owner of McNeill Nakamoto Recruitment Group since 1996. She oversees all operations, manages the senior teams and works on strategy for the vision and direction of the firm. Cheryl has a Commerce Degree from the University of British Columbia as well as Certified Human Resource Professional and Certified Personnel Consultant designations.

Sally Nelson, Professional Women's Group
Sally has over 20 years of broad consumer marketing and strategic planning experience across diverse industries as well as an MBA from the University of Western Ontario. Sally has been with the Professional Women's Group since 2001, initially as a mentor and subsequently as chair of the Organizing Committee. Sally has been organizing speakers for PWG meetings for the past four years.

Marie-Helene Pelletier, Director at Large
Dr. Pelletier is a senior manager, clinician, and researcher at Human Solutions who combines interests, advanced training, and expertise in business and psychology. As Vice President of Professional Services, she is also a coach on human resource management issues. Dr. Pelletier received her B.A. and M.A. in clinical psychology from Laval University and received her PhD and M.B.A. from the University of British Columbia.

Don Prior, Director at Large
Don is Managing Partner of The Caldwell Partners International's Vancouver office, which he joined in 1989. He is on the board of the Emily Carr Foundation and the Vancouver Baseball Foundation and has completed six years on the Vancouver International Writers Festival board. Don has a B.A. from Simon Fraser University.

Diane Rapatz, Impact
After eight years as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer for Versatech group of companies, Diane is currently enjoying flexibility and variety as a consultant offering leadership, management and negotiation abilities in the area of finance and business. Along the way, Diane found herself volunteering to assist Dress for Success Vancouver with several activities, and has been active with the group for the past three years.

Kathy Taberner, Fund Development
Kathy is an Executive Coach and has been the owner of Taberner Coaching and Consulting Services since 1998. Using her occupational therapy background, Kathy worked for over 15 years with a focus on supporting people in returning to or staying in the workplace when disabled due to illness or injury. She completed an M.A. in Leadership and a Certificate in Executive Coaching, and has focused on leadership development for the past four years. 

Louise Weston, Director Y.E.S!
Louise is an Associate at Longview Communications, a Vancouver-based public relations firm specializing in corporate and financial communications. She has an Honours Degree from Birmingham University, UK, and is also a graduate of the Leadership Vancouver program. Louise loves the West-coast lifestyle - you'll find her on the slopes in the winter and paddling a kayak in the summer.

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