Tell us about your educational background.
Educational Background:
What has been your professional experience to date?
Tom is a Chief Risk Executive with over 25 years of experience in Financial Services and complex organizations. He is an entrepreneurial leader who influences through integrity, authentic relationships, and impactful communications, with a demonstrated ability to design and develop high-performance teams that drive results. Tom is a strategic business leader with the ability to modernize governance, operations, and systems while providing leadership that actualizes the potential of teams.
Tell us about your community involvement?
Tom has provided over 25 years of service to our community. At the Ronald McDonald House of BC, he worked with fellow board members and staff to significantly increase short-term housing for families of seriously ill children undergoing treatment at BC Children’s Hospital. As Chair of the board’s finance committee, he provided financial governance and helped design financially sustainable expansion plans that continue to have a lasting impact.
Tom is currently a board member of CAF Canada, which has raised and distributed over $100 million to support charitable causes in Canada and globally. Recently, CAF Canada has contributed to environmental initiatives such as rainforest restoration in Costa Rica—planting 4,000 trees on public land—and supporting the Clear the Coast cleanup efforts along a 27-mile stretch of northern Vancouver Island, from Grant Bay to Cape Scott.
Tom has also held board and advisory roles in various professional associations to lend his financial acumen and strategic insights. These include the Information Systems Audit & Controls Association as Board Member and Chapter President and the BC Real Estate Association as Financial Specialist and Advisor to the Board.
Have you previously served on a credit union board or any other financial institution's board?
No, I have not served on a credit union board; however, I have focused the majority of my career in the financial industry. As a Partner of a Big 4 consulting firm, I have worked closely with credit unions in BC on meeting regulatory guidelines and providing advisory support to improve major IT systems and process transformation projects.
At a large financial institution, I provided governance and oversight of significant loan impairment charges resulting from operational risk breakdowns and errors in Commercial lending.
What specific skills or expertise (e.g., financial literacy, leadership, strategic planning, technology) would you bring to the Vancity Board of Directors?
Financial Literacy: As a CPA for 28 years, I have often relied on my training to understand the meaning of financial reports to help direct my work in past senior leadership roles. As a board member and Chair of the Finance Committee at the Ronald McDonald House of BC, this proved especially useful for governance as the organization raised capital to construct its new 70-room facility on the BC Children’s Hospital site.
Leadership: At one of BC’s largest financial services organizations, I served as Chief Risk Officer, where I worked closely with the board and executive team to help drive strategy using risk-based business intelligence.
Strategic Planning: I bring over 25 years of experience on non-profit boards, helping to guide organizations toward achieving sustainable objectives while mitigating financial risk.
Why are you running for the Board of Directors?
Serving as a board member at Vancity would be a wonderful opportunity to contribute to my Metro Vancouver community where I live and play—putting my years of professional skills in risk management, accounting literacy, and the financial industry to good use. Vancity is a critical pillar of strength in Metro Vancouver, with a demonstrated track record of effecting positive change in the community—from aiding beloved community businesses like the Rio Theatre to advocating for equitable policies. I would be proud to help the organization continue to spread meaningful change and support our neighbours.
How do you plan to contribute to the success of Vancity and our members if elected?
Serving as a board member at Vancity would be a wonderful opportunity to contribute to my community that welcomed me to this country with open arms when I was 5 years old. Growing up in East Vancouver, I have seen firsthand that a helping hand can change lives.
The generosity of Canada and a community that cares have helped me gain an education and career—and above all, raise a family. I would like to use my skills to help our members continue to be the strong pillar for BC, to be the catalyst for positive social change, and to ensure others have the same opportunity I had—the ability to call this place our home, where we work, play, and live.
Describe your leadership style and how it aligns with Vancity’s mission.
I bring an entrepreneurial leadership style that seeks opportunities and is tempered with risk insights. As a board member, I believe we need to inspire and guide the management at Vancity toward its social mission, while also balancing it with sound financial prudence and governance—safeguarding our members’ hard-earned savings.
You will find me to be straightforward and professional, with a light sprinkle of enthusiasm and humour. I have had the opportunity to work with a diverse number of people as part of multiple boards, and I approach new groups with a sense of curiosity and eagerness for open collaboration.
How do you plan to represent the diverse needs of our membership?
We are fortunate to live and be influenced by the multi-cultural landscape that is Metro Vancouver. Though the needs of different groups may vary, it is often the members’ belief in our common vision that helps align our purpose—to bring forth a transformed economy that protects the earth and guarantees equity for all.
As a board member, I intend to provide representation for all our members by deploying active listening and displaying genuine empathy to help better understand how Vancity can help make the community better. Serving on the Board is in itself a learning experience, and I hope that by encouraging open channels of communication, I can serve as a responsible and reliable advocate for our membership.
