Staff
irene elhaimer, executive director
Irene began her career in the non-profit sector as a result of having been a student in Montreal during the 1989 Montreal Massacre at l'École Polytechnique. She knew then that her life's mission would be to advance women's equality and end violence in Canada. Irene was the Executive Director at Women Against Violence Against Women (WAVAW) for almost 15 years before joining Mom2Mom. She is thrilled to be utilizing her passion, skills, and life-long fight for women's equality to improve the lives of children in poverty by supporting their moms. Irene has raised two amazing pro-feminist men and loves spending time at the beach, reading and pursuing social justice.
Melodie Mallinder, Fund Development Manager
Melodie has a passion for community and a deep love of Vancouver. She feels connected to Mom2Mom being raised in a single-parent household for much of her childhood. As a parent, she understands the connection/importance of the expression “It takes a village”. Her years of experience as a fundraiser in the social services sector continue to fuel her drive to collaborate and fight for an equitable society where moms and kids are not limited by poverty. When Melodie isn’t working, you may find her organizing a family dance party, singing loudly in her car, or spending time by the water, potentially relishing in a sweet treat or two.
Kim gale, Coordinator of Volunteers, Education, and Outreach
As a long-time resident of East Vancouver, Kim enjoys working in the community that she has called home for many years. As a mother to a grown son, Kim was fortunate to be surrounded by a positive, caring, and supportive community and she truly understands and appreciates the value of the Mom2Mom philosophy. Kim has a long history of working with women, children, and their families in a variety of settings. Kim has training in pre and postnatal care, child development, and parent education. When Kim is not working, she is pursuing her passion as an aromatherapist and herbalist as well as puttering in her little garden she loves.
Caitlin Creaney, Food Program and Participant Engagement Coordinator
Caitlin’s background is working with youth; she spent 5 years working with kids in care prior to transitioning to working with moms and families. Caitlin has spent a lot of time volunteering with KidStart Mentorship Program, Look Out Society, and Directions Youth Services. Caitlin is overjoyed to be utilizing her skills working with children at Mom2Mom. She is proud to be a part of a community that provides support in a non-judgemental and caring environment to help support and create healthy families. Outside of working at Mom2Mom Caitlin can be found often chasing her two little girls in the forest or at the playground with her rescue husky from the Northwest Territories.
Addie morfin, Community engagement coordinator
Addie comes from a background in mental health support, youth work, and inclusive education. Her strengths lie in connecting with others, moving through life with an empathetic and compassionate lens. As a first generation immigrant to Canada and a mother to a little one, Addie is aware of the complexities that mothers face in our society. In her work and in life, Addie strives to promote equitable and socially just communities. Addie is excited to continue to be a life-long learner as a part of the Mom2Mom team.
Samantha Schumacher, Coordinator of Communications and Fund Development
Samantha is a graduate from the from the University of British Columbia where she earned a degree in political science. She has extensive volunteer experience, having spent several years working with local charities. Samantha began working with Mom2Mom as a Co-op student in 2018 and fell in love with the organization due to its commitment to improving the lives of children living in poverty by supporting their moms. She is passionate about social advocacy and utilizing social media as a tool for positive change. When she's not working, you can find her spending time with her family, relaxing at the beach, or cooking.
Board of Directors
Kim Haakstad, Board Chair
Kim has over two decades of experience as a senior political aide and advisor for public, private, and business organizations. She has built a reputation for navigating difficult challenges by bringing first-hand knowledge of the inner workings of government to businesses in nearly every sector of the Canadian economy. Kim has served as Deputy Chief of Staff to the B.C. Premier, Chief of Staff to Cabinet Ministers, and in numerous volunteer and campaign leadership roles at the Federal, Provincial and Municipal level. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Graduate Diploma in Business Management.
Susan Downie-Gagnon, Vice Chair
Susan has a 25-year career which has spanned a number of sectors from HIV research to forestry to sustainable natural resources with others in between. She is currently a Senior Director at MNP. She has held both board and leadership positions on non-profit political boards as well as on privately held advisory boards. A mother of two grown children, Susan has lifelong experience seeing the impact that non-profit organizations have in providing profound and enduring support for people at various life stages experiencing challenges and/or hardship. Susan is inspired by Mom2Mom’s unique, research-based approach to helping children living in poverty by supporting single mothers.
Theresa Tang, Secretary of the board
Theresa has over 17 years of non-profit leadership experience overseeing community-based programs, provincial health promotion programs, and inclusive programs. She is committed to helping diverse populations achieve their goals. Theresa is also passionate about community impact and advocates for those in need, which makes her excited to apply her knowledge at Mom2Mom. Theresa lives in Vancouver with her husband and two kids. She loves the outdoors, wellness activities, and spending time with friends and family.
Eunice Bantok, Director
Eunice is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) with over 8 years of experience working in public administration. Currently, she is the Budget Manager for the School District of Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows as well as a Board of Director for Decoda Literacy Solutions. Beyond her professional achievements, Eunice also dedicates her time in sharing her knowledge and expertise as a professional financial expert by partnering with CPA Canada’s Financial Literacy Program.
Michelle Panjwani, Director
Michelle brings over two decades of progressive Human Resources (HR) expertise to our Mom2Mom Board of Directors. She is deeply committed to advancing organizational excellence, fostering a culture of inclusivity, and optimizing workforce management strategies. She is currently the Senior Manager, People Services, at the British Columbia Automobile Association. Beyond her professional achievements, Michelle's personal journey as a working mother has provided her with profound insights into the unique challenges that mothers often face while striving to maintain a progressive career. This first-hand experience has cultivated a deep sense of empathy and understanding. Her unwavering dedication and desire to engage in philanthropic endeavours and make meaningful contributions to the Mom2Mom community.
Jennifer Sutherland, Director
Jennifer is a dedicated mother and accomplished professional who brings a wealth of experience from various sectors to her role on the board of Mom2Mom. She has a passion for creating a more equitable society where mothers and children are not constrained by poverty and is committed to making a difference in the lives of single moms and their kids. Jennifer has navigated the intricacies of both the public and private sectors, gaining valuable insights into different aspects of community development, policy-making, and business management. Her time in academia gave her a deep appreciation of the importance of research and education in driving positive change. With her unique perspective, compassionate heart, and commitment to making a difference, Jennifer is thrilled to support Mom2Mom's efforts in creating a brighter and more equitable future for single moms and their children.
Susan Yip, Director
Susan is an elementary school principal with over 27 years experience in education. She has seen first-hand the positive impact school and community connections make in the lives of marginalized families and understands the need to provide equitable access to resources for all families. As a mom of three grown boys, she has spent many years volunteering in the sport’s community primarily with Whalley Little League. She understands the impact belonging to a supportive network has on families and their children. Susan is thrilled to be able to expand her volunteer work with Mom2Mom, while continuing to work with families and children. When Susan isn’t at school or volunteering, she is an online health and wellness coach who mentors and leads women in their health and fitness journey.