Meet Our Amazing Executive TeamBlanket BC Society started off as a father/son project in 2005 and was officially incorporated in 2010. We have a wonderful team of talented and passionate directors who make a valuable contribution to our cause on a daily basis. We are very grateful for the talent, skills and expertise that each team member brings to the group and the goals of the Society as a whole - without whom none of our successes would have been possible.
Gregory Ould - Co-Founder, Executive Director
Gregory, a former stage and film actor, started collecting blankets with his son Benjamin over twelve years ago. Since then, and with the help of community partners, they've managed to collect and distribute over 475,000 blankets to date! Greg's energetic 12 year old daughter "Little Miss" Emma is also an active participant and is Blanket BC's youngest "Blanket Ambassador". Along with Greg's passion of helping others, he continues to coach wrestling when he can and has recently has gone back to his entertaining days becoming an Anthem Singer for the likes of Vancouver Canadians, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, BC Lions among many other sporting organizations and sings to help raise money and awareness for Blanket BC. Gregory is a passionate motivational speaker and has had the privilege to speak to kids from kindergarten to high school and to CEO's and other leaders and dignitaries. Gregory is currently writing a children's book based on the origins of Blanket BC, the teachings of empathy and the importance and affects of volunteering has on young children, and has collaborated with respected Japanese artist Yurie Hoyoyon.
Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson proclaimed November 26 as the official Blanket BC Society Day! "I am honoured to have the love and support of my family and friends...I would like to thank everyone who has helped us in our journey especially Ben and Emma! I welcome others to join in and enjoy this road to help others in need." -Gregory Contact Gregory @ gregory.ould@blanketbc.org or call 778-242-9940 Benjamin Ould - Co-Founder/Hon. Director
Ben, now 16 years old, grade 11 Honours student at Mission Secondary School in Mission, BC, was the catalyst that helped create the spirit of Blanket BC as we know it today. As a project, Ben went out with his dad helping to collect blankets for the homeless at the tender age of 2!
In February of 2013, Ben was mentioned in the House of Commons as "one of the youngest founders of a nonprofit in Canadian history!" From the beginning, Ben has shown a unique sense of sharing and helping others. It is exactly this attitude which instills the core values of Blanket BC; generosity, pride and altruism. Ben's giving demeanor has been a great source of inspiration to family (including his little sister Emma) and peers alike. We continuously learn from Ben; his behaviour and love for volunteering is what motivates so many to help others to do the same, which in turns creates a Beautiful Community. Ben is an avid sports enthusiast and shares his passion of competition with his younger sister Emma. He's also an award winning baseball and soccer player and loves spending time hanging out with his many friends. Benjamin is the youngest recipient to receive the Humanitarian of the Year Award from the British Columbia Country Music Association and recently was honoured in a blanket ceremony by Kwantlen First Nations for his ongoing commitment to helping people in need throughout the Indigenous communities. This is the highest honour one can receive by a First Nations community. " I think it's important to volunteer because it makes you feel good and happy! It also make others feel good and happy!" - Ben Samer Abou-Atta - Vice Chair
Samer Abou Atta, born and raised in Jordan has lived in the Tri-Cities since immigrating back in 2002. Having studied marketing in College and have done so many projects to help businesses and organizations like “BC Culinary” improve, Samer works at
Mr. Abou-Atta has always loved to volunteer his time and help others since he was a kid. For the past couple of years he has had the chance to volunteer with several organizations that aim to help the homeless in Metro Vancouver and beyond. Samer has been apart of Blanket BC as one of our most enthusiastic and dependable Blanketeer for nearly 7 years and was voted onto the Board in March 2019 and now serves as Vice Chair of our organization. Shawn Williams - Secretary
Shawn Paul Williams, a native of Lee County, residing in Ewing, Virginia, Shawn has been an active member of the theatrical society in his home state and also in the state of Tennessee.
In addition to being a theatrical actor, Williams enjoys poetry, songwriting and playing piano. Other hobbies included graphic design, which he uses to assist Blanket BC Society and other non-profits with poster design and publicity. Being an active supporter of community volunteerism, Williams is an active member of Friends of Wilderness Road State Park, a non-profit organization dedicated to the continuing growth and development of Wilderness Road State Park. Since February 2017, he has served Middlesborough Little Theatre's Board of Directors in Middlesboro, Kentucky and has served as a Blanket Ambassador for Blanket BC Society since 2014. He joined the Board of Directors in March 2019 when he became the organizations official Secretary and first International Member. Katherine Vinokour - Treasurer
Katherine is a student at University of British Columbia, who got involved with Blanket BC in 2012 while volunteering at the annual “Drive on the line”. Since then, she has been volunteering at many Blanket BC events and has become a respected member on the Board of Directors, as well as recently accepted the important role as Treasurer.
Katherine feels a strong responsibility to aid those less fortunate than her and to give back to the community any way she can. She regularly donates blood, and volunteers at her sister’s day care. When she's not studying or volunteering, she can invariably be found horse back riding at many equestrian events. Katherine’s passion is health and well-being and she is currently working at a walk-in and family clinic. She believes that sometimes the smallest things can make a difference: from simply assisting someone getting on the bus or providing a warm blanket to someone who's cold. Brian Ould - Advisor to the Board |
Brian is our most senior advisor and member of our amazing board. Father of Gregory and Grandfather of Ben, Brian brings to our executive team years of community service. When a young man, Brian served as a police officer for the Toronto Metropolitan Police Force and after serving the community in that capacity, entered into the life of a Printer, like his father Jack before him. Brian is a light-hearted, often comical fella that brings much joy to any board or committee meeting. His life experiences have helped grow Blanket BC into a flourishing organization. He also keeps everyone in line, especially Blanket BC founder, Greg.
Brian took over where Martha, his wife of nearly 50 magical years, ended as a founding board member.
Working with family is very important to Brian and absolutely enjoys every minute of working with Blanket BC, especially when it comes to working side by side with his grandson Ben and granddaughter Emma.
Brian took over where Martha, his wife of nearly 50 magical years, ended as a founding board member.
Working with family is very important to Brian and absolutely enjoys every minute of working with Blanket BC, especially when it comes to working side by side with his grandson Ben and granddaughter Emma.
Trish Mandewo - Advisor to the Board
Trish is an elected official (Councilor) for City of Coquitlam, a Speaker, Facilitator, Serial Entrepreneur
and Author the book “Elephant Soup for the Hungry Entrepreneur”. She is the principal of
Ubuntu StratEdge, a company that trains women to be board ready. She also Co-founded Women’s
Collaborative Hub Society, a mentorship and personal development non-profit.
She has won numerous awards including 2017 RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant. She has been featured
and highlighted in several media outlets and is a recipient of Canada 150 Sesquicentennial pin for
leadership and community service.
Trish was instrumental in bringing together Project Idai in 2019, compromised of Blanket BC, Women's Collaborative Hub and Ruben's Shoes Society; where together were able to send a container filled with blankets, eye glasses, shoes and some medical supplies sent to Zimbabwe. Trish travelled to Zimbabwe to make sure all donations were given to the proper families of the cyclone that hit that region back in March.
and Author the book “Elephant Soup for the Hungry Entrepreneur”. She is the principal of
Ubuntu StratEdge, a company that trains women to be board ready. She also Co-founded Women’s
Collaborative Hub Society, a mentorship and personal development non-profit.
She has won numerous awards including 2017 RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant. She has been featured
and highlighted in several media outlets and is a recipient of Canada 150 Sesquicentennial pin for
leadership and community service.
Trish was instrumental in bringing together Project Idai in 2019, compromised of Blanket BC, Women's Collaborative Hub and Ruben's Shoes Society; where together were able to send a container filled with blankets, eye glasses, shoes and some medical supplies sent to Zimbabwe. Trish travelled to Zimbabwe to make sure all donations were given to the proper families of the cyclone that hit that region back in March.