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. "The secret to living, is giving." Tony Robbins
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 480,000 blankets to date! Greg's energetic 13 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. Greg's future goals include 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. Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson proclaimed November 26 as the official Blanket BC Society Day! in Vancouver! "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 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.
Shayne Williams - Advisor to the Board
Shayne Williams was appointed the Executive Director of Lookout Housing and Health Society in 2014. Founded in 1971, Lookout is a minimal barrier service provider that addresses extreme poverty and associated challenges including homelessness, physical and mental health, substance use, trauma and disabilities. Shayne also founded and currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Lookout Foundation which helps provide funding to pilot and support innovative programs at Lookout.
Shayne has a degree in Sociology from the University of Alberta and has been working in the non-profit sector since 1991. Prior to Lookout he worked in Surrey at Keys: Housing and Health Solutions for over a decade and also founded an Alberta-based youth organization, acting as their Executive Director in 1999. He is a ‘2013 Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal’ recipient and a ‘2017 Canada 150’ award recipient for outstanding service and dedication to the community.
Within 6 months of beginning at Lookout, a merger between Lookout and Keys, his former organization, took place. This involved bringing together boards, unions, policies, practices and unifying a workforce of over 500 individuals. Shayne played a lead role in implementing COA Accreditation standards at Lookout in 2016. By 2017, Lookout merged with the Mood Disorders Association of BC, expanding the organization's ability to assist communities provincially with mental wellness.
Shayne has a degree in Sociology from the University of Alberta and has been working in the non-profit sector since 1991. Prior to Lookout he worked in Surrey at Keys: Housing and Health Solutions for over a decade and also founded an Alberta-based youth organization, acting as their Executive Director in 1999. He is a ‘2013 Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal’ recipient and a ‘2017 Canada 150’ award recipient for outstanding service and dedication to the community.
Within 6 months of beginning at Lookout, a merger between Lookout and Keys, his former organization, took place. This involved bringing together boards, unions, policies, practices and unifying a workforce of over 500 individuals. Shayne played a lead role in implementing COA Accreditation standards at Lookout in 2016. By 2017, Lookout merged with the Mood Disorders Association of BC, expanding the organization's ability to assist communities provincially with mental wellness.
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.