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, aka "Mr. Warmth", 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". Most recently Baby Zoe has joined the fold, Greg's youngest child, who joins her Daddy on ride-a-longs while providing warmth. 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 12 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 humble, quiet and 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 gamer, 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 was honoured in an offical 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 Christina Weizmann, CHAIRWOMAN
Courtney Elizabeth Funk, SECRETARY
Courtney has a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from the University of British Columbia, with a major in Finance and minor in International Relations. Courtney is currently a member of the Investment Counsellor Group at Orbis Investments. Within this capacity, her role has been to help build a US business. As part of her role, she focuses on business strategy, portfolio analysis, content development and client relationships. Courtney is deeply passionate about community involvement and gravitates toward projects focused on education, gender-equality and social-economic issues within the Greater Vancouver region and abroad. |
Martin O'Hara, TREASURER
Martin (Marty) O'Hara grew up in Tsawwassen, BC, where he quickly fell in love with sports. He competed at all levels, winning provincially in baseball as a player, and football as a coach. He even competed internationally as a gymnast. Professionally, he has spent the last 10 years in hospitality, most recently as the General manager of an award winning brewery in Richmond. He is a hard worker who likes to make people laugh, drink good beer, and smile.
Always good hearted in nature, Marty felt compelled to help his community in a different way, a warm way. Mr. O’Hara serves on the Board as Treasurer working alongside the Executive Director balancing the books and working on budgeting for daily operations.
Neil Parker - DIRECTOR
Neil had a tennis scholarship to Northeastern Oklahoma State and got an Associate's degree before moving back to Vancouver. For the past twenty years, Neil has been a head tennis professional and a Tennis Canada course facilitator. He pivoted to production after a long stint in NY, working on IPO roadshows, and is passionate about Safety in the workplace. Mr. Parker (no relation to Peter Parker) has his OFA Level 2 and is working toward his BCIT graduation in 2021, in the OH&S certificate program. Neil is the father of Blanket BC's first ever recipient of the Warmth Award, "Sleeping Bag" Tate, who earned his nickname by saving his allowance and buying sleeping bags for the homeless in Victoria, BC. Neil has always been a giving soul and it's easy to see why his kids are just as loving and caring as he.
Board Advisory Angels & Mentors (none voting members)
Brian Ould - Senior Advisory Angel
Brian, 76 years "OULD", is our most senior advisor of our amazing Board of Directors. 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. Mr. Ould is a BC Baseball Hall of Famer for his 40+ years of exceptional service as a premier Umpire. 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 over 51 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 granddaughters Emma and Zoe.
Shayne Williams - Advisory Angel
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.
Erica Wickes - Advisory Angel
Erica has over 20 years of experience as a Registered Interior Designer. Her expertise has been engaged on a variety of project sectors, managed all phases of the design and architectural process to hundreds of diverse commercial + residential projects – small and large (from 800 to 1,000,000 square feet).
Her strong sense of design balances with a mix of practical project management and technical skills which has led her to be an industry leader and savvy entrepreneur and business acumen . Erica effortlessly supports various organizations through volunteering her time to what she and the 34F team believes in. Notably, she served two years as President and one year as Vice President of the Interior Designers Institute of British Columbia (IDIBC).
Her strong sense of design balances with a mix of practical project management and technical skills which has led her to be an industry leader and savvy entrepreneur and business acumen . Erica effortlessly supports various organizations through volunteering her time to what she and the 34F team believes in. Notably, she served two years as President and one year as Vice President of the Interior Designers Institute of British Columbia (IDIBC).
Dave Ancrum - Advisory Angel
Dave is the owner and president of A&G Creative Group, a Vancouver-based marketing agency that he co-founded in 1991. As a business owner, he is passionate about meeting new people and nurturing cooperative relationships that contribute to mutual success. He also enjoys working together with his team of creative professionals in developing dynamic brand and marketing strategies to promote other businesses.
Over the years, Dave has relied on a broad range of skills to help him build the company from the ground up and keep it thriving for over 25 years. However, it’s his unwavering optimism that he credits most for his success as an entrepreneur. In a rapidly evolving business environment, Dave is always reinventing himself and looking for positive ways of adapting to change. As part of A&G’s values, Dave and his team believe in the power of giving back. After working with numerous charities over the years, the team is excited to be working with and championing Blanket BC.
Dave is an avid boater, and he embodies his company’s philosophy of a healthy work/life balance by spending time with his Fiancé and their four children. He has coached lacrosse and hockey and is a former member of Canada’s national field hockey team.