The United Community Services Co-op has a small staff, operating through its close connections with associates. The Co-op’s staff and associates bring a wide variety of expertise and experience directly contributing to improving the capacity of non-profit organizations.
John Kay – Chief Executive Officer
John is a seasoned and high performing leader with extensive experience in a diverse complement of areas; these include strategy, governance, and operational, financial, and organizational management. He has a proven talent for engaging diverse stakeholders to generate dialogue and implement ideas. Recently, John has engaged in consulting projects focusing on the delivery of corporate strategy, market evaluation, business development and government relations. Projects include an affordable housing start-up and a sustainable landfill remediation technology business.
He has served as Chair of the Board of Directors at Fairtrade Canada since 2006 and is also a Board Member at Fairtrade International (FLO). His past roles have included Executive Director, Corporate Development at Ministry of Advanced Education, Chief Operating Officer/ Executive Director at WE Group of Companies, and Ministerial Assistant at British Columbia Ministry of Finance. He has an MBA from Simon Fraser University, a CMA designation, and enjoys long-distance running in his spare time.
John can be reached by phone at 605-718-8294 or by email at johnkay(at)ucscoop.com.
Alison Marshall – Senior Consultant
As Senior Consultant at the United Community Services Co-op, Alison’s consulting work focuses on organizational assessments, interim leadership, workplace mediation, and facilitation. Her specialty areas include: supporting workplace change, shifting workplace cultures, building strong and resilient staff. Prior to joining the UCS Co-op, Alison worked in the non-profit sector for over twenty years, mostly in child and family services. Alison can be reached by phone at 604-718-6567 or by email at alisonmarshall(at)ucscoop.com.
Barbora Samieian (Farkasova) – Project Manager, Staff Consultant
Barbora manages a variety of the Co-op’s consulting projects including the Vancity Diagnostic process, the Financial Fitness workshop series, and the UCS Co-op’s Financial Modeling Tool Consultation process. Her recent projects have focused on organizational assessments, business planning, and financial modeling tool development. Barbora is an active volunteer in her community, currently volunteering as a Board member with North Shore Community Resources and as a mentor for new immigrants through the YMCA’s Connections program. She can be reached by phone at 604-718-8292 or by email at barborasamieian(at)ucscoop.com.
Greg Lockwood – Research and Business Analyst, Staff Consultant
Greg has been involved in the non-profit sector with several organizations for over four years. In 2009, he completed a Master’s degree in Economics at Simon Fraser University. Greg leads various research projects and develops of an array of modeling, tracking and reporting solutions at UCS Co-op. He is also currently supporting the administration and development of the Co-op’s membership and products. Greg can be reached by phone at 604-718-8292 or by email at greglockwood@ucscoop.com.
Ryan Randhawa – Research and Database Developer/Analyst
Ryan is a Computer Engineering undergraduate student at the University of British Columbia. He is spending a work term at the United Community Services Co-op where he is focusing on research, analysis, and database development for the Co-op’s Sector Research Platform program. He also provides communications support and assistance with office administration. Ryan can be reached by phone at 604-718-8292 or by email at ryanrandhawa@ucscoop.com.