Ruth has worked with children in Alberta and BC for over 20 years in various capacities, including teaching visual arts in public and private schools, working as a birth and postpartum doula, and supporting new families in their homes. She has four grown children, and a fur baby (dog). In her spare time, Ruth enjoys knitting, hiking in beautiful BC and watching British dramas.

Diane joined the Richmond Family Place team in 2018. She has been an Early Childhood Educator since 2007 working in various roles and capacities in the ECE field. She has known since an early age that she had a passion with working and teaching children and knew this is what she wanted to do. Diane strongly believes that learning should always be fun, and she loves finding new ways to motivate and excite children into loving to learn. When given time and opportunities, children can do amazing things! In her spare time, you can find her crafting, outside gardening, refurbishing or building something, or having movie marathons and game nights with her family.

Valerie joined Richmond Family Place in 2021, after volunteering in the thrift store for several years. She has a background in business and marketing, as well as office administration. Valerie speaks French and English. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and travelling.

Rachel has supported families in Richmond since 2013 through her work at Richmond Family Place. While studying at Simon Fraser University, Rachel completed a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminology. Rachel enjoys travelling, trying new restaurants and spending time outdoors!

Stephy grew up in the southern part of China and received her Bachelor’s degree from the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts. She completed a three-year Early Child Care Education diploma program at Vancouver Community College and got her ECE/IT/SN certificate in 2024. With over four years of experience in teaching and leadership roles at both profit and nonprofit childcare centers, she has gained lots of knowledge in child development, curriculum planning, and providing practical guidance and support to families with young children.

Stephy has a passion for working with children and their families. As a mother of two boys, she enjoys hiking, biking, and camping with them. She is excited to start her new role as a family support worker at Richmond Family Place and looks forward to collaborating with the new team!

Emily loves being around kids and helping people. She has been with Richmond Family Place since 2017. She started as a Peer Support Worker and in 2019 she became a Family Support Worker. She has a background is in psychology. She is always open to learn new things in order to support families and children better. Emily can speak both speak English and Spanish fluently. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family and going to the beach.

Cecilia has a degree in Business Management with a major in Tourism.

Cecilia learned about RFP 18 years ago when she started taking her first daughter to our Play & Learn programs. Shortly after, she started volunteering with RFP for a few years and later on joined RFP’s team as a Parent Support Worker.

Cecilia is passionate about developing connections, serving, orienting, and supporting families in their day to day family life.

Lyka joined Richmond Family Place in 2022 as a practicum student and volunteer as part of her Social Services diploma. She is passionate about building meaningful connections with families and fostering a supportive community. Her key advocacies include child and youth welfare, animal welfare, and promoting cultural competence in social services. In her spare time, Lyka enjoys spending quality time with her family and her dog, Loaffie.

Crazila started working with children and families in 2014. She has lived in Canada since 2005. Crazila’s background is in journalism, covering special needs and social matters. She enjoys writing, reading and walking with her family.

Christine Woodington is the Corporate Accountant at Coal Island Ltd., an Asset Management company.  She is a CPA, CGA, recipient of the CPA BC Distinguished Service award and CPA Member Ambassador award, given in recognition of her service to the profession as a volunteer to the CPA Chapters, Mentor Advisory Board and as a CPA Ambassador.  She is currently the chair of the CPA Richmond South Delta Chapter and speaks at different events around the Lower Mainland sharing tips on networking and financial literacy.

She started bringing her daughter to Richmond Family Place in 2022, attended the Baby Babble program, and met many moms that occasionally meet up to share their stories and advice.

When she is not volunteering or working you can find her singing the anthems at baseball games or teaching a group fitness class as a certified BCRPA Fitness Leader.

With 24 years engaging in community development, Sherry still marvels at the good things that happen when possibility-minded people gather together. Sherry is a Certified Health and Life Coach, empowering clients to find lasting transformation in their lives. As the Director of Programs and Services for the Federation of Community Social Services of BC, the team engages and supports leaders to serve families of all ages across BC.
In her previous role as Executive Director at the Family Resource Programs of BC, Sherry shared a Statement of Reconciliation, spoke on Reconciliation, developed and instructed curriculum including for Reconciliation in Action. “Reconciliation is here now and stands with outstretched hands to you and to me. Find someone today and have a conversation about reconciliation” Sherry Sinclair TEDx Chilliwack, 2017, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfsvLgaYz-Y

Sherry holds a Master’s of Education Curriculum and Instruction, Health and Active Living and a Family Resource Program Certificate.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherry-sinclair-a8087851/

Ahmed El-Alem, a proud resident of Richmond since 2001, is a dedicated professional with a strong passion for the well-being of families in his community. He has embarked on a recent journey to contribute to Richmond’s vibrant community which has instilled in him a profound understanding of the diverse needs and challenges that families face today.

Ahmed is an alumnus of Kwantlen Polytechnic University, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in accounting. Since then, he has pursued a dynamic career path within the field, currently serving as a Manager at Provision CPA, a local accounting firm based in Richmond. However, Ahmed firmly believes that genuine success is not solely defined by professional achievements but also by one’s capacity to give back to the community that has nurtured them. Fueled by a steadfast determination to make a positive impact, he is eager to leverage his education and professional expertise for the betterment of Richmond Family Place.

In his leisure time, Ahmed leads an active lifestyle, immersing himself in the beauty of BC’s outdoors and exploring new restaurants and cuisines alongside his wife.

Clement is a new board member for Richmond Family Place, and he’s excited to join a community he sincerely cares about. As a dad, he knows how important it is for families to feel at home—a belief that drives his own work being a Real Estate Advisor & Property Manager. He’s passionate about helping people find a place they can truly belong, making the process as smooth as possible.

His career, which has included everything from security to hospitality, has taught him that the best way to get things done is by listening and connecting with people. He believes building strong relationships is the key to creating a supportive community, and he’s looking forward to bringing that approach to the board.

When he’s not working, Clement is a big fan of “dad humor,” the kind that makes everyone groan. He also enjoys playing basketball, practicing Muay Thai, and, most importantly, exploring the world with his daughter. He’s honored to be able to give back to an organization that has been so meaningful to his own family.

As both an educator and a parent, Lesley Wong is committed to supporting families and young children. She holds an MA and is completing a PhD in Curriculum Studies at the University of British Columbia, where her research focuses on educational technology and learning across the lifespan. Her experience includes developing learner-centered approaches, facilitating workshops for educators, and contributing to projects on culturally sustaining pedagogy, inquiry-based learning, and blended learning.

Lesley is fueled by childhood experiences volunteering with her grandparents’ clan association in Vancouver’s Chinatown, where she learned the importance of community and connection. She carries these lessons forward in her work with Richmond Family Place, helping it thrive as a welcoming hub where families can connect, access resources, and build community during their children’s early years.

In her spare time, she enjoys the outdoors, skiing, and time with her friends and family.

Emily is a dedicated professional with a unique blend of experience in both marketing and accounting. Emily holds a Master’s degree in Communication and has a strong background in event planning, social media management, and content creation. Her passion for community service was ignited early in her career, where she played a key role in fundraising for children with special needs, securing partnerships that made a real difference.

Having moved to Richmond several years ago, Emily has become deeply involved in the community, frequently visiting Richmond Family Place with her toddler. Her personal connection to RFP fuels her passion for its mission to support families and build strong community foundations.

In her free time, she enjoys hiking, reading, and exploring playgrounds with her daughter.

Teresa is a public servant with over 16 years of public sector experience in the areas of immigration, post-secondary education, and grants and contribution administration. In her current role as a Senior Business Officer working for the Government of Canada, she collaborates with various community organizations, many of which provide support for immigrants, women, and families. Teresa holds a Master of Arts in Asia Pacific Policy Studies and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, as well as a Certificate in Business Management.

Teresa first became aware of the programs offered by the Richmond Family Place when she became a mom in 2019. Now, as a mom of two young children, she is dedicated to giving back to the community organization that has supported her family over the years.

In her spare time, Teresa enjoys playing the piano, working on art projects, baking, and exploring the city with her husband and kids.