At Victoria Women’s Transition House, we have teams of staff to help support women and children fleeing intimate partner violence and abuse, to support education and advocacy programs and to help run our organization. These include counsellors, victim service workers, prevention educators, fundraising, communications, volunteer and human resources professionals, finance and administrative support. Our Senior Leadership Team consists of our Executive Director, Deputy Director, Finance Director and Development and Communications Director.

Makenna has worked in the non-profit sector for over 30 years, and has a strong commitment to providing critical services to survivors of violence and their families, supporting prevention education and building public awareness. In addition to her great sense of humour and love for the group of people she works with, Makenna brings valuable management skills to VWTH including more than 20 years executive administrative experience in fiscal and risk management and strategic planning. She has worked successfully as a liaison with program partners, community agencies, and funders and recently oversaw a collaboration between VWTH and the Women’s Sexual Assault Centre, which resulted in an administrative consolidation of the leadership structure. As well, Makenna is a General Surveyor for CARF International, an accreditation organization where she is an administrative surveyor and consultant.

Parm has worked in the social services field for most of her career, joining VWTH in 1982, to support abused women and their children. She moved into a leadership role shortly after, and currently serves as the Deputy Director. Her 35 years of commitment, experience and leadership has been invaluable in the development of new programs such as Third Stage Supportive Housing and the Regional Domestic Violence Unit. She is an active member on many working committees, locally and provincially run, working collaboratively in the development of services. Parm’s commitment to working with ‘women for change’ compelled her to continue her dedication with this agency.

Lorelle is a Chartered Professional Accountant with experience in business, government and third sector organizations in Canada, the US and the UK. She holds a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management and Social Policy from the London School of Economics as well as undergraduate degrees in Business and Economics. In addition to over twenty years professional experience in finance and accounting, program management, strategic planning and capacity building in non-profit agencies, Lorelle continues her strong commitment to volunteering in the non-profit sector and has served on many boards as a Treasurer, Director and Chair. Lorelle joined VWTH senior leadership in 2011, and is grateful to support its mission and work.

Susan is honoured to work with the incredible team at VWTH in support of women and children leaving abusive family situations. Trained as a classical ballet dancer in the professional school at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Susan turned her passion for the arts to non-profit income development and has more than 20 years non-profit leadership experience with diverse organizations in communities across Canada in fund and community development, marketing, communications and board and executive management. A graduate of SFU with a degree in business and liberal studies, she has a particular interest in integrated fund development and communications programs. When not working, she enjoys yoga, fitness, cooking and attending performances and concerts. In addition to her work with VWTH, Susan is President of the Board of Directors for Dance Victoria, and consults on a project basis for BC non-profit organizations.