Our 50 Year History
Board of Directors
Paro Ray
Board Chair
Paro first started coming to WSFP during the pandemic, and she’s so glad she did! She found her family in Family Place, away from her own family back in India, and learned to navigate (and to relax!) her new role as a mother more confidently. Family Place welcomed her in such a warm way, and guided her through the many invaluable programs offered. When her son joined preschool, and she was no longer a frequent visitor; she still wanted to be connected to the community and organization that helped her in so many ways, and hence decided on joining the Board.
Paro enjoys playing squash, horse riding, and dancing. Paro’s background is in engineering and she has worn many professional hats from a business analyst to a project engineer. She took a career sabbatical in 2015 and traveled for 4 years through India, Central Asia, Western China, and sailed the coast of BC from Vancouver to Alaska on a 32ft sailboat with her husband.
Angela Lam
Treasurer
Angela is an engaged member of the Kitsilano community and supports connections with local organizations for collaboration and contributing to the neighbourhood’s vibrancy. Angela appreciates a strong sense of community involvement and cherishes the bonds, shared experiences, and collective growth that comes with being an integral part of the community’s social fabric. Angela’s professional experience is in financial services and has a background in management, project planning, change management and risk management. Angela has two children actively involved in ice hockey and dance and for fun, Angela enjoys music, traveling and exploring new culinary trends.
Elizabeth Vander Hoeven
Director
Growing up on the west coast led Elizabeth to the hospitality and tourism industry. In her current Human Resources role she builds a welcoming, engaging and supportive culture in her workplace. “As a new parent in a new city WSFP offered connection and stability in a safe and cozy space.” Elizabeth loves a good cup of coffee, listening to podcasts and exploring our city’s beautiful parks and beaches with her two young daughters and husband.
Caileen Romanov
Director
Caileen first attended West Side Family Place’s Mama and Papa Goose when her son was an infant, and quickly came to appreciate its welcoming community. Without nearby relatives, she values the importance of strong community ties and is passionate about supporting others in doing the same. With a background in administration and human resources, Caileen is thrilled to join the Board and give back to a place that has meant so much to her. Outside of her professional life, Caileen enjoys traveling, black tea with milk, seaside walks with her family, and has a strong passion for dance, theatre, and the arts.
Hannah DeJong
Director
Hannah joined the Westside Family Place board in 2023 to give back to the community that supported her so much during her maternity leave. She has been practicing as a civil litigation lawyer since 2017, and became a mom in 2023. Hannah enjoys gardening, hiking, cooking, and cycling.
Ellen Allard
Director
Ellen has lived in Vancouver since 2012 and in the Kitsilano neighbourhood since 2018. As an engineer and project manager, she is excited to bring her professional experience to the Board. Ellen and her husband are parents to a two-year girl and are expecting another child in 2024. WSFP has been an amazing place to meet other parents in the neighbourhood and for her daughter to socialize. Ellen joined the Board to help to give back to the community and to ensure WSFP can be there to support young families for years to come. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors either snowboarding in the winter or hiking and biking in the summer.
Joe Shrestha
Director
Kevin Kao
Director