Who We are
About
Foundations for Social Change is led by a team with combined expertise in social impact, partnership development, research and policy, behavioural sustainability, organizational management and finance.
Board of Directors
Velma McColl
Board Chair
Velma McColl blends her deep understanding of business, government and policy to create opportunities for her clients. As a Principal in Ottawa, Velma works on a range of economic and social issues including M&A, innovation, energy, environment and emerging technologies. She has been a driving force in the growth and diversification of Earnscliffe’s business.
Prior to joining Earnscliffe in 2004, Velma advised Federal Cabinet Ministers on political strategy, policy and communications. She has also worked provincially in British Columbia and Alberta. She has worked to find creative solutions across federal/provincial/territorial, North American and international boundaries. Her career includes success as an entrepreneur and experience working collaboratively with business, academia, think tanks, not- for-profit organizations and the public sector.
A proud mother and Westerner with twenty years’ experience in Ottawa, Velma studied at the University of British Columbia and the Banff School of Management. She is a co-founder of the Canadian Clean Technology Coalition and Women in GR. She has taken leadership roles with several organizations including Smart Prosperity, the Ryan’s Well Foundation and Ecotrust Canada.
Frans Tjallingii
Co-Founder & Board Member
Frans Tjallingii is the Co-Founder of Foundations for Social Change and Board Member. He has extensive entrepreneurial, organizational leadership, and development and strategy experience in the technology, infrastructure, oil & gas, and marine industries. He is the CEO of 7 Generation Capital, a group that helps accelerate the adoption of medium and heavy-duty electric vehicles. In addition, he actively supports a number of clean technology companies and clean tech incubators as Advisor, Mentor and/or Investor. His career has primarily been in the maritime field serving the oil & gas and port industries globally. Frans is a Director at MeatMe.ca.
Frans has a master’s degree in Marine Biology from the University of Groningen (Groningen, the Netherlands) and a Master of Business Administration from the Rotterdam School of Management (Rotterdam, the Netherlands).
Jacqueline Koerner
Board Member
Jacqueline Koerner consistently brings evidence backed innovative thinking and best practices to support public benefit, in charitable organizations and in social enterprises. She is a Fellow in the Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue, Simon Fraser University. She is a founder, and director of Ecotrust Canada; co-Vice-Chair, CIFAR (Toronto) and a director of 3 private foundations. Her work experience includes public and private foundation grant-making; microfinance in low income countries and in Canada; and doctoral research (UBC PhD, Geography) examining the charitable programs/social enterprises of BRAC (Bangladesh), the world’s top ranked NGO. She is driven by a belief that understanding is the start, collaboration is key, and that people in the places they call home matter.
She served as a Director and Vice-Chair of Ecotrust (Portland, OR), 1994-2005, and as an inaugural Advisory Committee member of UBC’s Museum of Anthropology, 2007-2014. She is a wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, friend and colleague who can nearly always be found drinking coffee, in her vegetable garden, hiking, or reading.
Natalie Michael
Board Member
Natalie Michael has over two decades of experience coaching CEOs through various stages of their careers. She has a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced in the C-Suite. As the chair of CEO forums with members leading organizations ranging from $10 million to $6 billion, she has cultivated a vast network and facilitated valuable peer-to-peer learning experiences.
Her expertise extends to chairing the Vancouver Group for Tiger 21, a peer group for ultra-high-net-worth individuals focused on wealth stewardship and family legacy planning. Through her consulting practice, she works with select clients committed to developing their leaders and CEO succession strategy, resulting in career advancement for CEO candidates, increased business value, and successful exits with industry-leading multiples.
Her passion for social change and business as a force for good is reflected in her board membership with Foundations for Social Change and her founding of the first social purpose-oriented CEO forum with Mackay CEO Forums. She has a Master's in Organizational Development, a BA in Psychology, and she is a certified executive and team coach, as well as a Master Certified Forum Chair. She is also the co-author of Your CEO Succession Playbook: How to Pass the Torch so Everyone Wins.
Mike harris
Board Member
Mike is a business advisor and board leader with a focus on financial leadership, governance and risk management, and ESG in particular. In his 38-year career with PwC, he had the opportunity to work with some of their most significant clients across a variety of industries. In addition to leading the ESG practice nationally and the Risk practice in BC, Mike was on the Board of PwC and was Board Chair for 4 years towards the end of his career with the firm. He was also responsible for the development and operation of PwC Canada's Net Zero program
Mike continues to work with PwC as an advisor and focuses his remaining efforts on making an impact in the community through board and not-for-profit work. He's on the Board of CPA Canada's Auditing and Assurance Standards Board and Chair of the Sustainability Assurance Committee - setting the future ESG auditing standards in Canada. He's a founding board member of the Capture Photography Festival and Finance Committee Chair of JWest Corp, responsible for the major 200,000 square foot real estate development in Vancouver for the future redeveloped Jewish Community Centre; and a second phase to redevelop the King David High School and mixed-use housing project for the community.
Mike is an avid hiker, tennis player, and enjoys photography, travel, and playing the drums to his diverse jazz record collection.
BEIER CAI
Board Member
Beier Cai is an experienced technology entrepreneur, executive, investor, and advisor. He is currently the co-founder and CTO at Commit Solutions, a global talent distribution platform bringing world-class technology talents and world-changing startups together.
CHRISTINA LABARCA
Development Consultant
Christina Labarca is the Development Consultant at Foundations for Social Change (FSC). Their mission of taking a bold, innovative approach to addressing social change is what inspired her to join the team at FSC, and to support their fundraising efforts.
Over the years, Christina has fundraised, volunteered and supported numerous local and international charitable organizations. She is passionate about giving back to the community, as well as connecting people to causes they care about. Christina holds a BA in Adult Education and a Masters of Philanthropy & Nonprofit Leadership from Carleton University.
Outside of the office, Christina loves travelling, spending time with family and friends, and enjoying outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking and biking.
AFRA Boissevain
Director of Projects
Afra Boissevain is the Director of Projects at Foundations for Social Change, where she leverages her experience in community solidarity work and academic research to champion innovative approaches to social issues. Afra has worked with a range of charities and community health organizations in Canada and France. She holds an MA in Women & Gender Studies (specialty in Sexual Diversity Studies) from the University of Toronto.
As Director of Projects, Afra collaborates with researchers, frontline staff, and the FSC core team to develop measurable, scientifically-based solutions to homelessness that are informed by lived experience.
A lifelong artist and voracious reader, when Afra isn’t working, she can be found parenting her two young children, painting, reading, or lifting weights.
Brenda Hernandez
Office Coordinator
Brenda Hernandez brings a systems-thinking approach to her role as Office Coordinator at Foundations for Social Change. With a background in executive assistance, she excels at supporting senior executives and cross-functional teams, managing complex and confidential tasks with professionalism and care. Brenda oversees daily operations across HR, finance, and administration, providing organizational and strategic support. Her responsibilities include calendar management, expense reporting, operations coordination, and contributing to strategic planning. She fosters strong relationships and promotes seamless communication and collaboration across all levels of the organization.
If you can’t find her at her desk, she’s probably catching a plane to her next adventure, always in search of the best food.
KAITLYN STEWART
Research and Development Coordinator
Kaitlyn is the Research and Development Coordinator at Foundations for Social Change. Her diverse work experience and educational background have provided her a strong foundation for tackling this role. She has held various roles in the community from overdose prevention and harm reduction to research and advocacy. She is a UBC alum having studied in the areas of psychology and interpersonal development. Kaitlyn is passionate about community development, and working with vulnerable populations, especially women and single moms.
When she isn’t in the office or meeting with participants, you can find her hiking the local North Shore mountains, attending various concerts, or cozying up with a good book!
RESEARCH TEAM
RESEARCH TEAM
DR. JIAYING ZHAO
Principal Investigator & Professor, UBC
Dr. Jiaying Zhao is a Canada Research Chair and Professor in the Department of Psychology and the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability at the University of British Columbia. She uses psychological principles to design behavioural solutions to address financial and environmental sustainability challenges. Her paper “Poverty Impedes Cognitive Function”, published along with several colleagues in Science, drew significant attention from such media outlets at the New York Times, Associated Press, Washington Post, NBC, and TIME magazine.
Dr. Zhao earned her PhD from Princeton University in Cognitive Psychology and has a master’s in Cognitive Psychology (Princeton) and a master’s in Cognitive Science (University College Dublin). She is the current Canada Research Chair in Behavioural Sustainability and is a Researcher with the Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability.
In 2015, she received the BX Award for Outstanding Research which recognizes outstanding research in the behavioural sciences and policy combining originality, rigour, a demonstrated or potential practical application, and the potential for lasting impact. Most recently, Dr. Zhao has received research grants in the areas of climate change, sustainability in US forestry, and COVID-19.
Dr. Zhao led the research portion of the New Leaf Project. She became interested in studying how direct cash transfers can contribute to individual development in people experiencing homelessness in developed countries and recognized the high likelihood of success from this innovative approach.
ANITA PALEPU
Advisor, Professor of Medicine, University of British Columbia
Anita Palepu, MD, MPH, FRCPC, MACP is the Providence Health Care Head of Medicine and a Professor and Eric Hamber Chair of Medicine at the University of British Columbia. She is a General Internal Medicine Specialist and conducts her research at the Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences. Dr. Palepu has a research program that falls under the broad umbrella of urban health research with particular interest in populations who are vulnerable to poor health outcomes such as individuals who experience homelessness and persons who use substances. She is passionate about health advocacy and is an associate editor for the Annals of Internal Medicine.
KENNETH ONG
Research Project Manager
Ken Ong is the Research Project Manager at Foundations for Social Change and is passionate about supporting vulnerable populations and implementing large-scale change. He has been involved since the early stages of the New Leaf Project and is currently a Medical Student at the University of British Columbia. Prior to this, Ken has held a variety of roles including in the Provincial Health Service Authority (PHSA) and as a crisis line call taker.
As Project Manager with FSC, Ken has played a key role in developing and implementing processes to organize and support project operations.
Par Pishrobat
Data Manager
As Data Manager, Par oversees the integrity and accuracy of data collection and performs research analysis to infer the objectives of the New Leaf Study Project. Par is a PhD student at UBC, Department of Statistics. His research focus is on emulating dynamical systems through statistical modelling. His work is currently applied to environmental problems such as flood forecasting and understanding land use change but has application in other areas such as finance and engineering. Outside work and school, he enjoys watching movies, reading books, and spending time in nature, either hiking or camping.
co-founder
CLAIRE WILLIAMS
Co-Founder
Claire Elizabeth Williams is a social impact entrepreneur and values-driven leader passionate about new beginnings. In 2016, she co-founded Foundations for Social Change (FSC) and served as the driving force behind the New Leaf Project—North America’s first direct-giving pilot for people experiencing homelessness. The initiative gained global recognition for its bold, evidence-based approach to restoring dignity and trust through unconditional cash transfers.
Today, Claire is the Co-Founder & CEO of Laylio, a career transition and community platform that transforms layoffs into opportunities for clarity, connection, and growth. She also serves as Chief Purpose Officer at Greater Purpose, where she brings together social impact leaders to advance business as a force for good.
Claire’s commitment to transformation is both professional and personal. Through life’s unexpected turns, she discovered the power of believing in one another—and the possibility within every turning point. These insights continue to shape her leadership and fuel a commitment to reimagining systems—with compassion and an unwavering belief in what’s possible.
Her work has been recognized widely, including being named one of Canada’s Top 25 Women of Influence™ and one of The Future of Good’s 21 Founders to Watch. Based on Canada’s west coast, Claire finds inspiration hiking, sailing, and sharing good food with the people she loves.
knowledge philanthropists
max isakov
Flora Yang
IVAN CHIANG
JANICE MA
JEFFREY WONG
JOHN HWANG
JOHN KIM
Lukas Guderjahn
Hani Lee
Jan görge
Richard muller
SARAH KEATING
Shoshana coodin
Christy keung
Marlon Espinosa
Ambassador program
Our Ambassador Program is made up of participants and leaders from the New Leaf Project. It is our critical first step towards equitable and inclusive community engagement. Through this program, we aim to ensure that the expertise of people with lived experience is recognized and that their input is included in our ongoing work.
Our Mission
We develop radical innovations that are scientifically based, informed by lived experience, and guided by compassion.
Our Story
Learn about our story and what inspires our work.
Get Involved
Join us! Donate, volunteer, partner, or fundraise and help us make meaningful change.
Believe in Someone
Make a meaningful impact for vulnerable people in your community. Be a part of our bold and proven movement.