On September 9, 2009, a panel of experienced sector experts and special guests from the HR Council for the Voluntary & Non-profit Sector joined the Next Leaders Network for a conversation on career development.  The HR Council shared their research on the sector, knowledge of what types of careers are available, and their Tapping into the Talents of Early Career Employees initiative. We also heard from local not-for-profit leaders about how their careers developed. 

The panel included:

Janet Austin
CEO - Vancouver YWCA

As CEO of the Vancouver YWCA, Janet Austin has overall responsibility for one of BC's largest and most diversified non-profit organizations, offering services for 53,000 people annually in more than 30 locations throughout Metro Vancouver. The YWCA has an annual operating budget of about $17 million, 350 employees, and more than 400 volunteers.

Prior to joining the YWCA of Vancouver, Janet served as Executive Director of Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland. She has also served as Director of Development Services for BC Housing, where she oversaw the development of the Province's social housing for seniors and families, as well as transition housing, homeless shelters, and group homes for people with disabilities.

Janet is a recipient of the Vancouver Board of Trade Community Leadership Award, the Queen's Jubilee Medal and the Big Sisters "Big Heart" Award for outstanding contribution by a volunteer. In 2008, she was named to the WXN (Women's Executive Network) list of Canada's 100 Most Powerful Women.

Maureen Kellerman
Project Manager - HR Council for the Voluntary and Non-profit Sector

Since 1992, Maureen has worked with national organizations, most recently with the HR Council for the Voluntary & Non-profit Sector and United Way of Canada. Maureen's work has included project management, policy development, Board development, research, and the creation of tools and reports. Maureen lives in Ottawa and is the mother of two young adult daughters.

Kevin Millsip
Executive Director - Check Your Head

Kevin’s passion is the intersection between environment and social justice. He is currently the Coordinator for Sustainability with the Vancouver School Board and the Director of Next Up, a leadership program for next generation social change leaders. He is a co-founded of both Check Your Head which has worked with over 40,000 young people to get involved in global issues and Get Your Vote On which has registered 20,000 new voters in BC. He has also served as a Trustee on the Vancouver School Board where he drafted one of Canada’s strongest policies protecting students from advertising in schools, worked to increase student involvement in the School Board and began a project called Sustainable Schools which is now working with Vancouver schools to implement climate change action plans.

Minna Schendlinger
Managing Director - PuSh International Performing Arts Festival Society

Minna began her career in the cultural arts in Vancouver as the Volunteer Coordinator for the Vancouver Folk Music Festival. She held that position each year until she was contracted as the temporary Operations Manager for the festival. Minna also worked each fall on short-term full time contract with the Vancouver International Writers & Readers Festival as Volunteer Coordinator and coordinated volunteers for First Night 2000 and the World of Children's Choirs 2001.

Minna is also currently the president of the Board of the Alliance for Arts & Culture, vice-president of the Board of the Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards Society and a sitting member of the professional advisory committee of the Vancouver Community College School of Music.

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