SOBC Board of Directors welcomes new leadership for 2025-26
Special Olympics BC’s Board of Directors provides vital guidance for our organization and movement, and SOBC benefits significantly from the efforts of these valued volunteers.
At the Special Olympics BC Annual General Meeting in September 2025, the Board of Directors elected new leaders on the Executive, all dedicated to empowering athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the province.
NLK Strategies Founder and President Nicola Lambrechts was elected as Chair, generously taking on the role after six years as a Director and two as Vice Chair. Lambrechts has been a Special Olympics BC volunteer for more than 20 years, generously sharing her expertise in a range of leadership and communications roles to support athletes and further the movement.
Cassels Partner Jen Hansen was elected as Vice Chair, bringing three years of experience as an SOBC Director and many more as a valued leader on the organizing committee for the Sports Celebrities Festival presented by Wheaton Precious Metals. Cassels is a generous sponsor of multiple SOBC fundraising events and Hansen is an experienced and insightful partner in their Capital Markets Group.
Recently retired Grant Thornton Partner Colin Yakashiro was elected to return to the role of Treasurer. Yakashiro has served as a Director for more than a decade, and provided insightful and caring Board leadership as Chair from 2023 to 2025.
Wheaton Precious Metals President & CEO Randy Smallwood, a longtime champion of Special Olympics who has served as a valued Director for nearly 15 years, was re-elected to the role of Past Chair. Wheaton Precious Metals is a valued SOBC provincial sponsor and SOBC Hall of Fame member.
MoneyTalks Host and Publisher Michael Campbell was re-elected as Secretary, generously continuing to serve on the Board after more than 20 years as a valued Director. Campbell is an insightful economic leader who is passionate about making a difference for athletes with intellectual disabilities. He is a member of the SOBC Hall of Fame as a vital Provincial Builder.
Special Olympics BC is fortunate to have these valued leaders and their fellow Directors:
- Brent Bergeron, Pan American Silver Corp. Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs & Sustainability
- Donna Bilous, SOBC Leadership Council Chair and SOBC Hall of Fame member
- Ted Hirst, Canaccord Genuity Corp. Managing Director, Investment Banking - Global Head of Resources, and SOBC Hall of Fame member
- Pamela Keith, Dueck Auto Group Co-owner and SOBC Hall of Fame member
- Kirsten McElgunn, Prospera Credit Union Chief Product & Strategy Officer
- Katie Stevens, Talk Shop Media Managing Partner
- Leslie Ogston (Stevens), BC Law Enforcement Torch Run Provincial Director, Port Moody Police Department Deputy Chief Constable
- Matthew Williams, SOBC Athlete Input Council Chair and SOBC Hall of Fame member
- Randip Janda, Hockey Night in Canada Punjabi & Sportsnet host, Multi Platform & Multilingual Host & Content Creator
- Jamie Switzer, Senior Investment Advisor, The Switzer Group | Canaccord Genuity Corp.
Heartfelt thanks to all of these dedicated volunteers who help lead our movement with wisdom, caring, and passion for empowering athletes with intellectual disabilities!