ABOUT US
MEET THE EXECUTIVE
One of the highlights of our Annual General Meeting — besides a delicious assortment of fresh baked muffins — is the election our volunteer Board of Directors. These executives are nominated either by a previous board member, or by two or more LOUD business members in good standing for a period of two or more years.
JOIN OUR BOARD
We're always keen to hear from people who'd like to get involved. Whether you'd like to apply to join the board or volunteer on a committee, get in touch.
ABOUT OUR BOARD
During the year the board has the authority to replace or add executives at its discretion. Executives on the Board of Directors agree to the following:
- Volunteer their time to work in the best interest of LOUD Business and its members
- Exercise reasonable care and diligence in carrying out their fiduciary responsibilities
- Sit for a term of two years to provide continuity
- Nominate their replacement upon conclusion of their term.
THE CURRENT BOARD (2019/2020)
After MC'ing the LOUD Gala in 2018, Rhiannon knew she was destined to be involved with the Board. Rhiannon comes to LOUD with a long list of volunteerism from the sports world, including managing a women's division 1 soccer team, captaining for the GranFond, and organizing youth events with Equal Play. Rhiannon unwinds by dancing with Luminesque Dance, where she began the R.E.D Rewarding and Empowering Dancers Scholarship in 2019, walking in the woods with her fiance, Tony, and hanging out with her newly adopted rescue cats, Bangers & Mash! When Rhiannon is not giving back to the community, she runs a successful real estate practice in the Lower Mainland --The Red Door Homes Group -- specializing in Transitional Real Estate. To enhance the work she does, she holds her SRES (Seniors Real Estate Specialist) Designation and is a Certified Transition Coach. |
Gina Best is business coach. She launched and grew a multi-million dollar mortgage brokerage in British Columbia, Canada. She knows how to build a business, run a business, and grow a business. Gina believes a business can only be as successful as the person at the helm is happy. And it is hard to be happy when you’re neck deep in business mayhem. She knows, because she built her business at the expense of herself for a long time. She thought she had it all. She owned a successful mortgage brokerage, had two great, thriving kids, a nice home, a loving husband, kind friends. However, she was miserable. “IS THIS IT?!” she belted out? She wanted more out of her career, her business, her friendships, her marriage, her life. So, she leapt (it was really scary) and made some changes. BIG changes. It was terrifying and exhilarating. She locked in on what she loved most in the world and made that happen. Now, she does the same for other entrepreneurs who are at the same junction. |
Why move away when you have all this beauty in your back yard? Thomas, a born and raised Vancouverite got his start in the accounting profession shortly after graduating from Langara with his diploma in Accounting. Not one to be idle, Thomas recently completed his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Queens Continuing Distance Education program while working full time. His next challenge is obtaining his CPA designation. Losing several family members far too early in their lives, Thomas began looking into all-natural products to help support his own health and wellness goals. This led him to start his own company Quayside Wellness in partnership with a well know health and wellness product provider. That partnership grew in 2017 as the company he partnered with merged with another company to allow a larger product base. Quayside Wellness can offer health and wellness products that range from Core Supplements, Fitness Supplements, Essential Oils, and all-natural beauty products. His newest endeavour is providing business solutions to small business owners and entrepreneurs (solopreneurs) that will help them increase brand awareness and sales, as well as increase their client base through customer appreciation and referrals. These solutions are effective, efficient and cost conscious. Quayside Business Solutions will officially be launched this year. Thomas loves to try new restaurants, traveling to his bucket list destinations, and spending time with friends over a good meal or cup of Java.
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GABRIEL CONTRERAS
| Gabriel is a Registered Clinical Counsellor, and Adlerian Psychotherapist with Clear Counselling. He works with the LGBTQ+ identified individuals providing:
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KATE MADDEN | Kate Madden grew up in East Vancouver and has recently relocated back to the old neighborhood after almost two decades in Alberta. She is a supporter of small and local businesses especially Queer owned enterprises. Kate has a background in financial services with a focus on business development and has worked with some of Western Canada's largest employers. She is passionate about community and, in the past, has volunteered with the Alberta LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce as well as a mentor for Gender and Sexually diverse youth in Calgary. |
Charlene Prevatt, formerly of Plane Creative, joins the board of the GLBA. Charlene comes to the board with extensive non-profit experience in Canada, Serbia, and North Macedonia. An erstwhile Albertan, Charlene came to Vancouver to work on the 2010 Winter Games. After getting a taste for the city, Charlene became the Business Director of Plane Creative, a boutique graphic design firm. Working with Plane Creative gave her a solid understanding of small business and the growing gig economy. Charlene left the company in 2018 and returned to her roots in Event Operations. Charlene finds herself in the lesbian enclave of Mount Pleasant with her wife and their two cats. Charlene has a passion for supporting other LGBTQIA2S+ entrepreneurs in the Vancouver Market. |
OTHER WAYS TO GET INVOLVEDSee Get Involved for more ways to be part of LOUD. |