Team

Vandana Varshney Lecky was born and raised in Vancouver. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia and was a Senior Investment Advisor at Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management for 19 years. She has served on the Board of Governors at York House School, a leading independent school for girls. She has been a 3 year member of the Alumni UBC Achievement Awards committee honouring inspiring individuals from the UBC community. Vandana has been providing her fundraising expertise to Cause We Care Foundation since its inception. She is married with three children and is committed to service and giving back to community in which she lives.

Kelly LaVallie is a CPA with over 25 years of experience. After obtaining a Bachelor of Commerce from UBC, she began her career in Vancouver and then spent 10 years in Calgary working and raising five kids in a blended family. She returned to Vancouver in 2014 and enjoys balancing career, family and giving back. Kelly feels personally connected to the challenges faced by single moms as she and her mom were on their own when she was a little one and her husband was raised exclusively by the women of his family.

Annabel Hawksworth founded Vancouver-based Hawksworth Communications in 2006. Launching her career in London, UK, Annabel moved to Vancouver in 2000, where she completed a six-year tenure as Communications Director with BC’s leading Top Table Restaurant Group. Annabel now heads up one of the most respected PR firms in the city. Annabel is honoured to join the board of Cause We Care and to support such a valid and meaningful cause that resonates with so many mothers from all walks of life. There’s a lot to be said for the old saying “it takes a village to raise a child” and Cause We Care helps improve the lives of many living in our community.

Jennifer Archer is a partner with Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, a national law firm. Jennifer moved to Vancouver from Saskatchewan in 2001 and has been practicing corporate/commercial law for over 15 years. Her practice focuses on private companies, mergers and acquisitions and public procurement. As the mother of two school-aged children, Jennifer highly values the work of Cause We Care and is dedicated to its goals.

Anita is a lawyer and former Crown prosector for the provincial Ministry of Justice. Her 26 years of experience working at all levels of the criminal justice system have given her a deep appreciation of the particularly harmful impact that cycles of poverty, physical and sexual abuse, and addiction have on women. Anita has a long standing respect for the work that Cause We Care does to break these cycles and empower women. Having left B.C.‘s Prosecution Service in 2016, Anita continues to be active in legal work related to womens’ equality rights and advocacy training.

Nancy Hill is an established retailer with extensive community outreach experience. Born and raised in Vancouver, Nancy earned a Bachelor's degree from Queen's University and returned to Vancouver to join the family run business, Hill's of Kerrisdale. Since this time, Nancy has expanded the family business with three additional companies; Blue Ruby Jewellery, Hill's Dry Goods and Ray Rickburn. In 2013, Nancy partnered with Cause We Care by designing the signature Cause We Care bracelets with 100% of the proceeds being donated to the Foundation. Nancy lives in Vancouver with her two children.

Michelle first joined Cause We Care’s board of directors in 2015 serving as a Member at Large and Director of Outreach. After stepping off for a year Michelle rejoined our board in 2022. Michelle is passionate about connecting with the frontline organizations we serve and is a vital member of our Outreach Committee. Michelle lives in North Vancouver and loves exploring the outdoors.

Shannon has been a leader for two decades in empowering the lives of women and children in our community. Formerly the Director, Family Services for the YWCA in Metro Vancouver, Shannon is versed in the challenges and struggles faced by single mothers living in poverty. She currently serves on several boards including BabyGoRound and Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland’s Honourary Advisory Board. Her degree in Masters of Education in Counselling Psychology from UBC underscores her dedication to understanding complex issues and leading non-profit organizations in the execution of programs and deliverables. With a notably passionate track record and robust tenure within organizations she brings strategic direction and leadership to Cause We Care Foundation. Shannon lives in Vancouver with her husband and three children.

Born and raised in Vancouver, Caroline has been our General Manager since 2015, overseeing daily operations and implementing growth and development strategies. Under Caroline’s management, Cause We Care has made a positive impact on the lives of single mothers and children by promoting the delivery of funds and activities within the Foundation. Caroline is a graduate of UBC and has a background in philanthropy having worked with the Rick Hansen Foundation along with the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation for many years. As a true West Coast local, she can be found pursuing her passions such as running, skiing and Pilates. She lives in Vancouver with her husband and two children.