IMAGINE CANADA
Biographies of Candidates for Election
June 2, 2007
To be elected for a three-year term:
Punch Jackson, Edmonton AB
Punch Jackson’s career has spanned the public, private and nonprofit sectors, with an
emphasis on active living, recreation, volunteerism, youth development and libraries. In
his current role Mr. Jackson oversees Libraries, Community & Voluntary Sector Services
for the Alberta government where he is also responsible for the Wild Rose Foundation.
His extensive volunteer work has included hands-on roles as a coach and School Council
Chair as well as directorships with the Canadian Camping Association, the Skills
Program and Media Awareness. Mr. Jackson is currently a Director of Imagine Canada,
and is a member of the Board’s Library Committee.
Vanessa Reid, Montreal, QC
Vanessa Reid has focused her career on building healthy, vital communities locally and
internationally at the grassroots and through corporate, political and public policy
avenues. As a researcher, filmmaker and communicator Ms. Reid is sought after for her
creative insights into social innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship and group
potential and transformation. The Montreal-based social service organization she
founded, Santropol Roulant, operates as a Living Lab, engaging young people in
community using food as a vehicle to break isolation between the generations and to
strengthen and nourish community. Ms. Reid is currently a Director of Imagine Canada
and is a member of the Board’s Library and Public Policy Committees.
Faye Wightman, President and CEO, Vancouver Foundation, Vancouver, BC
A harbinger of B.C.’s non-profit community, Faye Wightman is the President and CEO
of Vancouver Foundation, Canada’s largest community foundation.
Faye joined the Foundation from the University of Victoria, where she served as Vice
President, External Relations for two years. As president of the B.C. Children’s Hospital
Foundation she oversaw a 650% increase in revenue during her fourteen year tenure, and
led the marketing efforts that saw the Foundation be the first non-profit organization to
win the Marketer of the Year award from the B.C. chapter of the American Marketing
Association.
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Faye has always been involved in the not for profit sector through a career working for
organizations in higher education, health care, the Canadian Red Cross, United Way of
the Lower Mainland and through a career in nursing.
As an advocate for volunteerism, Faye’s own volunteer endeavours have not only helped
enrich communities, advance health care and further education, they have helped shape
the province’s philanthropic landscape. Faye is one of Canada’s true leaders in
philanthropy, sharing her insights and anecdotes on the power of philanthropy to
strengthen our communities and help shape public policy.
R.H. (Dick) Wilson, Calgary, AB
R.H. (Dick) Wilson retired in May 2006 after 38 years in the communications business in
Alberta. He began his career as city editor of one of Calgary’s daily newspapers
followed by in-house communications roles in the petrochemical, coal, electricity and oil
and gas industries along with agency experience. Mr. Wilson’s most recent positions
were Vice-President Public Affairs and Advisor, Office of the President, EnCana
Corporation. He is also a director of several Alberta-based community service
organizations including Alberta’s Promise, the Child and Family Services Authority
(Calgary Region), Manning Awards Foundation, and Mount Royal College Foundation.
Mr. Wilson is a currently a Director of Imagine Canada and Chair of the Board’s
Development Committee.
James W. Wright, Vancouver, BC
James W. Wright, General Director of Vancouver Opera (VO) since 1999, has led the
company’s efforts to eliminate its deficit, build an accumulated surplus, and increase
endowments, ticket sales, and private contributions. During Mr. Wright’s tenure, the
company has presented six company premieres, including 2004’s highly-acclaimed Der
Rosenkavalier. In 2007 the company unveiled its highly-praised First Nations-infused
Magic Flute, a three-year collaborative effort with BC’s First Nations community.
VO commissioned an opera for youth based on Joy Kogawa's Naomi's Road, which has
been performed in schools across BC, in Seattle, southern Alberta and at the Canadian
War Museum. VO has commissioned an opera by John Estacio and John Murrell and is
announcing another commissioned work, both slated to premiere in 2010.
During his tenure, VO initiated its highly successful Community Forums and Opera
Speaks programmes, and introduced “Music! Words! Opera!,” a curriculum-based
program; the company presents more than 140 in-school performances annually
throughout BC. Mr. Wright has served as General Director of Opera Carolina and
General Manager of Anchorage Opera. He is a director of Opera.ca and a past board
member of OPERA America and the Vancouver Planning Commission.
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