2 minute read
GETTING TO KNOW THE CEO
Mark Gifford, Chief Executive Officer Real Estate Foundation of BC
Mark Gifford
In February, I was thrilled to join the Real Estate Foundation of BC as the new Chief Executive Officer, filling the shoes of Jack Wong who retired in March.
Mark Gifford and former CEO Jack Wong
Yes, despite a couple of coronavirus curve balls, I’m thrilled to be here! I feel very fortunate to be able to join an organization with such an incredible Staff and Board, a provincial scope, a critical and unique mandate, and a broad network of non-profit, academic, industry, and government partners.
I love doing work that helps build healthy, sustainable, and socially just communities. Many of the challenges we face as a society—from Indigenous rights to climate change to economic and social inequality—are rooted in relationships between people and land. One of the main draws to joining the Foundation was its focus on land use and real estate practices and the many ways those practices intersect with equity, sustainability, and inclusion.
After nearly a decade of studying and working in the United States, I came home for an opportunity with Vancouver Foundation. There I led a range of grantmaking and community leadership portfolios, with a focus on environmental sustainability and youth engagement. I’m proud of our Youth Philanthropy Council, Youth Vital Signs, Fresh Voices, and Youth Homelessness/ Fostering Change Initiatives, all examples of young people bringing their experience and voice to changing the systems that shaped their lives.
Home is in New Westminster with my better half, my 11-year-old son, and Gustavo the dog. I’ve been proud to serve as a Trustee on our Board of Education, including 2 years as Chair. I’ve also enjoyed helping coach soccer and host an annual Apple Press Fest that brings hundreds of people together to crush apples, make juice, and meet their neighbours.
My work, education, and life experiences help inform my understanding of place and people, land use and real estate practices, and the ways those interests intersect and overlap.
At REFBC, our Staff and Governors have been keen to strengthen our commitments to reconciliation and social justice and to recognize the importance of addressing systemic racism experienced by indigenous, black, and people of colour.
As with most organizations during this time, we’ve had to adapt to changing operational and financial realities. We’ve had to think and act differently to support our community partners and sustain their work through these tough times. We’ve also been given fresh light on the resilience of communities, the unequal load carried by some, and the resonance of opportunities that create a more fair, just, and sustainable future.
Having spent most of my career closely connected to charitable giving (and the importance of Wills and estate planning), it’s great to see the focus in this issue of The Scrivener!
