At the Real Estate Foundation of BC, we’re excited to welcome Sherry Yano to our staff team.

As the Director of Grants and Community Engagement, Sherry will lead our grants team, build on our grantmaking and community engagement strategies, and work to strengthen relationships with partners in the community, government, education, professional, and non-profit sectors.

Sherry will step into her new role in March 2021 and brings deep experience in community engagement, advocacy, and program development. In her current role as the Associate Director of Sustainable Communities at the David Suzuki Foundation, she works with diverse community organizations and leaders across Canada to advance meaningful climate action at both the local and federal levels. Previously, Sherry served as the Associate Director of Strategic Partnerships at the Pembina Institute.

“Sherry is a keen listener and relationship-builder with a strong understanding of REFBC’s work, and our potential to create positive impacts,” says Mark Gifford, CEO, REFBC. “She has a reputation as a great communicator, an empathetic leader, and for bringing smart, creative, and purposeful approaches to building strategy.”

“I’m excited to be joining REFBC in its work to support thriving communities through healthy relationships to the land,” says Sherry Yano. “I’m looking forward to learning alongside my new colleagues, and the people and organizations REFBC collaborates with.”

Sherry holds degrees in chemical engineering (B.A.Sc.) and international planning and development (M.Sc.) from the University of Waterloo and University of Guelph, respectively. Her work has been published in the Vancouver Sun, Georgia Straight, The Province, and the National Observer, and she’s delivered several short documentaries on CBC Radio and authored a children’s book and three plays.

Sherry is passionate about conversations on climate and clean energy, great meals with wonderful people, any kind of writing, and going to events with inspiring speakers that change the way she sees the world.

As Sherry prepares to join the team, we’d also like to celebrate the contributions Leanne Sexsmith has (and will continue) to make to our grants team. Leanne has shifted into a new role as Director, Strategic Programs & Partnerships to lead, among other things, the design and implementation of the Healthy Watersheds Initiative, and the Foundation’s learning and impact assessment strategies.