SOBC Board of Directors set to provide key leadership for 2026-27 season
Special Olympics BC’s Board of Directors provides vital guidance, vision, and care to support our athletes, mission, programs, and opportunities. The Special Olympics movement benefits significantly from the efforts of these valued volunteers.
At the Special Olympics BC Annual General Meeting and Board of Directors Meeting in September 2026, the Board elected its new Executive and a new Director for the 2026-27 year. All are dedicated to empowering athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the province.
NLK Strategies Founder and President Nicola Lambrechts was re-elected as Chair. Lambrechts took on the role in 2025-26, having served as a Director for seven years. She has been a Special Olympics BC volunteer for more than 20 years, generously sharing her expertise in a range of leadership and communications roles to support athletes and further the movement.
Elected as Vice Chair was Jamie Switzer, Senior Investment Advisor, The Switzer Group | Canaccord Genuity Corp. Switzer has made a significant impact in his two years as a Director, expanding partnerships and fostering fundraising growth in order to drive opportunities for Special Olympics BC athletes. Switzer brings more than 25 years of wealth management experience and leadership, and a lengthy history of community volunteer impact.
Cassels Partner Jen Hansen was elected as Secretary, building on her four years as an SOBC Director, experience as a past Vice Chair, and many contributions as a valued leader on the organizing committee for the Joy of Sport Gala presented by Wheaton Precious Metals. Cassels is a generous sponsor of multiple SOBC fundraising events and Hansen is an experienced and insightful partner in their Capital Markets Group.
Former Grant Thornton Partner Colin Yakashiro was elected to return to the role of Treasurer. Yakashiro has served as a Director for more than a decade, and provided valued Board leadership as Chair from 2023 to 2025.
Wheaton Precious Metals President & CEO Randy Smallwood, a longtime champion of Special Olympics who has served as a valued Director for nearly 15 years, was re-elected to the role of Past Chair. Wheaton Precious Metals is a valued SOBC provincial sponsor and SOBC Hall of Fame member.
Harrington has been a multi-sport Special Olympics BC athlete for more than 25 years. He has a lengthy history of athletic accomplishments, including as a member of the SOBC – Kelowna Grizzlies softball team that competed at multiple World Games and is enshrined in the SOBC Hall of Fame. Harrington is a leader off the fields of play as well. He is a valued member of the SOBC Athlete Leadership Council representing his Okanagan Region, and he’s known for his long-standing commitment to mentoring and encouraging fellow athletes.
Williams is a Special Olympics BC – Langley athlete, SOBC Athlete Input Council Chairman, and member of the SOBC Hall of Fame.
Special Olympics BC is fortunate to have these valued leaders and their fellow Directors:
Brent Bergeron, Pan American Silver Corp. Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs & Sustainability
Donna Bilous, SOBC Leadership Council Chair and SOBC Hall of Fame member
Michael Campbell, MoneyTalks Host and Publisher, and SOBC Hall of Fame member
Ted Hirst, First Capital Advisory Inc., and SOBC Hall of Fame member
Pamela Keith, Dueck Auto Group Co-owner and SOBC Hall of Fame member
Randip Janda, Canucks Radio Broadcaster, Multi-Platform & Multilingual Host & Content Creator
Kirsten McElgunn, Global Marketing Leader
Leslie Ogston, BC Law Enforcement Torch Run Provincial Director, Port Moody Police Department Deputy Chief Constable
Katie Stevens, Talk Shop Media Managing Partner
Heartfelt thanks to these dedicated volunteers who help lead our movement with wisdom, caring, and passion for empowering athletes with intellectual disabilities!