Janet Austin is a leader in her community and an advocate for social change in British Columbia. She currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the YWCA Metro Vancouver, a position she has held since 2003. In this capacity, she is responsible for one of British Columbia’s largest and most diversified non-profit organizations.
Prior to joining the YWCA, she was the Executive Director of Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland and worked for BC Housing.
Ms. Austin is an active member of various local and national organizations, including the Board of Directors of Translink and the City of Vancouver’s Healthy City for All Leadership Table. During her career, she has served on numerous boards, including the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade and the Canadian Paediatric Society.
Ms. Austin’s work and leadership in the community have been recognized by her peers on numerous occasions. She has received several awards, including the Business in Vancouver Influential Women in Business Award, the Vancouver Board of Trade Community Leadership Award and the Wendy McDonald Diversity Champion Award. She is also the recipient of the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals and is a Member of the Order of British Columbia.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Calgary and an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Surrey, British Columbia.