Who We Are
Gordon Matchett
Chief Executive Officer
Gordon Matchett
Chief Executive Officer
Optimistic, sociable, and strategic, with over 25 years of experience in the not-for-profit and corporate sector, Gordon is responsible to the Board of Directors – and entire Take a Hike community – for the current operations and future direction of Take a Hike. Gordon’s strategic approach and ability to build strong relationships has nurtured the growth and success of the organization since he joined in 2016.
Having earned a Master of Business Administration, Gordon has held senior positions in several other charities as well as a major Canadian bank. Having accomplished so much in his career, he decided to take three years off to travel and reflect on life, pursuing his passion for self-improvement and becoming the best version of himself. After his travels Gordon returned to BC, doing some consulting work in social enterprise, and worked with the Dalai Lama Centre during the Dalai Lama’s visit to Vancouver in 2014.
Outside of work, Gordon likes to decompress and plan small trips in his free time from walks in Stanley Park, to kayaking and downhill skiing with those closest to him. Of course, if time allows for it, he would like nothing more than to take an extended vacation to Southeast Asia, visiting bustling cities and tropical island paradises for the food, marine life and freedom of riding scooters around the island. Ask Gordon about the overall operations of Take a Hike, who to contact for more insight into the organization, and anything travel related.
Larissa Hayes
Senior Director of Development
Larissa Hayes
Senior Director of Development
Larissa leads Take a Hike’s Development team where government relations, fundraising and marketing collaborate. Applying her passion for what the not-for-profit sector and philanthropy can achieve, she personally assists generous individuals and corporate donors in connecting their philanthropic goals with Take a Hike’s mission.
Larissa started her career in the federal government. After which, she began working (and found her inspiration) in charitable organizations serving missions from healthcare to social services, and she eventually found philanthropy and professional fundraising in 2014.
Her humorous, strategic, and data-driven personality coupled with her forward-thinking work style cultivates a comfortable environment where donors and co-workers alike feel empowered by their decisions. Larissa’s passion lies in helping others succeed by laying down the groundwork and leaning into people’s strengths to support their goals.
Outside of the office, she likes to knit, cook and travel with her husband to tropical island paradises like Phú Quốc Vietnam. Ask Larissa about the different ways to get involved with Take a Hike as well as the statistics and data behind supporting our program or her childhood obsession with and collection of Popples.
Sevan Kadian
Director of Program Operations
Sevan Kadian
Director of Program Operations
Adaptable, dependable, and always going the extra mile, Sevan has a passion for enriching the lives of those in the community. As Director of Program Operations, Sevan oversees the logistics of our existing programs as well as the scaling and development of programs into new communities.
Before finding her way to Take a Hike, Sevan had spent several years volunteering abroad before resuming her studies in intercultural and international communications, later switching her focus to social work. After graduation Sevan was introduced to Take a Hike through an internship opportunity and continued supporting the organization as a volunteer for 3 years before officially joining the team 6 years ago in 2015.
Outside of work, Sevan is a globetrotter who has been to over 35 countries and loves nothing more than to explore new and exciting places with her loved ones. When not traveling the world, you can find Sevan relaxing in her cabin by the lake and planning her next home improvement project with a little help from YouTube. Ask Sevan about what it’s like to be in our classrooms as a student, staff or volunteer, obscure one hit wonder music from the 90’s and how to plan the best trip.
Nav Nagra
Senior Manager of Marketing & Communications
Nav Nagra
Senior Manager of Marketing & Communications
Strategic, detail-oriented, and just a little bit sarcastic, Nav has a passion for social justice and making a positive change in the world. As the Marketing and Communications Manager, Nav ensures Take a Hike’s messaging is consistent and conveys Take a Hike’s mission and work throughout our social media, website, and other communication mediums.
Nav’s affinity for the arts and insatiable hunger for knowledge led her through a unique career path, adding valuable experiences to her professional portfolio. While in university, she worked as a gallery curatorial assistant working directly with artists, creating artist catalogues, and promoting large shows through social media. After graduation, she joined the team of Room Magazine, a feminist literary magazine, gaining valuable insight about the nuances of communications while engaging different audiences though digital marketing. Nav then moved on to the non-profit sector starting at Vantage Point as the Education and Events Coordinator, moving up to Communications Manager and finally found her way to Take a Hike.
Outside of work, Nav likes re-charging her social battery whenever possible by spending quality time with friends. However, she is no stranger to a comfortable night indoors, pulling up a movie and engaging in some form of fiber arts. Nav’s dream is to eventually live in a swanky flat in the centre of London, England as a writer. Ask Nav about digital marketing, how to write amazing copy, and 1970’s punk rock.
Rachael Lipetz
Senior Manager of Philanthropy, Individual Giving
Rachael Lipetz
Senior Manager of Philanthropy, Individual Giving
Positive, enthusiastic, with a tenacious attitude towards making a positive difference, the Senior Manager of Philanthropy, Rachael supports 125 donor households in the Greater Vancouver Area. Providing high quality support to our donors, keeping them informed and up to date with everything that is going on at Take a hike.
During her university years, Rachael’s first introduction to the non-profit sector started at the David Suzuki Foundation where she discovered fund-raising as a potential career path option. Starting her official fund-raising career with the Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Center of BC, followed by the Arts Club Theatre Company, the BC Non-profit Housing Association and eventually found her way to Take a Hike.
Outside of work, Rachael likes to stay active, completing several sprint distance triathlons with a goal to complete her first ever Olympic distance tri. Apart from that, she also enjoys a casual day indoors, relaxing, watching reality tv-shows, and playing all sorts of games with her friends and cat Frankie. Ask Rachael about making a donation, ways to get involved with Take a Hike, and 90’s action movies starring Jean-Claude Van Damme.
Victoria Caros
Senior Manager of Philanthropy, Annual Giving
Victoria Caros
Senior Manager of Philanthropy, Annual Giving
Outgoing, lifelong learner, and optimistic, Victoria has a passion for equity and recognizes that everyone is dealt a different set of cards in life and that it is our collective responsibility to provide opportunities to and lift those dealt a less favourable hand. As the Senior Manager of Philanthropy in Annual Giving, Victoria shares youth stories with our supporters ensuring that every donor understands the life-changing impact of their donation through direct mail and digital fundraising campaigns, and signature and third-party fundraising events.
Victoria has spent her entire working career in the non-profit sector, first as an early childhood educator and later as a professional fundraiser. She has always been inspired by supporting young people and families, ensuring they have the best care and learning opportunities available to them. Victoria channels her previous on-the-ground daycare experience of meeting community members’ needs into her work as a fundraiser, helping others understand, invest in, and advocate for the vital social service programs that serve BC’s most vulnerable populations.
Outside of work, Victoria enjoys attending weekly group fitness classes, exploring the outdoors, and reading a mix of fiction and non-fiction books subsequently starting multiple book clubs in her personal and professional networks. Victoria believes that sunshine and new experiences are good for the soul – thus she dreams about lounging by the pool, soaking up the sunshine, reading a great book, and sipping on a cold beverage. Ask Victoria about her all-time favourite book and how your gift is making a difference in the lives of youth in BC
Devni de Silva
Senior Director of Finance & Shared Services
Devni de Silva
Senior Director of Finance & Shared Services
Devni is hard-working, wise, and compassionate. She excels in supporting leaders by articulating complex financial issues in simple language. Devni is passionate about working with an organization that helps promote mental well-being in youth. As the Director of Finance and Shared Services, Devni’s responsibilities include financial strategy, and financial and risk management.
Devni is a Chartered Professional Accountant and has a Master of Science in Strategic Business Management. Devni started her career in banking, after which she started her accounting career at KPMG. After arriving in Canada in the year 2000, she went up the ranks at the University of British Columbia. Since 2020, she has been supporting the not-for-profit sector, an area that she has always held dear to her heart. She also serves as a board member for a few not-for-profits.
Outside of work, Devni enjoys walking, spending time with family, listening to music, and catching up on shows on Netflix. Ask Devni about financing, risk management, and Grey’s Anatomy.
Marnie Goldenberg
Senior Director, Programs
Marnie Goldenberg
Senior Director, Programs
Strategic, caring, and goofy, Marnie is passionate about systems that work for all people and living things, and about community care. As the Senior Director of Programs, Marnie leads leaders and ensures that the youth we serve are supported in the best ways possible. Marnie juggles growth projects and make plans for the future.
Marnie attended law school with the plan to advocate for children and youth. Marnie has devoted the last 25 years to the charitable sector, most recently as the VP of Programs for Family Services of Greater Vancouver. Alongside program management, they’ve held senior roles and provided consulting services in organizational development, operations, stakeholder engagement, governance, and other systems. Marnie’s professional roles have often focused on vulnerable youth related homelessness services, legal advocacy in youth criminal justice, sexual health and wellness, and outdoor education.
Outside of work, Marnie enjoys going on hikes, swimming, cross-country skiing, and spending time with their teenage kids, wife, and their favourite housemate, Pekoe, the wonder dog! Marnie dreams of being on the Canadian Shield, paddling a canoe on a calm lake at dusk. Ask Marnie about the fabulous people who work with Take a Hike youth, delicious light-weight meals for the backcountry, and their favourite housemate.
Alaine Anicete
Program Manager, Lower Mainland
Alaine Anicete
Program Manager, Lower Mainland
Compassionate, curious, and extremely thrilled by whales. Alaine has a passion for equitable opportunities, building community and social enterprises, being outside, creating, and refining spaces, and dreaming up new business ideas. She is also a proud Filipino/Indo-Canadian and uses her voice to advocate for intersectional equity. As the Program Manager, of Lower Mainland, Alaine ensures Take a Hike’s Lower Mainland program staff who empower youth, feel supported, and are on the receiving end of our trauma-informed practices of change.
Alaine began her career in the field of community and social services while in Alberta supporting persons with disabilities and families experiencing homelessness. In the midst of this, she launched a social enterprise called Succulent by Nature that was centered around self-care and community. Succulent by Nature created custom terrariums and provided workshops that allocated 10% of profits to be donated back to the community. Over the course of 2 years, $15,000 was donated to charities like, the Ronald McDonald House of Alberta, Alberta SPCA, Meow Foundation and many more. Through owning a business, Alaine realized her love for business strategy which led to a career change as she accepted a role in Business Development for a Big 4 firm. Alaine decided to return to the work that fills her cup and took a leap by moving to Vancouver in 2021 to manage employment readiness and life skills programs for self-identifying women with justice involvement and youth aging out of government care, which is what led her to Take a Hike.
Outside of work, Alaine is a plant mama and loves hanging out with her 18-year-old chihuahua, exploring the forest, going for sea wall runs, and learning how to swim. Alaine dreams of traveling and going on safari in the Serengeti. Ask Alaine about decolonizing social systems, baking focaccia, and 90’s Hip Hop and RnB.
Lenai Moore
Program Manager, Interior Region
Lenai Moore
Program Manager, Interior Region
Caring, compassionate, and adventurous, Lenai is passionate about mental health and wellness, caring for others, fostering meaningful relationships, and sharing her deep appreciation and love of the outdoors with others. As the Program Manager in the interior, Lenai provides support and guidance to staff located in the interior ensuring they are equipped with the tools they need to move forward together in alignment with the program model and practices of change.
Lenai’s has always been drawn to the social services sector, specifically the mental health field. Prior to Take a Hike, Lenai spent most of her working career post-University graduation with the Canadian Mental Health Association in Vernon. During her time with CMHA, Lenai had the opportunity to gain valuable insight and expertise working on various front-line multidisciplinary teams providing a diverse range of mental health-focused programming to her community of Vernon. This experience led her to follow her passion for providing leadership and program management to staff teams for the past 4 years before pursuing a new career opportunity with the Take a Hike Foundation.
Outside of work, Lenai loves stretching her social battery to its fullest potential. She loves spending time with her husband, family, and friends, often chasing adventures together or planning their next travels. When she craves some quiet time, she loves to try out new baking and cooking recipes to share with others. Lenai enjoys being outdoors all year round, in the summertime you’ll find her hiking or paddle boarding and skiing in the winter. As a travel lover, Lenai dreams of being somewhere tropical beach, feeling the warm sunshine on her face, making new memories, and sharing laughter with her loved ones. Ask Lenai about her favourite travel adventures, her love of Volleyball, and local hidden gems to explore in the Okanagan.