Board of Directors

Daniel, married to VTT alum Marni Ross, has 3 kids at VTT - Madison in grade 7, Hailey in grade 5 and Riley in grade 1. He grew up in Toronto and went to Hebrew day schools for both elementary and high school. Daniel has a B.Comm from McGill University and an MBA from the University of Western Ontario. He has worked in asset and property management in both Toronto and Vancouver for the last 16 years. He currently sits on the Facilities and Security Committee.

Talia is married to Josh, and they are the proud parents of two, soon to be three, VTT students: Aria in grade 5, Adam in senior kindergarten, and Jacob will be joining the Rishonim early childhood class next year. Talia is a VTT alum and is honoured to bring her professional experience in philanthropy to the board's Strategic Partnerships Committee.

Karen has two children at VTT, Zach in grade 7 and Noah in grade 4. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from UBC, a Graduate Diploma in Business Administration from Concordia University, and has completed the Family Shift Executive Education Program at the Richard Ivey School of Business. She is a fourth-generation leader at ABC Recycling, overseeing community relations and family enterprise leadership development. Karen is delighted to contribute to the board of VTT on the Strategic Partnerships Committee.

Dan was born and raised in Jerusalem. He moved to Vancouver with his wife and three children where he was warmly welcomed and embraced by the Jewish community and VTT. In Israel, he worked for 20 years as a senior television director in the news department. Currently, Dan works in the optical industry as a joint CEO. Dan is the proud father of a current VTT student, a VTT alumni and a King David student. Dan sits on the Facilities and Security committee.

Kim is the proud mom of three VTT students, Evan in grade 5, Ari in grade 3, and Adina in JK. She was born in South Africa and lived in California for 15 years before moving to Vancouver in 2006. Kim graduated from UCLA with a degree in Business Economics and Accounting and began her career with PwC working in audit, forensic accounting and business valuations. She now works with her husband at Maxwell Fabrics in Finance and Operations. Kim feels passionate about the importance of an accessible and meaningful Jewish education for all Jewish children and she feels privileged to serve on the Finance Committee on the board of VTT.

Tamara is the mother of two VTT graduates (Elana in 2017 and Noah in 2020). Tamara is a lawyer with over 24 years of practice experience and is the Vice President, Legal at Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. She is originally from Montreal but has been a member of the Vancouver community since moving here after law school. Tamara has been on the Board for almost six years where she has served in a number of roles on different committees and is the current President of the Board.

Nir joined the board in 2016 and has been contributing member in a number of committees over the past five years. He currently chairs the Facilities and Security committee. Nir moved to Vancouver in 2001 from Israel and holds a Bcomm degree from the University of British Columbia. In his professional life, Nir is a managing partner at a Toronto-based digital advertising agency. Nir has two daughters, one who currently attends VTT and another who graduated from VTT in 2019.

Irv attended Edmonton Talmud Torah, and his (and wife Naomi’s) three daughters Aria, Samara and Romi all attended VTT(and amazingly and to Naomi and Irv’s great fortune, are all settling in Vancouver). Irv was on the board for many years while his daughters were at VTT, and is very pleased to be brought out of “VTT board retirement” to work with an ethical and good hearted group of dedicated directors. Irv is a banking lawyer and heads the banking and debt financing practice group at Lawson Lundell LLP.

Dean grew up in Vancouver and graduated from McGill University’s Faculty of Management. After living in New York City for 20 years, he recently returned home to Vancouver. Dean and his wife Julia are proud parents of two VTT students, Kayla and Rachel and one future VTT student, Shayna. As a former VTT student, Dean is honored to be a new VTT board member and looks forward to contributing to VTT’s continued success.

Gary is the father of a VTT grad (now 21 years old!!). He graduated with a law degree from the University of Alberta. After several years of practicing law in Edmonton, Gary shifted to international business and worked for many years in Taiwan and Bermuda. In addition to his law background, Gary has a depth of experience in investment banking, international business, and wealth management. He was managing director of Assante Wealth Management Bermuda and moved to Vancouver in 2002 where he started his wealth management practice with Assante Wealth Management Canada. Gary helps families manage their success (wealth) and prepares the next generation for the family legacy. Gary is chair of the Strategic Planning committee for VTT (his 3rd plan for VTT!).

Rebecca is a VTT alum and mother to three children, two of whom attend VTT and one who will once she’s old enough. She is currently the Vice President of marketing for Lululemon North America and previously spent her time working in advertising in New York and London, England. Rebecca is honoured to contribute to the board and is currently serving on the Strategic Partnerships and COVID committees.

Ken is a former student of VTT and the father of three VTT graduates. He was born in Vancouver and lived briefly in Montreal while attending McGill University and Washington, DC while receiving an MBA from Georgetown. Ken’s career includes senior management positions with leading food brands as well as not-for-profit associations. He is currently Treasurer and is proud to be able to contribute to ensuring a Jewish education is available for the Vancouver community.

Natasha was born in Vancouver and lived in Sweden for several years on three separate occasions. Upon graduating from high school in Sweden, she returned to Vancouver to attend UBC, where she completed her BA, MA and PhD in French-Canadian literature. Initially focused on a career in academia, Natasha's interest turned toward university administration and she currently manages UBC's global partnerships and faculty relations within the Vice-Provost International portfolio. She and her husband, Andrew Fransblow, are proud to send their daughter to VTT - Sophie is now in grade 4 - and Natasha is honoured to serve on the Governance and Strategic Planning committees of the VTT Board of Directors.

Alissa has been proudly serving on the VTT Board of Directors since 2014. She brings 20 years experience in non profit fundraising as a professional fundraiser and consultant for 15 years and the last five years as a volunteer. Alissa chairs the Strategic Partnerships committee and sits on the Executive committee and the Covid Risk committee. Alissa and her husband Bram are parents to three children at VTT, spanning the early, primary and intermediate years. Alissa has a BSc from UVic and, together with Bram, runs BR Law, a boutique aboriginal law firm.

Bio coming soon

Annie is the proud mom of two VTT students, Lev in grade 7 and Tali in grade 3. She received her PhD from University of Toronto in School and Clinical-Child Psychology and is a registered psychologist and director of Cornerstone Child and Family Psychology Clinic. Annie was born in Vancouver and attended VTT herself for several years. She is thrilled to be able to contribute to the board of VTT on the Governance and Strategic Partnerships Committees.