NJERI JERI KONTULAHTI
Surrey,BC
Summary
Executive leader with over 25 years of experience within a values-based financial institution, operating at the intersection of financial services, social finance, and community impact. Proven record of leading strategy, managing multi-million-dollar portfolios, and advancing community-led solutions that improve economic, social, and environmental outcomes. Brings deep expertise in organizational leadership, financial stewardship, governance, and cross-sector partnerships. Recognized for translating complex mandates into clear strategic direction, disciplined execution, and measurable impact, with a leadership approach grounded in equity, Truth and Reconciliation, and community accountability.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Director, Strategic Initiatives
Vancity Community Foundation
01.2024 - Current
- Leads organization-wide strategy execution and performance across the Foundation.
- Accountable for translating strategic priorities into operational plans, performance metrics, and reporting to the Board.
- Provides executive oversight to initiatives advancing equity, reconciliation, and climate commitments.
- Strengthens organizational alignment, governance discipline, and enterprise execution.
- Executive Lead, Reaching Home (Federal Homelessness Initiative)
- Full P&L accountability for a $33M+ annual portfolio delivering community-led homelessness solutions.
- Oversees $2M+ operating budget, including financial planning, forecasting, and risk management.
- Leads governance, compliance, and reporting to Board and federal stakeholders.
- Aligns federal policy with local implementation through partnerships with Indigenous organizations, municipalities, and nonprofit leaders.
Sessional Instructor
British Columbia Institute of Technology
01.2023 - Current
- Teach nonprofit management, business, and sustainable systems, integrating equity, Indigenous perspectives, and ESG principles.
Sessional Instructor
University of the Fraser Valley
01.2019 - Current
- Teach nonprofit management, business, and sustainable systems, integrating equity, Indigenous perspectives, and ESG principles.
Board Member
Kinghaven Peardonville Housing Society
01.2017 - Current
Finance Director
Daughters of Hope Resources Society
01.2001 - Current
Managing Director, Homelessness & Housing Initiatives
Vancity Community Foundation
01.2023 - 01.2024
- Led regional housing and granting strategy, including program design, funding allocation, and partnerships.
- Managed budgets, performance, and stakeholder relationships across government and community sectors.
- Integrated granting, engagement, and capacity-building approaches to strengthen impact and outcomes.
Senior Manager, Financial Resilience & Inclusion
Vancity Credit Union
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Led enterprise-wide strategy to advance financial health and Resilience across business lines.
- Embedded impact objectives into core banking operations to scale inclusive outcomes.
- Built and led a high-performing team delivering on strategic priorities.
Manager, Community Investment
Vancity Credit Union
01.2016 - 01.2022
- Directed granting and community investment programs with a focus on reconciliation, anti-racism, and equity.
- Designed and scaled financial inclusion initiatives, including Each One Teach One and Indigenous Wealth Mindset.
- Built strategic partnerships across nonprofit, government, and community sectors.
- Led and developed teams to deliver coordinated, system-level impact.
Sustainability Program Manager / Senior Community Investment Associate
Vancity Credit Union
01.2006 - 01.2017
- Led the award winning Springboard Homeownership Program ($4.5M portfolio; 40+ loans funded).
- Developed partnerships with municipalities and developers to expand affordable housing access.
- Managed strategic grants and financial literacy initiatives.
- Led Alternative ID program expanding access to banking for underserved populations.
Vice President
Archway Community Services
01.2006 - 01.2016
Earlier Roles: Product Manager; Assistant Branch Manager; Account Manager; Member Service Specialist
Vancity Credit Union
01.1996 - 01.2011
- Progressive leadership roles across retail banking, lending, and product development, including delivery of innovative lending and sustainability-focused programs.
Education
Master of Management - Co-operatives and Credit Unions
Bachelor of Arts - Economics, Sociology
Skills
- Strategic Planning & Community Investment
- Affordable Housing & Impact Granting
- Reconciliation, Equity & Inclusion Leadership
- Cross-sector Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement
- Public Speaking & Policy Advocacy
- Financial Literacy Programming
- Non-profit Governance
Board And Community Leadership
- Board Member, Kinghaven Peardonville Housing Society, 2017-01-01, Present
- Vice President, Archway Community Services, 2006-01-01, 2016-01-01
- Finance Director, Daughters of Hope Resources Society, 2001-01-01, Present
Teaching And Sector Contribution
- Sessional Instructor, University of the Fraser Valley, 2019-01-01, Present
- Sessional Instructor, British Columbia Institute of Technology, 2023-01-01, Present
Professional Development And Recognition
- Indigenous Canada, 2022
- Financial Planning, BCIT
- Provincial Instructor Diploma, VCC
- Global Women’s Leadership Network Scholarship, 2018
Leadership Experience
- Vancity Community Foundation, Director, Strategic Initiatives, 2024-01-01, Present, Leads organization-wide strategy execution and performance across the Foundation., Accountable for translating strategic priorities into operational plans, performance metrics, and reporting to the Board., Provides executive oversight to initiatives advancing equity, reconciliation, and climate commitments., Strengthens organizational alignment, governance discipline, and enterprise execution., Executive Lead, Reaching Home (Federal Homelessness Initiative), Full P&L accountability for a $33M+ annual portfolio delivering community-led homelessness solutions., Oversees $2M+ operating budget, including financial planning, forecasting, and risk management., Leads governance, compliance, and reporting to Board and federal stakeholders., Aligns federal policy with local implementation through partnerships with Indigenous organizations, municipalities, and nonprofit leaders.
- Vancity Community Foundation, Managing Director, Homelessness & Housing Initiatives, 2023-01-01, 2024-01-01, Led regional housing and granting strategy, including program design, funding allocation, and partnerships., Managed budgets, performance, and stakeholder relationships across government and community sectors., Integrated granting, engagement, and capacity-building approaches to strengthen impact and outcomes.
- Vancity Credit Union, Senior Manager, Financial Resilience & Inclusion, 2022-01-01, 2023-01-01, Led enterprise-wide strategy to advance financial health and Resilience across business lines., Embedded impact objectives into core banking operations to scale inclusive outcomes., Built and led a high-performing team delivering on strategic priorities.
- Vancity Credit Union, Manager, Community Investment, 2016-01-01, 2022-01-01, Directed granting and community investment programs with a focus on reconciliation, anti-racism, and equity., Designed and scaled financial inclusion initiatives, including Each One Teach One and Indigenous Wealth Mindset., Built strategic partnerships across nonprofit, government, and community sectors., Led and developed teams to deliver coordinated, system-level impact.
- Vancity Credit Union, Sustainability Program Manager / Senior Community Investment Associate, 2006-01-01, 2017-01-01, Led the award winning Springboard Homeownership Program ($4.5M portfolio; 40+ loans funded)., Developed partnerships with municipalities and developers to expand affordable housing access., Managed strategic grants and financial literacy initiatives., Led Alternative ID program expanding access to banking for underserved populations.
- Vancity Credit Union, Earlier Roles, 1996-01-01, 2011-01-01, Progressive leadership roles across retail banking, lending, and product development, including delivery of innovative lending and sustainability-focused programs.
Timeline
Director, Strategic Initiatives - Vancity Community Foundation
01.2024 - Current
Sessional Instructor - British Columbia Institute of Technology
01.2023 - Current
Managing Director, Homelessness & Housing Initiatives - Vancity Community Foundation
01.2023 - 01.2024
Senior Manager, Financial Resilience & Inclusion - Vancity Credit Union
01.2022 - 01.2023
Sessional Instructor - University of the Fraser Valley
01.2019 - Current
Board Member - Kinghaven Peardonville Housing Society
01.2017 - Current
Manager, Community Investment - Vancity Credit Union
01.2016 - 01.2022
Sustainability Program Manager / Senior Community Investment Associate - Vancity Credit Union
01.2006 - 01.2017
Vice President - Archway Community Services
01.2006 - 01.2016
Finance Director - Daughters of Hope Resources Society
01.2001 - Current
Earlier Roles: Product Manager; Assistant Branch Manager; Account Manager; Member Service Specialist - Vancity Credit Union
01.1996 - 01.2011
Saint Mary’s University - Master of Management, Co-operatives and Credit Unions
University of Manitoba - Bachelor of Arts, Economics, Sociology