Board of Directors
Vision, Passion, Leadership
“It all starts at the top.” How often have you heard that about successful companies? Great leaders inspire and motivate employees, resulting in higher quality work, and a stronger company overall.
Well, the same thing applies in the non-profit sector. At the top of every community organization is a volunteer board of directors, tasked with developing a strategic plan, monitoring the organization’s finances, and yes, motivating and inspiring employees to do their absolute best in service of the organization’s mission.
At RCRG, we’re lucky to have a diverse, dynamic, dedicated board, comprised of both community and business leaders. If success starts at the top, then our organization is in good hands.
Rebecca Swaim (Chair)
Rebecca enjoys work that connects people with their purpose and passion. She lived in New York and Shanghai before moving to Richmond in 2012 and currently serves as the Executive Director of Trinity Western University, Richmond. She and her husband, Russ, are raising four kids, who are each active in various facets of our local community.
Antony Wang (VIce Chair)
Antony Wang grew up in South Delta but is now a resident of Richmond, BC. He graduated from UBC in 2018 with a BSc and is currently working as an Assistant Branch Manager at RBC Royal Bank.
He first became acquainted with RCRG in 2018 and volunteered with his former TD colleagues to support RCRG at A Not So Silent Night, Windows of Hope, Richmond RCMP Toy Drive, TD’s Christmas Toy Drive at Toys-R-Us, and more. Antony is humbled to serve on the board of directors and to continue his community involvement so that we can make Richmond an even better place to live, work, and play.
Jessica Chow (Treasurer)
Christine Campbell
Before her retirement in 2015, Christine Campbell, with her husband, owned and operated four McDonald’s restaurants in Richmond. She now finds joy in supporting this community that is home to her heart.
Leon Chew
A lifelong resident of Richmond, Leon learned early on the virtues of volunteering from his parents, which led to long term volunteer positions with KidStart — PLEA Community Services, Richmond Hospital and St. John Ambulance.
When not volunteering, Leon works as a senior scientist at STEMCELL Technologies where he specialized in stem cell and neuroscience research, and also as a reservist medic with the Canadian Armed Forces.
Leon is excited at the opportunity to serve on RCRG’s board to give back to the community he most cares about.
Jat Puri (Past Chair)
Jat Puri has served on the RCRG board since 2019. His volunteer experience also includes mentoring youth in the RCRG Youth Now program, serving as Vice President of the West Richmond Community Association, and as Director of the Heart of Richmond AIDS Society.
In 2021, Jat was a Nova Star Award recipient, which recognizes volunteers whose contributions go above and beyond in Richmond. Outside of volunteering, Jat works at the Vancouver Airport Authority, where he has trained many volunteers in YVR’s Green Coat program, and supports multiple contracts that keep the airport running smoothly.
Jonathan Wong
Jonathan grew up in Calgary, Alberta and has lived in Richmond for the last 14 years. He currently works as a Manager, Mobile Mortgage Specialist at TD Bank and has been with TD for over 7 years.
Since 2015, he has taken part in many of RCRG’s events such as the Christmas Toy Drive, Windows of Hope and A Not So Silent Night. He is humbled at the opportunity to serve on RCRG’s Board of Directors and continue his work in giving back to the Richmond community.
Lisa Wong
Melissa Zhang (Executive at Large)
Elected to the RCRG Board in 2018, Melissa took on additional responsibilities in 2019 and 2020, when she also served on the organization’s marketing committee. Melissa supports the Richmond Christmas Fund, and in 2021, joined the organizing committee for “A Not So Silent Night,” the program’s biggest fundraising activity. She is a business professional with experience in financial planning services, and actively volunteers throughout the Richmond community.