Executive Team
Teri Nicholas
President & CEO
Teri Nicholas is president and CEO of BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, one of British Columbia’s largest charities. The foundation supports the work of BC Children’s Hospital, Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children, and the Child & Family Research Institute. Since joining the foundation in January 2011, Teri has been leading a $200-million capital campaign in support of the construction of a new BC Children’s Hospital, a $683-million project. Teri’s emphasis is on winning broad community support for, and on building awareness of, a project that will transform the delivery of pediatric care in BC. Under her leadership the foundation has raised in excess of $152 million to date, with the support of thousands of individuals and organizations.
Prior to joining the foundation, Teri held the position as the CEO of Family Services of Greater Vancouver for 10 years. Teri has over 30 years of senior leadership experience in the not-for-profit social-service sector – working closely with advocacy groups, community agencies, funders and major donors, and with federal, provincial and municipal government at senior levels. Throughout her career, Teri has contributed her time and talents to many not-for-profit organizations provincially and nationally and has developed and implemented a range of services for marginalized populations in the Lower Mainland.
Teri holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Wisconsin.
"It's rewarding to see the positive impact community support for BC Children's, Sunny Hill and the Child & Family Research Institute has on individual children. It’s even more rewarding to know that the beneficiaries of the work we’re doing here are children, families and society as a whole."
Knut Nordlie, CFRE
Vice-President & Chief Operating Officer
Knut Nordlie joined the Foundation in 1995 and is responsible for all the financial, administrative and daily operating activities of the Foundation.
Knut holds a bachelor of arts degree in Commerce and Economics from Simon Fraser University; he obtained his Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation in 1984 and his Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation in 2003. He has served on the boards of a number of non-profits and is a part-time instructor at the British Columbia Institute of Technology in the Fundraising Management Certificate program.
"It is often said that when you have a tough day at the office it is hard to be enthusiastic about coming in the next day. At Children's it is truly different. I always feel good at the end of each day because we are doing something positive for the hospital that will help children and their families"
Debora Sweeney, CFRE
Vice-President & Chief Strategy Officer
Debora Sweeney joined the Foundation in 2000 and previously held the position of vice-president & chief communications officer. Her executive responsibilities include Campaign Director for the Foundation’s $200-million capital campaign; directing major, strategic initiatives; and leading the Foundation’s communications and government relations programs.
Deb has over 30 years’ experience in the fundraising, media and communications sectors. Prior to joining the Foundation, she held senior positions in the areas of public affairs, development and business relations at the University of British Columbia and in public affairs at the University of Toronto and worked as a provincial and national TV and radio journalist in Vancouver and Ottawa. She is a trustee and past co-chair of the Jack Webster Foundation.
"It is a privilege and an inspiration to serve BC's children and their families. Every day brings a new perspective on the most important things in our lives."
