Jonathan leads Vancity’s External Relations and Impact Strategy division. In this capacity, Jonathan oversees Vancity’s response to the climate emergency, Vancity’s work to address other systemic challenges such as inequality and housing affordability, and other values-based work in areas such as Reconciliation and social and financial inclusion. To achieve these goals, Jonathan aligns and heads Vancity’s areas of community investment, government relations, strategic communications, marketing, climate strategy and performance, and stakeholder relations.
Under Jonathan’s leadership, Vancity has committed to bring its loans and mortgages portfolio to net zero by 2040, a decade earlier than most other financial institutions. As part of delivering on this commitment, Vancity joined the global Net Zero Banking Alliance, and deepened its emissions accounting and disclosure through the Partnership for Climate Accounting Financials (PCAF). During this time, Vancity has also renewed its Indigenous banking strategy, and developed innovative programs to support, among others, emissions-reducing retrofits in affordable housing units. Prior to joining Vancity, Jonathan was a reporter at The Globe and Mail and The Vancouver Sun, where he covered multiple assignments such as the war in Afghanistan and the Tour de France, and served six years as legislative bureau chief in Victoria. He also worked as a communications and public affairs consultant, advising some of B.C.’s top organizations. Jonathan has degrees in Film Studies and Journalism and is an alumnus of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values Leadership Academy. He has been a Board member with the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation and is currently a member of the board of Vancity’s Community Foundation.