Press Release: Atira CEO Janice Abbott steps down effective immediately

Download 2023 05 15 Media Statement: Atira CEO Update

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 15, 2023

Vancouver, B.C. | Unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations |

The Atira Women’s Resource Society has confirmed that its CEO, Janice Abbott, has resigned effective immediately. The Board will be appointing an interim CEO as soon as possible. During this time, the organization will be led by the Executive Directors of Operations, Human Resources and Finance.

“Janice Abbott, has resigned her position, effective immediately,” said Elva Kim, Board Chair. “The Board thanks Janice for helping thousands of women and children over her 31 years of leadership at Atira. The focus for the Board now is working collaboratively with the B.C. Government and BC Housing, and restoring the public’s confidence in Atira’s integrity, vision, mission, purpose and values.”

To achieve this, the actions the Board has taken to date include:

• Reiterated its commitment to open, transparent and proactive communication with the Government of B.C., and BC Housing.
• Welcomed the opportunity to discuss the EY report with the Government of B.C. and BC Housing and the next phase of the review.
• Agreed to include a representative from the B.C. Government as an observer on its Board.
• Returned the $1,908,172 in surplus funds for the fiscal year 2021/22 to BC Housing.
• Established a Task Force to oversee the hiring of a third party to undertake a comprehensive and independent review of Atira’s policies and practices, including how it makes decisions on real estate matters and deals with conflicts of interest.

“The Board and staff at Atira are deeply committed to serving and protecting women and children and providing much-needed housing. We are confident that this path forward will allow us to focus on the essential work with fewer distractions,” said Kim.

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