Vickie is someone who finds and implements innovative solutions in the social sector. As the founding director of PLAN Institute for Caring Citizenship and CEO of Tyze, she is a recognized Canadian source of inspiration and demonstrable solutions related to social networks, social innovation, citizenship and disability.
Vickie is a co-founder of Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network (PLAN) a pioneer social enterprise supporting families plan for the safety and well being of their family member with a disability. She created PLAN's Personal Network program, a unique response to the isolation and loneliness experienced by people with disabilities.
She is the recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal of Canada, the Community Living Institute's Leadership Award, the and along with her husband, Al Etmanski, Simon Fraser University President's Club Distinguished Community Leadership Award. She co-led a Canadian exploration on sustainability and social innovation, and is a Fellow with Social Innovation Generation, a partnership between the University of Waterloo, MaRS, and J.W. McConnell Family Foundation. In 2008, the Women's Executive Network named Vickie one of Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women.
As Executive Director of PLAN Institute she mentored the spread of grass roots PLAN groups in 40 locations globally. As the CEO of Tyze, she is focusing her attention and expertise on how best to deliver personal support networks online to people facing life challenges.
Vickie is the founding director of the Family Support Institute and has taught and designed curriculum for colleges and universities. When she resigned from her faculty position at Douglas College, her colleagues established an annual student leadership award in her name in recognition of her outstanding contribution to both students and faculty.
Vickie writes, consults and lectures internationally on social networks, organizational transformation and scaling social innovation. She is co-author of 'Safe and Secure - Six Steps to Creating a Personal Future Plan for People with Disabilities', conducts annual leadership retreats and is bi-lingual.
Vickie is a dedicated yoga practitioner and loves to read, cook, walk and talk.
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