Our members

Membership Chair: Suzanne Heron

Barbara McCoy

  • SICWO President
  • Born in Hamilton Ontario
  • Registered Nurse and also graduated from McMaster University BA Gerontology & Sociology
  • Works as a Psychogeriatric Educator & Consultant
  • Collaboratively develop the Gentle Persuasive Approaches (GPA) in Dementia Care which has been implemented across the country, coast to coast

Kim Bush

  • SICWO Treasurer

Melissa Deally

  • Born in Australia, raised in Japan & lives in Whistler, BC
  • Co-Founder of Girls Matter
  • Received ‘Women in Podcasting Awards’ in the ‘inspirational and motivational’ category
  • An ‘Integrative Mind Body Health Practitioner’ helping people get to the root cause of their pain
  • Favourite quote: “whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you are right” – by Henry Ford

Suzanne Heron

  • SICWO Membership Chair
  • soroptimist WCR Past Governor
  • From Orangeville ON, to Fort McMurray AB, from the USA to Lasqueti Island in BC
  • Formed ‘Blue Heron Art‘ business to create inclusiveness for BC artists
  • Owned a toy store with her sister
  • Most proud of her time with the Indigenous women of northern Alberta to help create their first petition to improve their quality of life
  • Worked in a Women’s shelter and with Indigenous women
  • Favourite song: “So Many Paths” by Little River Band – there are so many paths up the mountain, but the view from the top is the same.

Darlene Jamieson

  • Soroptimist Western Canada Region Friendship Link Chair

Pamela MacDonald

  • SICWO Friendship Chair
  • Born in NS & lives in Victoria, BC
  • A ‘Rehabilitation Consultant’ working with schoolteachers, helping them return to or stay at work
  • A ‘Certified Travel Agent’ with 15 years’ experience, started and hosts a women’s travel club and takes groups of women all over the world
  • Makes quilts when she has time
  • Favourite quote: “Do you ever wonder how that person got like that and do you want to be like that too?” – by Pema Chodron

Shelby Rideout

  • Greatly shaped by a badass single mom raising Shelby & her brother, successful in a male-dominated industry
  • Can’t remember NOT discussing the political aspects of reproductive and gender rights with her mom
  • Focussed on women’s health; pursuing a Major in Women & Gender Studies, with a minor in Sociology & Psychology
  • Passionate about mindfulness and the power of nature in health
  • Proud of being part of Waves of Change, a non profit in Nova Scotia focussed on preventing sexual violence
  • Excited to be involved in Menstrual Equity projects in Soroptimist
  • Loves fun, creative hobbies, the outdoors, traveling, camping, hiking, and any way to get outside. And her three cats!
  • Engaged to be married October 2027!
  • Favourite quote is from her mom, who always says, “Follow your butterflies”

Ching Shih

  • Soroptimist Western Canada Region Dream It Be It Chair

Chyler Webb

  • SICWO Live Your Dream Award Chair
  • Is of Ukrainian and Indigenous heritage
  • Grew up Ukrainian and is now connecting with her Indigenous history
    A full-time student at Acadia University, also working as a TA and cashier, and in childcare at a daycamp in the summer
  • “As a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, I’ve always been aware that my existence is political. The older I got, the more frustrated I grew about the state of the world–severe climate injustice, misogyny, poverty, homophobia, racism, etc. Once I was old enough to start intentionally acting on these issues, I did. I joined Soroptimist at 17 because of this. I believe in a future of equality, equity, and diversity, and women’s rights are one step of many needed to take action.”

Donna Webb

Carell Wingrave

  • SICWO Advocacy Chair
  • soroptimist WCR Past Governor
  • Is of Scottish, Irish, and English heritage
  • Valued empowering women from an early age – being influenced by attending highschool during the 1960’s – a time of great activism
  • Identifies as a crazy old cat lady (she has 4 cats)
  • Retired two times: 1) her early career was in government, and 2) her second career was co-owning a boutique with her daughter
  • Two things make her proud: 1) all 3 of her children are really nice people, and 2) she walked across England raising $4,000 for Soroptimist International’s Project Sierra: A Family and a Future in partnership with “Hope and Homes for Children” for her 60th birthday.
  • Lives by two quotes: 1) “Eat food, not much, mostly plants.” – by Michael Pollen, and 2) “Strive to do your best.” – by Carell Wingrave (herself)

Margo Wipf

  • Joined Soroptimist in 2026
  • Is a Health and Safety Advisor – builds and maintains workplace safety systems, fosters psychological safety, and creates safer workplaces through education, collaboration, and proactive risk prevention.
  • Enjoys being outdoors
  • Is passionate about empowering women and girls to stay in school, build confidence, and pursue their goals.
  • Is committed to supporting women transitioning out of domestic violence situations and helping them see that there is hope and opportunity ahead

Margaret Wootton

  • A 40 year Soroptimist member
  • Born in Vancouver
  • A graduate of the UBC School of Nursing class of ’67. Her career was in Public Health Nursing.
  • Played as a volunteer harpist at a local seniors’ care residence for over 15 years, some years focused in the dementia unit.
  • Was the president of the SI of Courtenay in 1989-1990 and a Director / Secretary of the Soroptimist Foundation of Canada 2003-2007.
  • Continuing to connect with Soroptimists across Canada, internationally and with SFC and to follow SI involvement with the United Nations.
  • Has been a member of the Soroptimist Chatline since September 2000.
  • Believes in being a Life Long Learner and enjoys many local Elder College courses, particularly now virtual ones.