The Houssian Foundation was established in 2005 by Joe and Joanne Houssian, reflecting the family’s deep commitment to community well-being, environmental stewardship, and advancing gender equality. Guided by two generations of family leadership and a professional team, the Foundation leverages philanthropic for better future.
Since its founding, the Houssian Foundation has supported a range of institutions and projects, from hospitals and schools to advocacy organizations and refugee resettlement services. We continue to support many of our first grantees.
2021 marked a significant milestone with the creation of our first formal grant-making strategy, which continues to guide our work. This strategy underscores our priorities and reflects the adaptive spirit with which we approach our philanthropy.
At its core, the Houssian Foundation is driven by a passion for fostering positive change through both strategic investments and partnerships. By supporting initiatives that align with our values, entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to ongoing learning, we strive to contribute to a more just, sustainable, and inclusive world for future generations.
Our Values
Our work is underpinned by a set of values that includes:
- A solutions-focused orientation – recognizing the challenge and responding with hope, creativity and constructive paths forward.
- Valuing an entrepreneurial spirit – taking on risk or pursuing a new idea to achieve greater impact, leverage and scale.
- Engaging in partnerships built on trust, respect and humility.
- Prioritizing feminist values – celebrating wins, and acting with transparency and accountability.
- A commitment to ongoing learning and action to advance Diversity, Equity and Inclusion – centering those most impacted by injustice and working with an anti-racist approach.
Membership Associations
The Houssian Foundation is a member of the following Associations:
our people
The Houssian Foundation Team
Mira Oreck
Mira Oreck became the first Executive Director of The Houssian Foundation in 2020. She is a dedicated leader passionate about driving social and environmental change through progressive public policies and fostering civic engagement.
Guided by a feminist perspective shaped early in life and a deep commitment to our natural environment, Mira has worked closely with the Board to craft the foundation’s inaugural grant-making and investment strategies and built meaningful relationships within the philanthropic sector. Alongside the board, she has guided the foundation towards trust-based philanthropic practices.
Mira has a professional background in community and political organizing, working on issue-based campaigns in both Canada and the United States. She also served as the Director of Stakeholder Relations to Premier of British Columbia, John Horgan.
Holding an undergraduate degree in sociology and women’s studies from McGill University and a Master’s in urban policy from The New School in New York City, Mira’s expertise and vision have been instrumental in shaping the foundation.
Mira loves to be outside with her husband, two kids and elderly dog.
Karen Tam Wu
Karen Tam Wu is an accomplished leader with deep expertise in energy and climate policy, nature conservation, and sustainable forestry. Her career highlights include serving at the Pembina Institute as Director of the Buildings and Urban Solutions Program and later as Regional Director for B.C., where she spearheaded innovative strategies and impactful collaborations.
From 2017 to 2024, Karen contributed to the BC Climate Solutions Council, shaping policies to address climate challenges. Currently, she serves on the board of BC Hydro. For her work, Karen has been recognized as one of Business in Vancouver’s B.C.’s most influential business leaders, a Georgia Strait Trailblazer, and is a recipient of the Foresight Industry Impact Award.
Lizzy Karp
Lizzy Karp is a passionate advocate for creativity, accessibility, and community impact, with a focus on gender equity. With over a decade of experience in community engagement and program development, she has spearheaded impactful initiatives that inspire connection and drive meaningful change. A co-founder of Brood, Lizzy brought innovative solutions to maternal and family care, supporting over 3,500 families since 2022. During her tenure at TELUS, she played a pivotal role in launching STORYHIVE, a groundbreaking film-granting program that has invested over $75 million to amplify diverse voices.
A recognized leader, Lizzy has received numerous accolades, including a 30 Under 30 award and the Wendy MacDonald Diversity Award, underscoring her commitment to fostering cultural change and promoting equity.
Christine Robertson
Christine Robertson is an accomplished operations and project management professional with expertise in administration, large-scale event management, and strategic implementation. Since joining The Houssian Foundation in 2021, she has been instrumental in strengthening operational infrastructure, including significantly modernizing all Foundation systems to enhance efficiency and deepen impact.
Her career spans operations, event, and project roles in Vancouver’s nonprofit sector, as well as leadership positions at The Georgia Straight and Whole Foods Market. She has also worked on food security issues through FarmFolk CityFolk and Quest Food Exchange.
Outside of work, Christine finds inspiration seeing live music, travelling, and enjoying the arts.
our Board
The Houssian Foundation Board
Joanne Houssian
Joanne Houssian is the Co-Chair of the Houssian Foundation, where she is dedicated to supporting community-based initiatives that address human and environmental challenges, both locally and globally. Her work focuses on the critical intersections between these issues, driven by a commitment to creating meaningful impact.
A leader in her community, Joanne has held key roles in organizations such as North Shore Family Services, Lions Gate Hospital, and Collingwood School, where she is a Co-Founder. Joanne is deeply involved in efforts to combat homelessness, child protection issues, and gender-based violence in British Columbia. She supports initiatives like the StreetToHome Foundation, Powell Place Shelter for Women, Children of the Street, YWCA, and the Saint James Music Academy. Through her work with the Canadian Women’s Foundation, she contributes to a national strategy to prevent and end human sex trafficking.
Joanne is also an alumna of The Philanthropy Workshop and continues to advocate for positive change across multiple sectors. Based in West Vancouver with her husband, Joe, Joanne takes immense pride in her three grown children and two granddaughters.
Joe Houssian
Joe Houssian began his career at Xerox in 1973 and then founded Intrawest in 1976. Intrawest grew from an urban residential real estate business into an internationally renowned resort and real estate development company responsible for the success of such pre-eminent ski resorts as Whistler Blackcomb. Intrawest grew rapidly to 25,000 people with resort and hospitality entities around the world. In 1990, Intrawest became a public company and was sold in 2006 for US $2.8B.
Joe Houssian began his career at Xerox in 1973 and then founded Intrawest in 1976. Intrawest grew from an urban residential real estate business into an internationally renowned resort and real estate development company responsible for the success of such pre-eminent ski resorts as Whistler Blackcomb. Intrawest grew rapidly to 25,000 people with resort and hospitality entities around the world. In 1990, Intrawest became a public company and was sold in 2006 for US $2.8B.
Joe Houssian began his career at Xerox in 1973 and then founded Intrawest in 1976. Intrawest grew from an urban residential real estate business into an internationally renowned resort and real estate development company responsible for the success of such pre-eminent ski resorts as Whistler Blackcomb. Intrawest grew rapidly to 25,000 people with resort and hospitality entities around the world. In 1990, Intrawest became a public company and was sold in 2006 for US $2.8B.
Jessica Houssian
Jess Houssian has focused her career on the intersections of gender equality, philanthropy, and social change, imagining and co-creating spaces for innovation and collaboration that shift power and resources to feminist movements around the world.
Jess is now an Advisor to the Equality Fund, where she served from 2019-2024 Co-CEO. The Equality Fund is an innovative model for sustainable investment in global feminist movements. Leveraging an unprecedented contribution of CAD 300 million from the Government of Canada, the Equality Fund unites gender-lens investing, bold government funding, and powerful, multi-sector philanthropy to unlock new capital for women’s rights organizations and movements. With collaboration from leaders in every sector, the Equality Fund expects to activate over CAD 1 billion for gender equality, making it the largest self-sustaining fund for gender equality in the world.
Previously, Jess served as Executive Director of Women Moving Millions, a global community of women philanthropists who invest boldly with a gender lens. Jess holds a B.A. in Women & Gender Studies (Bates College) and an M.Sc. in Fundraising & Grantmaking (New York University), and currently serves as co-chair of The Houssian Foundation.
Joey Houssian
Joey Houssian, a British Columbia native and entrepreneur, is based in Whistler. While attending university, he launched his first business, an organic produce delivery service. Building on his passion for people, nature, and sustainable business, Joey founded and now leads The Adventure Group, an eco-tourism company in Whistler.
An avid traveler who has visited over 50 countries, Joey constantly researches and innovates to enhance The Adventure Group’s offerings. He strongly believes that connecting with friends, family, or colleagues in breathtaking outdoor settings is one of the most meaningful and rewarding ways to spend time.
Joey is deeply involved in community and philanthropy. He serves as a director on the boards of the Do It For The Love Foundation, Zero Ceiling Society of Canada, and Playground Builders. Passionate about family, music, yoga, surfing, and snowboarding, Joey continues to contribute actively to the Whistler community while championing sustainable, nature-focused experiences.
Jamie Houssian
Jamie Houssian is a Principal at Elemental Energy, a company focused on developing, investing in, and operating renewable energy projects that deliver long-term financial returns, environmental benefits, and positive social impact. Jamie oversees the company’s strategic direction and identifies new business and investment opportunities.
With over a decade of experience at Elemental Energy, Jamie has contributed to its growth in various capacities. Prior to this, he worked at Chrysalix Energy Venture Capital, further honing his expertise in the clean energy sector.
Before transitioning to renewable energy, Jamie began his career in the film industry as President and Co-Founder of The Collective Films, an award-winning documentary and commercial production company. He holds an MBA from the University of British Columbia and a BA from the University of California, Santa Barbara.