Executive Director, The Plan Institute

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.
Vickie is the recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal of Canada, the Community Living Institute's Leadership Award, 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.