OUR TEAM
VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL MARATHON SOCIETYOur Team
World-class. Community driven.
The Vancouver International Marathon Society RUNVAN® is a non-profit, volunteer-run organization comprised of a small team of event staff and a volunteer Board of Directors. RUNVAN® traditionally relies on the support of nearly 3,000 volunteers annually to host the First Half, BMO Vancouver Marathon, Granville Island Turkey Trot and Great Trek.
Board of Directors
The non-profit Vancouver International Marathon Society RUNVAN® is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of a group of passionate leaders in the Vancouver community. The Board of Directors govern the Society and provide strategic direction and financial oversight.
Opening
Board
To help continue our growth, we’re currently seeking applications from persons interested in serving on the RUNVAN® Board of Directors. The successful applicant would join a group of passionate leaders in the Greater Vancouver community providing RUNVAN® with strategic direction and financial oversight. If you want to help deliver premiere running events that inspire active lifestyles and invite the world to experience Vancouver, you’re encouraged to please apply directly via email: [email protected]
Teresa Tomchak
Chair
Teresa is a partner at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP. Teresa practices in the area of securities litigation.
Teresa received her Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Alberta in 1995 and her law degree from the University of British Columbia in 1999.
She has been a runner for over 30 years and has competed in several marathons including Boston and New York, as well as the BMO Vancouver Marathon where she has finished second in her age group.
Teresa also competes in triathlons, including representing Canada at the World Age Group Triathlon Championships in the long distance, standard, and sprint since 2013.
Andrea Chambers
Vice Chair
Andrea is a seasoned HR professional with a Bachelors of Commerce degree in Operations Management from the University of Alberta (2003) and a Masters in Science (Human Resources) from the University of Liverpool (2016).
Andrea currently works at First Nations Health Authority as the Director of HR Shared Services.
Her first marathon was the Vancouver Marathon in 2010 and since then she has ran multiple races including the Boston Marathon. Andrea’s most recent goal is to run all of the Six Major World Marathons and she has 3 remaining (London, Tokyo and Berlin).
Over the years, Andrea has been involved in the local running community volunteering at races and supporting runners through local running groups.
Andrea is excited to join the RUNVAN Board to continue to give back to the running community.
Jeremy Pennington
Director
Jeremy is a Global Infrastructure Advisory Manager and National Airports Lead for Canada at KPMG LLP. He brings over 15 years of strategic planning & commercial operations experience, working with both public and private clients primarily in transportation, retail, real estate, utilities, and aviation.
Jeremy holds an M.B.A from Judge Business School, University of Cambridge, and a B.A. in Political Science & International Relations from the University of British Columbia.
Jeremy has completed the BMO Vancouver Marathon three times and regularly participates in other local running events of various lengths.
Joyce Chiang
Director
Joyce is a lawyer at Harris & Company LLP. Her practice focuses on all aspects of workplace law, with a particular interest in access to information and privacy law.
Joyce completed a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in History and Math from Queen’s University in 2018 and a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2022.
As an ultramarathoner, Joyce is passionate about running long distances both on and off the trail. She has competed in races up to 125KM across Canada and she is especially fond of team relay races.
Joyce is excited to have the opportunity to support her running community through RUNVAN.
Luke Li
Director
An avid reader, passionate runner, and forever learner, Luke is CFO for a turn-key THC/CBD formulation, infusion and product research and manufacturing company.
Professionally, Luke has worked for PwC, 360Networks, BZAM, and SAP as senior finance, accounting, and technology leader. Luke has held board positions with Vancouver Youth Symphony Orchestra, Arthritis society of BC/Yukon, and iRun Fitness.
In the running world, Luke has acted as M2M community ambassador, running coach with neighborhood’s largest running community, iRun Fitness, and coach with Burnaby Running Room.
He run many local and international marathons including Boston Marathon in 2019.
Luke is fortunate to join RUNVAN and ready contribute back to his beloved running community.
Max Sulimov
Director
Max is a CPA with over 10 years of experience in finance and accounting. Currently, Max focuses on investment activities of one of the largest beverage manufacturers in Vancouver. His background includes mergers & acquisitions, due diligence, financial modeling, audit and tax.
He received his Bachelor of Economics degree in 2010 and his UBC Accounting Diploma in 2012.
Max has been a runner for over 15 years and completed multiple marathons, half-marathons and shorter distances across North America. Recently Max became interested in triathlon and completed multiple local races.
In 2019, he finished his first Ironman Canada in Whistler, BC.
Max is proud to serve on the Board of Vancouver International Marathon Society and share his experience.
Rob Watson
Director
Rob is a lifelong runner with a passion for the sport which can be traced back to his youth in London Ontario, where he began running road races at the age of 6.
Rob attended Colorado State University where he competed in both Cross-Country and Track. He graduated with a degree in History in 2007.
After graduation, Rob continued to compete and won multiple Canadian championships in track and road running. He has represented Canada numerous times in international competition.
Rob has lived in Vancouver since 2012 and is an enthusiastic member of the vibrant run community. He has a rich history with the BMO Vancouver Marathon having won the Half Marathon in 2015 and the Marathon in 2018.
He works full time as the head coach of Mile2Marathon Vancouver and lives in Kitsilano with his wife Genevieve.
Winnie Lam
Director
Winnie Lam Cha is a Partner at KPMG LLP. As a leader in the Financial Services Tax practice, Winnie provides tax advisory and compliance services to financial institutions, including credit unions, banks, investment funds, fund managers and investment dealers.
Winnie received her Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Simon Fraser University and obtained her CA designation in 2004.
As a former SFU varsity swimmer and lifelong athlete, Winnie has maintained an active role in the community through participation and volunteering at events, including the BMO Vancouver marathon, Boston and New York marathons, Ironman Canada, Gran Fondos, and Ride to Conquer Cancer.
She is passionate about supporting fellow athletes in local clubs and is committed to fostering both mental and physical health through running and other sports in her community.
Amanda Jangula
Director
Born and raised in Vancouver, Amanda is a seasoned marketing and events professional with over 15 years of experience working in international sporting events. Working on a variety of global events such as the London Marathon, Rugby Sevens and numerous Olympic and Paralympic Games, she is the Head of Client Relations for global merchandising company, Event Goods Delivered.
Amanda is extremely passionate about women in sport and is a proud member of “She’s Got Next”, a nonprofit professional women’s sporting network. She is also a lifelong choral singer and currently sings in the Vancouver Cantata Singers.
Although not a marathon runner (yet!), Amanda has run several half marathons and is thrilled to support the RUNVAN community.
Tara Gill
Past Chair
Tara is a partner in the Vancouver audit practice of KPMG LLP, serving clients in the forestry, manufacturing and technology sectors, and works primarily with publicly listed entities in both Canada and the United States. She received her Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from UBC and worked for a Vancouver software company for a number of years, prior to joining KPMG in 2008 and obtaining her CA in 2010. She was also a volunteer with VANOC during the 2010 Winter Olympics. Tara is an avid runner and triathlete, having completed dozens of races of varying distances, ranging from 10KM to 50KM, as well as being a two-time finisher of Ironman Canada.