Meet the amazing individuals making a big impact as Impact Ambassadors for CTS Youth Society! These passionate changemakers are all about empowering youth, fostering a love for the outdoors, and inspiring the next generation of leaders. Through their dedication, they help connect young people with nature, build leadership skills, and create a strong sense of community.
Jesse Lipscombe (born 1980) is a Canadian actor. Best known for his role of Mance on Netflix’s Black Summer and Coach Allen on My Life With the Walter Boys of the same streaming service. He won a Rosie Award for Best Performance by an Alberta Actor for his performance in the 2017 film, It’s Not My Fault and I Don’t Care Anyway and was one of the executive producers of the sketch comedy show Tiny Plastic Men for which he was nominated for a Canadian Screen Award for Best Comedy Series at the 3rd Canadian Screen Awards. Lipscombe is also the founder of the #MakeitAwkward campaign, a hashtag movement in Edmonton that promotes anti-racism. He is a best-selling author with his Harper Collins published book, The Art of Doing and Jars, published by Friensen Press.
Ryan Steele is a Canadian comedian, actor, wedding officiant, bartender, and content creator. Best known for his quick wit and engaging presence, Steele has been a mainstay in Vancouver’s entertainment scene for over 20 years, making it his cherished home. He has performed at the prestigious Just For Laughs Comedy Festival (you can catch him on February 16th, 2025 at the Rio Theatre) and gained national recognition as a contestant on The Amazing Race Canada, where he finished an impressive third place. Beyond the stage and screen, Ryan is passionate about community engagement and is thrilled to join the Metro Vancouver Regional Parks Foundation and CTS Youth Society’s Impact Ambassador Program, where he aims to inspire and connect people with nature and each other.
Jaimie Rogers, born and raised in Vancouver and now a resident of North Vancouver, has spent his life exploring and enjoying the incredible natural beauty of the region’s parks. Most weekends, he can be found running the trails in Capilano River Regional Park or discovering nature with his 4-year-old son, Hayden.
With over 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry and a decade in tourism, Jaimie manages a business that specializes in showcasing the best of the Lower Mainland, British Columbia, and Alberta to visitors from around the world. His passion for nature, community, and conservation is central to his work. As an Impact Ambassador for CTS Youth Society and Metro Vancouver Regional Parks, Jaimie is eager to inspire young people to connect with nature, develop leadership skills, and create lasting memories in the great outdoors.
Bethanea Chou is an organizational development professional with experience in government, consulting, and higher education. Before paving her career path, she spent seven years as a participant, Peer Leader, and Head of the CTS Youth Society Social Media Committee. Passionate about youth leadership development and fostering an appreciation for nature, she now gives back to the program that shaped her by bringing her expertise in youth coaching, project management, and Human Resources to connect community members to CTS Youth Society and regional parks. In her free time, she enjoys identifying mushrooms, edible plants, and bird species.
Kirk McLean is one of the most celebrated players in Vancouver Canucks history. Known as “Captain Kirk,” he played 17 seasons in the NHL, including 10.5 memorable years with the Canucks, where he led the team to the 1994 Stanley Cup Finals and earned two Vezina Trophy nominations. McLean’s legacy includes inductions into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame, the BC Sports Hall of Fame, and the Canucks’ Ring of Honour.
Now based in Vancouver, McLean is an active member of the Canucks Alumni and serves as the team’s Ambassador. In addition to his hockey contributions, McLean is proud to be an Impact Ambassador for the Metro Vancouver Regional Parks Foundation & CTS Youth Society, supporting conservation and community connections to nature through events and initiatives.
A former World Cup soccer player and Vancouver Whitecaps captain, Jay DeMerit is the founder of RISExSHINE, a youth development program and gamified learning app.
Growing up in the woods of Wisconsin, Jay developed a lifelong connection to nature. He’s passionate about getting youth outdoors—whether through forest walks, street court basketball, or community ocean ice baths.
Jay supports initiatives like Canadian National Health & Fitness Day and runs RISExSHINE youth leadership camps each summer. A long-time Gastown resident, he enjoys morning runs to Crab Park, taking in the views that inspire him to keep moving and stay connected to nature.
Jay is now proud to serve as an Impact Ambassador for CTS Youth Society.
Mike Killeen’s exceptional career in broadcasting, spanning 40 years and with recognition from prestigious outlets like CBC, CTV, CKNW, and others, has made him one of the most respected names in the industry. With awards including the Jack Webster Award for Best Local TV Newscast, Mike has left a lasting impact on journalism both locally and internationally. In May 2021, Mike chose to conclude his broadcasting career and pivot toward new ventures, one of which includes becoming an Impact Ambassador for Metro Vancouver Regional Parks Foundation.
As an Impact Ambassador, Mike is now a key figure in helping foster deeper community engagement with the CTS Youth Society’s work, building on his legacy of impactful storytelling.
Dawn Chubai is a seasoned broadcaster, on-camera coach, and live shopping strategist with over 25 years of experience in television and media. Formerly a host on Breakfast Television and The Shopping Channel, she specializes in helping individuals and brands communicate with confidence on camera. Beyond her work in media, Dawn is passionate about community engagement and is honored to serve as an Impact Ambassador for the Metro Vancouver Regional Parks Foundation and CTS Youth Society. She believes in the importance of preserving and appreciating the incredible natural beauty we have access to and is excited to support initiatives that inspire people to connect with their surroundings and each other.
Join the Impact Ambassador Program
Metro Vancouver Regional Parks Foundation and CTS Youth Society have partnered to create an enriching and flexible volunteer pioneering opportunity: the Impact Ambassador Program. This initiative empowers individuals to make a meaningful impact in their communities while supporting the goals of either or both organizations. As an Impact Ambassador, you will be crucial in advocating for environmental conservation, youth development, and community engagement.
Flexible and Personalized Role
We understand that each volunteer has unique strengths, interests, and time commitments. The Impact Ambassador Program is designed to be adaptable to your comfort zone and personal schedule. Whether you have a few hours a month or can dedicate more time, your contribution is valuable, and we will work with you to create a role that aligns with your strengths and interests.
Impact Ambassadors:
- Serve as a representative of CTS Youth Society and Metro Vancouver Regional Parks Foundation at various events and community activities.
- Share the missions of both/or one organization, inspire others to get involved, and help raise awareness about environmental conservation and/or youth in nature initiatives/metal health.
Opportunities to Make an Impact:
| Ambassador | •Serve as a Champion of CTS Youth Society and Metro Vancouver Regional Parks Foundation at various events and community activities. •Share the missions of both organizations, inspire others to get involved, and help raise awareness about environmental conservation and youth development initiatives. |
| Influencer | • Utilize your social media presence to amplify the messages of CTS Youth Society and Metro Vancouver Regional Parks Foundation. • Create and share content that highlights the work being done, upcoming events, and ways others can get involved. • Help build a broader online community engaged in these important causes. |
| Social Media, PR, & Media Support | • Leverage social media, public speaking, and networking opportunities to promote these campaigns. Share content, updates, and success stories to build excitement and increase involvement from diverse audiences. |
| Networking & Partnerships | • Leverage your personal and professional networks to introduce potential partners, sponsors, or donors to CTS Youth Society and Metro Vancouver Regional Parks Foundation. • Facilitate connections that can lead to collaborations, sponsorships, and other support for ongoing projects and programs. |
| Professional & Personal Advice | • Provide your professional expertise or personal insights on any of the above opportunities. • Offer guidance on strategy, communication, or execution to enhance the effectiveness of the initiatives you are involved in. |
| Sponsorships, Events & Fundraising | • Assist in identifying and securing sponsorships or donations for events, programs, and initiatives. • Support fundraising efforts by sharing campaigns within your network or helping organize fundraising events. • Act as a Commitee member for campaigns or events. |
| Campaign Spokesperson | • Serve as the face of existing campaigns (such as the REEL Earth Day Challenge, Seek the Peak, or Pints for Parks) that particularly interest you, or new initiatives you’re passionate about. Use your platform and voice to spread the word, inspire participation, and engage the community in meaningful environmental and youth-focused initiatives. |
Get Involved
Becoming an Impact Ambassador offers a unique opportunity to contribute to your community in a way that aligns with your skills, interests, and availability. Whether passionate about environmental conservation, youth empowerment, or community engagement, your role as an Impact Ambassador will make a lasting difference.
Ready to Become an Impact Ambassador?
If you’re ready to leverage your influence for a great cause, we’d love to have you on board. Together, we can ensure that our regional parks continue to be places of beauty, biodiversity, and recreation for everyone to enjoy, while empowering the youth and communities of Metro Vancouver. To learn more or join the Impact Ambassador Program, please contact our Executive Director, Mark Mahl.
