Our History
BabyGoRound was founded by Jennifer Randall Nelson and first opened its facility doors in October 2012. As a mother of three, Jennifer was looking for a place to donate her gently used items so other mothers and children could enjoy the same experience she had when first having children. Unfortunately, there was no such place, and it was then the idea for BabyGoRound was born: a place where Jennifer and a host of other families could pass on gently used items that could really benefit families in our community and give back to those who may need it the most – new mothers with newborn babies and children up to age 2 years.
2012
Opened our facility doors on Kingsway in October.
2013
First agency open house held.
Hired first part-time administration staff member.
2014
First fundraiser held in the spring at Winsor Gallery.
Received funding from Trotman Auto for purchase of a van to enable collections.
Community Champions program implemented.
First Starbucks Winter Blanket Drive held.
2015
Transitioned part-time role from administration staff member to Operations Manager.
First Crib Campaign held; goal to raise funds for 500 cribs was achieved.
Became a member of Baby2Baby’s National Network.
2016
Initiated agency orientation sessions held at the facility.
Operations Manager hours increase made possible through funding received from the Seedlings Foundation.
Launched Medela breastfeeding campaign, securing access to reduced costs breast pumps for mothers requiring them.
2017
Conducted first impact survey to assess the impact of our reach and service.
Launched first formalized corporate partnership with Love Child Organics.
2018
Dedicated volunteer driver joined to collect donations across Lower Mainland.
Hired part-time Facility Manager and part-time Client Assistant.
Expanded rental space in current facility allowing for increased gear storage and sorting.
2019
Awarded SVP Vancouver funding and began the search for a full-time Executive Director. Updated our electronic referral system to streamline our referral process. Record month of serving 90 families in November.
2020
Successfully pivoted our program delivery within weeks of the onset of COVID-19 to ensure families continued to have access to baby items during the global pandemic. Secured strategic partnerships and implemented new systems to manage client, donor, and volunteer relationships.
2021
Record breaking number of more than 1,100 families served over the course of the year. Launched our community of monthly donors, The Neighbourhood.
Our Impact Last Year
1,128
Families Served1,050
Volunteer Hours6,406
Items Distributed90+
Referring AgenciesOur Team
Meghan Neufeld
Executive Director
Meghan’s passion for community investment can be traced back to her pre-professional days. Her volunteerism and advocacy work growing up inspired her to quickly move into the non-profit sector after graduating from university. Most recently, she held a role with the Cloverdale Community Kitchen and Fraser Valley Regional Food Bank where she worked to create an inclusive community of care for the vulnerable across the Lower Mainland. In addition to her full-time work in the sector, for the past 15 years she has run a consulting business that works alongside grassroots organizations to plan and execute fundraising and community-building initiatives. Meghan has been instrumental in projects that have had a lasting impact on the communities and organizations she supports.
A common thread amongst the organizations Meghan has worked with is the emphasis placed on providing dignity, which is something she deeply values about BabyGoRound’s program and unique offering. Meghan is also studying Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at the University of British Columbia and has been working as part of a team to develop policy positions on Canada’s Transit System and Women, Childcare, and Pay Transparency Legislation with the hopes of creating social change.
In her free time, you will find Meghan exploring new places – near and far – alongside her husband and daughter.
Courtney Lang
Operations Manager
Courtney joined the BabyGoRound team in March 2022, bringing with her enthusiasm, and an eagerness to learn. In school, Courtney studied both Psychology and Sociology. After graduating with a BA from Queen’s University, she was introduced to the non-profit sector through her job as a program coordinator at Dress for Success Vancouver.
Courtney understands that in order for communities to flourish, we must develop systems that foster connection and support, enabling everyone to rise together. She appreciates the way that BabyGoRound facilitates is through a circular flow of resources that benefits everyone involved. She is so grateful to join a team of passionate and forward thinking staff and volunteers, and looks forward to working together to expand the scope of the programs offered to families.
Pre-pandemic, Courtney spent one year living in the vibrant city of Berlin. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, spending time in nature, and making accessories for her small business, Eudaimonic.
Patricia Senft
Client Services Manager
Patricia’s journey at BabyGoRound started in 2018 as a volunteer, officially joining the team in February 2021. Patricia spent the previous 15 years working in different businesses in customer-centric industries, where she led diverse teams as a consultant, brand manager, and entrepreneur. Most recently she owned a small business in Vancouver, where she employed a team of 15 women.
Patricia is inspired and motivated by BabyGoRound’s mission to help families in need safely care for their babies and toddlers. As a mother of two, she understands how challenging the entry into motherhood can be, and knows the significance of the assistance we provide in not only reducing the financial stress of the families we serve, but also in helping them feel seen and supported.
Born in Brazil, Patricia lived in 6 different countries before moving to Vancouver, where she now resides with her husband, two daughters and dog. Patricia has an MBA degree from London Business School. She loves nothing more than travelling to new places and discovering different cultures. She is happiest at the beach, loves doing puzzles and baking, and can’t say no to a good oat milk latte.
Caterina Banducci
Resource Manager
Caterina has always been a very strong believer in volunteering and giving back to her community. After many years of volunteering in her various child-focused programs and non-profits, including BabyGoRound, Caterina was excited to move into a more formal role as our Resource Manager.
Caterina is excited to be meeting parents accessing our services, preparing bundles for families, as well as connecting with BabyGoRound’s wonderful community of supporters for baby item donations. She is drawn to this organization because she believes that creating a healthy community starting from the very beginning of parenthood and the arrival of a child. Supporting these young families at a very vulnerable time is crucial for a positive start.
Caterina’s background is social work and has worked with a variety of populations such as children in inner city schools, family counselling, and adoption. She has a Bachelor of Social Work from UBC. Although she was born in Vancouver, she grew up living and working in a vineyard in the Okanagan, Caterina now lives is Vancouver with her husband and three children. Her favourite things to do are to spend time with her family, hike, bike, read, and play pickleball.
Sam Drier
Board Chair & Director, Finance
Sam Drier joined the board of BabyGoRound in July 2015. Sam is VP of Strategic Initiatives with Pan American Silver. She also serves on the board of Equinox Gold. Previously, she was an investment banker with JPMorgan and Barclays Capital and a Mergers and Acquisitions manager with BHP Billiton. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Business Science degree from the University of Cape Town.
Sam believes that the entry into motherhood in itself is exceptionally challenging and by being able to assist new mothers and families in need with basic necessities for their children can make a significant difference to this life changing experience. Sam is proud to be involved with BabyGoRound who is helping make this difference in the community.
Sam was born in Saudi Arabia, raised in South Africa and moved to Canada in 2011. She now resides in Vancouver with her husband, daughter and son.
Niki Cumming
Board Vice Chair & Director
Niki Cumming is one of the founding members of BabyGoRound. Niki formerly held a career as an Ultrasound Technologist in Obstetrics at BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre, where working with families from diverse backgrounds ignited her passion for helping expectant parents in need. Now a busy and active mother herself, Niki values the concept of parents supporting one another to provide the items necessary to bring up safe and healthy children. She has a vested interest in the global effort to support marginalized families fleeing war-torn countries and has been instrumental in creating partnerships with social service agencies that support refugees in the Lower Mainland.
Niki was born and raised in British Columbia and resides in Vancouver with her husband and their two children and dog.
Caitlin Woodward
Board Secretary & Director
Caitlin Woodward joined the board of BabyGoRound in February 2021. Caitlin is the Associate General Counsel at TELUS Corporation where she advises on strategic acquisitions and investment transaction across TELUS’ many lines of business. Prior to joining TELUS, Caitlin was Associate General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Atlas Corporation, a NYSE-listed global asset management business based in Vancouver and Hong Kong. Prior to joining Atlas, Caitlin spent nearly a decade in private practice at the Hong Kong office of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP. Caitlin holds a JD from Stanford Law School and a BA from Pomona College.
Caitlin began her involvement with BabyGoRound as a facility volunteer, and was inspired by the work that the organization was doing to smooth the transition into new-motherhood and alleviate some of the stresses associated with that time by providing families with basic necessities for their babies. She is excited to continue to support BabyGoRound as a member of the board, and is continually amazed by the dedication of the team and the impact of their work.
Caitlin was born and raised in Vancouver. After extended stints in both the U.S. and Hong Kong, she is now happily back in Vancouver with her husband and three daughters.
Theresa Pearson
Board Director, Fundraising
Theresa Pearson joined the board of BabyGoRound in February 2018. Theresa has over 25 years experience working and volunteering in the non-profit sector in Vancouver. She has worked with BC Children’s Hospital, Science World, YWCA Vancouver, and Ronald McDonald House BC. Theresa contributed to these organizations as a fundraiser and event manager and has been consulting to local non-profits the last several years.
Theresa is passionate about helping others, especially children and vulnerable women. After several months as a volunteer, Theresa knew she had more to contribute to BabyGoRound through her experience with fundraising. BabyGoRound is particularly compelling to Theresa because it is such a small, grassroots organization, focused on improving the lives of little ones and their families.
Born and raised in Spokane, Washington, Theresa now lives in Vancouver with her husband Brian, three kids and her English Bulldog, Wilma.
Cecily Lawrenson
Board Director
Cecily Lawrenson joined the Board of Baby Go Round in 2021. Cecily brings 20 years of experience as a fundraiser, leader, and engagement professional in the non-profit sector. Currently, Cecily is Director of Development for the UBC Sauder School of Business, where she works with some of the school’s most valued donors and alumni.
Cecily learned about BabyGoRound when she became a mother herself and considered the social and environmental benefits of donating her gently used items. She is passionate about helping vulnerable women and children, and feels that easing the transition to motherhood through the provision of basic necessities is a powerful way to do this. Cecily began her relationship with BabyGoRound as a donor and is excited to be able to contribute to its impact as a member of the Board.
Cecily was born and raised in the Lower Mainland and now lives in Crescent Beach with her husband and three young children.
Lynda Phinney
Board Director
Lynda joined the board of BabyGoRound in October 2021. A seasoned communications professional, Lynda has more than 25 years of experience in the areas of strategic planning, stakeholder engagement and community investment. She also brings experience in public consultation, government relations, and brand management. Lynda has held senior communications positions in finance and telecommunications, as well as several years working at marketing communications agencies and as an independent consultant.
Introduced to BabyGoRound while volunteering with her teenage daughter, Lynda was struck by the care, respect and practicality of the non-profit’s service delivery model. She was particularly impressed with BabyGoRound’s ability to deliver essential services creatively and safely to vulnerable families throughout the pandemic.
Lynda has served on the boards of Big Sisters BC Lower Mainland, YMCA Vancouver as well as on the Campaign Executive Committee for Collingwood School in West Vancouver. Other passions include strategic support to the Porter Foundation, an animal rescue organization in the Yukon and fundraising campaigns to support Jipe Moyo Nursery School in Mombassa, Kenya. She lives in North Vancouver with her husband, two children and two fur babies.