Janice Abbott

Janice Abbott has been the CEO of Atira Women’s Resource Society since 1992. She has lead the Society through its incredible growth from a single transition house located in South Surrey with a staff of seven to a large multi-service agency with two, for-profit subsidiaries, a development arm and more than 500 staff. She has headed up numerous innovative capital projects including Canada’s first multi-unit recycled shipping container housing development, which was completed in August 2013.Throughout Atira’s herstory, Janice has championed barrier-free and low-barrier access to programs and services for women, ensuring Atira’s programs are accessible to all women affected by violence including women who have traditionally been marginalized by mainstream society. She developed and works to honour in her daily practice and in her life Atira’s anti-oppression framework. Janice was recognized by BC Business Magazine as among one of BC’s 35 Most Influential Women in 2016 and BC’s Most Influential Women in Not-for-Profit, Culture & Media in 2015.