Willoughby parent Lorraine Baldwin has announced her candidacy for trustee for the 91原创 Board of Education. She is seeking one of the five Township seats on the board.
鈥淕oogle 鈥楲orraine Baldwin鈥� and 鈥�91原创鈥� and you鈥檒l discover my track record of advocacy for 91原创鈥檚 children,鈥� she said. 鈥淎s a parent and a person concerned about those who have been marginalized, I cannot stand back and let this story unfold the way it is. The board has done some great work in the last couple of years, and I think I can use my expertise and my voice to help drive those changes further.鈥�
She has lived in Willoughby for nine years with her husband Kevin, an instructor at BCIT, and her daughters Jessica (age 11) and Lauren (age 9). Their family has experienced firsthand the challenges the school district is facing as a result of overcrowding and unsustainable practices in the community. She is determined to ensure that the drive for development throughout the rest of 91原创 does not override the educational needs of the children who live there.
鈥淪ome people call me an 鈥榓ngry mom鈥�,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e right. I am angry. I鈥檓 angry that many children are in overcrowded schools. I鈥檓 angry that teachers and parents are subsidizing our school system because the government is failing to meet its obligations. I鈥檓 angry that resources for children in need are being cut and that their voices are not being heard. I want to do everything I can to help and that鈥檚 why I鈥檓 running for trustee.鈥�
She promises to engage with the community to foster an educational ecosystem through a commitment to collaboration, transparency, and trust. She will also leverage her professional skills and expertise to advocate for 91原创鈥檚 children.
With more than 25 years of experience in the communications industry, she has held various roles in strategic integrated communications for a wide range of public, private and non-profit organizations. Currently, she is a win strategist with IBM, a position she has held for over seven years.
She was a member of the PAC Executive at RC Garnett Demonstration Elementary School for six years, serving three years as president, and is currently president of the PAC for the new Yorkson Creek Middle School. She has chaired IBM鈥檚 Employee Charitable Fund campaign for two years, was the Chairperson for the YWCA Women of Distinction Awards for three years, and taught communications skills to disadvantaged youth in Vancouver鈥檚 Downtown Eastside. For three years, she provided volunteer public relations counsel for Abreast in a Boat, a dragon boat team of breast cancer survivors, and was subsequently nominated for an Ethics in Action Award.
She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of British Columbia. She has completed many professional development courses, and is currently pursuing Lean Six Sigma education.
To engage with her, you can find her on Twitter at @LorraineJLola or email her at lorrainebaldwin2014@gmail.com. You can also communicate with her via Facebook at www.facebook.com/LorraineJBaldwin.
