Maria Howard has led Family Services of Greater Vancouver as CEO since September 2020. She is an experienced leader with a demonstrated record of advancing the non-profit sector in support of people in need. Having started as a rehabilitation counsellor, she has spent her career supporting and advocating for people who are challenged by health and social issues to live the fullest life possible, engaged in their communities.

Maria holds an MBA in Leadership from the University of Athabasca and an M.Ed. in Rehabilitation from the University of Washington. With decades of extensive business experience, she has held leadership positions in the public healthcare sector as CEO of the Alzheimer Society of BC, as well as provincial and national governance roles. At FSGV, she leverages her operational excellence while guided by a commitment to caring and inclusive communities.

It is Maria’s natural alignment of personal values and professional impact that has allowed her to be effective in her career; she is a change-maker and leader with hopefulness and vision that energizes and builds confidence in both internal and external stakeholders.

Currently, Maria serves as the Chair of Family Services of Canada, Regional Director with the Federation of Community Social Services of BC, and as a board member with Voices in Motion, an intergenerational choir for people living with dementia in Victoria, BC. In her personal life, Maria enjoys travelling with her family, gardening and spending time with her two best four-legged friends!