Celebrating Helena Finn-Vickers: A Beacon of Passion and Leadership in Volunteer Management

Helena Finn-Vickers’ unwavering dedication and passion for volunteering is evident the moment you meet her. It’s a calling she discovered early in her career, and one that has continued to inspire her ever since.

Growing up in Port Hope, Helena helped her parents run a nursing home. This early exposure ignited an interest in gerontology and life span development, leading her to pursue university studies in the field. After graduating, Helena worked with several seniors’ activity centers, where she honed her skills in program planning. Her enthusiasm for supporting volunteer engagement blossomed when she completed the Humber College Volunteer Management Certificate program, shifting her career path to become an Outreach Consultant for the Canadian Cancer Society. Since then, she has never looked back.

A life-changing phone call led Helena to become the Manager of Volunteer Resources at Lakeridge Health–an opportunity she has cherished for nearly two decades. Reflecting on her interview experience, she recalls the intimate yet intimidating setting with six panelists who recognized her potential to lead and integrate volunteer programs across the organization.

Helena’s commitment to her role can be felt in all her daily interactions. While she often finds herself behind a computer screen, she values her connections with her colleagues and the more than 900 volunteers at Lakeridge Health. “Working with volunteers, even when they have concerns, is what energizes me,” Helena shares. “They are incredibly passionate about making a difference.”

One of Helena’s favourite aspects of her role is the amazing team members across the organization and how they “understand that effective volunteer engagement relies on relationship-building,” she shares.

“I am so grateful for how Lakeridge Health has trusted me with the opportunity to impact the team and patient experience by creating meaningful roles and supporting our dedicated adult and student volunteers,” she reflects.

Helena’s influence extends beyond the walls of Lakeridge Health. As President and Past President of both the local and provincial associations for volunteer administrators, she cherishes the relationships and shared knowledge within the field.

Looking ahead, Helena envisions a future for volunteer engagement that is both thoughtful and innovative. “The challenges of the past few years have made us all recognize the need to adapt, embracing shorter service commitments and evolving expectations, especially students eager for diverse experiences,” she notes.

"Helena has profoundly shaped the volunteer experience at Lakeridge Health," shares Umwali Sauter, Director of Organizational Development, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, Anti-Racism, Wellness, Volunteer Resources, and Spiritual Care.

"Her unwavering leadership and compassionate support for both volunteers and staff make her an invaluable asset to our organization, creating a lasting legacy of dedication and care."