September 22, 2026- Delreen Motiwalla stepped into her role as JABC’s President & CEO in July 2026, bringing more than two decades of experience across the social profit and post-secondary sectors, including eight years with JABC.
As the organization looks toward its next chapter, we asked Delreen about the opportunity ahead, what JABC should never lose, and the questions shaping her thinking about the future. Here’s what she had to say.
1. As you take on the CEO role, what stands out most to you about JABC today?
What stands out most is the strength of the foundation we have built.
We have strong programs, deep relationships and a committed community around us. The focus now is on bringing those strengths together intentionally, being clear about where we can have the greatest impact, and making sure our resources and capabilities are aligned behind those priorities.
2. What do you believe JABC must never lose as it grows and evolves?
The human connection at the heart of what we do.
There is something incredibly powerful about a young person meeting someone who believes in their potential, being exposed to a new possibility, or having an experience that changes how they see themselves. As JABC grows, I want us to protect that connection, along with the practical, real-world nature of our programs. Scale matters, but so does the quality of the experience.
3. What do young people need from JABC now that may be different from what they needed five or ten years ago?
Young people are preparing for a world that is changing very quickly.
They still need strong foundational knowledge, but they also need the capabilities to navigate uncertainty: adaptability, critical thinking, communication, financial decision-making and the ability to keep learning as technology and the workplace evolve. That is why financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship are so relevant. They give young people opportunities to apply what they know, make decisions, test ideas and learn through experience.
4. Where do you see the greatest opportunity for JABC over the next few years?
For me, it is about access, relevance and impact.
There are still young people, schools and communities across B.C. that we are not reaching, and many educators, businesses and families who do not yet know what JABC can offer. We have an opportunity to bring the benefits of our work to more young people, particularly Indigenous youth and those in underserved communities, while continuing to strengthen how we understand and demonstrate our impact.
5. What do young people gain from a JABC experience?
They gain a stronger sense of what is possible for them.
That can mean greater confidence managing money, exposure to careers they had never considered, or the experience of taking an idea and turning it into something real. They also build practical capabilities they can carry forward: making decisions, communicating, adapting and taking initiative.
Ultimately, JABC helps young people develop both the skillset and the mindset to build thriving communities. The most meaningful outcome is when a young person leaves thinking, I have something to contribute, and I know I can take the next step.
6. Just for fun: Coffee or tea?
Tea. And I make my own Chai!