Executive Director
“Put your bare feet in the grass”: Working hands-on with Mainland BC’s Military & Veteran families grounds Executive Director, Lina Thompson
Tragically, he lost his life in combat and is buried in Italy. Growing up, Lina's grandmother taught Lina about the profound impact of his loss on their family.
"Witnessing how deeply it affected her shaped my understanding of sacrifice and patriotism," states Lina, who took on the role of Executive Director of Mainland BC MFRC in early 2025.
As an adult, Lina was able to connect with James Calhoun, Archivist and Curator of the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada Museum and Archives, who then gave Lina her great uncle's Military file.
"The file detailed the night he was killed in action, and it was incredibly emotional to read the events that unfolded," reflects Lina. "It connected me even more deeply to our Military community and reinforced why this work matters so much."
Growing up in the Mainland BC area, Lina often drove by the Seaforth Highlanders base, and every time she did, she felt a desire to connect to her family’s history. So, when the job for Executive Director of Mainland BC MFRC came up, Lina felt motivated to apply.
A Deep Sense of Purpose
For Lina, then, helping to support Military and Veteran families of Mainland BC has brought her a deep sense of purpose. And while honouring past Military contributions is important, Lina also recognizes the need to understand the changing Military landscape.
"The MFRC has grown from offering core support services to becoming a more agile, responsive organization that anticipates the evolving needs of modern Military families," she states. "With more dual-income households, increased mental health challenges, and greater geographic dispersion, our programming has become more flexible, trauma-informed, and inclusive.”
As Executive Director, Lina’s primary role is to ensure that the organization effectively supports Military families through meaningful programs and services. This looks like leading a dedicated team (staff), managing partnerships (locally, regionally, and nationally), overseeing its organizational strategy, and advocating for the unique needs of the community.
“We’re also responding to the very real concerns that exist today for CAF members and their families, including housing insecurity, long wait times for healthcare, and the mental health impacts of service. Reservists, in particular, face unique challenges as they often balance Military duties with civilian careers and may not always feel fully connected to the resources available. The MFRC is working to ensure that all families—Regular Force, Reserve, and Veterans—feel seen, supported, and empowered through every phase of their journey."
A big part of Lina’s role is connecting with the general public, at the community level. Whether that’s partnering with community organizations to offer services to their members, hosting events for Military families in local communities, or representing the Military family perspective to the general public, Lina often finds herself educating the general public on the role of Military families in the Mainland BC area.
“I wish the public better understood how much strength and sacrifice Military and Veteran families quietly carry,” says Lina. “Frequent moves, long absences, and uncertainty are part of everyday life for them; yet, they continue to serve and support each other with grace. These families are an essential part of our social fabric and deserve recognition, stability, and community support.”
The respect Lina has for the Military community—respect instilled in her at a very young age—is evident.
“Our Military members are preparing to defend people they may never meet. The level of care and sacrifice involved in that commitment continues to humble me. Reservists, in particular, often serve while working full-time in civilian roles. Their families sacrifice time with them, manage without predictability, and rarely receive the public recognition they deserve. We owe them our understanding, gratitude, and support.”
It's that level of caring that makes Lina such a dedicated Executive Director, one focused on serving the families who support these Military members.
The Work "Stays With You"
One of the challenges people who work in the non-profit industry face is knowing when and how to turn off their work mode. Burnout is high in this sector, largely due to increasing needs, reduced staffing and funding, and an abundance of caring.
“When you care deeply about the people and communities you serve, the work doesn’t always end at 4:30,” acknowledges Lina. “It stays with you—especially when you know someone is struggling or you’re trying to secure the resources needed to sustain programs.”
While Lina may have started her journey with Mainland BC MFRC in 2025, she is no stranger to working in the non-profit sector. So how does she ensure that she takes care of herself so that she has more to give to offers?
“I’ve learned, over time, that boundaries, rest, and community are not luxuries—they’re essential. Finding ways to disconnect and recharge helps ensure we can continue showing up with integrity and compassion.”
Lina stresses the importance her family plays on her joy and health, whether that’s exploring Vancouver with her husband and daughter, spending time in nature, or just enjoying some quiet moments at home. It doesn’t have to be fancy or complicated to spark joy; Lina says that some of her favourite memories involve rainy nights spent at home, laughing at funny animal videos.
“For me, finding a way to laugh every day is essential for my mental health. I’m also not afraid to laugh at myself—it’s often those little moments of levity that help keep things in perspective and create space for hope.”
Lina finds many ways to laugh, whether that’s with her staff, with her family, or with her friends. She speaks fondly of her tight-knit group of friends who meet for a monthly dinner that they (lovingly) call their “therapy session.”
“That time together, filled with laughter, connection, and support is something I truly cherish. I love reading, music, and anything that brings a sense of calm. I’m also passionate about storytelling and helping others feel seen and heard—whether through writing, art, or simply listening.”
On extra tough days—the days when perhaps she isn’t able to help as much as she would like to—Lina is a firm believer in finding any way to ground herself…and that includes putting her bare feet in the grass. The benefits of physically connecting to nature are well documented, and Lina is a huge believer of the practice.
“Just be grounded for five minutes to come back to your own body,” suggests Lina. “It works.”
"We're Here, Always"
Lina encourages Military and Veteran family members who need support to contact the MRFC, regardless of their need.
"Support can sometimes look as simple as picking up the phone or dropping by. It’s okay to say, 'I don’t know exactly what I need.' We can help you sort through it. Maybe all you need today is someone to say, 'We’re here for you.' And if we don’t have the answer or the resource right away, we will do everything we can to find it for you."
She also stresses that you don’t need to be experiencing an emergency to reach out.
“I wish more families knew just how much we’re here for them—not just in times of crisis, but every day. Whether they’re new to the area, navigating a deployment, or transitioning out of service, we offer practical and emotional support tailored to their journey. They don’t have to go it alone.”
Lina speaks fondly about seeing firsthand how the work of the MFRC positively supports families and how “witnessing [these] moments of support and connection” motivates her to show up, day after day.
One such moment took place not long after Lina joined the Mainland BC MFRC team: the Invictus Games.
“We were in the family resource area, working with kids all over the world—some of whom didn’t speak English. It was a powerful way to start this journey.”
Lina looks forward to many years of serving Military and Veteran families across Mainland BC.
To connect with Lina, you can email executivedirector@bcmfrc.com or phone 604. 240.3140.
