Federation honours four leaders for lasting contributions to community social services

The Federation of Community Social Services of BC congratulates David Young, Gordon Cote, Nanette Taylor and Shane Picken as honorary members, recognizing their exceptional leadership and lasting contributions to strengthening community social services in British Columbia.

Honorary membership is one of the Federation’s highest distinctions. It recognizes individuals whose leadership, service and commitment have helped advance community well-being and strengthen the sector that supports people and families across the province.

“Each of these leaders has helped shape the community social services sector in B.C.,” said Federation executive director Amy Mullis. “Through decades of service, they have strengthened organizations, championed quality practice and worked collaboratively to build a stronger system of care for people and communities.”

Together, the four honourees represent more than a century of leadership across frontline services, public administration, organizational development and sector advocacy.

David Young

David Young is a respected sector leader whose career reflects sustained service, principled leadership and a deep commitment to community well-being.

Most recently, Young served as CEO of Sources Community Resources Society, where he led the organization’s growth into a strong, community-based, multiservice agency supporting people facing complex and intersecting challenges. Under his leadership, the organization expanded services ranging from trauma counselling and food security to homelessness prevention, youth mental wellness, community living and infant development.

Young’s career spans frontline practice, senior public service and national sector leadership. He began his career in residential care and child and youth work before joining the B.C. public service, where he ultimately served as assistant deputy minister with the Ministry of Children and Family Development.

He later served as executive director of the Canadian Association of Family Resource Programs before joining Sources.

Young has also played an important leadership role within the sector itself. He served as president of both the Federation of Community Social Services of BC and the Community Social Services Employers Association and has contributed to numerous community and provincial boards.

His contributions have been recognized with a BC Achievement Foundation Community Award, the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal and an honorary Doctor of Laws from Kwantlen Polytechnic University.

Gordon Cote

Gordon Cote has been a respected leader in B.C.’s community social services sector for more than three decades.

More than 35 years ago, Cote founded NARSF Programs in Nanaimo and grew it into a thriving community agency serving people facing complex barriers. Although he retired in 2025, the organization continues to deliver effective services through a strong professional team, reflecting the foundation he built.

Cote was an early advocate for collaboration and had NARSF join the Federation during its formative years. He later served on the Federation’s board, contributing to its mission and demonstrating a strong commitment not only to his own organization but also to the broader sector.

He has been a consistent voice for proper funding, meaningful outcomes and high standards of leadership and professionalism.

A longstanding champion of accreditation and accountability, Cote led NARSF as an early adopter of CARF accreditation and continues to serve as a CARF surveyor, known for his rigorous, fair and humane approach.

He also provided foundational leadership as an original board member of the Community Social Services Health and Safety Association, helping establish sector-wide health and safety standards.

In retirement, Cote remains actively engaged, co-developing and facilitating supervisory, management and leadership training for the next generation of sector leaders.

Nanette Taylor

Nanette Taylor is a long-time champion of community social services whose career reflects a deep commitment to people, practice excellence and sector leadership.

Over more than three decades with Hollyburn Community Services Society, Taylor advanced services for children, youth, families and adults with diverse needs while maintaining strong roots in frontline practice as a child and youth worker.

She founded Hollyburn Community Services Society to address gaps in support for youth transitioning out of government care and led its growth into a multi-program organization delivering emergency shelter, transitional housing, life skills programming, victim services and community-based supports.

As executive director, Taylor built strong senior leadership structures while consistently centring the voices, well-being and professional environment of frontline staff. She was known for actively incorporating direct service feedback into service improvement and safeguarding ethical practice.

A strong advocate for accreditation and practice standards, she also demonstrated a rare ability to balance system requirements with individualized, person-centred responses that improved lives.

Taylor has been a dedicated Federation member and leader, serving as both board president and vice-president. During her time with the Federation, she championed accreditation, the Residential Review, leadership development and board renewal.

She was also a trusted and candid voice with government, elected officials and media on issues affecting the sector.

Shane Picken

Shane Picken has made sustained and exceptional contributions to the social care sector in B.C. over more than four decades.

From his early work supporting inner-city youth in Manitoba to founding and growing arc programs in the Okanagan, Picken has demonstrated a deep commitment to equity, collaboration and community-based solutions.

He played a leading role in developing innovative programs in youth justice, substance use treatment and family-based mental health initiatives that continue to serve as models of practice in both rural and urban communities.

Picken also provided longstanding leadership to the Federation, serving more than 20 years on its board. During that time, he represented the Federation on numerous internal and external committees, including government advisory groups.

His work helped shape sector positions on labour-market investments in training and education, contracting and procurement, residential service redesign and advocacy for youth in government care.

Known as a thoughtful advocate, relationship builder and mentor, Picken invested deeply in people and ideas, strengthening the sector and helping prepare the next generation of leaders.

Honouring leadership that strengthens communities

The Federation’s honorary members reflect the leadership, collaboration and commitment that continue to shape community social services in B.C.

“David, Gord, Nanette and Shane represent the best of our sector,” said Mullis. “Their leadership has strengthened organizations, advanced practice and helped build the community-based services that people across B.C. rely on every day.”

The Federation congratulates all four honorary members and thanks them for their enduring contributions to community social services and to the people and communities they serve.