Our Team

Nicole Read

General Manager

Nicole was raised on a dairy farm in the local community of Chilliwack and was a part of her parents’ family-owned retail dairy store since she was 7 years old. At 22 she managed her family’s retail sports store and at 25, Nicole started her first business in the hospitality industry doing sales and marketing for hotels in different markets throughout BC and Alberta.

Other entrepreneurial adventures included contract work for employment programs, on-line vacation home rentals, restaurant owner of an upper casual steakhouse, and a temporary to permanent employment staffing agency. Nicole has worked closely with Community Futures South Fraser for over 6 years as a service provider to GT Hiring Solutions whom Nicole was the Service Delivery Manager of the Lower Mainland contract. Nicole is very passionate about building community as well as helping entrepreneurs grow and develop their business.

Nicole is deeply rooted to the Rotary Club of Chilliwack allowing her to give back to the community that has given her so many opportunities.

Teresa Pippus

Self-Employment Program Manager

Teresa has trained and coached entrepreneurs for more than 20 years and has assisted over 1,000 people to start their own small or micro-businesses.

After owning 4 successful hospitality industry businesses and creating and delivering employee/customer retention workshops for over 15 years she realizes one important principle – happiness is profitable. She is known as a customer service and marketing guru and has a passion and intuition for helping people move forward.

Teresa is a sought after speaker and workshop leader for amazing, authentic, and adventurous customer service. She lives in beautiful Fort Langley with her daughter Arden.

Lacy Donald

Business Development and Lending Advisor

Lacy brings a warm, community-centred approach to her work at Community Futures South Fraser. Raised in the rural community of Malakwa, B.C., she draws inspiration from her grandfather, who served 22 years in the Canadian military, and whose legacy deeply influenced her. At just 16, Lacy wrote a Remembrance Day poem that placed second nationally in the Royal Canadian Legion Literary Competition—a testament to her early passion for writing and the arts.

Recently relocated from the Okanagan, Lacy has built a diverse professional background spanning restaurant and hospitality management, sales and marketing, construction, office management, advising and managing local musicians and navigating financial markets. She also served as webmaster and Vice President of Vernon Women in Business and has volunteered extensively in her former community.

Lacy excels at forging strategic partnerships and deeply values community relationships. She believes small businesses are the cornerstones of thriving communities and strives to embody gratitude and authenticity—values she sees as the roots of all happiness. Now settled in Chilliwack, Lacy is excited to engage with local businesses and residents alike.

As a devoted mother, Lacy aims to lead by example for her daughter. She is passionate about working with and empowering women, youth and artists in business, and continues to champion creativity, collaboration, and community in all that she does.

Julia Lamb

Administrative Assistant

Julia is passionate about building strong communities where small businesses and individuals can thrive. Raised in Chilliwack, her connection to the region drives her commitment to supporting local entrepreneurs and meaningful community growth.

Julia holds a certificate in Bookkeeping and has spent 10+ years supporting small businesses with communications and social media services. Whether she’s connecting with clients, supporting projects, or advising on inclusive practices, Julia is driven by a strong belief in equity, connection, and community potential.

She is also an accessibility advocate. Living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy type 2, she brings lived experience and leadership to the table as a Board Member of Disability Alliance BC and member of the City of Chilliwack’s Accessibility and Inclusion Advisory Committee.

She finds joy in exploring accessible trails around the Fraser Valley, browsing local bookstores, and spending time at home with her husband and their rescue cats.