The Core of What We Do

WIN is a community of care funded through resale, donations, and community support. When you shop, donate, volunteer, or show up, you help keep dignity-based programs and practical support available for women, trans, non-binary, and Two-Spirit people in our community.

Three of our long term employees walking down Douglas Street near our Pandora ave location. The women are wearing fun thrifted outfits from our store.

We recognizes the fluidity of gender and as such our programs are open to self-identifying women, trans, non-binary and Two-Spirit people who identify with the intention of WIN’s programs.  

WIN doesn’t ask people to prove their need or to express gratitude; it creates space for dignity, choice, safety, and connection. The impact is real, but it's often quiet. This framework helps make impact easier to understand, without asking people to prove their need, perform gratitude, or experience care as a transaction.

“WIN’s Programs have inspired me to continue believing in myself no matter the circumstances. They have changed the quality of my life more than once in so many different ways. I’m incredibly grateful.”
— WIN Program Participant

Meet Our Administration Team

  • Our executive director is posing for a photo outside our Pandora Street location. She has been our leader for over 20 years.

    Clare Yazganoglu

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

  • Jacqueline is our HR Specialist with over 15 years of experience in the field.

    Jacqueline Shaw

    PEOPLE OPERATIONS MANAGER

  • Jasmine is our marketing expert. She represents WIN at events and in the media. She is extremely knowledgeable about our identity as a cooperative.

    Jasmine Philip

    MARKETING + COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

  • Dana is our fundraising coordinator. She is driven and passionate about sourcing essential funds to help WIN Cooperative contain to provide excellent community programs and support.

    Dana Puli

    FUNDRAISING + DONATION ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR

  • Dhel is an expert in her field over 20 years of experience internationally and in Canada. She currently manages 160+ volunteers at WIN.

    Dhel Estepa

    VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR + HR ASSISTANT

  • Danielle is our main link to the greater community in Victoria. She connects with the public through phone, email, and in person. She is also the main creative force behind WIN's marketing campaigns and advertisements.

    Danielle Ubidia

    COMMUNITY LIAISON COORDINATOR

  • Nicole is our programs expert with over 15 years working with WIN Cooperative.

    Nicole Lapierre

    PROGRAMS MANAGER

  • Michelle Young

    SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER

Community Service Cooperatives

12 headshot photos of our Cooperative Member, all of which are long time employees and volunteers

WIN is organized as a community service cooperative which is a non-profit form of a cooperative. Our purpose is to benefit the community through the provision of programs and services that support women, trans, non-binary and Two Spirit people, and their families.

We are governed by a board of directors, and our membership is open to both the employees and volunteers of WIN. The benefit of participating as a member is the opportunity to shape the future of the organization, as well as to learn governance skills. Members do not receive any financial benefit from their participation as members, and volunteer their time for all membership related activities.

Learn more about Cooperatives

Our Timeline

WIN supports women, trans, non-binary, and Two-Spirit people as they move through crisis, change, and rebuilding. That support shows up through resale shops, online shopping, donations, volunteering, and community-funded programs. These aren’t separate activities; they’re parts of how care shows up at WIN. 

Clare Yazganoglu, our Executive Director posing in front of one of our retail locations
A photo of our 1803 Cook Str. location receiving our highly recognizable mural
Our employee Jenn has been her 24 years. She was working with WIN even before we became a Cooperative. She is standing in front of one of our thrift clothing racks and donated artwork.
Michelle has been with WIN for over 34 years. She is standing in our biggest and busiest location at 785 Pandora Ave.

To learn more about the journey of Women In Need (WIN) read Our Story

Our Board of Directors

  • M

    Michelle Young

    CHAIR

  • Kate Fleming

    TREASURER

  • Clare Yazganoglu

    SECRETARY

  • Nicole Lapierre

    STAFF MEMBER AT LARGE

  • Natalie Beach-Day

    STAFF MEMBER AT LARGE

  • Mabel Marin

    VOLUNTEER MEMBER AT LARGE

  • Haley Toye

    VOLUNTEER MEMBER AT LARGE