Langley School District Foundation Executive Director Ends Long-Time Career

May 27, 2021

Langley, BC – The Langley School District Foundation announces the retirement of Executive Director Susan Cairns after a career spanning more than 15 years with the organization. Cairns has been instrumental in helping build the Foundation since 2005.

“This is a bittersweet milestone for the Foundation,” said Alison McVeigh, President of the Langley School District Foundation.

“Susan was there from the start. She has worked tirelessly, dedicating time, energy, and passion to make learning unforgettable for every Langley student. Each fundraising event, campaign, and initiative was organized with care and with our students’ best interests at the forefront. Over the years, Susan has made some fabulous connections with our community sponsors who have been so very generous and have supported the needs of Langley students. We are extremely proud of all her accomplishments and grateful to her for helping to make the Langley School District Foundation what it is today. On behalf of the Foundation Board, I want to wish her a healthy, happy, and meaningful retirement.” explained McVeigh.

“Susan’s work in the Foundation has helped meet the physical, educational, and social emotional needs of many students and their families over the years. Whether it was access to food programs and playgrounds or scholarships for post-secondary, many students have thrived and achieved success thanks to Susan’s efforts in the Foundation. On behalf of the District, I want to wish her well in her next phase of life,” said Gord Stewart, Superintendent of Schools.

Susan Cairns first joined the Langley School District in 1999 as a coordinator in professional services, a department which focuses on the development of educators. In the early 2000s, the Langley Board of Education had a vision to create a Foundation supporting students. The funds raised were intended to provide Langley students with programs, supplies and equipment, and opportunities that are not funded by the Ministry of Education. Cairns saw the need for support was growing among the Langley student population and joined the organization to help make a difference.

“Those were exciting times,” said Cairns. “I was asked to head up a brand new and unprecedented School District Foundation and I was more than ready to take on the task. We immediately developed the Foundation logo, mission statement, mandate, and goals. Then with nothing to stop us or get in the way of progress we began our journey,” she added.

“Throughout the years, I’ve worked with dozens of board members and several school district superintendents and have always appreciated their support and commitment to everything that the Foundation stood for and strived to achieve. I am confident that the Foundation will continue to grow and to spread its influence and legacy for many years to come. It has been a privilege to be part of such an amazing school district and to be the Executive Director of the Langley School District Foundation,” noted Cairns.

“I will be embarking on new adventures as a travel writer and journalist and once COVID ends I look forward to getting to all those places that I have never been.”

The Langley School District Foundation has found a new Executive Director and will be sharing the news with the community on May 27, 2021.

For more information about programs and how to donate, please visit the Langley School District Foundation website here.

For interviews, please contact:

Joanne Abshire
Communications Manager
jabshire@sd35.bc.ca
604-363-1671