One to one with Loring Phinney

Loring Phinney, Chief Executive Officer of Pacific Autism Family Network (PAFN), leads this charitable centre of excellence whose purpose is to empower and support the Autistic community and their families. With over 30 years of experience in communications and stakeholder engagement, including senior roles at Bell Canada and Canucks Sports & Entertainment, Loring brings a deep commitment to inclusion and community impact. Learn more about Loring, his vision for PAFN, and how the organization is expanding its reach to improve the lives of neurodivergent individuals across the province.

What inspired you to join PAFN, and what excites you most about leading the organization? 

Our founders, Wendy and Sergio Cocchia, have created something very special over the past 10 years. To see the foundation that has been built with such purpose for the Autistic and otherwise neurodivergent community is inspiring, and I am excited to nurture it for further growth. Every decision that has been made to date is made on the principle that PAFN can identify the needs of our community and fill those gaps with meaningful programs. It truly is a centre of excellence that doesn’t exist anywhere else in Canada.

In your role as CEO, what’s one thing you’re most proud of that PAFN has achieved recently 

Our entire team can be proud of the impact we have every day. Hearing from parents and participants about their experiences in our programs, and the progress they feel, confirms to me that we’re doing something very special. That can range from a daycare parent appreciating our role in preparing their child for kindergarten, or a trainee at Paper Planes Café moving on to meaningful employment after their time with us at YVR.

What do you find most rewarding about your role on a personal level? 

Anyone who works in the nonprofit sectors knows how deeply rewarding it can be. Each day brings new challenges, but also new opportunities to make a meaningful impact for those who depend on us. Saying I enjoy telling our story and encouraging others to get involved would be an understatement. 

The support we have from our Board and the remarkable efforts of our incredible staff and volunteers reminds me daily that we are surrounded by a strong community committed to supporting those who need it most. We are also fortunate to have great support from the BC business community who take our calls, meet with us, and share their insights. Their support helps us continue to grow our impact.

When you’re not working, how do you like to spend your time? 

My wife and I moved here in 1992 and have learned to appreciate the great outdoors - rain or shine. Any day off usually includes a trail run in the North Vancouver forests with our ‘sled dog’ Jessica. I also enjoy a competitive game of pickleball with friends, a good action or comedy flick, or following my favourite sports team, the Vancouver Whitecaps.

What do you enjoy most about living and working in Vancouver? 

We always hear people talking about ‘work-life balance’. I think that is fair but can be misconstrued as not committed to doing great things. There is an entrepreneurial spirit in this city where people are prepared to try new things, serve as a micro-market for new ideas and do it without necessarily having to brag. I’ve sensed that humility since I arrived and appreciate the human element that people bring to their lives.

If a friend were visiting Vancouver for the first time, what’s one spot you’d insist they check out? 

Just one? I always encourage friends to get outside. Whether that’s walking downtown on the seawall, or the trail system on the Northshore, you can’t beat the views, and they’ll likely come across a patio or experience that is worth a pause.